MestiaStory N° 274
Caucasus Roadtrip to Svaneti
Drive the wild roads to Mestia and Ushguli, where medieval stone towers stand free beneath Europe's highest peaks
The itinerary.
4 days · 8 stops
Thursday
Day One
Hit the open road from the lowlands up the dramatic Enguri gorge, climbing toward the remote highland region of Svaneti.
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Enguri Dam & Reservoir
Pull over at one of the world's tallest arch dams, its turquoise reservoir snaking between green Svan foothills.
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Mestia Old Town & Svan Towers
Arrive in Mestia among the iconic 9th-century stone defence towers that crown almost every household.
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Hotel
Hotel Banguriani booking.com
→
Getting around
- Self-drive 4x4 from Zugdidi up the Enguri valley to Mestia (approx 3 hours)
Friday
Day Two
A free day among the peaks: cable cars, glaciers and the unforgettable face of Mount Ushba.
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Mestia Cross (Cross of Mestia) Viewpoint
Hike or drive to the hilltop cross for a 360-degree panorama of Svaneti's towers framed by snowfields.
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Chalaadi Glacier
Trek through pine forest to the snout of this accessible glacier tumbling down from the high Caucasus.
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Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography
See golden icons and illuminated manuscripts that survived centuries in these isolated mountain valleys.
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Hotel
Hotel Banguriani booking.com
→
Getting around
- Driving and hiking around the Mestia valley
Saturday
Day Three
The rough, exhilarating drive to Ushguli, one of the highest continuously inhabited villages in Europe.
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Ushguli Village & Lamaria Church
Roam the UNESCO village of stone towers at 2,100m, with the 12th-century Lamaria church beneath the white wall of Mount Shkhara.
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Shkhara Glacier Trail
Walk the open valley toward the glacier at the foot of Georgia's highest peak with the road and the mountains all to yourself.
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Hotel
Hotel Banguriani booking.com
→
Getting around
- Rugged 4x4 drive from Mestia to Ushguli (approx 2.5 hours each way)
Sunday
Day Four
A last sweeping descent out of the mountains, windows down, before the road levels back to the coast.
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Hatsvali Viewpoint
Take the chairlift up for one final long look over the Svan towers and the Caucasus crest before the drive down.
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Hotel
Hotel Banguriani booking.com
→
Getting around
- Drive back down the Enguri gorge toward Zugdidi
Location.
Frequently asked
How many days do you need for Caucasus Roadtrip to Svaneti?
4 days. The itinerary runs from Thursday to Sunday and covers 8 curated stops across 4 days.
How much does Caucasus Roadtrip to Svaneti cost?
Mid-range — €150–300 per day per person.
Where do you stay during Caucasus Roadtrip to Svaneti?
Hotel Banguriani is the recommended base for the trip; the full hotel list per day is in the itinerary section.
What's included in the Caucasus Roadtrip to Svaneti itinerary?
Day-by-day stops at 8 restaurants, museums, viewpoints and landmarks; transportation hints between each leg; and a hotel base in Mestia.
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