I never did the classic one, but seriously doubt that it's prettier than this one. Other photos were provided by Oriol Girona, Josef Formanek, Jozef Strezenec and me. . Travelers not worried about budget can also hire a private driver or join organized tours from Tbilisi. Iprali is the another village which, until recently, offered only a very limited accommodation - essentially, almost all hikers stayed at Ucha Margveliani guesthouse. Predominantly we will be reaching iprari by evening so i assume their might not be any day trip taxis going towards ushguli, Your email address will not be published. A Weekend in The Sahara Desert, Part 1: How to Get There via Plane. Luckily, in the past few years were opened several new and pretty decent places which give Uchas run for its money. Once we were safely across, I was able to absorb the beauty of the Adishi Glacier. In the first case, your best options is the direct minibus (the price is 25 GEL) departing from the station behind McDonalds. The tent fee is just a tad cheaper than a shared room inn the guesthouse. This alternative trekking route to Ushguli allows for the opportunity to break away from thecrowdsand appreciate the incredible beauty and solitude of the Upper Svaneti region and the breathtaking Caucasus Mountains. We want you to go too. If the guesthouse is not on booking and you wish to stay in a specific one,try to reach out before departing the trek. How much they might charge ? There is certainly no lack of choice in Ushguli - every other house got already got converted into a guesthouse, not counting those newly built. Several of my friends stayed here and while they weren't particularly impressed, it was "good enough". Those camping may want to look for a spot before the village of Tsvirmi, as it is a little bit of a back track the next day to the Adishi trailhead. In October, you can admire colorful autumn foliage, but days are already much shorter and colder. Then you can stop looking - here, you will find detailed trail description for the route passing Tsvirmi which by mine opinion offers even better views than standard hike via Zhabeshi. Leave Iprali village and cross Khaldechala river by a bridge. TrailRank 38. The situation changed only in the past few years and nowadays, the village boasts at least 4 guesthouses. September is not nearly as busy as the peak summer months, where lodging may be harder to find and the trails full of tourists and trekking groups. Day 1: From Mestia to Zhabeshi Day 2: From Zhabeshi to Adishi Day 3: From Adishi to Iprali Day 4: From Iprali to Ushguli Day 1: MESTIA - ZHABESHI distance 16.1km, 763m and 523m The trek starts on Mestia's main square. Or, they may just wish to swiftly return to Mestia. As a solo hiker in September, it was easy to find a room. We will walk from the Svan capital of Mestia, famous for its many towers, past the stunning Mt Tetnuldi, to reach the remote village of Ushguli, at the foot of Shkhara, Georgias highest mountain. you can expect people with horses waiting at the crossing. This looks STUNNING!! Also, food was tasty and plentiful. Use the Mentashi transmitter antenna as a point of reference, which can be seenfarther along the trail. Main road here bends to the east - follow it, pass few more houses and leave the village. Iprali to Davberi is only 2 miles. I would also like to address one question I get very often - people coming in May often ask me if it is "possible" to finish the trek at this period. These towers were still used up until the not so distant past. My trekking bag was not full of gear, so the extra ankle support wasnt essential. This was my basic camping gear for the Mestia to Ushguli trek. Another alternative trekking option is to take the footpath through the forest at the village ofDavberi. Happy travels . And even if this fails, you can always try to leave earlier in the morning and reach your destination before crowds arrive, so you will have more places to choose from. This numbers greatly grow during the summer season - the busiest month is August when the number of trekkers on some days can exceed 150 people (on each day section). . We chose to have dinner at Bapsha that evening, and it was a feast (you dont order food, you just pay about $10/pp and get all the dishes theyve prepared for the night)! We loaded onto the horses and were across the river in about 60 seconds. The tickets cost 90 Georgian lira (gel)/each, or the equivalent of about $35 USD. And while locals are masters of improvisation and will eventually find you some place to sleep, it may not be the most comfortable option. The best one yet! Georgia is an amazing place to hike! but there is a reason why everything is green and it has something to do with rain. This is a mostly flat path and the trail is marked withred and white markers to Iprali. This trek has it all: medieval villages with ancient Svan towers, creaking glaciers and panoramic views of the Caucasus. It's like cab mafia there, we managed to get in a bus for 20 GEL but the cab guys saw it, followed by car, stopped the bus and made us leave it. The village of Chazhashi has over 200 medieval Svan towers standing.
