4-Day Private Guided Tour in Mestia: Glaciers, Villages & Hiking

You hike to glaciers and alpine lakes in the same day you visit Europe's highest inhabited village.

A 4-day private guided tour of Svaneti based in Mestia combines light hiking to mountain landmarks (Chalaadi Glacier, Koruldi Lakes at 360-degree views, Ushguli's tower architecture, and Shkara Glacier) with visits to ancient villages and a traditional Svan cooking class. A guide drives you in an air-conditioned off-road vehicle between sites, and photography services with drone are available. Pickup is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Mestia and nearby natural sights

• Drive to Chalaadi Glacier
• Hike last 2 km to glacier
• Visit Koruldi lakes and enjoy views
• See city view from Tskhakvzagar
• Return to Mestia

Day 2: Becho and Shdugra waterfall hike

• Walk 2 hours to Shdugra waterfall
• Explore Shdugra waterfall area
• Return to Mestia

Day 3: Ushguli and Shkara glacier visit

• Stop at Ughviri Pass for views
• Visit unique rock tower
• Explore Ushguli village
• Drive near Shkara glacier
• Hike 1.5 hours to glacier
• Return to Mestia

Day 4: Adishi, Tetnuldi ski resort and Lakhiri

• Visit Adishi village and towers
• See views from Tetnuldi ski resort
• Visit Lakhiri village and Svani Machub house
• Return to Mestia

The experience

Mestia sits in a valley ringed by the Caucasus, and the four days spiral outward from there into different zones of the region. Day one takes you to Chalaadi Glacier seven kilometers away (a two-kilometer hike from where the vehicle stops), then up to Koruldi Lakes in the alpine zone, where the views open in all directions. Day two follows a two-hour walking route to Shdugra waterfall, one of Georgia's most impressive. Day three is the longest: you pass through Ughviri Pass toward Ushguli, the highest populated village in Europe, where the tower architecture dates back centuries, then hike ninety minutes to Shkara Glacier. Day four moves west to Adishi village with its Svan towers, climbs to Tetnuldi ski resort at three thousand meters for views across the Caucasus ridges, and ends in Lakhiri, known as the towered village.

The guide speaks English, German or Russian and travels with you in the vehicle the whole time. Light hiking means the route suits tourists of any age, though the itinerary notes that moderate physical fitness helps. The vehicle is air-conditioned and includes WiFi on board. Photography services run parallel to the tour. A professional camera and drone are available if you want them, which means you can have images of yourself at the glacier or the pass without stopping the group to pose.

Meals are not included except for the cooking class, where you learn to make traditional Svan food and then eat what you've made. That happens on one of the four days, built into the itinerary. Hotels and guesthouses are separate bookings. The tour is the movement and the guide, not the bed.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned off-road vehicle with WiFi on board.
• English, German or Russian-speaking guide.
• light hiking to Chalaadi Glacier, Koruldi Lakes, Shdugra waterfall and Shkara Glacier.
• visits to Ushguli village, Adishi, Lakhiri and Tetnuldi ski resort.
• traditional Svan cooking class.
• photography services with professional camera and drone.
• pickup included.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, German and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 33 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Giorgi

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a private vehicle and guide for four days to set your own pace between villages, hiking, and photography, rather than joining a group on fixed stops.

Traveler reviews

4.83★★★★★★★★★★

6 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, German and Russian.

What is Ushguli village like when we get there?

Ushguli is the highest populated village in Europe, built on a mountainside with outstanding architecture and tower structures that date back centuries. The tour spends two hours there on day three, after passing through Ughviri Pass and before hiking to Shkara Glacier.

How much hiking is actually involved in these four days?

The hikes are light and range from two kilometers to the glacier on day one, two hours to Shdugra waterfall on day two, and ninety minutes to Shkara Glacier on day three. Day four includes a climb to Tetnuldi ski resort at three thousand meters. The guide drives between sites, so you're not walking the whole day.

Can I book this tour if I'm not very fit?

The tour is designed for tourists of any age and includes light hiking, but the operator notes that moderate physical fitness is recommended. The longest single hike is ninety minutes, and the vehicle handles the distances between sites.

Does the tour include meals?

Meals are not included except for the traditional Svan cooking class, where you prepare and eat traditional food. You'll need to arrange other meals in Mestia or the villages you visit.

What photography services are available?

The tour offers photography services with both a professional camera and a drone, so you can capture images of the glaciers, lakes and villages without stopping the group to pose.

Is hotel accommodation part of this booking?

Hotels and guesthouses are not included. You book your own accommodation in Mestia separately. The tour covers the guide, vehicle, and movement between sites for the four days.