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A backpacking trip to Svaneti is a meeting with the edge of the wild mountains and the spirit of history. When shooting these landscapes, you don't need "filters" to make your photos brighter. Green meadows, mountain lakes and the harsh walls of the Main Caucasus Range will show all the perfection and austerity of nature. In this hike we will enjoy the meeting of dawns and sunsets at an altitude of about 3000 m. And the lack of lights of megacities will allow you to enjoy the beauty of the starry night sky.
Svaneti is popularly called the "land of a thousand towers" because of the unusual buildings that built proud svans. These unique towers still delight the eyes of locals and intrigue visiting tourists. This region is rightfully included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Our trip to Svaneti is designed for people who used to go to the mountains and have experience spending the night in tents. For participants without experience, but with great desire, we recommend a light version of the backpacking in Svaneti.
The start of our hike is in the city of Batumi. Batumi has an international airport and convenient flights. You can also fly to Tbilisi and Kutaisi, but in this case, allow time for moving to Batumi. We recommend arriving in Batumi the day before. If you need a place in the hostel, please inform the manager.
Pay attention! This route to Svaneti is not the only one from our list. Check out other hikes in this great region:
- Easy backpacking in Svaneti is an easy route - in this trip you can take children from 10 years old.
- Hiking in Svaneti - without tents and large backpacks - is an easy route with overnight stays in guest houses, where participants do not have to carry heavy backpacks.
If you have already visited Svaneti and want to see something new, we advise you to pay attention to the backpacking in Megrelia.
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 to Georgia many times and know the country in details.
Teamleader will tell you and show: where it is better to change money, buy souvenirs and equipment, what and where to eat, what interesting places to go after the hike.
The program of the hike was improved several times, we tried to make it as rich and comfortable as possible. That's why we do all of our transfers on chartered shuttles.
The manager who will advise you before the trip, was on a trip to Svaneti herself and will tell you about the details from personal experience!
More than 12,000 participants have already gone to the mountains with Kuluar and 97,8% were satisfied.
Meeting of the group in Batumi, approximate time – 9 am. Before the meeting of the group, you need to change money at the bank, buy a local SIM card to always stay in touch, have Georgian delicacies for breakfast.
After getting to know each other, we get into a custom minibus and drive to the village of Mazeri. On the way we will have lunch and also enjoy the views of the huge Inguri reservoir with water of incredible turquoise color.
Our first camp is located in the village of Mazeri – a small Svan village in a high mountain valley on the banks of the Dolra River. Mazeri is known as the former capital, the residence of the princes of Dadeshkeliani. The valley of the river Dolra in this place is wide, and bordered by picturesque peaks with green slopes. Against their background, the rocky walls of Mazeri Peak and the pyramid of the majestic Ushba stand out.
Before our hike, you need to acclimatize well so that in the future it will be easier to overcome distances and enjoy the views of Svaneti. Today we will have a radial exit to the Shdugra waterfalls. Directly from the glacier under Mount Ushba flows a river that literally falls down four noisy waterfalls. The route to the waterfalls passes through shady coniferous forests, with excellent views of the rocky slopes of the peaks surrounding the Dolra River gorge. The path along the bridge crosses the stormy mountain river Dolra, and not far from this place there is a post of border guards - the border is within easy reach!
On the way to the waterfalls, we will have the opportunity to drink real mineral water - the source is located right next to the road.
Travel time: 7 h; distance 16 km; climb: 700 m, altitude drop: 700 m.
Today we will get up early and without our backpacks climb to a height of 2285m, to the top of Mezir to the coastal lake, in good quality, the beautiful Ushba. The climb will subsequently take place through a deciduous, but through a coniferous forest, in which three-year-old firs, spruces and pines are explained. Climbing along a winding shady path, we will enjoy the silence and the aroma of an ancient fir forest. We will rise to the plateau, from which panoramic views of the Svan forest with its glaciers will open - we will have it in full view. Far below we will see a gorge with waterfalls, where we were yesterday. And right in front of us, the pyramid of Ushba will rise - one of the most difficult and impregnable peaks of the Caucasus. Let's sit under the pines, with magnificent seats for all 360; we can relax and make a fire.