The trail markers are red and white. Can you provide some tips on how to hire taxi from iprari to ushguli . Lazy Ass Svaneti Hiking: Mestia to Ushguli via Tsvirmi by cable car, and shortcut at Bogreshi - Mest'ia, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti (Georgia) www . Tsvirmi is an amazing little village, unlike any of the others you will come through. Plan on around 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach the Adishchala river crossing from Adishi. The bottom lift station is abouta half mile from the Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography. With recent construction, the second half of the ski lift is usually closed. We knew from reading Caucasus Trekking that we would cross the Adishi river soon after leaving the town. Enjoy yourself! See my post onHow to Gain 5 Pounds in Tbilisi, Georgiaif you need some food and drink recommendations. After one hour the path ends in a river - you will have to ford it. . It was clear that this was their actual house, so they must just give up their bedrooms when they have backpackers coming through. In the house lives also Temrazs quirky brother Fridon, who is a painter and turned one of the rooms into a small art gallery. In Armenia, this will be flatbread called lavash,and in Georgia we will have shoti,a boat-shaped bread. Leave the village by a path heading by the river to the east, to the foot of Adishi glacier. Packing up the Pieces is all about authentic off-the-beaten-path experiences, comprehensive travelogues, detailed hiking and adventure guides, alongside my personal struggles and heartfelt moments while on the road. You do a considerable amount of walking on roads this day (although there was very little traffic). To Iprali, it should take another 2 hours of walking. In fact, the hike to Mentashi transmitter is a popular Mestia day hike. They were able to navigate the river pretty quickly but based on the amount of wincing they were doing, I think I would still take the horse again next time (Garan said the water wasnt that cold and regretted having pre-paid). Keep the Khaldechala River to your left and follow the downhill trail. It was actually super cute and about half the price (they didnt have a kitchen so no meals included), I would totally stay there again, if only I could remember the name- it is a three story building tucked in a small alley near the post office! The mountain passes were all clear and I saw only a handful of hikers. Required fields are marked *. When I started the Mestia to Ushguli trek, the second Hatsvali lift was down, but it is easy to follow the grassy hillsideunderneath the tram line. if you take the right one, the trail will bypass the mount. However, more travelers are opting to sleep in Ushguli to experience the village after the day trippers leave. Saved for when I visit, hopefully soon! Few years ago, the best option used to be the overnight train to Zugdidi. The downhill to Adishi can have some pretty steep sections. Because of this, I strongly recommend to use the cable car to overcome to most difficult section of this day. Soon our Dutch friends arrived and informed us the hotel offered homemade wine by the plastic bottle-full, so we ordered a few bottles of mountain wine for everyone to enjoy. Oftentimes there are updates to the site, map platforms, and other things, which can cause a bug in downloading. The main advantage of this variant is much better scenery on the first day. Wander through the village with goats, pigs, and silly puppies. It takes a little around an hour to reach the Chkhunderi Pass from the river. This is such an extensive guide, I feel like you have really prepared and enticed your readers into doing it too! If you plan to ford Adishchala by yourself, the best camping places are in a riverside birch grove right below the crossing. Travel Tip | There are usually many people trying to get back to Mestia in the early morning around 9:00, so try to find other hikers to split the cost. In Zugdidi, there are transfer to Tbilisi or Batumi via train. Leaving it through the gate by the new Queen Tamars statue and turn right. I was happy to be heading downhill, although I did not realize that we still had about 2 more hours of hiking to do. It was much colder and rainier than the day before, but it was actually a nice change. Since you will have switch the bus in Zugdidi (you may have to wait for several hours there), this ride takes a better part of the day. Pass the new station and enter the forest - then follow the new road through until you reach a concrete road. it offers great views of surrounding mountains and the Adishi glacier. Right branch is much clearer and keeps the altitude, but deadends after 2 km. The village streets were