Trekking from Mestia to Ushguli: Part One - Sailingstone Travel The weather can be very unpredictable, change quickly, and vary greatly between the lower and higher altitudes.
2,307 Mestia Ushguli Stock Photos - dreamstime.com Its also possible to ask your guesthouse to call ahead and book your next guesthouse for you. The taxis and marshrutkas gather at the bridge on the entrance into the village and charge tourists a set fee of 40 Lari for a one way trip back to Mestia which is extortionately high. I am going to visit Georgia during next 30 days with my (sedan) car; I dont have enough time for a 4 days hike from Mestia to Ushguli but I really like to hike until Adishi Glacier viewpoint; Is it possible to drive to Iprali village and then hike up to the Adishi Glacier viewpoint with a light backpack and return to Iprali on the same day? We use cookies to ensure we give you the best possible user experience on Going the Whole Hogg. Covers not only classic trails but also alternative routes which are even more difficult and scenic. Towards the end of the valley is your end goal, Zhabeshi. It takes 3 4 hours and costs 25 GEL. The hike continues through the forest until it opens up into a big meadow. It was a beautiful drive, although youll find that bus drivers in Georgia love to go fast.
Mestia to Ushguli Trek (a complete guide) | Trek, Scenic, Nice view What would you suggest for a shorter or day trek to see the towers and villages? Therefore, if you walk fast you either end up waiting a long time or have a cold shower. Once youve joined the low route its a short distance downhill to the picturesquely situated village of Adishi. The popular trek from Mestia to Ushguli is typically taken over four days. Where did you find it ? And if youre planning your own trek, good luck and enjoy! We had our first gloomy day of the trek, and it only got worse from there. Flights are pretty affordable, but since its a small plane, they have very limited luggage allowance. 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. This helps offset the cost of running this blog and keeps us travelling so that we can continue to produce great content for you. Original stone roofed dwellings sit beside more practical metal-roofed homes, a hodgepodge of old meets new which is characteristic of many remote Georgian mountain communities these days. Climb the small wooden ladder over the gate and continue around to the right, on an overgrown grassy trail behind the houses. Water levels tend to be much lower from September, making the river crossing easier, but leaving some springs dry. Encuentre svaneti mountains la fotografa, imagen, vector, ilustracin o imagen a 360 grados perfectos. Its a sprawling collection of four villages, with old towers and houses tumbling down the hillside, and the impressive Shkhara Mountain looming behind. If you have the maps.me app it is marked on there as family hostel. Trek can be shortened if jeep will take tourists half way deep in Enguri valley, the last point where car road ends. , from spring till late August/early September. , making a crossing on foot usually more manageable. ADISHI TO IPRALI I paid $9.50 for 3 gigabytes and I had service almost all throughout the hike. Alternatively, just tap the rectangle symbol at the top right of the map in this blog post to view the My Maps version larger on desktop. Not only did it go up to my waist, but it is fast, rushing, and freezing. By comparison, my manfriend does not exercise very much but he is a good hiker. Sign in Sign up for FREE Prices and download plans For an excellent, detailed route description, refer to the Caucasustrekking.com blog. 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. Dont go too fast around the corners since minibuses may come plowing down the narrow road. Required fields are marked *. The trail alternates between forest sections and open hillside. On desktop, click the three lines at the top left, select Your Places, then Maps. Taking on the trek in the offseason made for an exciting challenge with unforgettable views all throughout. The benefits of the app include being able to plot routes in advance and save them as GPX tracks, and to view detailed elevation and terrain information, including surface types. As soon as you get off the train at Zugdidi, the marshrutka drivers will come to you. We stayed at Raul Lushnu Darbaz guesthouse. We had a dog guide us down the trail for almost all of our first day. Weve broken down the Mestia to Ushguli trek into separate days and sections below. Id also recommend having waterproof boots and maybe some leg warmers to add an extra layer of warmth and waterproof protection. Elevation Gain: ~ 900 meters / ~ 3000 feet. No need to carry a heavy backpack! It is quite easy to find a trekking buddy when you arrive in Mestia as most people are heading out on the trail. Maps.me shows the distance and travel time, plus elevation profiles for hiking trails. After staying in basic accommodation whilst trekking in Svaneti we really enjoyed a couple of nights at Rooms using the spa, the most amazing breakfast and looking at the views which are jaw dropping. The top of the mountain opens up into some great views. We always like to have a pillow and sleeping liner too. Can I Start Hiking the Same Day as Arriving on the Overnight Tbilisi Zugdidi Train? 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. This is the longest but prettiest day, passing glaciers and with 5,000m high mountains in the distance. After following the dirt road for a few kilometers, youll have to cross over the bridge onto the paved road. Just call the . By walking in this direction, there will be 30 minutes to an hour every day when you meet everyone walking in the opposite direction. About 70 families, approximately 250 people live in the village, which dates back more than 2000 years. It certainly is! Whats more, the 850 metre ascent up the hillside behind Chvabiani and Zhabeshi comes at the very start of the day, so youll need to muster all your energy from the get-go!
