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Lyudmila
Svaneti is an amazing region where the beauty of the mountains is closely intertwined with the traditions of the local people. Snow-capped five-thousand-metre peaks, mighty glaciers and turbulent rivers alternate with distinctive mountain villages. Every day spent in these places will give you a wealth of new and unique experiences, as the mountain landscapes here are so diverse. Powerful waterfalls are hidden in deep gorges, and from the passes you can see mountains stretching to the horizon!
Without a doubt, it is worth visiting at least once in your life, which is why we have created a tracking route through Svaneti that is suitable for almost every traveller! To enjoy the nature of the Georgian Caucasus, it is no longer necessary to carry a heavy backpack uphill. We will spend the night in guesthouses in mountain villages, carrying only a small backpack with the essentials for a day's hike. In addition to admiring the mountain landscapes, we will get a taste of the culture and way of life of the Svans, see their homes and the legendary Svan towers of the 7th-12th centuries, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Please note!
With many years of experience in hiking in Georgia, we have optimised the route to make it simpler. We have excluded all uninteresting dirt roads and kilometre-long climbs, replacing them with car transfers. And we have added more interesting places - in the same amount of time, we will be able to see as many locations in Svaneti as possible! At the same time, there is no significant physical exertion. This distinguishes the programme from other similar hikes in Svaneti. All transfers and overnight stays in guesthouses are included in the price; there are no "hidden" or additional costs along the route.
We do not cancel or shift groups. If the consultant 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 consultant 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 25000 participants have already gone to the mountains with the Kuluar and 97,8% were satisfied.
The group will meet in Batumi at approximately 9 a.m. Before meeting up with the group, you should exchange money at a bank, purchase a local SIM card to stay connected, and enjoy a Georgian breakfast.
Let's get acquainted and set off in a chartered minibus to the high mountains! On the way, we will stop at the Ingur Reservoir. We will enjoy the views of its huge water surface surrounded by mountains. The water in this reservoir is an incredible turquoise colour! The dam is also impressive - at 270 metres high, it is one of the highest dams in the world!
Upon arrival in Mazeri, we settle into a cosy guesthouse. The small Svan village of Mazeri is nestled in a high-altitude valley surrounded by picturesque peaks with wooded slopes. Above the forest zone, we can see rocky peaks and a large summit standing out against their backdrop. This is the world-famous mountain called Ushba. The village of Mazeri is also known as the former residence of the Dadeshkelians.
A river flows from the glacier below Ushba, at an altitude of 2,600 metres, and after a kilometre it plunges down four noisy waterfalls. The route to the waterfalls passes through a wide valley and coniferous forest, with magnificent views of the rocky slopes of the peaks surrounding the Dolra River. Entering the forest, the trail crosses a bridge over a turbulent mountain river and leads to a border guard post - the border is very close!
We approach the waterfalls, which offer pleasant coolness on a hot day. After lunch in a comfortable spot, we return along the familiar path to the guest house for dinner. The walk will take the whole day.
Travel time: 7 hours; distance: 16 km; elevation gain: 700 m, elevation loss: 700 m.
We wake up and have breakfast - today will be another busy day. It will be easier in terms of physical activity, but instead will be filled with cultural activities. After breakfast, the car will take us to Mestia and a little further up the Mestiachala River gorge to the new hydroelectric power station. From there, a short trek to the Chalaadi Glacier begins. We cross a suspension bridge and climb up the gorge along a path. The path winds through an enchanting forest. Upon exiting the forest, we will 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 emerges directly from under the glacier, from a huge ice cave! We will not get too close, as rocks may fall from above. We will take a photo for memory at a safe distance.
We return to the car and drive to Mestia. There we settle in a guesthouse, have lunch and go for a walk around the town, where modern houses alternate with medieval buildings and the famous Svan towers. We will take a tour of one of these Svan dwellings - a machube. It is also the house-museum of the great mountaineer, the real "Tiger of the Rocks", Mikhail Kherghiani. He was born here and is considered a hero here for his outstanding achievements in mountaineering. The museum is very atmospheric, and thousands of tourists flock here every year. We will take a 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 colourful café with live Georgian music and dancing, enjoying a glass of wine.
Distance: 6 km; elevation gain: 300 m, elevation loss: 300 m.
After a leisurely breakfast, a car will be waiting for us at the gate. We will cover about a kilometre of elevation gain by minibus, climbing all the way up to Tetnuldi Ski Resort. From the observation deck, in good weather, we will be able to see Ushba, Chatyn, Banguriani and other famous peaks of the Caucasus. From the cable car, we will take a path that winds through a fragrant pine forest and then opens onto mountain meadows. There will be a couple of mountain streams, and you can even take a dip in one of them — in a natural jacuzzi right next to the path :) The water is invigorating, but in the summer heat, it's just what you need! After one of the turns, we will see the Adishchala River Gorge, and shortly after that, we will see the towers of the village of Adishi below. We will descend there and settle in one of the guesthouses among the ancient Svan towers.
Travel time: 2-3 hours; distance: 7 km; elevation gain: 150 m, elevation loss: 500 m.
Today is the most difficult, but at the same time one of the most eventful days. We will cross the river on horseback, climb to the pass and the observation point at an altitude of 2,811 metres, descend into the Khaldeschala River gorge and take a picturesque road down to the village of Iprali. Therefore, we get up as early as possible, have a quick breakfast and set off. Along the path along the Adishchala Gorge, we gradually approach its upper reaches, to the crossing point. Around the bend in the gorge, in good weather, we will see the magnificent Lardaad icefall and the snow-white Bezengi Wall. One of the highest icefalls in the Caucasus, the most difficult and highest five-thousand-metre peaks.
