Svaneti Tour (4 Days)

Tour Highlights:

Day 1 – Tbilisi – Zugdidi – Mestia

Day 2 – Mestia  – Ushguli  – Mestia

Day 3 – Ethngographical Museum, Museum Margiani,Village Latali, Lemjeri Village

Day 4 – Return to Tbilisi

Georgians say “if you have not seen Svaneti, then you have not seen Georgia”.

Svaneti is the land of wild nature, mountains and traditions. Georgians say “if you have not seen Svaneti, then you have not seen Georgia”.  Looking for it on the map, you can easily  find it because this region comprises the north west of Georgia.

Svaneti is divided into Upper (Mestia district) and Lower (Lentekhi  district) parts. Upper Svaneti, located in the foothills of the Great Caucasus mountain range, is the focus of our tour. Long ago, among the highest mountains, valleys and gorges, settled independent Svans. The first written evidence about these people was found in works of ancient Greek philosopher and historian, Strabon (I C. BC). He described the Svans as the bravest and most courageous people in the world. Over the entire history of Georgia, they have never been conquered.

Evidence of the Svans’ militancy can be found in fighting towers called koshka.  Some could reach the height of 10-12 meters. Every family had their own tower, which protected them in time of conquests or blood feud. A tradition of such animosity existed here for centuries, and sometimes families remained in their tower for years. According to tradition, men of a family should be killed, and, according to historians, for the last 5 centuries blood feuds killed more than 200 Svan families.

The highest village in Europe is also located in Svanetia, at an elevation of 2100m above sea level.  It is now included by UNESCO in World Heritage List.

Interestingly, Svans still maintain their own language, which dates back several millennia.

Day 1

Tbilisi – Zugdidi – Mestia

After the hearty breakfast in hotel, we leave Tbilisi and drive toward Svaneti.  We should mention that the road will take a major portion of the day, but this is a good chance to see Georgian countryside and ask questions and listen to stories of its history.

The road to Svaneti mountains starts from Zugdidi, where we will make a visit to the main local attraction, Dadiani Palace (17^th C.).  It was here that a Georgian family of nobles, dukes and princes ruled a dynasty of the western Georgian province of Samegrelo (Mingrelia) or Odishi.  Dadiani Palace is surrounded by a beautiful Botanical Garden (24,5ha), reminiscent of the Palace of Versailles in France. Some believe that Dadiani and Napoleon had relative connections, and surprisingly, it explains why 1 of 3 of Napoleon’s death masks are saved in the Palace. The local museum contains many artifacts like a collection of Colchis gold and silver coins, military weapons of the Middle Ages and another 40 000 thousand different items.  There is a small church of Mary the Virgin next to the Palace, where the part of Lord’s Rees is kept.

Soon after Zugdidi, our highway changes into a serpentine road, and the first Svanetian landmark, Ingury Dam, will appear before us.  Today, it is the biggest hydroelectric dam in the whole Caucasus region. It should be noted that the Inguri Dam is one of five arch dams in the world.

And soon comes time of Svaneti itself.  Wild landscapes, Medieval villages and ancient traditions with Pagan roots greet you as you enter the region. Mestia, our destination for today,  is an administrative center of Upper Svanetia.  All of the unique architecture here is included  by UNESCO in World Heritage Sites. Your first encounter with Svan culture will continue over dinner where you can taste delicious, local dishes.

Night in Mestia.

Day 2

Mestia  – Ushguli – Mestia

After the early breakfast, we start our trip to the highest village in Europe, Ushguli (2200m above sea level).

Ushguli is the highest mountain site, a community of four villages and historically represented the backbone of the former Upper Svaneti. Here live about 70  families. Another name for the place is free Svarti, as if neither feudals nor invaders ever conquered the locals.  There is a small school and 5 churches: Church of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin (X C.), better known as Lamaria, St George’s Church in Zhibiani, Church of St. Barbara and the Savior in Murkmeli, Church of Our Saviour in Chvibiani and Zhibiani.

Clean, fresh mountain air and distance from civilization make this an area where you are in solitude with nature. It makes you admire the place and culture of people – soldiers. For most of the year, the road to Svaneti is closed due to snow.  From the Ushguli village, you can gaze upwards at Shkhara Mountain (5068m), considered as one of the most powerful mountains in the Greater Caucasus.  The main attraction of Ushguli is a Medieval church named, Assumption of the Mother of God, with the melodic name Lamaria.  Every view from the complex gives you the feeling like thousands of years ago, someone just simply bottled time and you have now discovered it. Ushguli is an open-air museum by itself!  Local architecture ensemble with old towers were included by UNESCO in the World Heritage Site.

Return to Mestia.

Day 3

Round Mestia

• Ethngographical Museum
• Museum Margiani
• Lunch in Restaurant
• Village Latali
• Lemjeri Village

Night in Mestia

Day 4

Return to Tbilisi