Mestia - Ushguli | Georgian Travel Guide Look for the Queen Tamar statue, turn right, and cross the river on a bridge. Jun 11, 2021 - 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 bank on the other side was too steep to climb up. The last 30 minutes to Lalkhori is steep downhill. There are two trains from Zugdidi to Tbilisi which need to be booked in advance (see above): For all bus tickets inquire at the office opposite Guesthouse David Zhorzholiani on the square (this is also where you will be dropped off when you arrive). Traditional Svan tower in Cholashi on Day 1 of the Mestia to Ushguli trek, Traditional Svan tower in Cholashi on We stayed at Raul Darbazs guesthouse which was comfortable and very welcoming although the dinner portions were a bit small for someone who had just walked 19 kms. The owner invited us in and made us welcome. The initial section is narrow and can be overgrown, with some steep bits here and there. To save this map to use online on desktop or mobile just tap the star symbol at the top. Since we were a group of 3, we were able to take a private taxi for the same price, 50 lari. So on we drove all the way to our guesthouse. 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. Nine of us sitting round the table couldnt even come close to finishing this amount of food. . And they were right. The last 1 3 km of the climb (depending on whether you take the Low or High route) is on gravel road and is definitely the lowlight of the day (see cable car info box below on how to skip this). Weve marked possible camp spots on our map and we cover guesthouses in more detail below. being the ideal trekking time. Distance 45 km. The first day of hiking is roughly 6-7 hours. It simply is an awe-inspiring and dramatic hike through some of the best scenery in the Caucasus. This first leg has some altitude gain, but most of it is gradual. In June and July, there will be a fair amount of rain, but also green mountains and a variety of wild flowers. As soon as you are out of sight of the bridge a vehicle will approach you and the driver will negotiate a reasonable fare.
Spectacular Mestia to Ushguli Trek with Tsvirmi - Packing up the Pieces You need waterproofs and layers (including a base layer, mid layer, and outer layer). However, it will also challenge you with inclement weather, difficult terrain, and a limited selection of guesthouses and other tourist offerings in the villages. Walk through the village and over the bridge and youll reach a hill. Going there in one week, and your article is a gold mine Id use AllTrails since it is hard to explain, but go past a stone building and youll see a narrow entrance to a steep uphill climb. You are most welcome Stephen. It was worth a long rest stop here to admire the scenery looking back down on Mestia below and the snow capped mountains beyond. There will be a ski lift up ahead. Youll also need a small burner, gas canister and cooking supplies if you want a hot meal. Ushguli is more straightforward. This way you can hike the entire completed section of the Transcaucasian Trail in the region, from Chuberi to Mestia and then from Mestia to Ushguli, over 8+ days. Itll just be more comfortable than the marshrutka and more scenic than the night train. Id recommend just renting the horse. Before you reach the car bridge, turn left up a trail between old houses. Anything you can give to the locals, please do. Picking the right path can at times be difficult, so we were both thankful we had downloaded maps.me the night before. So if you want to take the cable car, its better to take an alternative route up from Chvabiani/Zhabeshi which will take you right to the station. Would the horses be there? We spent an entire day just hanging around Mestia. The other choice is the upper trail, which we took. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. From Adishi the trail meanders along the hillside for around 5 km, with the Adishchala river flowing to your right. . 1 km from and 150 metres above the villages. In addition, the water levels are usually lower which makes it easier to cross on foot. If you can, both are worth visiting and should be included in your itinerary. This allows you to stay in en-suite hotels every night. We could see the small hamlets of Murshkeli, Lakhiri and Chomasli spread out below us. We were very lucky and got a lift from some friendly locals for the last part along the road. The rest of the way is mostly dirt road through the villages but with amazing views all throughout. The night before, during dinner, the rain was pouring down outside, and everyone was talking about the river crossing. While this isnt a bad idea, there are lots of guesthouses that do not handle advance booking. Continue for a further 2.9 km on a wide dirt road to reach Iprali, a small village that sits above the Mestia Ushguli road.
