Trekking in Mestia
Enjoy sightseeing and Georgian hospitality! See 40 million years old unique exhibits in Georgia National Museum. Go to Mtskheta to see the former capital of the Eastern Georgia kingdom. Travel to Kartli region to visit the museum of Stalin in the city of Gori and Uplistsikhe – rock-cut ancient village (I millennium BC). Take pictures of the most beautiful and highest mountains in the Caucasus, prepare to be immersed in the local culture of mountain population known as Svans retaining their culture and heritage for centuries.
Day to day itinerary
Arrival.
Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Hotel check-in.
After some rest enjoy a tour of Tbilisi historical district. Visit Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) built in 21st c which presents a mixture of traditional Georgian church architecture. Afterward, visit Golden Treasury of Georgian National Museum on Rustaveli Avenue. The Museum houses various archaeological collections. Some of the artifacts are dating back to 40 million years. Continue the tour from Meteckhi plateau and visit Metekhi Church of 13th c. overlooking Mktvari river. Nearby the church stands the monument of king Vakhtang I Gorgosali (Vakhtang the Wolf Head) who established the city of Tbilisi – the capital of Eastern Georgia. Continue to Narikala fortress by cable car and enjoy views of the city from the top. The fortress was first built in 4th c. AD. Stroll down to the old city and visit Tbilisi Mosque, Legutakhevi (Fig ravine) waterfall and take a walk towards Sulfur bathe house district – one of the oldest districts in Tbilisi. Walk on Maidan square. Sharden and Erekle II streets. Lots of cafes and pubs, souvenir shops and art galleries are located here. Sioni Cathedral the former seat of the patriarch, also stands here. The Cathedral was built in 6th – 7th cc. Continue to Anchiskhati basilica, which is the oldest church in Tbilisi dating from 7th c. Excursion with a break for lunch.
In the evening dinner in an authentic restaurant with an entertaining program – Georgian polyphonic singing, folk dances, and music.
Overnight in Tbilisi hotel.
After breakfast drive to Mtskheta, one of the oldest Georgian cities, which was the capital of Eastern Georgia up to the 5th c. then the court was moved to Tbilisi. Archeologists discovered remains of the city dating back to 1000 years BC.
Mtskheta is a popular tourist destination as it contains two of the UNESCO World Heritage sites – Svetitskhoveli Cathedral of 12th c. and the Jvari monastery of 6th c. Both of the sites represent a true masterpiece of different styles of Georgian church architecture.
Visit the museum and house of Joseph Stalin, located in Gori town, where Stalin was born. The museum presents items related to the Soviet leader’s life.
Continue to Uplistsikhe, an ancient village, located near Gori. Uplistsikhe is a rock-cut town approximately covering 8 ha., can be divided into 3 parts, the middle one is the largest and connected to the other two with passes and tunnels. The complex contains structures dating back to the Early Iron Age.
Drive to Tskaltubo. Dinner. Night in the hotel in Tskaltubo.
Transfer to Svaneti.
After breakfast in the hotel, we drive to Svaneti. Transfer time 4 hours. Overnight in Mestia guest-house.
Lunch and Dinner. Shared facilities
Following a local style breakfast at 9.00 am we begin our trek from Lavladashi to Chalaadi Glacier. We follow beautiful valleys and trek through lush forests before we get a glimpse of the glacier. Then we trek up to an altitude of 2070m. We can enjoy the 360 views of the Caucasus mountains stopping on route for a picnic lunch. Following lunch, we trek down to a footbridge over Mestiachala, from where we take our transport back to Mestia.
Overnight in Mestia
Walking distance 12 km
↑↓500m (walking time 5 hours)
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included
Private facilities
We set off at 8 am from our guesthouse for 30 minutes of vehicle transfer to Becho a small village situated in the shadow of Mount Ushba. We start our trek from Becho through woods to the foot of Mt. Ushba standing at (4700m). A beautiful trek will bring us to the waterfalls and we can enjoy the spectacular view of Becho whilst stopping on route for a picnic lunch. The first 2 hours is comparatively easy, but the next 3 hours gets a bit harder. On our way back we meet our local transport near a bridge and return to our guesthouse.
Military Base ↑↓ 400m,(walking time 4 hours) 12 km.
1st Waterfall ↑↓650 m (walking time 5 hours) 16 km.
Overnight in Becho. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Private facilities.
Setting off after breakfast at 9 am we head out of the mountains stopping to marvel at the Enguri Dam (The second highest Arch dam in the world). We have a 4-hour drive to Kutaisi international airport through beautiful countryside arriving at 14.00 for check-in and your return flight at 16.00.
Breakfast and lunch included.
End of service.
