Our broken up journey cost about 20 GEL ($6) to Kutaisi then another 30 GEL ($10) to Mestia. She stopped short in front of the dog, trying to scare him. The horsemen wait at the fastest section which is probably the hardest to cross on foot so tourists just pay the money rather than take the risk. TREKKING FROM MESTIA TO USHGULI. Covers not only classic trails but also alternative routes which are even more difficult and scenic. Thank you Georgia for giving us a shelter. Campers note that there are two spots marked for camping on Maps.me and other OSM apps along this trail, but we found both to be completely overgrown and unsuitable. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. It is exhilerating to arrive in in this wonderful location at the end of the Mestia to Ushguli trek. After 3 miles, youll encounter the Adishchala River, which you will need to cross. Guesthouses offer meals, private rooms, and shared bathrooms. The river is likely to be higher and faster flowing early in the season (as more snow is melting). The snowstorm was still in full blast at this point, so we hastily worked our way down the mountain. The main attractions here are the hiking and its remoteness. Doing this hike in the offseason had its perks, but the endless wetness was not one of them. This allows you to stay in en-suite hotels every night. Ushguli - 4-day Mestia to Ushguli Trek Guli glacier and Ushba base path. Tusheti is the least developed. It feels wild and mysterious with each house having a stone defense tower designed to house villagers at times of local strife. We feasted yet again in the guesthouse at night. Unfortunately, its not possible to view this version of the map offline, but weve provided a download for a similar version for offline use. This high up, the first snow falls in October and then stays till April. Remember, you can break up your day in any way you wish one leg per day, two legs a day, or one day of two legs and two days of one leg. A popular way to get to Mestia is to take the slow-moving overnight train from Tbilisi to Zugdidi. This route is marked on Maps.me, leaving the main route approx. The last stretch towards the pass is nice and flat. Yes, you can drink the water in the guesthouses. They also help you check for obstacles before each step. For more options in the area, check out, Adishi feels more remote than any other overnight stop on the hike. I cannot see why you would need more than 4 days to hike Mestia to Ushguli. After about 1.8 km, youll reach another trekking signpost. It is absolutely freezing though, literally glacier meltwater, so its best to cross quickly but carefully and spend as little time in the water as possible. There is a good reason the Mestia to Ushguli trek is by far the most popular in Georgia. Villages are full of dirt, dust, and animal dander, so be sure to bring the appropriate allergy medications if you think youll need them. We had hoped to spend the last night in Ushguli, travelling directly to Kutaisi the next day, but there are two reasons why this is inconvenient: Yes you can. At one point, we had to balance precariously on the rocks over the river while holding on to a fence running alongside. Once the driver has enough passengers to make the trip worth the while, he will take off and go. Instead of a rainstorm we ended up walking in the sun. Minibuses leave Mestia Square at 8am. Their watch towers stood, like dominos lining up the valley into the distance. A great add-on to the Mestia to Ushguli trek is the hike up the valley to the Shkara glacier viewpoint and back. There is a guesthouse in Mele (+995599246499). Every 30 minutes or so youll come across a pole pointing at destinations in different directions with how many kilometers away they are and an estimate of how long it will take you to get there. There are two small cafes in the village. If you have the maps.me app it is marked on there as family hostel. They have four rooms that share two bathrooms, which are clean and large with all the amenities you need. We were told by our guesthouse that if there are tourists, there will be horses, so dont worry. It only takes about ten minutes, but itll knock the wind out of you. It is 283 miles (approximately 456 kilometers) away from Tbilisi. Cheers. We had our first gloomy day of the trek, and it only got worse from there. At the Didube Bus Station in Tbilisi, you will be solicited by taxi drivers who want to take you to Mestia. The quality of guesthouses here is generally not as good. If theres anything essential you want to check (upcoming weather for example), check it up on the hillside beforehand. WHAT TO EXPECT A taxi will cost from 150 GEL. We only met a handful of trekkers over the 4 days who were walking in this direction. It was worth a long rest stop here to admire the scenery looking back down on Mestia below and the snow capped mountains beyond. The estimated time was 5 hours, but we left early (around 6 AM), beat the sun, and were done by 10:00 AM. