3 days ago. A powerful thunderstorm knocked out the electricity and sent us to bed nice and early. The food in this region is some of the best because its basically guaranteed farm-to-table. Advertisements There are streams and mountain springs situated along the trail. Our dog barked at one and a mother pig came charging at us full speed. I was trekking with a friend so it cost us 15 each. Up until this point, we did not see any other hikers. As mentioned above, its scenic and culturally interesting, but not overly challenging, making it suitable for people with wide ranging experience and fitness levels. Should I Book in Advance and How Comfortable Are the Guesthouses? They have to make a living though I suppose. Approaching Lakhiri was the highlight. Make sure your feet are stable before taking your next step. One major drawback, unless you wake up very early and only do one leg per day, is that you will be crossing the river later in the day (which means it will be higher and faster). Be sure to watch the movie Dede that was filmed in Ushguli, and have a drink at the dungeon-y bar above the theater. This route is marked on Maps.me, leaving the main route approx. This is especially true in Adishi and Ushguli which are at >2,000m above sea level. If not, try to find a car that is leaving in the early afternoon so you can explore the villages and Lamaria Church. The classic trek across Svaneti, with a twist. The food was the best we had on the trek both in terms of variety of dishes as well as quantity. It would be about 20 km return. Walk around the town, take in some glacier views, get some food, or try to catch a taxi back to Mestia. Keep following the trail until it reaches the riverbank. You can also do a small part of the first leg of the trek and return to Mestia. Mestia is a small town, so location isnt too big of a factor when picking a place to stay. We definitely agree with you about the high route to Adishi. If you need a larger backpack than this, in my view, you are bringing too much. They have four rooms that share two bathrooms, which are clean and large with all the amenities you need. This is a little harder to follow. Travelling from Zugdidi to Mestia, you will arrive around 10am. Either way, the morning starts with a heart pumping climb the moment you leave your guesthouse. At the Adishi river we had two choices. The guesthouses where we stayed provided towels, bedding and shower gel. Like Gaia, we recommend checking out the written and video tutorials on the OsmAnd website to learn how to fully use the app. We lucked out with the rain. In order to be covered for hiking above this, you will probably need to add on an activity pack or such like. Unfortunately when we went, it was the latter. . Perhaps a raincoat too or plastic poncho if youre anticipating some rain. Be sure to stop by Erti Kava for a cup of coffee while youre here. 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). Looking northeast from the ridge viewpoint on a dramatic day of light and shadow, Looking northeast from the ridge viewpoint It is meant to be the most scenic route with sweeping mountain views. TREK BREAKDOWN & DETAILS Is it Possible to Trek Mestia Ushguli in 3 Days? This trek has it all: medieval villages with ancient Svan towers . You could easily walk upstream and cross at a wider, shallower section which should be far easier. Depending on the time of year, the river can be a wide, deep, fast flowing torrent of water, or an altogether less threatening beast. I actually did the hike in trekking sandals (complete with socks to make my look extra special). Taking on the trek in the offseason made for an exciting challenge with unforgettable views all throughout. Climb a few metres up the grassy hillside and continue on a trail heading east, parallel to the river. The Mestia-Ushguli hike takes you from Mestia (in 1 500 meters above the sea level) to a smaller mountain town of Ushguli (2 100 m) through several other villages, over mountain passes, along green valleys and across rivers and streams. Taking a marshrutka from Mestia to Ushguli is more straightforward. Steripen, purification tablets, LifeStraw, etc.). Thanks a lot for this page! The water is still pretty fast flowing but is likely to be below your knees. In fact, 4 of Europes 10 highest mountains are in Georgia. From there, most of the guesthouses are within walking distance. This way you can hike the entire completed section of the Transcaucasian Trail in the region, from. Bring a few pairs of dry socks to change into. Wear lightweight clothes that cover all of your skin or end up like me sunburned everywhere. The final day of the hike is the easiest. There are endless accommodation options in Mestia. When you first download it it might need a couple of minutes to pick up the GPS signal on your phone. Going there in one week, and your article is a gold mine Its a bit of a scam actually. A power bank is always a good idea for charging your phone, camera batteries, etc. It becomes wider, with more open views as you climb above the trees and enter rhododendron land. Time for a good rest and to enjoy this peaceful place. In Adishi at Elisabeths Guesthouse I first time felt as Tourist on its worth meaning (tourist means money no meter what you get for it), sadly. A good place to ford the Adishchala river on foot, a little further upstream from where the horses usually cross, A good place to ford the Adishchala river When you get to the Ushguli sign take the path down to the right walking through the four villages. Since we were a group of 3, we were able to take a private taxi for the same price, 50 lari. