Trekking in Georgia: Light Hikes Through Svaneti

ITINERARY:

DAY 1-2
Departing from Poland, arrive in Georgia according to the current flight schedule. We will head to our accommodation, a guest house in the picturesque Georgian village of Gelati, where we will sit down to a welcome supra with wine and Georgian toasts. The next day we will visit the Gelati Monastery complex (UNESCO) and the smaller, but equally beautiful and picturesque, Motsameta Monastery. We will have the opportunity to buy local products at a typical Georgian market in Kutaisi, which captivates with its rich colors and fragrances. We will then drive to Upper Svaneti (UNESCO), stopping along the way at Zugdidi, the capital of Megrelia, and at one of the largest arch dams in the world - Enguri. Upon arrival in the village of Etseri, we will have a rest and prepare for the trek.

DAY 3
Our trekking adventure in Svaneti begins in Etseri. We set out on a "warm-up" trek to Mazeri. Ahead of us is a pleasant fifteen-kilometer trek.

DAY 4
The second - longest - section of the trek leads to Mestia, the capital of Svaneti. The trail follows the Becho River gorge from the village of Mazeri, located at the foot of the magical twin-top Ushba (4,710 meters above sea level), which has attracted climbers from around the world for decades. After reaching the region's capital, Mestia, we'll visit traditional Svan buildings with preserved defensive and representative towers.

DAY 5-7
Pass through the passes of the Caucasus Mountains. Along the way we will visit and stay overnight in characteristic villages with interesting architecture and fortified towers. From Mestia we will go to Cholashi, to break through from there to the isolated village of Adishi. Along the way we will pass perhaps the most beautiful pyramid-like peak in Svaneti, Tetnuldi (4,858 meters above sea level). From Adishi, crossing a river and a scenic pass we will reach Iprari through abandoned villages.

DAY 8-10
In the morning we can visit Lagurka, the Orthodox Church of St. Kvirike and Julita, with beautiful frescoes and sacred art and a breathtaking view of the Enguri Valley. We will reach the picturesque Ushguli (UNESCO), where time has stopped and you can still sense in the air the atmosphere of bygone eras. We will get lost (in a controlled way), in a maze of stone towers and fortifications. We will walk to the glacier at the foot of Georgia's highest mountain Shkhara (5,193 meters above sea level) and the majestic Jangi-tau (5,058 meters above sea level). A horseback excursion is also possible for those who wish. After a day's rest in the highest village in Europe, the last, longest, but probably the most beautiful section of the trek awaits us (we go through this section without a Svan guide). We'll start it by crossing a hill strewn with rhododendrons to pass Queen Tamar's tower and reach a ridge from where we can see (in good weather) the highest mountain in all of Europe - Elbrus (5,642 meters above sea level). The trail will lead us to Lower Svaneti.

DAY  11-12/13*
After breakfast, drive to the Black Sea to Batumi. In addition to relaxing on the surrounding beaches, you will also have the opportunity to spend this time actively: in Batumi's subtropical botanical garden, walking among the surrounding eucalyptus forests and, of course, visiting the bustling Black Sea port - a stark contrast to the high mountain villages of Svaneti. Overnight stay near Batumi. On the last day in the morning transfer to the airport and return to Poland.

* Depending on the current airline network, the program is 12 or 13 days with flights.