Svaneti is an amazing region, where the beauty of mountains is closely intertwined with the traditions of the local people. Snow-white mountains, powerful glaciers, violent rivers alternate with distinctive mountain villages. Every day spent in these places gives you a lot of new and unique impressions because of the variety of mountain landscapes. Deep gorges hide noisy and powerful waterfalls, and you can see mountains to the horizon from the passes!
Undoubtedly, it is worth to be here at least once in a lifetime, and so we have created a route to Svaneti, suitable for almost every traveler! To enjoy the nature of the Georgian Caucasus, now you don't need to pull a heavy backpack up the mountain. We will spend the night in guesthouses in mountain villages, carrying on our shoulders just a small backpack with the essentials for the day's hiking. In addition to admiring the mountain scenery, we will touch Svan culture and life, see their homes and the legendary Svan towers of the VII-XII centuries, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We have many years of experience in hiking in Georgia, we optimized the route to simplify it. We excluded all the uninteresting dirt roads and kilometer-long elevation gain, replacing them with car transfers. And we added more interesting places - for the same time we will be able to see the maximum of Svaneti sights! At that - without much physical exertion. This is qualitatively different from other similar tours in Svaneti.
All transfers and overnight stays in hostels are included in the price, there are no "hidden" and additional costs along the route.
This hiking route in Svaneti is not the only one in our list. Check out other treks in this beautiful region:
- Backpacking in Svaneti hike is a classic mountain trekking with long hikes and overnight stays in tents. Suitable for participants with previous hiking experience.
- Easy Backpacking in Svaneti is a light hike that can be attended by children from 10 years old.
- 1 category mountain hiking - hard sport trek for experienced and confident trekkers.
If you have already been to Svaneti and want to see something new, we recommend to pay attention to hiking in Mingrelia.
We do not cancel or shift groups. If the manager approved the purchase of a ticket, you can surely buy it. The hike will not be canceled due to our fault.
Experienced Kuluar teamleaders will accompany the group on all route, will make the trip as safe and unforgettable as possible! They have been in Svaneti many times and know the country in details.
The program is specially designed for those who want to trek without heavy backpacks, while visiting the most interesting places of Svaneti
The manager who will advise you before the trip was on a trek in Svaneti, herself and will tell you about the details from personal experience!
All overnight stays will be in pre-booked guest houses, where you can take a shower, charge your smartphones and cameras, and try the local cuisine
More than 12,000 participants have already gone to the mountains with the Kuluar and 97,8% were satisfied.
Meeting of the group in Batumi, approximate time - 9 am. Before the meeting it is advisable to change money in the bank, buy a local SIM card to always stay in touch, and have some Georgian delicacies for breakfast.
We get acquainted and travel by minibus to the high mountains! On the way we drive to Inguri Reservoir. We will enjoy the sights of its vast water surface, surrounded by the mountains. The water in this reservoir is of incredible turquoise color! The dam is also impressive - its height is 270 meters, one of the highest dams in the world!
Upon arrival in Mazeri we settle in a cozy guesthouse. The small Svan village of Mazeri is located in a high valley, bordered by picturesque peaks with wooded slopes. And above the forest zone we can see the rocky peaks with the world-famous mountain called Ushba standing out against them. Mazeri is also known as the former capital, the seat of the Dadeshkeliani princes.
Travel time: 7 hours; distance: 16 km; climb: 700 m, altitude drop: 700 m.
From a glacier below Ushba, at an altitude of 2,600 m, a river flows out, which after one kilometer drops down in four noisy waterfalls. The route to the waterfalls passes through a wide valley and a coniferous forest, with excellent views of the rocky slopes of the surrounding Dolra River gorge peaks. On the way to the Shdugra waterfalls there is a spring with mineral water. Let's drink real mineral water coming out of the ground! After entering the forest, a path along a bridge crosses a turbulent mountain river and leads to a border guard post - the border is very close!
We approach waterfalls - on a hot day it is pleasantly cool. After having lunch at a comfortable place we drive back to the familiar house for dinner. The walk will take all day.
Distance 6 km; climb: 300 m, altitude drop: 300 m.
We will wake up and have breakfast - today will be another busy day. Simpler in terms of physical exertion, but filled with a cultural program. After breakfast car takes us to Mestia, and a little further, up the gorge of the river Mestiachala to the new hydroelectric power station. From there begins a short trek to the Chaalat Glacier. We pass a suspension bridge and climb up the gorge on a trail through a lovely forest. Once out of the forest, we immediately see the glacier and the rocky towers of Chatyn Peak towering above it. Coming closer, we will see how the river is born - it flows directly from under the glacier, from the huge ice cave! We will not get too close to it, because some rocks can fall from above. Let's take a picture on safe distance.
