Daily driving distance: 366 km (5 h 33 min)

08:00 We pick you up from your hotel in Tbilisi and transfer you to Senaki Caffe Apetito (4 hours 3 minutes (286 km)). We make several stops along the way to stretch the legs.

13:00-14:00 Meeting with other participants who can join us from Kutaisi, Zugdidi and Batumi in a cafe near the Senaki State Drama Theater.

After a short rest, we head to Nokalakevi Archaeological Museum-Reserve, which is about 17 minutes drive from Senaki (16.5 km). The tour lasts about an hour. We visit the ancient acropolis of Kudzhi, restored halls of the Archaeological Museum, fragments of thermal baths, medieval churches, a citadel and a tunnel to the Tekhuri River.

The next place to visit today is Martvili Canyon. Enjoy the scenery of the Samegrelo Waterfalls and take a 20-minute boat ride down the clear, azure Abasha River. The tour lasts about an hour.

In the evening arrival in the small town of Chkhorotsku, where tourists usually do not visit. Unique experience!

A small, family-run winery Obene is a good place to visit for dinner and taste Ojaleshi- very rare wine of local origins. This is the best place to experience the real flavor of Samegrelo region.

Overnight in Chkhorotsku.

Total drive: 4 hr 13 min (180 km)

08:30 After breakfast at Chkhorotsku guesthouse, check out and drive to Mestia, Zemo Svaneti region. Move up the mountain serpentine of the Great Caucasus.

The first must-stop site on the way is Enguri Dam, which located on impressive, picturesque gorge and represents the biggest construction of Soviet times (52 min from Chkhorotsku – 50 km). Doing 20-30 minutes photo stop here and continue to Upper Svaneti. Optional* boat trip is available on Enguri reserve.

103 km left from here to Mestia, but non-stop time generally takes about 2 h, 20 min. Make as many stops as you like and feel the spirit of the roaring waterfalls, the Inguri River, mountains and unspoiled wildlife.

Arrival to Mestia, an administrative center of Svaneti region, surrounded by the three major summits: Ushba North (4690 m), Ushba South (4710 m) and the bride Tetnuldi (4858 m). Villages around Mestia – Latali, Lenjeri and Mulakhi, keep traditional lifestyle. There are 78 medieval churches and defensive towers decorated with medieval frescoes in Mestia and its surrounding villages.

This is the reason, why we head to the tower-museum of Margiani (12th c.) immediately after our arrival.

Walk to the mineral sparkling spring and  Seti square. *Optional visit: Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography. The museum’s collection includes ethnographic and archaeological findings, old manuscripts, Orthodox icons painted in the local Svaneti style.

In Mestia stay at the local family guesthouse and enjoy homemade dinner.

Dinner and overnight in Mestia.

Trek grade: Easy to Moderate, distance 6 km, duration 5-6 h, elevation - 1920 m, trail trek, sleigh track

Chalaadi trail begins after crossing a small hanging bridge on the river of Mestiachala. After reaching the ruins of an old hut, the trail continues through various types of landscapes – the birch forest and rocky valley covered with stones of different shapes. Mount Chatini is clearly visible from this valley, while on its south face the Chalaadi glacier takes shape.

Continue towards the Chatini mountain and finally at 1920m above sea level, reach Chalaadi glacier.

In a few words, the trail is quite an easy walk with many views of the high mountains and Snowy peaks of the Greater Caucasus range.

From Chalaadi walk back to Mestia.

Dinner and overnight in Mestia.

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Optional* Jeep tour: Mestia – Ushguli – Mestia

Driving distance: 93.7 km

If you would like to book Ushguli trip instead of trekking, guide will help to arrange a local 4x4WD vehicle.

The road to the village of Ushguli is located only 45 km from Mestia, most of it is paved with concrete, but narrow and steep. The last 16 km is a gravel road, and frequent avalanches make it impossible even in the summer season. The area is made up of medieval settlements with an authentic local community. Ushguli is one of the highest permanently inhabited places in Europe. For the historical, cultural and geographical reasons listed above, Ushguli was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Walk around the village, visit the Lamaria Church and hike to the foot of the Shkhara Glacier (5068 m), the highest peak in Georgia.T

In the evening drive back to Mestia. Dinner and overnight in Mestia.

NOTE: This route is doable from May to October.

Total drive: 7 hr 37 min (467 km)

After breakfast in Mestia guesthouse, check out and drive to Zugdidi – administrative center of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti Region, Zugdidi Municipality. Visit Dadiani Palace Historical Museum and Botanical garden. The excursion will take about one hour.

Optional visit of Zugdidi farmer’s market, buy local spices, homemade sauce Tkemali and Satsebeli, homemade cheese Sulguni, and Honey.

Drive back to Tbilisi. Evening arrival in Tbilisi. Drop off to your overnight place is included.

Optional Gala dinner in Tbilisi restaurant should be arranged in advance.

This is the End of our 4-day tour. We are looking forward to greet you again on optional tours from Tbilisi next morning.

See you soon!