pure mud from cattle and carts coming through. Guesthouse Gamarjoba - one of the oldest guesthouses in Ushguli, located at the northern end of the Zhibiani community, right by the church. On top of the inconsistencies with the lift, it doesnt start running until 10:00! Not fun. The only drawback are somewhat thin walls between rooms and the fact that there are only two bathrooms. Despite my breakdown earlier, we were still some of the first people to arrive in Iprali. We were able to locate the upper trail, but it isnt obvious and you almost feel as though you are trespassing on someones property but this is indeed the trail. I would love to know what you thought about it or if there are any route or trail update please let me know in the comments below! There are signs pointing to the village of Adishi. The path meets the main Mestia Ushguli road, There is a noticeable bus station on the right hand side and a substation. I have read and agree to the terms & conditions, Daily Mestia Ushguli Trek Schedule & Overview, How to Return to Mestia from Ushguli Village, Total Cost of Mestia to Ushguli Trek 4 Days, Heres a detailed guide on how to get from Tbilisi to Mestia, Browse the best Mestia Guesthouses and places to sleep in Mestia, Click here to view & download my free Mestia to Ushguli Trek Map with Tsvirmi village, Browse all the Adishi Guest House options, Guest House Khalde Century House of Larisa, Browse all the Ushguli Guest House options, View & Download Ushguli Day Hike to Shkhara Glacier, 2 Day Tbilisi Itinerary with All the Highlights, Things to Do Near Majanishvili Street Tbilisi, The Best Tbilisi Itinerary Highlights in 2 Days, Georgia Itinerary: The Best 3 Week Adventure Itinerary, Must-See Pit Stops from Sighnaghi to Kazbegi, 7 Mindo Waterfalls in the Ecuador Cloud Forest How to Visit in 2022, Pumamarca Ruins | Hike the Awesome Trail from Ollantaytambo 2022 Guide, Picos de Europa National Park | Awesome 4 Day Road Trip, How To Hike the Epic Ausangate Trek Without A Guide | 6 Days, 14 Wonderful Peru Hot Springs You Have To Experience, How To Get to Chacahua Oaxaca | Enjoy One of The Best Beaches in Oaxaca, 25 Spectacular & Best Places to Visit in Oaxaca State, Salomon Sense Ride GTX Invisible Fit Trail-Running Shoes (W), Hiking Sandals for showers & river crossings, Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Tech Starter Set, Osprey Ariel Pro 65 Pack Womens (Women), REI Co-op Helio Sack 55 Sleeping Bag was not sufficient, Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor Sleeping Liner, Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra Sleeping Pad, Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil CompressionDry Sack, Adventure Medical Kits Smart Travel First-Aid Kit, Doubles as a tarp and adds warmth under tent, Phone with Maps.me offline downloaded! Earlier, I heard some complaints about the food being only average but since the covid hit, the quality of cooking has greatly improved. Ushguli village is actually a collection of five small communities, the first beingMurkmeli. Browse the best Mestia Guesthouses and places to sleep in Mestia. Walk between trees, cross the small meadow and you will come to a bigger dirt road. Saving this for later when I can visit. Alternative of the most popular Georgian trek, which is by mine opinion even better than standard hike via Zhabeshi. From Tbilisi to Mestia:
Just follow the road heading north and after two kilometers it will join the main road from Mestia to Ushguli at Ughviri pass. Also, it's easier to cross the dangerous stream beyond Adishi which should be done in the morning, when the water level is lower. We would like to carry as little as possible so we would like to have a. Summary of recommendations for future trekkers: Do fly withVanilla Skyand skip the longgg drive, Do book lodging in Adishi and Iprali ahead of time onbooking.com, Dont worry aboutGeorgian sheep dogs(which you may read about), they do exist but just not along this specific trek. Mestia To Ushguli Trek The most Popular trek in Georgia among foreigners. The high route sees fewer hikers and the alpine views are simply incredible. Keep the top of the cable car in front of you. Just one important thing - tickets are released for the online sale only some 15 days in advance. However, I usually had to share with another single hiker, which wasnt a problem. The trail to the glacier viewpoint follows along a dirt gravel road, and honestly, is not as scenic as some of the previous Mestia to Ushguli trekking days. The hike from Hatsvali lift to Hatsvali Ski Lodge added 1 hour and a couple miles to my day, as it is a steep uphill climb. The trip takes about 3-4 hours (1-hour break included) and the price is 20 GEL per person. Answer 11 of 14: We are a fit active couple in our 60s looking at trekking from Mestia to Ushguli in mid June this year. These fortress towers helped protect families from ancient blood feuds as old as the 9th century towers. But