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. You may be up for it if you decline doing the much longer trek. Steripen, purification tablets, LifeStraw, etc.). Most trekkers do it between July and August. It may be good to carry more water than you think. We met a few people with stomach problems, and this is the last thing you want while hiking. Continue along this road until you reach Zhabeshi, or until you see a guesthouse to your liking. Most of the guesthouses along the way have heating so we werent as cold as we thought wed be at night. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. and are intended as a rough guide. Sitting on Guest House Gogias balcony you can see the steep hill you will climb at the start of todays walk. The views of Adishi Glacier are spectacular, as are those of the mountains and glaciers to the east. It starts from Mestia and ends in Ushguli. The weather can be very unpredictable, change quickly, and vary greatly between the lower and higher altitudes. There is a fair amount of road walking, although most of it is on old or disused tracks. It seems quite steep considering its only a 90-minute ride, but hey, unless you want to hike the 4-days back, thats really your only option. The route is punctuated by cracked and crumpled glaciers and the rivers that they bear, sweeping valleys and open countryside, a skyline of snow-capped peaks and . We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. We may request cookies to be set on your device. Coming off the trail to appreciate the face-to-face view of Adishi Glacier, Coming off the trail to appreciate the This is a little harder to follow. We then came to the river crossing, downstream from the glacier. Our transport to Mestia (arranged the night before) arrived, although on a Georgian, rather than Western, schedule. As for the trail, you start out in Mestia in the main square. Budget 70 80 GEL per person per night for dinner, bed, and breakfast. 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. Elevation Gain: ~ 650 meters / ~ 2100 feet. bookmark between the start and end points and select add stop. A driver or someone will point you to another one, or guide you to go to another location and then board a marshrutka from there. Dont stress if you miss it. It was 70 lari a night including breakfast and dinner, which was an excellent value. The trails from Chvabiani and Zhabeshi meet on the hillside above the villages, so theres no need to continue along the road to Zhabeshi if you stayed in Chvabiani. Make sure you pack clothing for all weather eventualities. The elevation gain and loss figures for each hiking section are estimates based on our recorded track and mapping apps. Other places that come recommended include, From Tbilisi, the best way to get to Zugdidi is by train. They only had to take a few steps before they could grab the end of the branch to help them over. It becomes wider, with more open views as you climb above the trees and enter rhododendron land. You will be hiking for 7 hours with 1-2 of those being steep uphill. In the offseason, there werent very many guesthouses open, but some do open by demand. Even if you dont see your final destination, youre not far at all. This will lengthen day 4, but day 4 is the shortest and easiest day. How common is ATMs in Georgia and Armenia? 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. We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Youll keep climbing to an altitude of around 2100 m before the trail becomes more undulating and finally leads back to the road. Disponible tanto para licencias RF como para las licencias RM. On this trek, the sun is unforgiving. Yes its far away and takes time to get there, but if you plan to stay a little while, its worth it. You may need to ask your guesthouse owner to call someone to ensure you will be picked up. You can navigate easily on the trail using the arrow that shows your GPS location. Duration - 7 Days Price - from $ 760 This 7-days trek- Trekking from Omalo to Shatili via Atsunta Pass- is probably the most stunning trail you can imagine. The trail is pretty well marked. The biggest mistake people make is jumping straight onto a marshrutka back to Mestia immediately. Whether you are currently in your home country or are already travelling, two travel insurance policy providers that can cover for hiking above 3000 m are World Nomads (for residents of 140+ countries) and True Traveller (for UK and EEA residents only). Its also possible to drive from Ushguli to Kutaisi via Zagari Pass and Lentekhi (163 km) with a 44 vehicle, assuming the road is clear of landslides. It was a short hike on to summit the pass and grab an even more dramatic view of the Mulkhura valley spreading away to the east. If you plan on staying in Mestia on the way back, you might be able to bypass this fee by booking that night in advance. It left a deep wound and a painful bruise so I could hardly move my arm. The journey flew by as the train has WiFi as long as there is cell service. See here for details. We highly recommend, , a medium sized guesthouse (5 rooms with 3 shared bathrooms) by the river with wonderful tower views. For example, as mentioned down below, I stayed in the village of Lalkhori instead of Iprali. Download coordinates: GPX, KML. The price for lunch and dinner was 50 GEL per person in 2019. A less busy road leads up through Murkmeli village, the first in the Ushguli community. You can also import GPX tracks. being the ideal trekking time. 4 Day Mestia to Ushguli Multi-Day Trek Logistics This is a 4 day trekking itinerary, but it's best to spend the night before departure in the village of Mestia Ushguli is charming, so it's easy to spend more than one night in the village Most Hikers come to Mestia from Tbilisi Covers not only classic trails but also alternative routes which are even more difficult and scenic. Another option is taking a taxi to Ushguli (remember this will be about $50 each way). Make sure you bring a lot of water there arent really any stream fill-ups here. Continue on the trail and leave the town behind you. 