A much more enjoyable hike can be had on a forested hillside trail running high above the valley floor, connecting with the dusty road only for a short time towards the end. Trek can be shortened if jeep will take tourists half way deep in Enguri valley, the last point where car road ends. There are cafes and restaurants in Mestia and a few in Ushguli, but the only place to buy meals during the hike is at guesthouses (you can eat at them even if you are camping). The food is good and the family are very friendly. Its also possible to get a packed lunch (often referred to as a lunch box), or indeed no meals at all (but with nowhere else to eat along the trail, it makes sense to always include the meals in your stay). ), and we recommend you use your prefered sterilisation method to do the same. However, it will also challenge you with inclement weather, difficult terrain, and a limited selection of guesthouses and other tourist offerings in the villages. There has been a lot of exaggerated stuff written about this hike. We have found their policies to be comprehensive, and their online claims and extension processes straightforward. It takes 45 minutes or so to descend. Most of the houses are abandoned or partially destroyed, with just one guesthouse, offering accommodation. The first half of the hike is very scenic and it makes a great alternative to going all the way back to Zugdidi by road. Today was a day. You should arrive in Mestia around 10:00 AM. The weather can be very unpredictable, change quickly, and vary greatly between the lower and higher altitudes. We got to the river crossing where we paid 25 lari each to have a horse take us across. You are most welcome Stephen. It cost us 30 lari each, about $11 USD for the three hour journey to Mestia. Wear lightweight clothes that cover all of your skin or end up like me sunburned everywhere. A local man on horseback came over to help tourists cross for the 25 GEL fee. Having got lost the day before we decided to take the well-defined lower path. Guesthouse owners will quote the same price of 40 Lari per person, whether it be for a car or a marshrutka seat, for fear of reprisals from the mafia for undercutting. We reached the highest point of the day, the Chkhunderi Pass, without even realizing it. We hastily packed our things and continued up the mountain, following the existing footsteps, the only thing saving us from having to trudge our way through knee-deep snow at points. It is the same guesthouse, but youll see both names used on booking sites and Google Maps. Required fields are marked *. Covers not only classic trails but also alternative routes which are even more difficult and scenic. Of course, . However, in most villages and at many places on the trail you will be able to get a signal with a Magticom SIM. The pass is a popular lunch spot and on a nice day it will show how many other hikers are doing the same route as you. This high up, the first snow falls in October and then stays till April. The final day of the hike is the easiest. After the 3 miles, youll encounter the Adishchala River. If you do not see any village in half a day. It actually made the steep and snowy journey go by quicker, since we werent stopping for pictures or breaks. Also consider trekking from Ushghuli to Mestia to see fewer hikers. We stayed at Family guesthouse. The arrow shows your direction of travel. The flight time is 1.5 hours. We took the night train which is clean and safe. Outside of these warm-weather time frames, you will find snow on the ground and the river crossing will be almost impossible. Its a good idea to bring some hiking snacks with you from Mestia, such as dried fruit, nuts or Snickers. It has frequently been described as stunning and remote, but in our opinion, much of the route is quite ordinary. Original stone roofed dwellings sit beside more practical metal-roofed homes, a hodgepodge of old meets new which is characteristic of many remote Georgian mountain communities these days. One of the most popular and scenic ways to see this part of the world is by doing a trek from the touristy base town of Mestia to the remote UNESCO World Heritage town of Ushguli, also known as the highest settled town in Europe. Check out the Lenin Peak trek Kyrgyzstan. I paid $9.50 for 3 gigabytes and I had service almost all throughout the hike. You can navigate easily or plan routes in advance by tapping your start point and selecting route from, then tapping your end point and selecting route to. The trail is relatively flat and gentle. Continue up the path, ignoring the trails leading off to the right and left. Thats what we ended up doing. You also wont have an opportunity to arrange for a horse, so youre on your own, though you can still rely on getting lucky and horses will already be there (which is less likely later in the day). Price - from $ 620. During the offseason, all the cafes, markets, and other things will be closed. One of the benefits of doing this is that you do Leg 2 of the trek (Zhabeshi to Adishi) in the morning instead of afternoon where its a little more forgiving (which only helps if you plan on doing two legs in a day). When we had walked for 3.5 hours and we saw a road leading downwards we thought this must be the way down to the river. face-to-face view of Adishi Glacier. Its marked on maps.me but the tiny path down to it isnt. Alternatively, you could arrange a vehicle to take you over Zagari Pass to Mele village (38 km), from where you can take the daily marshrutka to Kutaisi at around 6am. Its an 8-hour car ride from Tbilisi and 5.5 hours from Batumi. Its a string of nuts coated in hardened grape syrup (which sort of tastes like a Fruit-By-The-Foot). Its a fairly steady climb for about 2-3 hours, depending on how often you stop. