Total drive: 5 hr 33 min (366 km) 

We pick you up from Tbilisi hotel at 08:00 and transfer you to Senaki Caffe Apetito (4 hr 3 min (286 km)). On the way, we do several stops to stretch the legs.

13:00-14:00 Meet with other members joining from Kutaisi and Batumi at Senaki Kafe Apetito near Senaki State Drama Theater.

Nokalakevi archaeological museum-reserve is about 17 minutes’ drive from Senaki (16.5 km). Guided Excursion will take about one hour. We visit renovated museum halls, archaeological fragments of thermal baths, churches, citadel, and escape tunnel. 

The next site to visit today is Martvili Canyon. Enjoy the scenery of Samegrelo waterfalls and take a 20 minutes boat trip in the Abasha green color river. Tour continues for approximately an hour.

In the evening arrival in Chkhorotsku, a small town, where tourists usually pass by. Unique place!

The small family guesthouse is the only opportunity for an overnight here, but on the other hand, we have the best chance to explore the real local lifestyle. Dinner and overnight in Chkhorotsku guesthouse.

Total drive: 3 hr 20 min (154 km) 

08:30 After breakfast at the guesthouse we check out and head to Mestia and to its surrounding. All-day we drive upwards to Caucasus mountain serpentines rising elevation from 180 m above sea level in Chkhorotsku to 1500 m in Mestia.

The first must-stop site on the way is Enguri Dam –a very impressive, picturesque gorge and the biggies construction of Soviet times (1 h from Chkhorotsku – 50 km). Doing 20-30 minutes photo stop here and continue to Upper Svaneti. 103 km left from here to Mestia, but non-stop time generally takes about 2 h, 20 min. We do as many stops as you’d like to feel the spirit of the raring Enguri River, Mountains, and untouched forests.

14:00 Arrival to Mestia, an administrative center of Svaneti region, surrounded by the three major summits: Ushba North Summit (4690 m), Ushba South Summit (4710 m) & Tetnuldi (4858 m). Villages around Mestia – Latali, Lenjeri and Mulakhi, keep traditional lifestyle. There are 78 medieval churches and defensive towers decorated with medieval frescos in Mestia and its surrounding villages. 

This is the reason, why we head to the tower-museum of Margiani (12th c.) immediately after our arrival. 

We will also pay a visit to mineral sparkling spring, Seti square, and the Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography of Mestia. The museum’s collection includes ethnographic and archaeological materials, old Georgian manuscripts, Georgian Orthodox icons painted in the Svan style etc.

In Mestia we stay at the local family guesthouse and enjoy homemade dinner.

Dinner and overnight in Mestia.

Trek grade: Easy to Moderate, distance 6 km, duration 5-6 h, elevation - 1920 m, trail trek, sleigh track

Chalaadi trail begins after crossing a small hanging bridge on the river of Mestiachala. After we reach the ruins of an old hut, the trail continues through various types of landscapes – the birch forest and rocky valley covered with stones of different shapes. Mount Chatini is clearly visible from this valley, while on its south face the Chalaadi glacier takes shape.

We continue towards the Chatini mountain and finally at 1920m above sea level we reach Chalaadi glacier. In a few words, the trail is quite an easy walk with many views of the high mountains and snowy peaks of the Greater Caucasus range.  

From Chalaadi we walk back to Mestia. 

Dinner and overnight in Mestia.

Optional* Jeep tour: Mestia – Ushguli – Mestia

Driving distance: 93.7 km

If you would like to have an off-road adventure instead of trekking, we could explore Upper Svaneti and drive to Ushguli. Ushguli village is 45 km away from Mestia and consists of medieval settlements with the authentic local community. In addition, Ushguli is one of the highest continually inhabited places in Europe. For the above-listed historical, cultural, and geographical reasons, Ushguli has been included in the World Heritage Sites list by UNESCO. After visiting Lamaria church in Ushguli, we can take a walk towards the foothills of the Shkhara glacier (5068 m) – the highest summit in Georgia.

In the evening we drive back to Mestia. Dinner and overnight in Mestia.

NOTE: This route is doable from May to October.

Total drive: 7 hr 37 min (467 km) 

After breakfast in Mestia guesthouse, we drive to Zugdidi – administrative center of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Region and Zugdidi Municipality. Visit Dadiani Palace Historical Museum and Botanical garden. The excursion will take about one hour.

Optional visit to Zugdidi farmer’s market, to buy local spices, homemade sauce Tkemali and Satsebeli, homemade cheese Sulguni, and Honey.

Drive back to Tbilisi. Evening arrival in Tbilisi. Drop off to your overnight place is included.

Optional Gala dinner in Tbilisi restaurant should be arranged in advance.

This is the End of our 4-day tour. We are looking forward to greet you again on optional tours from Tbilisi next morning.

See you soon!