Mestia to Ushguli Trek: Everything you Need to Know - Travels Of A View thepartyingtravelers profile on Facebook, View thepartyingtravelers profile on Instagram, We're Going To Pakistan! Before the sun set I wandered the enigmatic village, photographing the many huge stone towers which were glowing in the golden hues of the late evening. This is the tricky part. Our transport to Mestia (arranged the night before) arrived, although on a Georgian, rather than Western, schedule. and the start of the high route to Adishi. Sunscreen is also a must. Search and book tickets via matarabeli.ge, tickets.railway.ge, or tkt.ge. We stayed at Maizer Qaldani Guesthouse in Chvabiani and highly recommend it. However, its advisable to use an offline mapping app such as Maps.me, Gaia, or OSMand to follow the route via GPS. This lasts about 10-20 minutes and is brutal, but theres most of your elevation gain, done in one shot. The rooms were warm and cozy, and the views from the little balcony made the tough hike worth it. Nonetheless, it remains a great option for the reasons previously outlined. THE BIG ONE: Mestia to Ushguli trek (57 km one way, a 3-4 day hike) Ushguli: the highest permanently inhabited settlement in Europe. Instead of a rainstorm we ended up walking in the sun. After a short, steep climb through this gully, the trail turns to the right and heads east. We hastily packed our things and continued up the mountain, following the existing footsteps, the only thing saving us from having to trudge our way through knee-deep snow at points. June & July 2023 Group Expeditions. This 70km hike split in 4 days is a perfect gatew. Leg One is complete! We had a 30L daypack each and we could comfortably fit in everything. The owners really know how to treat you and we were fed copious portions of great Georgian food. Trek with us from Mestia to the remote UNESCO World Heritage town of Ushguli, also known as the highest settlement in Europe. Maizer is very proud of his Svan heritage and happy to share Svan culture with you. 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). , Svaneti is accessible year-round, however the hiking trails are covered in snow in winter and many guesthouses close. The views of Mount Ushba in the distance are breathtaking. Secondly, electricity is only turned on in the afternoon. At the trekking signpost, turn right up the hill and continue following it around to the left. 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. Its a scenic trek but not overly challenging, with guesthouse accommodation dotted along the trail. The price is 30 Lari for a double room for either 1 or 2 people. In the offseason, there was nothing to signify that it was open, but we just walked into the yard until someone saw us. You can try to get back to Tbilisi immediately after trekking, but that will be a long, uncomfortable day and probably not desired if you just did two days of trekking. There are people whose jobs seem to be helping the drivers fill their vans up. The last stretch towards the pass is nice and flat. There is an upper path you can also take that is reportedly more scenic, but takes a little longer. 