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. It is usually around 10 GEL for breakfast or lunch, and 15 20 GEL for dinner. Youll get beautiful views of the valley below before eventually delving deeper into the forest. You can also change some of your preferences. There should be a sign here. Most trekkers do it between July and August. Download coordinates: GPX, KML. Check out Xinaliq The highest village in Europe. The Vodo it is now 30 lari for the bed instead of 15. Before heading off, be sure to stop at the Kala Cafe, off of the main road, for some of the best kubdari (basically a Georgian calzone) on the trip. Follow the sign, turning left and continuing up and out of Mestia. 1 km from and 150 metres above the villages. On the cultural side it has historic picturesque villages; friendly and hospitable people, and delicious and unique food to sample. If you are in between sizes, buy the larger one as your feet will expand when they are warm. About 3 km further on is Iprali village, with a few more guesthouses including Betegi Guesthouse, Guesthouse Ucha (+995595557470), and Iprari Family Hotel (+995599250578). You can download our KML/GPX tracks to use with these apps. For two people the price for a double room, dinner and breakfast was 100 GEL per person. The breakfasts included in the nightly rate are often more food than one could ever eat, so one can pack it up and take it for the road as well. Pay the horsemen 20 Lari to be carried the dozen or so steps across the river or take our boots off, roll up our shorts and wade through ourselves. She even sent us off with a bagged lunch and some fresh pears the next day, which was good, because we needed every bit of energy we could shove into our bodies. You could also decide as you go how much progress you want to make. Youll also need a small burner, gas canister and cooking supplies if you want a hot meal. , making a crossing on foot usually more manageable. You can buy screw-in style camping gas at Geoland or MPlus in Tbilisi, and in various shops along the main street in Mestia. Another great spot is the hill where the church stands to the north of the village. If you have time, stay overnight. Adishi village feels more remote than any other on the trek, nestled in a narrow valley far from the main Mestia to Ushguli road. Another good option recommended by friends is Guest House Keti Margiani, an attractive stone and wood building near the top of the cobbled street on the trail as you enter Mestia. ADISHCHALA RIVER CHKHUNDERI PASS | 2.4 km | + 457 m | 1 2 hours, RIDGE SIDE HIKE (RETURN) | 1.4 km | +/- 96 m | 30 mins, CHKHUNDERI PASS KHALDESCHALA VALLEY | 2.8 km | 473 m | 45 60 mins, KHALDESCHALA VALLEY IPRALI | 6.8 km, + 220 m / 511 m | 1.5 2 hours, IPRALI DAVBERI | 2.6 km | + 79 m / 200 m | 45 60 mins, DAVBERI USHGULI ROAD | 7 km | + 473 m / 264 m | 2 3 hours. When you get to the Ushguli sign take the path down to the right walking through the four villages. The village is tucked away up a side valley, away from the main Mestia to Ushguli road. Chviniani and Zhibiani, the third and fourth villages, merge into each other and it is difficult to see where one starts and the other ends. We got a horse in the end. Happy trekking!! This village deserves at least an overnight stay to explore it and its surroundings properly. The good thing about doing this in the offseason is that theres much higher chance of seeing these beautiful mountains and forests blanketed in snow. Thermal base-layers, a fleece, a windbreaker, and a waterproof outer shell should be good. Drucken/PDF-Karte. It feels wild and mysterious with each house having a stone defense tower designed to house villagers at times of local strife. It may be good to carry more water than you think. The sun came out and the landscapes began to transform. Staying at guesthouses with heating, wed often be able to dry our socks over the radiator, which was nice. The third part of the journey and Adishi to Iprari and that is about 11.5 miles. Maps.me is our go-to offline mapping app. In October, its a little colder but less crowded and you get some nice autumn foliage. What an amazing sight Ushguli is! Pass on a day of changeable and dramatic weather. Youll find this map in your list of maps. Here you have two choices. The terrain on the trails is varied, but it is mostly easy. Depending on your fitness, you should give yourself 5-7 days to do this trail. peaks of Ushba on the left, Chatyn-Tau on the right. Proudly