We approach the Adishchala River. The water in it is very cold because it does not have time to warm up after flowing out of a huge glacier-refrigerator. Early in the morning, before the sun has warmed up the glacier, the water level here is at its lowest. Those who wish can wade across the river with an instructor, but we still recommend using horses for the crossing — enterprising svans from the village of Adishi are already on duty at the ford.
After crossing the river, we climb the path to the Chhunderi Pass (2,722 m). The climb is long and will require some effort. However, without heavy backpacks, it can be completed fairly quickly. A couple of hours later, we are already at the observation point at 2,811 m, slightly above the pass.
From here, you can see the full power and grandeur of the Bezengi Wall. Steep slopes, sharp ridges, hanging glaciers - the view is breathtaking! Panoramic views of the five-thousand-metre peaks of the Caucasus, which seem to be within arm's reach! The powerful Adishi icefall with its two-kilometre drop is right there in front of you!
After a photo shoot against the backdrop of peaks and glaciers (ladies, don't forget your dresses!), we descend along the path into the Khaldeschala River gorge. On the way through the gorge, we will pass waterfalls and the mountain village of Khalde. This is one of the most picturesque villages in Svaneti, set against the backdrop of snow-white glaciers. Upon reaching the village of Iprali, we will settle into a guesthouse.
Travel time: 8 hours; distance: 16 km; elevation gain: 700 m, elevation loss: 900 m.
In the morning, leaving the guesthouse, we descend along the road to the Inguri River and almost immediately climb 300 metres along the trail. We will spend the first half of the day walking along wooded mountain slopes above a deep gorge. Towards evening, the trail descends to the road leading to Ushguli. The community of Ushguli consists of four villages: Zhibiani, Chvabiani, Chazhashi and Murkmeli. Territorially, it is now a single settlement high in the mountains, compactly located at the confluence of two streams, near the source of the Inguri River. The village has preserved traditional Svan houses and numerous towers, and on the hill near the village of Zhibiani there is a church of the Mother of God (in Svan - Lamaria), built in the 11th century. We will check into a guesthouse and take a walk among the medieval towers. This concludes the active part of our trip to Svaneti, and we can celebrate this in one of the local cafes :)
Travel time: 4-5 hours; distance: 12 km; elevation gain: 560 m, elevation loss: 420 m.
We have breakfast and get into the minibus we booked. Today, we are surrounded by high mountains, looking at snow-capped peaks and glaciers, and in the evening we will be swimming in the warm sea! Morning in the mountains, sunset on the seashore. What could be more interesting?)
The car will take us from Svaneti to Batumi, right by the sea. Keep in mind that there is plenty to do in Batumi for at least a couple more days. In addition to cafes, walks along the promenade and beach relaxation, we recommend visiting the Batumi Botanical Garden (located not far from the city), where you can walk all day long! Be sure to visit the local market, taste the sweets and don't forget to buy souvenirs for your friends and loved ones! Or plan your flight home after 7 p.m.
Depending on the weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group, the teamleader has the right to make changes to the route.
You must have a valid passport with you; visas are not required. IMPORTANT! Your passport must not contain any stamps from Abkhazia, otherwise you will inevitably encounter problems with border guards. To participate in the trip, you must not have any illnesses that are incompatible with active tourism: list here.
After hiking in Svaneti, we recommend the following routes:
We recommend purchasing tickets in advance, as soon as we confirm your participation in the trip. It is best to fly to Batumi; you can fly to Kutaisi or Tbilisi, but in this case, allow time for additional transfers.
Please note that baggage may not be included in the price and you will need to order 20 kg at the time of purchase, or take a package that includes 1 baggage allowance.
You need to be in Batumi on the first day of the programme in the morning, before 9 a.m. So, most likely, you will go on the trip after resting at the hotel you choose yourself.
We recommend purchasing return tickets for evening or night flights on the last day of your trip. After purchasing your tickets, send your arrival/departure flight details to your consultant.
To participate in the programme, you need an insurance that covers trekking in Georgia. Please do not neglect this. For some participants, it saved thousands of euros. You can find our recommendations for insurance here: "Insurance for Kuluar hikers"
There will be mobile communication and 4G internet along the route, which may disappear in some places. You will need a foreign passport to purchase a local SIM card. We recommend buying a Magti card from a Georgian operator. It works almost everywhere along the route, with the exception of a few places. Rates start at 3 lari for 500 MB of internet for 30 days.
We will be staying in guest houses with local Svan people, so the living conditions will be similar to their local lifestyle, which is completely different from the hotels we are used to. Be prepared for the fact that not everything may be perfectly clean, and there may be no carpets or hairdryers. There is not a wide choice of accommodation along the route. But in any case, there will be a bed to sleep in, a shower and a kitchen. And the hospitality of the hosts, the warm Georgian welcome and the picturesque mountain landscapes more than make up for it!
Meals are included in the price of the trip. Breakfasts and dinners are local dishes; we bring snacks with us for lunches.
The minimum group size for this programme is 5 participants. We have calculated the costs for smaller groups as well, increasing them only slightly to avoid operating at a loss.
This will allow us to confirm the date earlier, and you will have the opportunity to buy tickets and plan your unforgettable trip!
| Number of participants | Value |
|---|---|
| 5 and more | €720 |
| 4 | €780 |
| 3 | €920 |
If the prepayment amount is too high for you at the moment, but you want to book a place, write to a consultant and they will divide it into convenient parts.
👉 Please read: payment methods and refund conditions in case of cancellation or departure from the route
Dear friends, we kindly request that you refrain from accepting 500 euro banknotes. We consistently encounter issues when settling accounts with our partners in Europe. Thank you for your understanding.
*Please note: the consultant will help you select and search for airline tickets and recommend insurance, but purchasing is not part of their job. Participants do this themselves or contact our partners. All contact details are provided in the article: tickets, hotels and insurance.
