From Kutaisi: Svaneti Mountain Villages 2-Day 4x4 Safari
Explore mountain villages on this 2-day or 3-day tour from Kutaisi! You will be going off-road for part of the trip to one of Europe's highest continuously inhabited villages. Imagine, 200 people spending harsh winters at 2100m., totally isolated from the world. You'll go there by 4x4 vehicle on the picturesque mountain road, will hike to the Skhara Glacier near Ushguli village, and stay overnight in Mestia. You can choose from: 1. Small group tour (up to 6 passengers), which starts at 7:30, 2. Private 2-day tour, 3. Private 3-day tour (you can choose start time between 7:30-9:00) Itinerary: Day 1 Kutaisi - Ushguli - Lamaria church - Shkhara glacier - Mestia. In the morning Megobari Tours Georgia guide will pick you up at your Kutaisi hotel and you will start your beautiful trip to the mountains. You will go on the picturesque Kutaisi – Lentekhi – Ushguli road. Listen to the stories about Svaneti, a Georgian region that has best preserved ancient culture and language. At midday you will arrive at one of the highest villages in Europe, Ushguli at 2100 m. where a few hundred people live all year round. You will visit the 9th-century Lamaria church with views of the highest Georgian peak – Mt. Shkara 5193m. Afterwards, go to explore the Shkhara glacier, our guide will take you on a 4x4 vehicle part of the road and you will continue hiking part of the route, approx. 4 km and 1.5-2 hours both ways. It is optional to do this trip horseback riding. After the hike, take iconic photos of Ushguli village from the King Tamar castle viewpoint & take car to Mestia. Drop off at Mestia hotel. Day 2 Mestia - Hatsvali Lift - Mestia Museum - Enguri Dam - Kutaisi. The guide will meet you at the hotel and together you will wander in the old town of Mestia among Svan defense towers, if you dare, you can climb one of these. Take a Hatsvali ski lift from the center of Mestia town & enjoy the beautiful panorama of the Caucasian mountains range. After enjoying mountain views visit the Svaneti Museum of History, and explore impressive artifacts, that were hidden in Svaneti during the wars of Georgia. After lunch, you will leave Mestia and drive through the picturesque mountain road until Enguri Dam. In the evening you will head back to Kutaisi. Drop off at Kutaisi Hotel. If you will choose 3-day tour option, the itinerary will include additional hikes to the Schdugra waterfall (8km roundtrip) and Chaladi Glacier (5km roundtrip). The Svaneti 3-day private tour itinerary: Day 1 Kutaisi - Ushguli - Lamaria church - Shkhara glacier - Mestia. Day 2 Mestia - Chaladi Glacier - Mestia Museum - Hatsvali Lift - mestia Day 3 Mestia Mazeri village - Schdugra Waterfall - Enguri Dam - Kutaisi Here are a few must-try of local svan cuisine specialties, in case you will be having dinner without our guide: "Kubdari" meat-filled bread, "Fetvraal Khachapuri" bread filled with cheese and millet seeds, and "Tashmijabi" potato puree with sulguni cheese.