powered by. This trip will take you past glaciers, waterfalls, farms, remote villages, and cow fields on a scenic mountain adventure. Also consider trekking from Ushghuli to Mestia to see fewer hikers. I find that using clean socks makes it less likely you get blisters. You can rent camping gear at, is always a good idea for charging your phone, camera batteries, etc. Guesthouse Robinzon is friendly but located by the Mestia Ushguli road, so you feel like you are getting back to civilisation. The total daily figures for elevation gain and loss are based on our recorded route using Garmin and may not be 100% accurate, but they are a good guide of what to expect. About 70 families, approximately 250 people live in the village, which dates back more than 2000 years. Weve marked possible camp spots on our map and we cover guesthouses in more detail below. Read reviews, discover additonal experiences or contact Highlander Travel on Tripadvisor. Learn how your comment data is processed. This is the best way to get to Tbilisi in my view and it is worth getting a taxi to Zugdidi rather than taking the 9 hour minibus all the way. Recommended Taxi Take a taxi from Mestia to Ushguli 1h 11m $14 - $17 Drive Drive from Mestia to Ushguli 1h 11m $5 - $8 Even though the village is within sight, its still quite a bit of a long walk to get there. Minibuses from Mestia to Zugdidi, to meet the train, only go if there is enough demand. In our opinion, its not as intuitive as Maps.me, and it has so many features that it can be a bit overwhelming at first. Its also possible to fly from Kutaisi or Natakhtari (near Tbilisi) to Mestia with Vanilla Sky. Of course, you dont have to stay in guesthouses. Dont make the same mistake download the app. Soak it in the river and tie it round your neck or wrists to keep you cool. Just two remarks around Adishi: High route to Adishi was wonderful, with possibility to get close to Tenuldi ski resort infrastructure and imagine this place in winter. These towers were still used up until the not so distant past. This view of the towers in Lakhiri is reason enough to stay on the high trail instead of descending earlier to the road, This view of the towers in Lakhiri is reason enough We found our first water source of the day here (in late September), a pipe spouting water in the midst of a marshy field near the trekking signpost. THE BASICS: The trek lasts 4 days and the total length is around 55 km. If you want to see mountains but are not up to the time commitment of getting to the far flung Svaneti region, you can explore the Tusheti region (about 5 hours from Tbilisi in a 4WD vehicle) for similar views of farm villages and defense towers. Teilen. TREKKING FROM MESTIA TO USHGULI. Then youd have time in the evening to settle in, go to the beer garden, eat at Leilas, and get a good nights rest before you start early. This allows you to not have to waste a day getting there and you can sleep on the train. Note that the estimated time isnt always reliable, but weve always found the distance and elevation gain/loss to be largely accurate. Bring enough cash (in small denominations) to pay for meals and guesthouses. Can I Start Hiking the Same Day as Arriving on the Overnight Tbilisi Zugdidi Train? Hi Stephen. But on the whole, we felt that it ranked well below many other multi-day treks in Georgia. Youll keep climbing to an altitude of around 2100 m before the trail becomes more undulating and finally leads back to the road. They depart in the morning from the main square in Mestia and cost 20 GEL per person. From here its a short, steep climb through the forest to where the trail joins an old road. The best tip I can give you for the hike is to download and use this app! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Accidents can (and have) happened, with people being swept off their feet and carried far down river. No wonder Georgia is sometimes called the Switzerland of Eastern Europe! I highly recommend it for all travelers who make it to the Svaneti region. Not to be perturbed, we began walking after a leisurely start at 10.30 am from Mestia. If you prefer not to, there are usually guesthouses available which dont have online booking, so you should be able to find a bed somewhere but you might have to hunt around a bit. Its run by a very welcoming family, and Nino makes a great breakfast. Where did you find it ? The problem with the flights is that they are near on impossible to book unless you are in the country and they can only fly when the weather is good. We followed the dirt path towards Iprali. We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. However, as the day goes on, hikers spread out and we found that we were walking on our own most of the time. When it rains, youll see waterfalls trickle down the mountainsides. The main villages offering guesthouse accommodation along the Mestia to Ushguli trail are Chvabiani and Zhabeshi (Day 1), Adishi (Day 2), Khalde, Iprali, and Lalkhori (Day 3), and Ushguli (Day 4). Day 3 from Adishi to Khalde/Iprali is the clear standout, with exceptional glacier and mountain views, plus the excitement