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. We paid 25 Lari each for a minibus for 3 people. Autumn was in full blast, and with the snow-capped peaks in the distance, it made for an unforgettable view. We walked towards the edge of Mestia and then raced back to buy an emergency supply of sun block. Mestia makes a comfortable home-base to start your trek with many nice guest houses and hotels, restaurants, and convenience stores. Carry on walking along the dirt road to Cholashi and down to the car bridge below. The multi-day hike from Mestia to Ushguli is legendary amongst those who come to trek in Georgia. This first leg has some altitude gain, but most of it is gradual. Tip Use TBC bank in Georgia as there are no access charges! This is only second-hand information, but we were told that the river looks more intimidating to cross on foot than it actually is. Most of the guesthouses along the way have heating so we werent as cold as we thought wed be at night. I useSafetyWingto keep me covered throughout my travels for as low as $40 a month. We wandered on passing several villages, knowing that we had to cross the river before reaching our destination. We downloaded this at the guesthouse on the first night and it was a godsend. Wed let time pass us by and had a late lunch as we had gotten carried away with our fine journey. Just remember to, The main villages offering guesthouse accommodation along the Mestia to Ushguli trail are. The initial section is narrow and can be overgrown, with some steep bits here and there. Here the gushing, freezing cold glacial melt water is at its narrowest and horsemen wait to ferry trekkers across to the other side. It is possible to hike from Iprali to the pass at Chkhunderi where youll have wonderful views, and then back again. Continue on the trail and leave the town behind you. The last stretch towards the pass is nice and flat. This is the tricky part. too for the wearing around camp/guesthouses. They only had to take a few steps before they could grab the end of the branch to help them over. Please feel to drop us a comment in the box below and if you have any updates, let us know so we can keep the information fresh for others. Youll enter an alpine valley with stunning views of the mountain and glaciers. His/Hers, Trousers to wear around camp/guesthouses We only had lunch on the first day. It was natural water from a local spring which had a very cloudy look to it. When you reach it, look for the waymarked rock and take the left path. Here you have two choices. We use cookies to ensure we give you the best possible user experience on Going the Whole Hogg. The Adishi Glacier is a sight to behold here, and you will be fascinated at first glance itself. 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. FROM MESTIA TO USHGULI . Pigs and piglets frolicked in the muddy lanes and a curly horned goat eyed us disapprovingly over a crumbling wall. Its an 8-hour car ride from Tbilisi and 5.5 hours from Batumi. The path was easy and comfortable and passed through beautiful open grasslands littered with a dazzling array of colourful wildflowers. Upper Svaneti has a strong culture, which is different from the rest of the country. It did not rain any of the days we were in the Svaneti region until the morning we left, where it down-poured. What would you suggest for a shorter or day trek to see the towers and villages? Most routes have this day finishing 30 minutes before Lalkhori in Iprali. Maizer is very proud of his Svan heritage and happy to share Svan culture with you. The only problem was that there was a deep and fast flowing river, 15 meters wide, flowing across the road. Make sure you bring enough money to pay guest houses, taxis for the ride back, and any food/supplies you buy since credit cards will not be accepted and you will not find any ATMs along the way. Walking the bank we looked for a better place but could not find one. Adishi will wait until the very last minute before popping into view, so dont worry. Mestia Ushguli Trek in Svaneti is the most popular and beautiful trekking tours in Georgia country. Make sure you carry enough water and snacks to get you through until the next time. You can stock up at the convenience store in Mestia. The views of Adishi Glacier are spectacular, as are those of the mountains and glaciers to the east. It certainly is! One guy got stuck and seemed like if he moved, hed get knocked over. 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. 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. Mestia to Ushguli (Svaneti) Download Send trail to GPS Author Caucasus Trekking 5,076 39 402 I've navigated this trail Distance 35.97 mi Elevation gain 10,669 ft Technical difficulty Moderate Elevation loss 8,186 ft Max elevation 9,019 ft Trailrank 45 4.5 Min elevation 4,586 ft Trail type One Way Coordinates 1250 Uploaded March 5, 2015 Recorded Its a string of nuts coated in hardened grape syrup (which sort of tastes like a Fruit-By-The-Foot). We watched some other tourists cross. A hat, gloves and sunglasses are also needed. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. 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. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. We took the night train which is clean and safe. The 10 of us kicked back with some beers and toasted to the journey behind us. We followed the dirt path towards Iprali. There is an upper path you can also take that is reportedly more scenic, but takes a little longer. It is a pretty, atmospheric place in a spectacular location which was slowly rebuilt after an avalanche had destroyed many buildings. The trail continues along a dirt road all the way to Iprali, where we decided to stay at the first guesthouse we encountered. There are people whose jobs seem to be helping the drivers fill their vans up. Hi, were Lee and Mandy and we are the Frugal Travellers. WHEN TO TREK Some places offer rooms with private bathrooms but most have shared facilities. Kazbegi the most developed village. The route then descends to the valley floor, passing through villages and ending up at Chvabiani or Zhabeshi. Although the trek is four days long, just pack what youd normally bring in a day pack, plus a few changes of clothes. Then you catch a taxi to get back. Luckily there were a lot of freezing streams to clean off in. The road connecting Iprali and Ushguli is one option, but a soul destroying one if you ask us. We watched others cross on foot first to assess the situation. If you prefer less crowded trails, go in September. Welcome to this wild, remote corner of Georgia! It undulates around the hillside for about 3.5 km, before leading you straight through the fields to Lakhiri. 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 hikers from before, the two Filipinas and their guide, Merab, gave us a ride to Ushguli and we repaid them in beer. In late September, we found the springs marked on Maps.me to be dry, with no water source until we reached the stream on the high route. Dont stress if you miss it. The first part of the road is rough but there is no need for a 44. In the offseason, there was nothing to signify that it was open, but we just walked into the yard until someone saw us. We rounded a corner and it stood in front of us, stone watchtowers surrounding a medieval stone hamlet with a mountain backdrop. So if you are a reasonably fast hiker you must wait or have a cold shower. The trail alternates between forest sections and open hillside. Booked in advance on booking.com. Some places will serve dinner and breakfast at one set time, especially if many guests are staying, while others will serve meals at a time you request. The upper villages of the Ushguli community. While a marshrutka does go between Ushguli and Mestia, the driver is unlikely to allow you on board. Secondly, electricity is only turned on in the afternoon. We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. The path is well trodden so sturdy hiking boots may be too heavy for some. Itll make you feel like youre at your grandmas house, especially with how they feed you. After spending a couple of days in the smaller Svan villages this felt like coming back to civilisation. We opted to stay a little out of the main center, not realizing how steep of a climb it was to get there. Once at the top, you can choose to continue climbing an extra 250 metres before turning off on the scenic High Route to Adishi, or take the shorter, quicker, and less picturesque Low Route. Reason to Go Koshki defensive towers frozen in time, iconic mountain villages and snow-capped peaks, pristine alpine trekking, and extremely unique people, culture and history. It will take 1-1.15 hours to get to the top with good views of the Adishi glacier as you climb. This is my account of the 4 day Mestia to Ushguli trek amongst some of the most awe inspiring scenery and villages of Svaneti. Your email address will not be published. Youll also need a small burner, gas canister and cooking supplies if you want a hot meal. There are a number of things we recommend packing in order to make your Mestia to Ushguli trek run smoothly and safely. Branch off to the right when you reach the fork (at the Right Way sign). It can take upwards of nine or ten hours to get to Mestia from Tbilisi. The popular trek from Mestia to Ushguli is typically taken over four days. It feels wild and mysterious with each house having a stone defense tower designed to house villagers at times of local strife. If youre doing this trek in two days, youll probably be doing the uphill section in the heat of the day. Once downloaded, it can be viewed offline. This is where the fun begins. From Kutaisi, a direct marshrutka departs for Mestia from the bus station near McDonalds at 1000. It took one hour to walk the final two kms kms so we finally arrived, tired out after 7 long hours on the trail. 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. You will arrive at around 10 am. We walked with two young German students for a while, all of us drunk on the pleasure of the beautiful, bucolic vistas. The wider path curves northward and turns into a narrow rocky trail with steep grassy embankments either side. Lunch packs are an extra 5 GEL. 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. Follow the road and the next obstacle is a great flowing rush of water over the road. This sounds complicated but it really isnt. Prices and download plans . When we went in July, the weather was low 70s heating up to the low to mid 80s (Fahrenheit). As you approach Ushguli you can see the cars lining the road to take you back to civilisation. At the top, you reconnect with the dirt road and get some more great views, this time from a different direction. After kicking off the boots and donning some more comfortable plastic sandals we did a little exploring. You can, on the trail using the arrow that shows your GPS location. They take a taxi to Ushguli and make their way back to Mestia. Wake up the last morning in time to catch a marshrutka to Tbilisi. As I mentioned earlier, I would get a taxi to Ushguli on day 3 if doing the hike again.
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