Day 1   Batumi – Enguri Gorge – Mestia – Chalaadi Glacier

Driving towards the Upper Svaneti in the Greater Caucasus Mountains. After three hours of drive we turn to the mixed forests and take picnic next to an beautiful waterfall. Delicious cheese, vegetables, bread and fruits are served.

At noon we reach the settlement Mestia and take the cable car up to Mt. Hatsvali (2347m). In the restaurant on the top of the Mountain we enjoy coffee with an unforgettable panoramic view on the Mt. Ushba and Mt. Tetnuldi.

Refreshed from our coffee break, we embark on a hike to the Chalaadi Glacier. The trail starts at the iron/wooden footbridge. We cross beautiful mixed forests along the riverbanks, small cracks, a subnivale vegetation with hundreds of unique flowering plant species and colorful butterflies.

Hiking trail info
Level of difficulty: easy
Distance: 8 km
Duration: max. 4 hours
Elevation gain: 520 m

We end the day in Mestia where a delicious dinner with traditional dishes await us. One of the regional food specialties is “Kubdari”, a Svanetian bread filled with beef or lumb seasoned with cumin, dill, coriander, blue fenugreek, red pepper, onions, garlic, and salt.

Meal plan: picnic 
Overnight stay in Mestia

Day 2   Mestia – Ushguli – Sisatura – Batumi

In the morning departure to the ancient village Ushguli, located at the foot of the Schkhara Glaciers. It is one of the highest continuously inhabited village of Europe (2100m). We stroll through the streets of this UNESCO World Heritage site with medieval houses and watch towers. During the walk you will hear incredible stories about locals and their lifestyle.

At noon, we enjoy lunch at a family-run restaurant. Afterwards, we take a leisurely walk to the Lamaria Monastery, which dates back to the 10th century. This monastery showcases distinctive decorated architecture and medieval frescoes, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region.

In the afternoon, we drive back to Mestia and explore the history of Upper Svaneti at the Margiani House Museum. This well-preserved medieval house features a watchtower, living room with a fireplace, sleeping quarters, and storage areas for food and wine, offering insights into ancient daily life.

In the late afternoon, we return to Batumi.

On the way we stop at the Ethno Village Sisatura. Here await us farewell dinner with delicious Mengrelian dishes. The menu include:  Elarji, a thick, elastic porridge consisting of coarse cornmeal, cornflour, and sulguni cheese; Gebzhalia, cheese in mint souce;  Chakhokhbili, Chicken in a walnut sauce, spiced with local Saffron; lobio, spiced beans boiled in a clay pot; Ajaphsandali (Georgian Ratatui), fried eggplants and potatoes in spiced tomato sauce

Around 10.00 pm we reach our meeting point in Batumi

Meal plan: breakfast, lunch and dinner