Walk through the country’s highest mountain range, UNESCO historical sites, caves, glaciers and streams. You will stay with the mountain communities in comfortable homestays along the route and finishing in ancient caves, which was once a key point along the great Silk Road.
PRICE
£619 per person
DATES
April – October
7 days
YOUR EXPERIENCE
Day 1: Tbilisi Arrival
Meet at the airport and transfer to a three star hotel. Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi.
Day 2: Tbilisi - Mtskheta - Kutaisi
After breakfast we have Tbilisi Sightseeing tour. During the tour we take you to the places that will show you old city. You can take a glance to the history of the city from early centuries to nowadays by walking in narrow streets of the city and exploring the religious and secular architecture. Here you find different religious buildings – churches, synagogues, mosques, as well as famous 19th century houses with wooden multi-colored balconies. We drive to the statue of Mother of Georgia and walk downs to Narikala Fortress and then to the sulfur bath which made an unforgettable impression on Pushkin, Lermontov, Dumas. During the tour you enjoy the superb panoramic views of the Old city. Transfer to Mtskheta and visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites of – Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. Continue to Kutaisi. Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse in Kutaisi. Drive: approx. 4hrs. Walk: approx. 2.5hrs. (B/-/D)
Day 3: Kutaisi - Gelati - Zugdidi - Mestia
Get ready for the most exciting part of our journey – visit to Upper Svaneti province – UNESCO World Heritage Site. First we visit Gelati monastery close to Kutaisi, also UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to Zugdidi to see Dadiani Palace/Museum. Break for lunch and drive up to Mestia. Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse in Mestia with sharing facilities. (B/-/D) Drive: approx. 7hrs.
Day 4: Mestia - Lakhiri - Mestia
Drive to the village Lakhiri (by 4WD) and start our walk towards Mestia. After uphill (1870m) we descend to the beautiful valley full with flowers and have a view of Chalaadi glacier (2300 m.) and Mestia valley with its watchtowers. After returning in Mestia we visit Historical – Ethnographic museum (closed on Mondays). Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse in Mestia with sharing facilities. (B/L picnic/D) Drive: approx: 40 minutes. Walk: 4-5 hours↑320m↓500m
Day 5: Mestia - Ushguli - Mestia
Drive to Ushguli (by 4WD) (2400m). Visit the village and its medieval towers. Enjoy the views of Mt. Shkhara (5201m), the highest summit in Georgia. We can take a walk in the village and also towards the glacier of Shkhara, but as we should return back to Mestia, we won`be able to reach the glacier. Transfer back to Mestia. Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse in Mestia with sharing facilities. (B/L-picnic/D)
Day 6: Mestia - Uplistsikhe - Tbilisi
Transfer all the way to Tbilisi. En route visit Uplistsikhe – Great Silk Road Cave Town of 1st millenium BC. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi.
Day: Tbilisi - Airport
Transfer to the airport and departure.
ACCOMMODATION
3* KMM in Tbilisi
Guesthouses in Kutaisi and Mestia
INCLUDES
Accommodation
English speaking guide
Mountain guide on day 4
Transportation by air conditioned car
Non air conditioned 4 wheel drive vehicle where mentioned