3 days ago. If youre in the right season, youll be surrounded by alpine flowers. If, like us, you opt for the high route, then youve still got a bit to climb on the energy-sapping road. Another option is taking a taxi to Ushguli (remember this will be about $50 each way). Your email address will not be published. It was not pleasant to limp on after all of that walking, but it doesnt last too long. It is possible to visit in May or early June but there might be snow on the high passes and tracks can be muddy and wet from the melting snow. If you prefer less crowded trails, go in September. Whether youre crossing the Adishchala river on foot or by horse, aim to get there in the morning before glacier meltwater swells it further. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 19 h 7 min to complete. This is a glacier run-off so its numbingly cold water. She even sent us off with a bagged lunch and some fresh pears the next day, which was good, because we needed every bit of energy we could shove into our bodies. If you use any of these, I would recommend using either a steriPEN or water purification tablets. This trek takes you past glaciers, waterfalls, farms, remote villages, and cow fields on a scenic adventure through the mountains. In water this cold, hypothermia will kick in very quickly, so dont take any unnecessary risks. 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. Autumn was in full blast, and with the snow-capped peaks in the distance, it made for an unforgettable view. Guesthouse Robinzon is friendly but located by the Mestia Ushguli road, so you feel like you are getting back to civilisation. To top it off the Mestia to Ushguli trek is an relatively easy, comfortable trek over an undulating landscape, the longest day being 7 hours long. After waking up in Ushguli on the fourth or sixth day, ask around and arrange for a taxi to take you back to Mestia. There are endless accommodation options in Mestia. When it rains, youll see waterfalls trickle down the mountainsides. At the Didube Bus Station in Tbilisi, you will be solicited by taxi drivers who want to take you to Mestia. The Transcaucasian Trail website also has a. we know of. This helps offset the cost of running this blog and keeps us travelling so that we can continue to produce great content for you. Is it Possible to Trek Mestia Ushguli in 3 Days? Svaneti Trek Mestia Ushguli 4 Days is hosted by Highlander Travel. of your route in advance for offline use. Trekking Mestia to Ushguli in October, in Svaneti, Georgia by Erika van 't Veld | Nov 14, 2018 Although it's one of the most popular treks in Georgia, the trek from Mestia to Ushguli was still blissfully off the tourist radar. It will take 1-1.15 hours to get to the top with good views of the Adishi glacier as you climb. There are many trails already marked on Maps.me, plus you can download and import a KML track of your route to the app. (function($) {window.fnames = new Array(); window.ftypes = new Array();fnames[0]='EMAIL';ftypes[0]='email';fnames[1]='FNAME';ftypes[1]='text';fnames[2]='LNAME';ftypes[2]='text';fnames[3]='ADDRESS';ftypes[3]='address';fnames[4]='PHONE';ftypes[4]='phone';}(jQuery));var $mcj = jQuery.noConflict(true); Disclaimer:
It will be a long day, but you should be at your guesthouse by 6pm. The trekking season usually extends from mid-June to mid-October, with July to September being the ideal trekking time. We greatly appreciate your support! The marshrutkas drop you off at the small bus station. When you reach it, look for the waymarked rock and take the left path. I was trekking with a friend so it cost us 15 each.