Having descended back along the path to the village of Mazeri, we will have a snack, and in the late afternoon the car will take us to Mestia.
Walking back down the path to the village of Mazeri, we will have a snack, and in the late afternoon the car will take us to Mestia. There we stay in a campings in tents. You can spend the evening completely immersed in live Georgian music and dancing in one of the cafes in the center of Mestia, or you can climb one of the Svan towers, enjoying the starry sky and the lights of the night Mestia.
Travel time: 6 h; distance 12 km; climb: 800 m, altitude drop: 800 m
Today we will wake up in Mestia, and we will spend the night under the Lardaad glacier near the village of Adishi. But first, let's go to the house-museum of the great climber, the real "Tiger of the Rocks", Mikhail Khergiani. He was born here and here he is considered a hero for 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 at the beginning of the 20th century and the equipment used by the founders of mountaineering.
Today, the main climb, which is about a kilometer up, we will get to the Tetnuldi Ski Resort by chartered transport. On the way 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 - a smooth descent along the path to the Adishchaly gorge, to the ancient Svan village of Adishi.
On the way to the village of Adishi, we bathe in a natural jacuzzi, which was created by a mountain river and enthusiastic tourists :). In Adishi is the church of St. George, revered by all Svans. For centuries, it was in Adishi that the oldest manuscript in the Georgian language, dating back to the 9th century, was kept. Now it is kept in a museum in Mestia. Then we go in the direction of the Chkhunderi pass, to our place of spending the night near the glacier.
Travel time: 6 h; distance 12 km; climb: 320 m, altitude drop: 520 m.
First of all, we will need to ford the Adishchala River. In the morning, when the sun has not yet warmed up the glacier, the water level is the lowest here, and in the evening the water rises significantly. If someone gets scared or doesn't want to get their shoes wet, the river can be crossed on horseback for 20 GEL. Then we go up to the Chkhunderi pass (2722 m).
We will need to go up a little and try hard, as the climb itself is not easy. But from the observation point near the pass, incredible landscapes open up to the top of Tetnuldi, the Bezengi wall with its five thousand meters, the Lardaadi icefall (the second name is Adish) - the largest icefall in Georgia. A great place for lunch :) After that, we go down the path to the gorge of the Haldeschala River. We will stop for the night near the waterfalls.
Travel time: 5-6 hours; distance 8 km; climb: 580 m, altitude drop: 650 m.
In the morning, having collected the camp, we go out on to the trail. Almost immediately we arrive in the village of Khalde. Khalde, one of the most picturesque villages in Svaneti, looks great against the backdrop of sparkling glaciers nearby. During the events of 1876, the village was almost completely destroyed. Now these are picturesque ruins on the mountainside and a couple of guest houses with cafes open during the season.
Passing a couple more villages belonging to the community of Kala (Iprali, Lalhori and Davberi), we will climb the path above the gorge of the Inguri River and pass along the wooded slopes to the community of Ushguli. A little before coming Ushguli, we will stop for the night, setting up a tent camp near the purest mountain stream Murushi.
Travel time: 8 hours; distance 13 km; climb: 840 m, altitude drop: 890 m
Having a good breakfast in the morning, we go out on the road to Ushguli. Being located at an altitude of 2200 m above sea level, this village is considered the highest permanently inhabited settlement in Europe. The architectural ensemble of Ushguli is a valuable architectural and historical monument, largely thanks to which Upper Svaneti was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The village has preserved traditional Svan houses and towers. On a hill near the village of Zhibiani is the Church of Our Lady (in Svan - Lamaria), built in the XI century.
After walking along Ushguli, we climb the Svan ridge. From it we will have gorgeous views of the southern, almost sheer walls of the five-thousanders of the Main Caucasian Range. Having risen to 600m in height above Ushguli, we will stop for the night. This is a panoramic place with a great view: the Bezengi wall will be in full view.