of the river crossing. *, Hiking Season , Guesthouse Ucha (+995595557470), and Iprari Family Hotel (+995599250578). I useSafetyWingto keep me covered throughout my travels for as low as $40 a month. Dont worry, this is the genuine ticket and they will let you on with a printed copy and your passport. Taking a marshrutka from Mestia to Ushguli is more straightforward. No need to carry a heavy backpack! The standard cost is 80 GEL per person (excluding Adishi where some guesthouses charge 100 GEL) including bed in a double room (communal bathrooms), dinner and breakfast. There are a couple of springs along the way to refill your water bottle while hiking. PRACTICALITIES Follow the road and the next obstacle is a great flowing rush of water over the road. For me these mountain regions were the highlight of our trip to Georgia. In the offseason, the dirt trail can be muddy, snowy, and icy. The owner was surprised to wake up to his cafe being full of people enjoying a drink but was happy to have had a good afternoons trading whilst asleep! The road between these two destinations is being paved which has already reduced drive times to 1.15-1.30 minutes. The popular trek from Mestia to Ushguli is typically taken over four days. At that speed, it did not make sense to linger in the small village for the rest of the long day, so we planned to do the second leg. The first leg of the journey is from Mestia to Zhabeshi, about 10 miles. They also help you check for obstacles before each step. If youre more rugged and made of tougher stuff than I am, you can camp. Covers not only classic trails but also alternative routes which . The weather was kind to us and the views from the pass were incredible in all directions. This way you can hike the entire completed section of the Transcaucasian Trail in the region, from Chuberi to Mestia and then from Mestia to Ushguli, over 8+ days. Elevation Gain: ~ 750 meters / ~ 2500 feet. Day 3 starts with an hour walking slowly up the valley. The last stretch towards the pass is nice and flat. From Kutaisi, a direct marshrutka departs for Mestia from the bus station near McDonalds at 1000. After hanging a left we started ascending a steep, rough road which turned into a track leading up the valley wall. In September and October, the water level is at its lowest, making a crossing on foot usually more manageable. We did the hike the first week of September. Lunch packs are an extra 5 GEL. Avoid jeans or any cotton materials if they get wet they are heavy, take forever to dry, and youll get cold easily. We may request cookies to be set on your device. Thank you Kim for this detailed article! If youre in the right season, youll be surrounded by alpine flowers. We stayed at Raul Lushnu Darbaz guesthouse. But in summary our main issues were (i) there was a lot of confusion over pricing and (ii) electricity is only turned on in the late afternoon. Make sure you have proper footwear (ideally hiking boots) that are broken in already. The Transcaucasian Trail website also has a downloadable KMZ file of the route. After kicking off the boots and donning some more comfortable plastic sandals we did a little exploring. We paid a little extra for wider seats, spending about $12 USD for the journey. The village of Adishi is very remote and I can only imagine how brutal the winters must be there. I absolutely loved this hike, but will admit that there were a few things I had prepared more for. Other than in Mestia and Ushguli, there are several guesthouses along the main road and in isolated places. before descending into the valley below. We looked up and downriver for a while, scouting out the best place to cross, eventually settling on the spot marked on Maps.me (not the spot marked on the TCT GPX track). When you first download it it might need a couple of minutes to pick up the GPS signal on your phone. The shortest, easiest and least interesting day in my view. If you do this, check the source. This is only second-hand information, but we were told that the river looks more intimidating to cross on foot than it actually is. I am travelling solo but guess I can team up with someone from hostels for a short trek. This is the cheapest way to go, and how I chose to get to Mestia. I left my large backpack at our guesthouse in Mestia and packed a smaller, lightweight bag with only the supplies I would need for the trek. The water is only an inch or two deep, but it is freezing and rushing pretty fast. Seats are very reasonably priced, however its a small plane and they book out far in advance, especially in peak summer season. The terrain is probably drier and better in the summer, but for us, it was quite a lot of mud. After an hour or more of this, youll reach the top. It is 8 kms long and fairly flat so is pretty easy. The stone defense towers were originally built in the 9-13th Centuries to protect the inhabitants during local feuds and gives the area a strong character. Avoid jeans or any cotton materials if they get wet they are heavy, take forever to dry, and youll get cold easily. See the expandable box below for tips on using these apps. As we were