Zemo Svaneti (standard tour)

A fresco in the Matskhvarishi Church of the Savior

Mt. Lahili (Lahla, Laila) — the highest point of Svaneti Range, a mountain range dividing Zemo Svaneti [Upper Svaneti] and Kvemo Svaneti [Lower Svaneti]

From left to right: Enguri Valley, Tsvirmi village, Zuruldi Range, Mulkhra River, villages of MulakhI Temi, Mt. Ushba in clouds (the view from Tetnuldi Ski Resort)

Mkheeri St. George Church and Mt. Ghvadarashi

Mt. Tetnuldi (the view from Tetnuldi Ski Resort)

Lenjeri Temi and Mestia town (the view from Mkheeri St. George Church)

Lenjeri Temi (the view from Mkheeri St. George Church)

Villages Ieli and Tsvirmi (the view from Mkheeri St. George Church)

Mestia (the view from Hatsvali Ski Resort)

Mt. Tetnuldi in clouds (the view from Mkheeri St. George Church)

Mt. Tetnuldi (the view from Hatsvali Ski Resort)

Mt. Lahili (Lahla, Laila) (the view from Mkheeri St. George Church)

Mt. Ushba (the view from Hatsvali Ski Resort)

Mt. Shtavleri (3993 m; 13100 ft) (the view from Mkheeri St. George Church)

Mt. Ghvadarashi (3750 m; 12303 ft) (the view from Mkheeri St. George Church)

Tsvirmi village (the view from Tetnuldi Ski Resort)

Lekhziri Glacier (the view from Hatsvali Ski Resort)

Tributary glaciers of Tviberi Glacier (the view from Tetnuldi Ski Resort)

Tributary glacier of Tviberi Glacier (the view from Tetnuldi Ski Resort)

Ghvadarashi Glacier (the view from Mkheeri St. George Church)

Mt. Ushba in clouds (the view from Mkheeri St. George Church)

Dolra Valley and surrounding areas of Shdygra Waterfall in Becho Temi (the view from Mkheeri St. George Church)

Mt. Ushba and Mestia (the view from Hatsvali Ski Resort)

Mulakhi (the view from Tetnuldi Ski Resort)

Mt. Shtavleri (far on the left side) and Balskvemo Svaneti (the term used to determine the part of Zemo Svaneti [Upper Svaneti], located below the Bali Range) (the view from Mkheeri St. George Church)

Villages: Bogreshi and Nakipari, seen from Tsvirmi

Altar apse paintings of Matskhvarishi Church of the Savior

Frescoes of Matskhvarishi Church of the Savior

Altar apse paintings of one of the churches of Tsvirmi

A fresco in one of the churches of Tsvirmi

View of Ipari Temi from Tsvirmi. Villages from left to right: Bogreshi, Nakipari, Zegani

A relatively small waterfall near Shdygra

Bas-reliefs on the wall of Ienashi Church

View from a Svanetian tower's window, Mestia

A district in Mestia, Mestiachala River, Queen Tamar Airport and its airstrip

Part of Bezeng Wall (the highest section of Caucasus Range) seen from Khalde

Latali Temi (the view from Mkheeri St. George Church)

Zegani village and Lasili Valley seen from Tsvirmi

On the path to Mkheeri St. George Church

Local cow crossing Enguri River. Between Ushguli and the source of Enguri

Dates

13 September - 15 September

Full

20 September - 22 September

Full

11 October - 13 October

Full

Please read the basic information of the tour below that includes:
1. General Information
2. Number of Participants
3. Basic Tour Characteristics
4. Tour Schedule
5. Some Important Rules and Info
6. Price
7. Booking and Refund
8. Special Declaration for the Citizens of Russia

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Take advantage of 3 free days and embark on a journey with Bisna to explore Georgia's most picturesque, impressive, and diverse land — Zemo Svaneti (Mestia Municipality). Experience the highest mountains of the Caucasus Range, breathtaking views, forested slopes, eternal glaciers, furious rivers, centuries-old towers, and temples adorned with unique frescoes and icons. Discover all these wonders in Svaneti.

