Georgia 🇬🇪 – trek

The authentic Caucasus Mountains in Georgia – a breathtaking view.

Day 01: TBILISI. Meeting in Tbilisi airport. Transfer to hotel and hotel check-in. Breakfast. City tour and excursion to the old part of Tbilisi: (sightseeing: Metekhi Church; Old Baths; Chardin Street; Old Caravanserai; Narikala Fortress; Sioni Cathedral; Mtatsminda, Ethnographic Museum, etc.). Trip to Mtskheta – Georgia’s ancient capital (Jvari Monastery; Svetitskhoveli Cathedral), lunch, and return to Tbilisi. Free evening, overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 02: TBILISI – MESTIA. After breakfast, packing and flight to Mestia. Short hike around Mestia. Exploration of Zuruldi Massif (6 km total, max 3 hours). Partial cable car ride. Elevation gain: 300 m. Summit at 2,455 m with views of surrounding peaks, including Ushba, Tetnuldi, and Laila. Return to Mestia, visit to Svaneti Museum or Margiani Tower Museum. Overnight.

Day 03: MESTIA – KORDULI LAKES. After breakfast, trek to Kordukhi Lakes. This trail leads to a group of lakes beneath Mount Ushba, one of the most fascinating peaks in the region. The reflection of the massif in the lake’s waters is a sight worth every effort. If energy allows, we’ll ascend to Kordukhi Pass (200 m above the lakes) for a spectacular view of the surrounding peaks. Return to Mestia, free time, overnight.

Day 04: MESTIA – USHGULI – SHKHARA GLACIER. After breakfast, we depart the hotel and board the famous “marshrutkas” (local minibuses) to Ushguli, one of Europe’s highest permanently inhabited villages. Today’s hike is relaxed, with stunning scenery. After exploring the glacier, we return to Ushguli for a well-deserved rest, preceded by refreshments at a bar with panoramic mountain views.

Day 05: USHGULI – SHDUGVRA WATERFALL. After breakfast, we take a marshrutka to Mazeri village, where the trek begins. The trail winds through beautiful pine forests, mountain streams, and offers spectacular views of Ushba Peak. Two routes lead to the waterfall. The longer, scenic one starts near Grand Hotel Ushba, crosses a bridge over the Dolra River, passes a mineral spring, a picturesque chapel, and meadows. The trail gradually climbs through dense pine forests to a border marker, followed by a final ascent. Bring your passport, as border guards may check it. The trek takes 3–4 hours (7 km one way). The waterfall can be approached from above or below but cannot be fully reached due to constant spray, wind, and mist. If time and energy allow, we can continue to Ushba Glacier (additional 3 km, ~2 hours, technically challenging). Rain requires extra caution due to slippery rocks/mud. Clear days reward us with breathtaking views of Ushba and surrounding peaks.

Day 06: USHGULI – MKHERI CHURCH – MESTIA. After breakfast, trek to Mkheri Church. The trail starts a few km from our lodging (taxi transfer). For minimal effort and a unique 360° panorama of the Caucasus, Mkheri is ideal. Bring a hat, snacks, and at least 2L of water. The 5-hour hike passes through forests and alpine meadows to one of Europe’s highest churches (2,500 m). Perched on a panoramic hilltop near Mt. Lahili (4,000 m), it offers views of the Greater Caucasus peaks (Lahili, Ushba, Tetnuldi, Shkhara). Return to Mestia, overnight.

Day 07: MESTIA – TBILISI. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight to Tbilisi. Free time for sightseeing/shopping. Overnight in Tbilisi.

Day 08: TBILISI – KAKHETI REGION – TBILISI. After breakfast, wine tour in Kakheti. First stop: Bodbe Monastery, a historic religious site. Next, the picturesque “City of Love,” Sighnaghi. Visit Tsinandali Museum (former home of poet Alexander Chavchavadze), followed by lunch and wine tasting in Napareuli. Return to Tbilisi, overnight.

Day 10: TBILISI. Return flight home.