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. Theres more on this below. Walking around Adishi and Ushguli, looking at the stone defense towers (some with cracks so big that trees are growing in them), is one of the best memories I have from our two weeks in Georgia. If youre a fast hiker it may take you less time, and conversely, if youre a slow hiker it may take you longer. When it rains, youll see waterfalls trickle down the mountainsides. For good, ready-to-drink water there are taps in almost every village, and you can also fill up at guesthouses. Although the trek is four days long, just pack what youd normally bring in a day pack, plus a few changes of clothes. The weather can be very unpredictable, change quickly, and vary greatly between the lower and higher altitudes. Along trekking or horse ridding visitors will have opportunity to walk in Ushguli vilage, see ancient houses, visit local museums. The Svaneti region is beautiful. There are a lot of guesthouses in the neighbouring villages of Chvabiani and Zhabeshi. You can see a picture of our cabin under the section on how to get from Zugdidi to Tbilisi below. Mestia is one of the gorgeous destinations in Svaneti, perched 4,921 feet above sea level. From the abandoned buildings after descending from the pass, it is 2 hours, on a mostly flat road, to Iprali. This trek has it all: medieval villages with ancient Svan towers . Day 2: Tsvirmi - Adishi distance 17km, 1273m and 1055m. We followed the dirt path towards Iprali. Time for a good rest and to enjoy this peaceful place. Distance 45 km. Feb 22, 2019 - How to hike from Mestia to Ushguli - a complete, annually updated trekking guide for hikers who would like to tackle this most popular Georgian trek on their own. The Ushguli villages contain old Svan towers and buildings that are part of the UNESCO Heritage site of Upper Svaneti. By walking in this direction, there will be 30 minutes to an hour every day when you meet everyone walking in the opposite direction. Youll get beautiful views of the valley below before eventually delving deeper into the forest. Youll eventually veer to the right off the relatively flat path so far, beginning a steep climb through the forest. Negotiating a Ride From Ushguli to Mestia at the End of the Hike, How to Visit Svaneti National Park Without Hiking, The Complete Guide to Visiting Kazbegi in Georgia. This part is a little confusing since the path is mostly trodden grass, but there should be enough markings to indicate where to go. Be sure to stop by Erti Kava for a cup of coffee while youre here. I am travelling solo but guess I can team up with someone from hostels for a short trek. The rest of the way is mostly dirt road through the villages but with amazing views all throughout. We paid 25 Lari each for a minibus for 3 people. This app is very easy to use. Stepantsminda is only about 2-3 hours from Tbilisi and has some great hiking and mountain views, but you may not see glaciers or traditional farms. Grab things with high protein like nuts. We passed through an abandoned village, one that had a guesthouse that had closed for the season. Its about 150 GEL for the ride home ($50), but if you find other travelers, or are willing to wait for others (the drivers will rustle up some other travelers by asking around), then you can split that cost. This first leg has some altitude gain, but most of it is gradual. Comparing the two, I think the walk from Adishi is nicer as it is onRead more . We decided for 15 GEL each taking a horse was the best idea but were told by other hikers that the river looks more intimidating than it actually is (see above for further information on how to cross that river). Shortly after this viewpoint youll reach a spring where you can fill water. The last marshrutka leaves at 3 PM, so keep that in mind. His/Hers, Trousers to wear around camp/guesthouses Depending on your schedule and/or choice of accommodation, you can carry on up the rocky dirt streets through Chvibiani and Zhibiani, the middle and top villages of Ushguli. However, youre never far from an electricity supply when trekking from Mestia to Ushguli. Covers not only classic trails but also alternative routes which are even more difficult and scenic. However, it will also challenge you with inclement weather, difficult terrain, and a limited selection of guesthouses and other tourist offerings in the villages. Its possible to book via booking.com for guesthouses in each of the villages, and. The trek is hugely popular in the summers, but as the leaves begin to change and the snow begins to fall, the number of hikers begin to dwindle. Today was meant to be a 4-hour hiking day, but by the time we were done, it had taken us close to seven hours. It was also before the first snow. Because people look to complain a lot about other guest houses. Trek one of the most popular trails in Georgia, connecting Mestia (administrative center of Svaneti region) and Ushguli Community of four villages recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site. You made it! I paid the man to take me across on the horse. Where did you find it ? 