You can also see:
● Tour page
● Our Standard Terms of Tourist Services

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

2. NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS

● The tour will proceed if at least 12 participants are registered.
● If by the date 10 days prior the tour the minimum number of participants is not met, the tour will be canceled, and a full refund will be issued.

Mt. Ushba (4700 m; 15420 ft)

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

3. BASIC TOUR CHARACTERISTICS

● Departure and arrival available from Tbilisi, Gori, Kutaisi, and Zugdidi
● 2 nights' accommodation in guesthouses
● Negligible hiking distance
● Tour duration – 3 days / Hiking duration – negligible
● Track difficulty: A (for explanation of difficulty levels, visit our Tours Page)

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

4. TOUR SCHEDULE

Day 1:
● 04:00 AM – Departure from Orbeliani Square, Tbilisi. Participants can join en route at various locations.
● Enguri Dam: one of the tallest concrete arch dams globally (the tallest until 2010), standing at a height of 271.5 meters (891 feet). It holds the water mass of the Jvari Reservoir and is an essential component of the Enguri Hydro Power Plant (HPP).
● Jvari Reservoir: vast and picturesque water reservoir, integral to the Enguri HPP
● Mestia town. Immerse yourself in the charm of this quaint town adorned with traditional towers, nestled on the banks of the Mestiachala River. Serving as the administrative center of Mestia Municipality
● Evening – Accommodation in Mestia

Day 2:
● Morning – Wake up, breakfast, and check-out
● Hatsvali Ski Resort. Experience the newly constructed ski resort near Mestia, offering excellent views from its ropeway upper station
● Tetnuldi Ski Resort: another newly established ski resort boasting incredible views of the surrounding landscapes.
● "Love Tower": the remote tower of the Kurdiani family, perched on a cliff along the right bank of the Enguri River. Commonly known as the "Love Tower," it is steeped in a folk love story.
● Ushguli. Delight in the last and highest settlement in Zemo Svaneti, nestled near the foot of Mt. Shkhara (5201 meters; 17064 feet), the highest peak in Georgia and the Main Caucasus Range. Comprising four villages with numerous towers and offering stunning views of Mt. Shkhara and Lamaria Church, Ushguli promises an unforgettable experience.
● Evening – Accommodation in Ushguli

Day 3:
● Morning – Wake up, breakfast, and check-out
● Shdygra (Shdugra) Waterfall. Embark on a light hike to witness one of the largest and tallest waterfalls in Georgia, located on the left tributary of the Dolra River in Becho
● Return to Tbilisi
● Late evening: Arrival in Tbilisi.

The schedule is indicative. It can be changed in accordance with the weather and other circumstances occurred during the tour.

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

5. SOME IMPORTANT RULES AND INFO

❕ Every participant should have their own special individual medical and hygienic supplies (we provide a first aid kit but are not aware of your individual needs).
❕ Every tour participant should have adequate and appropriate clothing.

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

6. PRICE

Price per person - $265

Price includes:
✅ Safe and comfortable transportation (Tbilisi – Svaneti – Tbilisi)
✅ Accommodation in a guesthouse for 2 nights + supper and breakfast
✅ Meal once in a day
✅ Skilled English-speaking guide

Price does not include:
❌ Special individual hygienic and medical supplies (we provide a first aid kit but are not aware of your individual needs)
❌ Special individual food/drinks
❌ Photo-video (we take photos for our purposes but do not guarantee they will meet your demands)
❌ Insurance

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

7. BOOKING AND REFUND

Book online by clicking the "Book" button at the top of this page.

Refunds:
● Upon tourist's demand (cancellation request must be made no later than the day 10 days prior to the tour)
● If the tour is canceled by Bisna (including failure to meet minimum number of tourists) – in this case, refunds will be issued immediately after the cancellation.
● In cases specified in the Civil Code of Georgia

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

8. SPECIAL DECLARATION FOR THE CITIZENS OF RUSSIA

❕ Before the tour, Russian citizens (without having Georgian citizenship simultaneously) must sign thespecial declaration.
❕ Refusing to sign the declaration will result in refusal to join the tour. Bisna reserves the right to withhold refund in this case.

Tskhumari Temi
(Temi is a kind of community typical for Svaneti. Each Temi consists of several villages.)