3-Day Svaneti Hiking Tour from Batumi: Glaciers & Towers

You climb inside the old defensive towers of Svaneti, not just walk past them.

A 3-day guided hiking tour from Batumi into Svaneti's Great Caucasus mountains, with hikes to Chalaadi and Shkhara glaciers, a visit to the UNESCO-listed Ushguli village, and time inside a historic tower. The tour includes an English-speaking guide, two nights in local guesthouses, and pickup from Batumi. Children from age 3 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Travel and hike to Chalaadi glacier

• Drive from Batumi to Enguri dam
• Drive through Svaneti mountains with photo stops
• Arrive in Mestia
• Hike to Chalaadi glacier
• Dinner with Georgian folk show

Day 2: Ushguli village and Shkhara glacier hike

• Off-road drive from Mestia to Ushguli
• Hike to Shkhara glacier
• Visit Ushguli village and Lamaria church
• Dinner with traditional Georgian food

Day 3: Return and cultural visits

• Travel back to Mestia
• Visit Mikheil Khergiani museum
• Climb inside old Svaneti tower
• Travel to Batumi

The experience

The route starts with a drive from Batumi through the Enguri dam and into the Svaneti region, arriving in Mestia on the first day. From there, the hiking begins: a 6 km trail to Chalaadi glacier on day one sets an easy pace, letting you adjust to the altitude and the landscape. Day two is longer (a 15 km hike to Shkhara glacier) followed by a visit to Ushguli village and Lamaria church, both part of the UNESCO World Heritage site. The final day takes you back to Mestia to see the museum of Mikheil Khergiari, a legendary Georgian climber, before you climb inside one of the old stone towers that define the Svaneti skyline. Then the drive back to Batumi closes the loop.

You stay in local guesthouses both nights, eating Georgian food with the families who run them. The guide speaks English throughout and handles the off-road driving between Mestia and Ushguli, so the hiking itself is the only thing you navigate. All three hikes are marked easy, which means the focus stays on the glaciers, the villages and the history rather than on scrambling or technical terrain. The tower climb is short but vertical: a real structure with real stairs, not a viewpoint.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide throughout the 3 days.
• pickup and transport from Batumi including off-road driving in Svaneti.
• two nights in local guesthouses with Georgian meals.
• access to Ushguli village and Lamaria church.
• entry to the tower and the Mikheil Khergiari museum.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Pin Georgia

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a shared group trek with a professional guide leading daily hikes and village stays on set dates. You'll move together through the same routes rather than choosing your own path each day.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

6 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How far is each day's hike on this 3-day Svaneti tour?

Day one is a 6 km hike to Chalaadi glacier. Day two is 15 km to Shkhara glacier. Both are graded easy, so the pace is set for taking in the landscape and the stops along the way.

What's included in the overnight stays during the tour?

You sleep in local guesthouses in Mestia on night one and Ushguli on night two. Georgian food is part of the stay, cooked by the families who run the houses.

Does the tour include the drive from Batumi, or do I arrange my own transport?

Pickup from Batumi is included. The guide drives you to Enguri dam, through Svaneti, and back to Batumi at the end of day three, handling all the off-road sections between Mestia and Ushguli.

What happens on the third day besides the tower climb?

Day three includes a visit to the museum of Mikheil Khergiari in Mestia, the climb inside the old tower, and then the drive back to Batumi.