Travel time: 4-5 hours; distance 6 km; climb: 620 m, altitude drop: 50 m.
Today we have a very beautiful and eventful day. Anyone who wants to can get up early and meet the dawn over the mountains with a height on 2600 m. Sunrise in the mountains is an absolutely extraordinary sight! After breakfast and gathering, we will climb another 300 m from the place of overnight stay and walk along the Svan ridge, enjoying the scenery around. This forest stretches from West to East along the Main Caucasian, and divides Svaneti into Upper (Free) and Lower (Princely).
Moving along the ridge, we will see a couple of high lakes, if the weather is good, we will climb to the top of a height of more than 3000 m! In the evening, having passed the Latpari pass (2830 m), we will descend a little from the ridge to Lower Svaneti and stop for the night at an altitude of 2200 m.
Travel time: 8 h; distance 14 km; climb: 850 m, altitude drop: 1270 m.
Today we continue the descent to Lower Svaneti, to the village of Chvelpi. The road goes down, you can go down slowly. At the end of the journey, the cool water of the Tskhenistskali River awaits us. And a minibus is already waiting there, which will take us from the high mountains of Svaneti to Batumi, right to the sea. We'll be there in the evening.
But there is something to do in Batumi for at least a couple of days. Very beautiful promenade, warm sea. We also recommend that you go to the Batumi Botanical Garden (located not far from the city), where you can get lost for the whole day :) Be sure to go to the local bazaar, taste sweets and don't forget to buy souvenirs for your friends and family!
Travel time: 3 h; distance 7 km; climb: 60 m, altitude drop: 1150 m.
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.
Depending on the weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group, the guide has the right to make changes to the route.
On the route there will be mobile communications, 4G Internet, which may disappear in places. To buy a local SIM card, you will need a passport. We recommend buying a Magti card, a Georgian operator. He catches almost the entire route from Mestia to the Latpari pass, with the exception of a few places. Tariffs start from 3 lari for 500 MB of internet for 30 days.
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 backpacking 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 in touch, share your emotions and impressions with family and friends, buy a local SIM card. Sometimes they are distributed at the airport, at the information center. It is best to take a Magti operator card.
We live all the time in tents that we take with us.
Surely you are wondering what we will eat on a hike? Let's just say that you don't have to worry. Many participants say they eat better on the hike than they do at home. The basis of the menu is a simple meal of cereals and soups. You should not count on gourmet delicacies (although they can be).
If you do not eat any products, be sure to inform the manager so that the guide can slightly adjust the menu for you. We also recommend taking some yummies with you - nuts or sweets. Appetite on a hike is much better than at home.
Please note that the menu shown is indicative only. Guides usually have their signature dishes that they love to pamper participants with. And if you have dishes that you would like to receive on a hike, be sure to tell the manager about it, as the guide may have completely different preferences.
Features of nutrition for vegetarians - if you do not eat meat, be sure to read. We tell here how we will feed you and at the same time we give you a 5% discount to the hiking.
The route is at high altitude, which means that in the evenings and at night frosts are possible. So take a hat, gloves, warm clothes and a good sleeping bag. In the morning it's almost always clear weather and in the evening the sky is covered with clouds and it might rain - don't forget the raincoat. Towards night, the stars appear.
Depending on how much stuff you have, a backpack can weigh up to 16 kg. The weight of public equipment and provisions that the team leader can give you is approximately 5-6 kg.
Think about every thing you will take on the route, based on your past experience and the recommendations of the manager and the team leader.
Yes you can, but it will be hard and you must be mentally and physically prepared for it.
If you can easily run 10 km, ride a bike more than 30 km at a time or are active in other sports - you can do this hiking.
All equipment (tent, sleeping bag, backpack, karemat, trekking poles) can be rented in Georgia, and you don't need to bring it from home. It is inexpensive, renting the whole set will cost 70 euros.
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 150 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.