Let's drive back to our car and drive to Mestia. There we will settle in guesthouse, have lunch and go for a walk in the town, where modern houses alternate with medieval buildings and the famous towers of Svan. We visit one of those Svan houses, machube, for a tour. This is also the house-museum of the great mountain climber, the real "Tiger of rocks", Michael Khergiani. He was born here and here he is considered a hero for his outstanding achievements in mountaineering. The museum is very atmospheric, thousands of tourists come here every year. We will look at the life of the Svans in the early 20th century and the equipment used by the founders of mountaineering.
You can spend the evening in a colorful cafe with live Georgian music and dancing, drink a glass of wine.
Travel time: 2-3 hours; distance 7 km; climb: 250 m, altitude drop: 500 m.
We will have slow breakfast, and a car is waiting for us at the gate. About one kilometer of climbing we will pass by the minibus, climbing to the Tetnuldi Ski Resort. From the observation viewpoint, when the weather is good, we can see Ushba, Chatyn, Banguriani and other famous peaks of the Caucasus. From the cable car we will go to the trail, then coming into the fragrant pine forest, then coming out into the mountain meadows. There will be a couple of mountain streams, you can even bathe in one of them - in a natural Jacuzzi right next to the trail :) The water is invigorating but it's perfect in the summer heat! Behind one of the turns we will see the gorge of Adishchala river, and soon after that we will see towers of Adishi village below. We will go down there and settle in one of the guesthouses among the ancient Svan towers.
Travel time: 8 hours; distance 17 km; climb: 700 m, altitude drop: 900 m.
Today is the most difficult, but at the same time one of the most intense days. River ford on horseback, climbing the pass and observation point at 2811 m, descending into the gorge of the river Haldeschala and lively road down to the village Iprali. So we get up as early as possible, have a quick breakfast and hit the road. We take a path along Adishchali Gorge to the head of the gorge, to the place of ford. Behind the turn of the gorge in good weather we discover the grandiose Lardaad icefall and snow-white Bezengi wall. One of the highest icefalls in the Caucasus, and the most difficult and highest peaks-five-thousanders.
We approach the Adishchala River. The water in the river is very cold, because it has not had time to warm up, coming out of a huge refrigerator glacier. Early in the morning, while the sun has not yet warmed up the glacier, there is the lowest water level. Those who wish can wade the river with an instructor, but we still recommend to use horses for crossing - enterprising Svans from the village of Adishi are already on duty near the ford.
After wading across the river we go up by path to Chunderi pass (2722 m). The ascent is long and requires hard work. But it is overcome rather quickly without heavy rucksacks. A couple of hours and we are already on the observation peak of 2811 m, just above the pass. From there all the power and greatness of Bezengi wall opens up. Steep slopes, sharp ridges, hanging glaciers - the sight is impressive! Panoramic views of the five-thousand meters peaks of the Caucasus, which seem to be near at hand! The powerful Adishi Icefall with its 2 km altitude difference is as on the palm of your hand!
After the photo session on the peaks and glaciers (don't forget the dresses, girls!) we go down by trail to the canyon of the river Haldeschala. On the way along the gorge we will pass waterfalls and the mountain village of Hulde. This is one of the most picturesque villages in Svaneti, against the background of nearby snow-white glaciers. When we reach the village of Iprali, we settle in at the guesthouse.
Travel time: 4-5 hours; distance 12 km; climb 560 m, altitude drop: 420 m.
In the morning, leaving the hostel, we go down the road to the Inguri River, and almost immediately gain 300 m altitude on the path. First half of the day we will walk along the forested mountain slopes, over the gorge. In the evening the path will descend to the Ushguli road. Ushguli community consists of four villages: Zhibiani, Chvibiani, Chazhashi and Murkmeli. Territorially it is now one whole settlement high in the mountains, compactly located at the confluence of two streams, at the source of the Inguri River. In the village have remained traditional svan houses and many towers, and on the hill near the village of Jibiani is a church of Virgin (in Svanese - Lamaria), built in the XI century. We check into a guesthouse and walk among the medieval towers.
Travel time: 6 hours; distance 10 km; climb: 800 m, altitude drop 800 m.