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 one climbs onto Zuruldi massif, descends to Tsvirmi village and then follows a new road leading to Tetnuldi ski resort, where it joins the classic trail to Ushguli. Youll get dropped back off in Mestia where you can kick back and relax for a couple of days or continuing working your way through the rest of Georgias incredible wonders. The trail entrance is not far off the road, though its a little hidden. The third part of the journey and Adishi to Iprari and that is about 11.5 miles. For the rest of the hike follow the standard itinerary in the opposite direction. 119. We crossed the fast flowing river with an impressive view back to the collection of watch towers looming over the town. We had a basic conversation in my schoolboy Russian and they offered me a drink from a huge jug. We were both able to complete the trek in two days, though we were very sore afterwards. It was hot and sticky so we were pouring with sweat by the time we reached the top. Depending on the time of year, the river can be a wide, deep, fast flowing torrent of water, or an altogether less threatening beast. CHVABIANI TO ADISHI As usual, make sure you have good travel insurance handy while youre off adventuring across the world. Part of The, *Some of the links in this post are affiliate links if you purchase a product or service via these links, we may earn a small commission, . Youll get dramatic vistas and picturesque views, somewhat similar to what youd see in the Alps, but for far less the cost. His/Hers Pass on a day of changeable and dramatic weather. Other miscellaneous things would just include a few activities to keep you busy. About 3 km further on is Iprali village, with a few more guesthouses including. Some taxi drivers arrive from Mestia around 10am, dropping off travelers & hikers. Hi Omid, thank you, glad you find this article helpful! This makes a lot of sense if you are older, have a harder time going long distances, arent in the best shape, are going to attempt to do the river crossing (more on this later), or just want to save your knees. First we stopped for some supplies including fresh baked bread, still hot out of the tandoor and delicious lobiani (large bread boats filled with bean paste). There is a spring marked on Maps.me here, but we found it to be dry in late September. Looking back towards Adishi from Chkhunderi Pass on a day of dramatic weather, Looking back towards Adishi from Chkhunderi We stayed at Vodos guesthouse. in the late afternoon sun with overcast skies. It. The ticket price is 40-50 GEL. If you use any of these, I would recommend using either a steriPEN or water purification tablets. Guesthouse Robinzon is friendly but located by the Mestia Ushguli road, so you feel like you are getting back to civilisation. Weve compiled some useful lists and provided more info below. Also consider trekking from Ushghuli to Mestia to see fewer hikers. If you are up for it, the 3 or 4 day walk will be the highlight of your holiday. ( updated Aug 2019) Mestia-Guli Pass-Mazeri. It was natural water from a local spring which had a very cloudy look to it. Its a workout, but its worth it, and you can make it easier by customizing how quickly you finish it. The road crosses a few streams and has impressive views down into a narrow gorge at one point. However, its worth keeping in mind that most popular doesnt necessarily mean the best. If you prefer to camp you can do so for the entire trek, carrying food supplies with you or eating in guesthouses along the way. . This is the longest but prettiest day, passing glaciers and with 5,000m high mountains in the distance. The first day of hiking is roughly 6-7 hours. The Mestia to Ushguli hiking trail is waymarked and signposted. From Chvelpi village a marshrutka goes directly to Kutaisi. Walk around the town, take in some glacier views, get some food, or try to catch a taxi back to Mestia. It was a highlight of 3 months of slow travel around the Caucasus for me. This is the tricky part. The local Georgian guide, Merab, would help us out quite a bit over the next few hours. It undulates around the hillside for about 3.5 km, before leading you straight through the fields to Lakhiri. We greatly appreciate your support! The third part of the journey and Adishi to Iprari and that is about 11.5 miles. 