Ushguli Travel Guide, Shkhara glacier horse riding and hikes to lower The terrain is probably drier and better in the summer, but for us, it was quite a lot of mud. For more Adishi accommodation options check out booking.com. For the rest of the day you will be by yourself. It was already deep into October, so every day mattered, and we were glad we just finished the journey out in one day. Thanks again for your blog and your quick reply. Covers not only classic trails but also alternative routes which are even more difficult and scenic. The trail eventually descends and meets up with the main road, shortly before arriving in Ushguli. And it's easy to see why. Lalkhori village is about 1.6 km further down the road and has three guesthouses, There are many accommodation options in Ushguli, mainly spread across the middle and upper parts of the community. Length 34.7 miElevation gain 9,875 ftRoute type Point to point During the offseason, all the cafes, markets, and other things will be closed. In water this cold, hypothermia will kick in very quickly, so dont take any unnecessary risks. I could have easily stayed there for a few extra days just relaxing and taking in the view. If youre expecting a time-warped village, this isnt it, but it remains an atmospheric place nonetheless. Look back on the climb for mountain views: the twin peaks of Ushba on the left, Chatyn-Tau on the right, Look back on the climb for mountain views: the twin I useSafetyWingto keep me covered throughout my travels for as low as $40 a month. It cost 20 GEL per person and takes 2.5 hours, including a 30 minute bathroom break. The yellow sign posts are few and far between, but always a relieving sign to know that youre on the right path. The first leg of the journey is from Mestia to Zhabeshi, about 10 miles. *Note that as of 2021, one of those gates now has a private property sign and the owners are charging 2 GEL for passage. On the plus side, in good weather, youll have excellent views of Ushba, Tetnuldi, and many more impressive snowy peaks. The rooms were ok, although if you book on booking.com make sure you get the room you booked. Visit the church on a hill with a beautiful view of Shkhara, and if youre feeling ambitious, hike all the way to Shkhara Glacier. Its only 10.8 kilometers according to the yellow signpost, but it is a doozy. It seemed to be a popular with the other trekkers on the trail so we joined them for a coffee and a rest. Cost Bed 20 Lari Dinner 20 Lari Breakfast 15 Lari = Total 55 Lari, Like to hike? Be sure to watch the movie Dede that was filmed in Ushguli, and have a drink at the dungeon-y bar above the theater. CHVABIANI TO ADISHI For good, ready-to-drink water there are taps in almost every village, and you can also fill up at guesthouses. Guesthouses provide bedding and towels. Tbilisi: Minibuses leave from Samgori-Navtlugi and Vagzali bus station at 7am in the morning and takes 9 hours. Theres more on this below. 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. WHAT TO EXPECT 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. 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.
Mestia-Ushguli trekking - one of most popular trails in Georgia This section of the route alternates between open fields, grassy hillsides, and dense forest, with a couple of short but steep parts after the second stream. The standard cost is 80 GEL per person (excluding Adishi where some guesthouses charge 100 GEL) including bed in a double room (communal bathrooms), dinner and breakfast. It starts from Mestia and ends in Ushguli. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. A marshrutka is a large van or minibus that can fit a lot of passengers in. It has all of the above in spades. It was extremely high when I went in mid-July, and this was after days of no rain. The multi-day hike from Mestia to Ushguli is legendary amongst those who come to trek in Georgia. There are cafes and restaurants in Mestia and a few in Ushguli, but the only place to buy meals during the hike is at guesthouses (you can eat at them even if you are camping). To reach the turn-off for the high trail, marked with a white Peak Tetnuld trekking signpost, climb another 250 metres and walk 2 km further. It was natural water from a local spring which had a very cloudy look to it. The roads arent so bad, but once youre on the mountain, it gets windy. Maps.Me and AllTrails are useful if you want to have a live view of where you are on the trail. To get to the viewpoint where the photo below is taken, keep right and walk past the stone houses and up the hill on the other side. In our experience, crossing in late September, the river was about 5 6 metres wide. You can also hire a horse from your guesthouse in Adishi if you are trekking outside of peak season and want to guarantee a horse for the crossing (expect this to cost more). There are several cafes in the village. Id suggest if you condensed the trek into two days to take your time getting back to Mestia and spend the night there. The Adishi Glacier is a sight to behold here, and you will be fascinated at first glance itself. From the main square, walk towards the cinema where they screen the Georgian movie Dede, which was filmed in Ushguli. It was the only place we stopped at that we got ok WiFi too! However, I believe this is a worthwhile destination even if you do not since the prettiest villages, Adishi and Ushguli, can be visited by car.
How to Visit Svaneti National Park Without Hiking If starting from your current location (i.e. At least the climb was in the shade in the morning and you have panoramic views looking back over the valley with Mount Ushba in the distance. 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. Covers not only classic trails but also alternative routes which are even more difficult and scenic. Like Gaia, we recommend checking out the, written and video tutorials on the OsmAnd website, to learn how to fully use the app. The ticket you get looks strange as you can see from the photo below.
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