We will wake up early, because we are going to ascend to the altitude of 3000m, to the Svansky ridge! We got acclimatized well enough, so, climbing up to the ridge will be quite usual thing. Besides we are going without heavy rucksacks. We take only the most necessary things for a one-day walk in the mountains.
The higher we climb, the more beautiful views we will have. The highest mountains of the Caucasus will stand before us as a wall, and deep gorges with violent rivers will stay far below. We will go up to the summit of 3000m and beside it there is a small lake. Near a spring at the altitude of 2620m we will take some water and in a place with panoramic views we will have a rest and lunch. And in the evening we can share emotions and impressions from what we saw with our friends. This completes the active part of the hike in Svaneti which can be celebrated in one of the local cafes :)
We have breakfast and get into the minibus. Today we are looking at snow-white peaks and glaciers among the high mountains, and in the evening we will bathe in the warm sea! Morning in the mountains, sunset on the seashore. What could be more interesting?)
Our car will take us from Svaneti to Batumi, straight to the sea. Take into account, that there is something to do in Batumi, at least for couple more days. Besides cafes, promenade walks and beach recreation, we recommend to go to Batumi Botanical Garden (located near the city), where you can walk along the paths all day! Be sure to visit the local bazaar, eat sweets and do not forget to buy souvenirs for your friends and relatives!
Depending on the weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group, the guide has the right to make changes to the route.
The manager will advise you on equipment, help you choose the best flight, share information on hotels and excursions. You make payments and purchases yourself. If you want the manager to buy a ticket for you, then this is possible, but for extra money, because this is a big responsibility. More in the article: additional services and service fee
You need to have a valid passport with you, visas are not needed. To participate in the hiking, you must have no diseases that are not compatible with active tourism: the list is here.
After hiking in Svaneti, we recommend the following routes:
We recommend you to buy tickets in advance, as soon as we confirm your participation in the hike. We advise you to fly with SkyUp, Bees Airline, Yanair, at a cost of 200-300€ per round-trip ticket. The best way is to fly to Batumi, but you can also fly to Kutaisi or Tbilisi, but in that case you should save time for travel to Batumi.
Note that luggage may be not included in the price and you will need to order extra 20 kg at the time of the purchase or you can order package with 1 piece of luggage at once. When checking in at the airport they may ask to show the card used to pay for the flight - don't forget it!
In Batumi you must be on the first day of the program in the morning, up to 09-00.
We recommend to take return tickets for evening or night flights on the last day of the trip.
After the ticket purchase please send the information about your arrival/departure flights to your manager.
Our recommendations for airline ticket selection services you can found in this article.
You need good insurance to participate in the program. Please do not neglect this item. For some participants, it saved thousands of dollars. You can find our recommendations for taking out insurance here: "Insurance for Kuluar hikers"
To stay with communication, share your emotions and experiences with your family and friends, buy a local sim card. Sometimes they are handed out at the airport, at the information center. It is best to take a card operator Magti.
Good 4G coverage covers most of the route. You can charge your devices in the evening at the guesthouses.
We sleep in guesthouses with local Svans, so the living conditions are close to their local life, which is quite different from the hotels we are accustomed to. Be prepared for the fact that not everything can be perfectly clean, there are no carpets or hair dryer. The choice of accommodations on the route is small. But in any case there will be a bed, a place to sleep, a shower, a kitchen. And hospitality of the hosts, warm Georgian welcome and picturesque mountainous landscapes more than compensate for everything!
Meals are included in the price of the tour. Breakfast and dinner are local specialties; we take snacks for lunch.
At the moment, in order to stay in Georgia, you have to take a Covid retest within 48-72 hours of your arrival in the country.
We will tell you about how to actively spend your time before taking the test in this article: Georgia: interesting places near Batumi and Tbilisi.
If you want to book a place in a group, you need to make a prepayment of 200 euros. You hand over the rest of the amount to the guide at the meeting in euros, cash. Prepayment return conditions and payment methods =>> .
The total amount of mandatory additional costs will be 0 euros. For souvenirs and excursions, we recommend taking about 100 euros.
*Please note: the tasks of the manager do not include the selection of a separate air flight for each participant. The manager gives general recommendations based on his experience and shares the flights of other members so that you can fly together. The participant himself is engaged in the selection and purchase of a ticket convenient for himself. If you want the manager to buy you an air ticket, book a hotel or additional excursions, read the conditions on the page: additional services.
