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Arrival
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Please plan to fly into the airport in Tbilisi one day prior to the start of your trip. MPLUS can provide transportation from the airport, but this is only available at 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. Anytime outside of these designated times, you will need to arrange for your own transportation. There are plenty of taxis at the airport all day and night.
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Day 1
Tbilisi to Svaneti
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Plan to meet your guides no later than 8:30 am in the reception area of Hotel GTM Kapan, Metekhi Rise, Tbilisi. The drive to the start of the trek is about 6 hours. You will get to see some iconic sites along the way.From there, your group will transfer to Svaneti, a region of high mountains and glaciers and the most abiding ancient traditions. En route you'll visit Enguri Dam with a height of 813 feet, (the 4th highest dam of its type in the world). The dam forms a reservoir in the picturesque gorges of Samegrelo and Svaneti’s mountains.
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Becho (shared facilities)
Meals included: Lunch and dinner
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Day 2
Trek to Ushba Waterfall
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In the morning you'll start your trek from the guesthouse through woods to the foot of Mt. Ushba at 14,100 feet (4,700 m). A beautiful trek will bring you stunning views over Mazari and Becho Valley. The first two hours are comparatively easy, but the next three hours get a bit harder. On the way back you'll meet your local transport near a bridge and return to the guesthouse.
Hiking distance: 10.5 miles (17 km)
Estimated hiking time: 9 hours
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Becho (shared facilities)
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
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Day 3
Becho, Lake Koruldi, and Mestia
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In the morning you'll transfer to a vantage point overlooking the Mestia Valley (1.5 hours). From here you'll start hiking the open mountainside all the way to the stunning Lake Koruldi, an alpine lake situated at 8,989 feet (2,740 m). Korudli offers amazing views of Mt. Ushba, and the Tetnudli, Banguriani, and Laila glaciers. Here you'll stop for lunch surrounded by a 360 degree view of the greater Caucasus region. Following lunch you'll trek the 5.2 miles (8.5 km) back to the vehicle to transfer to Mestia with an opportunity to visit the ethnographic museum before returning to your accommodations in Mestia.
Hiking distance: 10.5 miles (17 km)
Estimate hiking time: 5 hours
Altitude change: 1,640 feet (500 m)
Accommodation in Mestia (private toilet and shower in rooms)
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
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Day 4
Trek from Mestia to Jabeshi
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The trail starts at an elevation of 4,700 feet (1,450 m) above the sea level, the maximum elevation is 6,200 feet (1,900 m) and ends at 5,380 feet (1,640 m). You'll start from the guesthouse early in the morning, trekking above Mestia through woodland, meadows and onto a ridge offering superb views of the Tetnudli and Ushba Glaciers. Stop for a picnic lunch here before continuing the trek through the old Georgian villages in the Mulakhi Valley, eventually following the river 1.8 miles (3 km) to Jabeshi.
Hiking distance: 8.7 miles
Estimated hiking time: 7 hours
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Jabeshi (shared facilities)
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
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Day 5
Trek from Jabeshi to Adishi
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Slowly climbing uphill from the guesthouse for 0.6 miles (1 km) it starts to wind through the forests and climbs more steeply. At 8,100 feet (2,470 m) you'll reach the ridge-line and stop for a picnic lunch with stunning panoramic views. After lunch, follow the trail down to Adishi through forests and over streams, eventually breaking out of the forests to see Adishi sitting in the valley below. Trail ends at elevation 6,890 feet (2,100 m).
Hiking distance: 6.2 miles (10 km)
Estimated hiking time: 7 hours
Altitude: Start 5,400 feet (1,650 m) / End 6,890 feet (2,100 m) / Highest point 8,200 feet (2,500 m)
Accommodation in Adishi (shared facilities)
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
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Day 6
Trek from Adishi to Iprali
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Start trekking to the village of Adishi. Start the day with a 3.7 mile (6 km) trek through a beautiful valley following the river Adishura, crossing the river here by horse you'll then trek uphill out of the valley for 2.1 miles (3.5 km) in and out of the forests with stunning views of the Shkara mountain range, as well as all the highest mountain peaks and many glaciers once you reach the ridge. Lunch is taken at 9,094 feet (2,722 m) with superb 360 views. After lunch, you'll descend for 2.5 miles (4 km), until you reach the flat for another 3.1 miles (5 km) to Iprali for dinner and overnight. There are many water springs to fill up on along the way in this lush region.
Hiking distance: 11.5 miles (18.5 km)
Estimate hiking time: 7-8 hours
Altitude: Start 6,824 feet (2,080 m) / End 6,397 feet (1,950 m) / Highest point 8,930 feet (2,722 m)
Accommodation in Iprali (shared facilities)
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
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Day 7
Trek to Ushguli
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Ushguli’s medieval constructions are under the protection of UNESCO. A historical settlement located in the very east of Svaneti, Ushguli is one of the highest settlements in Europe (6,000-6,600 feet above sea level). It was part of the so-called “Free Svaneti” as for centuries the people here defended the region against numerous attacks. The Church of Saint Mary is located on one of the highest points in Ushguli and it is also home to the remnants of one of the most ancient fortresses of Svaneti with 37 towers, dating back to the reign of Queen Tamar. The views and surrounding landscape are stunning. A superb trek in the afternoon will take you through the mountains to Shkhara Glacier where the Enguri River starts. After which you'll return to Ushguli.
Hiking distance: 11.2 miles (18 km)
Estimated hiking time: 5.5 hours
Accommodation in Ushguli (private facilities)
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
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Day 8
Trek to Mount Guri
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Leave the village of Ushguli and continue towards Mount Guri (8,910 ft). You'll walk along a serpentine slope before the path disappears. The last 1,600 feet are the most difficult to climb but when you reach the top the views are stunning. If the weather allows, you'll have the chance to not only see the village of Ushguli (which actually consists of three small villages and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site) but also the tops of Mt. Shkhara (15,204 ft) and Mt. Tetrnuldi (13,851 ft). Afterwards, transfer back to Mestia. In the evening you'll relax with a nice meal at a traditional local restaurant in Mestia with folk music and traditional Svan dancing for entertainment.
Estimated hiking time: 4.5 hours
Accommodation in Mestia (private facilities)
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
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Day 9
Farewell dinner in Tbilisi
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In the evening you'll enjoy a farewell dinner in the form of a traditional Georgian Supra.
Accommodation: Hotel in Tbilisi
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
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Day 10
Departure
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Transfer to the airport for your flight back home. MPLUS can provide transportation to the airport, but this is only available at 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. Anytime outside of these designated times, you will need to arrange for your own transportation.