Rural Caucasus Escape

Itinerary

Day 1 — Discovering Ancient Nokalakevi and Martvili Canyon

We'll pick you up from your hotel in Tbilisi to start our journey. Along the way to Senaki, we'll make several stops to stretch our legs. After a short rest at a caffe in Senaki, we'll head to the Nokalakevi Archaeological Museum-Reserve. Here, we'll explore the ancient acropolis of Kudzhi, restored museum halls, remnants of thermal baths, medieval churches, a citadel, and a tunnel leading to the Tekhuri River. Next, we'll visit Martvili Canyon to enjoy the scenery of Samegrelo Waterfalls and take a 20-minute boat ride down the clear, azure Abasha River. In the evening, we'll arrive in the small town of Chkhorotsku, rarely visited by tourists — a unique experience! For dinner, we'll visit Obene, a family-run winery where you can taste Ojaleshi, a rare local wine. This is the perfect place to experience the authentic flavor of the Samegrelo region. Overnight in Chkhorotsku.

Route: Tbilisi — Private car | 312 km · 4 h — Chkhorotsku

Activities: Food Tasting | 1 hours , Canyoning | 1 hours , Boating 30 minutes , Sightseeing | 3 hours , Wine Tasting 45 minutes

Accommodation: Not Included

Meals: breakfast: not included, lunch: not included, dinner: included

Guide: Full day

Visited Attractions*: Martvili Canyon, Abasha Waterfall, Nokalakevi Fortress.

Day 2 — Journey to Mestia and the Great Caucasus Peaks

After breakfast at the guesthouse in Chkhorotsku, we'll check out and drive to Mestia in the Zemo Svaneti region, ascending the mountain roads of the Great Caucasus. Our first stop is the impressive Enguri Dam, located in a picturesque gorge. It's the largest construction from Soviet times. We'll have a 20-30 minute photo stop here. Optional: A boat trip on the Enguri Reservoir is available. We'll make additional stops to enjoy roaring waterfalls, the Inguri River, and unspoiled wildlife. Upon arrival in Mestia, the administrative center of the Svaneti region, you'll be surrounded by major summits: Ushba North (4,690 meters / 15,387 feet), Ushba South (4,710 meters / 15,453 feet), and Tetnuldi (4,858 meters / 15,938 feet). Nearby villages like Latali, Lenjeri, and Mulakhi maintain traditional lifestyles, with 78 medieval churches and defensive towers adorned with frescoes. We'll visit the Margiani Tower-Museum (12th century) upon arrival. We'll also walk to the mineral sparkling spring and Seti Square. Optional visit: Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography, featuring ethnographic and archaeological artifacts, old manuscripts, and Orthodox icons in the Svaneti style. We'll stay at a local family guesthouse in Mestia and enjoy a homemade dinner. Dinner and overnight in Mestia.

Route: Chkhorotsku — Private car | 140 km · 3 h — Mestia

Activities: Food Tasting | 1 hours , Sightseeing | 4 hours

Accommodation: Not Included

Meals: breakfast: included, lunch: not included, dinner: included

Guide: Full day

Visited Attractions*: Margiani House Museum, Enguri Dam, Svaneti Ethnography Museum, Mount Ushba, Mount Tetnuldi.

Day 3 — Trekking to Chalaadi Glacier or Optional Jeep Tour to Ushguli

After breakfast in Mestia, possible options for this day: Option 1: Trek to Chalaadi Glacier * — Trek Grade: Easy to Moderate — Distance: 6 km (3.7 miles) — Duration: 5-6 hours — Elevation: 1,920 meters (6,299 feet) — Trail Type: Trail trek, sleigh track After breakfast, we'll start the Chalaadi Glacier trail by crossing a small hanging bridge over the Mestiachala River. The trail continues through birch forests and rocky valleys with unique stone formations. You'll see Mount Chatini and, on its south face, the Chalaadi Glacier. We'll reach the glacier at 1,920 meters (6,299 feet) above sea level. The trail offers stunning views of high mountains and snowy peaks of the Greater Caucasus range. We'll walk back to Mestia after the trek. Dinner and overnight in Mestia. Option 2: Optional Jeep Tour to Ushguli * If you'd prefer, we can arrange a local 4x4 vehicle for an optional jeep tour to Ushguli. — Driving Distance: 93.7 km (58.2 miles) The road to Ushguli is 45 km (28 miles) from Mestia, mostly paved but narrow and steep. The last 16 km (10 miles) is a gravel road, sometimes impassable even in summer due to avalanches. Ushguli is one of the highest permanently inhabited places in Europe, consisting of medieval settlements with authentic communities. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We'll walk around the village, visit the Lamaria Church, and hike to the foot of the Shkhara Glacier (2480 meters / 8136 feet), the highest peak in Georgia. In the evening, we'll return to Mestia. Dinner and overnight in Mestia.

Route: Mestia

Activities: Sightseeing | 4 hours

Accommodation: Not Included

Meals: breakfast: included, lunch: not included, dinner: not included

Guide: Full day

Visited Attractions*: Chalaadi Glacier, Mount Shkhara, Ughviri Pass, Tower of Love, Lamaria Church, Shkhara Glacier, Chatini Peak.

Day 4 — Exploring Zugdidi and Returning to Tbilisi

After breakfast in Mestia, we'll check out and drive to Zugdidi, the administrative center of the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Region. We'll visit the Dadiani Palace Historical Museum and Botanical Garden; the excursion takes about one hour. * Optional: Visit the Zugdidi farmer’s market to buy local spices, homemade Tkemali and Satsebeli sauces, Suluguni cheese, and honey. We'll then drive back to Tbilisi, arriving in the evening. Drop-off at your accommodation or airport is included. * Optional: A gala dinner in a Tbilisi restaurant can be arranged in advance. This concludes our 4-day tour package. We hope you enjoyed your trip and look forward to seeing you again on future tours from Tbilisi. Safe travels and see you soon!

Route: Mestia — Private car | 455 km · 7 h — Tbilisi

Activities: Sightseeing | 2 hours

Accommodation: Not Included

Meals: breakfast: included, lunch: not included, dinner: not included

Guide: Full day

Visited Attractions*: Dadiani Palace, Zugdidi Botanical Garden.