balancing on rocks trying to find our way over the river we heard a car horn. In Adishi, the couple in the room next to us had so bad blisters they had to abandon the hike and get a taxi the next day. The trekking season usually extends from mid-June to mid-October, with July to September being the ideal trekking time. There is a lot of incline, and in the offseason, the terrain can be tricky. Hiking from Mestia to Ushguli in the offseason will reward you with autumn colors, snow-capped peaks, and wide open natural spaces without any crowds. Ushguli - 4-day Mestia to Ushguli Trek Guli glacier and Ushba base path. and the start of the high route to Adishi. In our experience, crossing in late September, the river was about 5 6 metres wide. Thankfully, you dont have to walk on it for too long. At the Didube Bus Station in Tbilisi, you will be solicited by taxi drivers who want to take you to Mestia. The way around this is to ignore the aggressive demands at the bridge and continue to walk down the road out of town. Regardless of the reviews you see online or on facebook, guesthouses in Adishi have the lowest standard. Our dog barked at one and a mother pig came charging at us full speed. For more Adishi accommodation options check out. There are also drinks and snacks available en route in small home style cafes. There is a guesthouse in Mele (+995599246499). We watched some other tourists cross. How Easy Is It To Get Cocaine in Colombia? It was not pleasant to limp on after all of that walking, but it doesnt last too long. Then you begin a slow descent through a series of switchbacks and under forest covering. Stopping to appreciate the view of Tetnuldi before descending into the valley below, Stopping to appreciate the view of Tetnuldi Its only 10.8 kilometers according to the yellow signpost, but it is a doozy. The Mestia to Ushguli road snaking through the valley far below, The Mestia to Ushguli road snaking His/Hers, Trousers to wear around camp/guesthouses Maizer is very proud of his Svan heritage and happy to share Svan culture with you. Eventually, it veers away from the ski lifts. It ended up scaring me instead. You can continue on the road but its more pleasant to cross the bridge over the Enguri river, just beyond the houses. If people travelling to the country do only one multi-day hike, its very likely to be this one. There is a spring marked on Maps.me here, but we found it to be dry in late September. You can also check distances between places offline, however you will only get elevation profiles while online. Other places that come recommended include XII Century, Nizharadzes Tower, Guesthouse Qaldea, and Caucasus Guesthouse. It is possible to visit in May or early June but there might be snow on the high passes and tracks can be muddy and wet from the melting snow. Therefore, if you walk fast you either end up waiting a long time or have a cold shower. If youre expecting a time-warped village, this isnt it, but it remains an atmospheric place nonetheless. I was trekking with a friend so it cost us 15 each. Everywhere else, the cooking was mediocre and some evenings there could have been larger quantities. It shows the contours in much more detail than Maps.me, and you can download both the topographical and satellite view of your route in advance for offline use. The trail is pretty well marked. Their watch towers stood, like dominos lining up the valley into the distance. We could see the small hamlets of Murshkeli, Lakhiri and Chomasli spread out below us. So if you want to take the cable car, its better to take an alternative route up from Chvabiani/Zhabeshi which will take you right to the station. There are some slightly overgrown sections further down, and the final part of the descent to the old shepherds huts and trekking signpost is a bit steep. We have purchased travel insurance policies from both of these companies in the past. The views of Adishi Glacier are spectacular, as are those of the mountains and glaciers to the east. The first part of the road is rough but there is no need for a 44. The ticket price is 40-50 GEL. The next morning you can skip a relatively long, but not that interesting, part of the hike by getting a taxi to the starting point of the trek for day 3 (I would even get it as far as Guest House Khalde, or the abandoned buildings at the end of the road). If you go in June it is good to have some flexibility in your itinerary in case one of the days is a washout. After trying to wake him, but to no avail, some customers decided create run an honesty-box where everyone left the money for the drinks they consumed. At least the climb was in the shade in the morning and you have panoramic views looking back over the valley with Mount Ushba in the distance. However, that does mean that it is more difficult to get to (it will take you a day from Tbilisi). After following the main road a while we climbed up onto a path above which follows the ridge above with great views across the valley below. Yr.no (iOS/Android) and Windy (iOS/Android) are the best weather apps we know of.

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