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. There will be signs and painted rocks to let you know you went the right way. We watched others cross on foot first to assess the situation. Those downhill bits were treacherous without them. 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. During the peak trekking season (July-August), local guys hang around by the river in the morning, charging 20 GEL to carry you and your backpack across. Drive from Mestiato Ushguli normally takes 2 hours one way. If youre hiking later in the season, we recommend leaving your guesthouse with enough water to last the duration of the climb. There are people whose jobs seem to be helping the drivers fill their vans up. There may have been a better way to go but thats where we ended up. Keep an eye out for small trail markings, but theres really only one way to go. where the horses usually cross. Did you know that the Caucasus is the highest mountain range in Europe and Shkhara the third highest peak at 5,193m? We also hope that more people travel to Svaneti without the Mestia to Ushguli blinkers on, so they dont miss out on some of the best scenery and hiking the region has to offer. Maizer is very proud of his Svan heritage and happy to share Svan culture with you. Its possible to book via booking.com for guesthouses in each of the villages, and if youre hiking in July or August its a good idea to book accommodation in advance. We walked with two young German students for a while, all of us drunk on the pleasure of the beautiful, bucolic vistas. This is where the fun begins. Dont expect much from the food. Some places offer rooms with private bathrooms but most have shared facilities. Ushguli to Mestia Your options of returning back to Mestia from Ushguli are very limited. The first leg of the journey is from Mestia to Zhabeshi, about 10 miles. They usually charge around 70 80 GEL per person for dinner, bed & breakfast. Thanks a lot for this page! Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The trail is reasonably easy to follow and the villages en route offer accommodating guest houses with excellent food. Entdecke diese 34,7-Meilen lange Strecke in der Nhe von Mestia, Mingrelien und Oberswanetien. I was trekking with a friend so it cost us 15 each. It was a cold, wet slosh to the top, but youll eventually find yourself at a ski village. The route takes hikers from Mestia to Zhabeshi to Adishi to Iprali to Ushguli. You can rent camping gear at, is always a good idea for charging your phone, camera batteries, etc. 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. From Adishi the trail meanders along the hillside for around 5 km, with the Adishchala river flowing to your right. WHAT TO PACK A local man on horseback came over to help tourists cross for the 25 GEL fee. This is a glacier run-off so its numbingly cold water. Ten Pictures to Inspire Your Travels to Kauai, 10 Activities for Visiting the Bay Area of California, Bali and Singapore Itinerary: A Dream Vacation, The Top 5 Breweries in the Lehigh Valley: 2021 Edition, 16.1 km (10 miles) with 763 m (2500 ft) of altitude gain, 10.6 km (6.5 miles), 909 m (2980 ft) of uphill elevation gain, 18.7 km (11.6 miles), 860 m (2820 ft) of uphill elevation gain, 12.4 km (7.7 miles), 677 m (2220 ft) of uphill elevation gain. They will happily keep your luggage while you go hiking and coming back to a nice room and shower was heaven. Theres a small detour you can take going up the nearby ridge for some better views, about 30 minutes total. It had the name Tarzan on it, but I cant remember its actual name and I dont think I saw it online anywhere. This trek takes you past glaciers, waterfalls, farms, remote villages, and cow fields on a scenic adventure through the mountains. The actual point to cross wasnt as obvious as we were expecting (the usual telltale cluster of horses and trekkers by the crossing was absent), and there were steep embankments on the opposite side. The length of the journey ultimately depends upon traffic, the drivers speed, and how many times the driver stops. We wouldnt particularly recommend the guesthouse that stayed at in Adishi, so if we returned wed opt for Stone House Marexi or Elisabeths Guesthouse which both get good reviews and are reasonably priced. After the 3 miles, youll encounter the Adishchala River. As for shoes, sneakers are fine. 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. There are a lot of useful features in the free version and even more benefits if you have a paid annual membership, so if you spend a lot of time outdoors it is worthwhile, ) is another great offline mapping app with lots of useful features. Everyone leaves Adishi early so they can attempt the river crossing early in the day when the water level is lower. Feeling warm and cozy after a few beers, we rested our heads for the night. Cards are not accepted. 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. You can also do a small part of the first leg of the trek and return to Mestia. We use cookies to ensure we give you the best possible user experience on Going the Whole Hogg. Its also possible to ask your guesthouse to call ahead and book your next guesthouse for you.
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