enough about the easier route. There is also an opportunity to purchase some snack or beer all while savoring views of the Khalde River valley. Especially when I have no idea who is asking. Of course, the food of the Svaneti is unique to the region. :o ` : $." Hello, Of course, during the peak season there may be more options. So, how much did a 4 day Mestia to Ushguli trek cost me? Ushguli is one place along the trekking route from Mestia that provides dinning options outside the guesthouses. Also, in the second half of the month, one can expect first severe snowfalls. Elisabeth Kaldani's guesthouse - large, blue-painted wooden guesthouse situated at the bottom part of the village. This trail is great for backpacking, camping, and hiking. After a few hours you begin to descend to the main road. Khlade has one guest house, Guest House Khalde Century House of Larisa. They were actually playing FIFA in the corner, haha. My total budget over 5 days was about $158 USD. From here its supposed to continue to Mulakhi village. Look for a trail marker for this path. This map was created by a user. Georgia can be pretty hot in late July, and the days we were hiking, temperatures were reaching into the 80s depending on the elevation. Wandern. A disadvantage is a bit dull start of the day Two. How to find it? All in all, the entire trek can be made with almost no climbing, making it suitable for families who focus on views, nature and local culture and less on physical challenges. Make sure to decide if you want your meals includes. Thanks, Pipi! We can also provide vegetarian options, please let us know during booking. Keep this in mind and agree upon the price of food beforehand, so you won't be surprised later. Couple all of that with some poorly maintained trails causing branches to smack you in the face and legs after about 90 minutes I started crying. For this alternative route of the Mestia to Ushguli trek, head to theHatsvali Cable Carin Mestia. Follow the ski lift lines along gravel road next to the chair lift. We will stop at a scenic point of the trail and enjoy a simple lunch of local cheeses, meats and bread. The best way to get to Mestita from Ushguli is to hop in aMarshrutka or find a shared car. Tourism is making its way through the Upper Svaneti region. Near the first house in the village (the one on the photo) you need to turn left, onto the dirt track climbing uphill. This was the only guesthouse where we had some amount of internet until we got back to Mestia. This trek has it all: medieval villages with ancient Svan towers, creaking glaciers and panoramic views of the Caucasus. On a clear day, catch those epic views of Tetnuldi Mountain. After a couple hours we reached the top of the ridge and had a break. Once you walk pass this grove, turn right and descend some 50 meters. The place was opened only in 2018 and it shows, it looks new and clean. There are two hiking routes that lead to Adishi, the low or high trail. trekking from Mestia to Ushguli, is to get to the river crossing on day 3 in the morning. The 'bus station' is near the post office and you can make a reservation for your bus ticket there. We kind of wandered around the beginning of the village for a few minutes before approaching a house that had a brightly colored umbrella outside. Either relax at the outside tables with a view, or warm up in the cozy interior. In waterproof boots, it would be totally fine, but If you are not wearing hiking boots (we werent), you have to place each step very carefully or you will soak your entire foot into water or mud. If looking to catch one of these buses, make sure to plan your departure from Ushguli village accordingly. A world filled with new sites for everyone! The price is 30 GEL, so its quite cheap, but I cant recommend it since this uncomfortable journey takes grueling 9-10 hours - basically, it's just slower, marginally cheaper and less comfortable alternative for the day train. The price may be steep but in some cases the horses are absolutely necessary. Looked like you poured a little more wine for yourself then for Garan when you were in Iprali. So don't rely on these buses too much. Trek from Mestia to Ushguli via Tsvirmi in 4 days Statistics 1 day + 4,065 m 3,359 m 16 max Difficulty FATMAP difficulty grade Difficult Description The alternative of the most popular Georgian trek, which is by mine opinion even better than a standard hike via Zhabeshi. Adding these to my bucket list. Better bring some good walking shoes (even if you dont plan to hike) but if its too late for that, this is one of treks where the lack of proper shoes doesnt constitute an unpassable obstacle. The first bus departs at 8:00 am, then there should be another one at 9:30 am. To book in advance, you can use an online portal such as booking.com - (comfortable, but covers only a few places in smaller villages) or ask your landlord in Mestia to make the booking for you, they have the necessary contacts. Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step. At some point, before crossing a stream, there is a small bar where you can buy some refreshments. Some 20 minutes later, roughly at 2500m altitude, a marked trail (Hadiish) branches off to the south-east. However, in the past years, drivers became reluctant to bring hikers back since the Ushguli drivers try to claim all hikers that reached village on foot and other drivers don't want to have problems with locals. Dont get overwhelmed! Be mindful when crossing the Adishi River. The train is a more reliable option. You want to go to booking.com and then search for the different villages on the nights you will be there. This one is tricky :) But if you are trekking in July or August and have no camping gear, you should - and I am saying it as a person who loathes booking more than 2-3 days ahead. This 4 day itinerary for trekking Mestia to Ushguli takes an alternative route through Tsvirmi village. May 9, 2017 - Looking for a more difficult and scenic alternative to the Mestia to Ushguli trail, the most popular Georgian trek? With many guesthouse options, its possible to do the trek without a tent. . The remains of the houses are so unique. Sleeping at a guest house is a highlight of the Mestia to Ushguli trek in itself. But if you have time, you can make a small side trip -
It was about 2 hours of going uphill. The better way to reach the village is to turn after 500 meters right, onto a trail heading to Murkmeli, one of four communities forming Ushguli. That said, this was our first night in a house with other trekkers (maybe 10-12 other people), so it was so pleasant to chat with everyone and have a few beers. Disclaimer: Theres a chance this post contains affiliate links, and I receive a small (but grateful) portion of the sale. You can book lodging in Adishi on booking.com, and I would definitely recommend that. From here we set off in the direction of Zhabeshi. Many are becoming accustom to the influx of hikers. Guest House Tviberi | Camping Fee: 30 GEL with Dinner and Breakfast | Wi-Fi | Hot Water | Device Charging Station. The Chkhunderi pass is the highest point of the Mestia to Ushguli trek at an elevation of 8,711 ft (2,655 m). You have the option of hiring a horse to take you across the river or you can try to ford it barefoot. They also have gardens, patio tables, hammocks- it really is a backpackers paradise. (Surprisingly, this was actually not one of the times I cried on the hike). Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 19 h 7 min to complete. Eventually, towards the top, turn to the left tojoin the dirt trail which helped build the cable car. After the Adishi river crossing, meander your way back on the trail. According to our guiding source,Caucasus Trekking, the next day would be our longest and most difficult, as we trekked to the village of Tsvirmi. The men with horses are usually waiting at the deeper section of the river, so follow other hikers leads. For more info, pls check this excellent post about the flight (covers also flight from Kutaisi). But until then, we need to take a longer detour and follow the main road for about 10 minutes, till you reach a small stone footbridge under imposing Davberi village (there is also a hiking pointer). May 14, 2019 - Our complete itinerary of our trek from Mestia to Ushguli via Tsvirmi, including how to get to the mountains (hint: flying), where to stay and what to eat while enjoying the stunning views Thankfully, once you are in the valley after the pass, it is mostly a flat trail to Iprali. A little bit before reaching cable car station the panoramic views start to appear on the right.. After the cable car is the best part with crazy views of the mountain range over Tsvirmi and the green plateau that the trail goes through. We continue on towards Kutaisi (5 5 hours), where our tour ends. Turn right and follow it for half an hour, until you come to the intersection where it sharply bends to the east and dirt road continues in the original direction. If you are planning to do the trek this year, please let know any questions you may have! This is a scenic journey but flights do not operate in bad weather. I chose to hike in spandex shorts and a tank top, as I do not like being hot while hiking. Tsvirmi was one of the best experiences of the trekking. The family running it is really friendly and Laila is a great cook. The place is not too large so it keeps a "local feeling". Hotel Nato - wonderful small guesthouse situated in the Chazhashi village, not far from the bridge. Tke first section is OK, but further stages are in a poor condition so I don't recommend it. I was able to catch a ride back with another couple and split a car driving the dirt road to Mestia. Before you pay, I recommend to walk some 50 meters upstream where the river branches a bit more and check if you can cross on your own - that doesnt mean its always possible, but its worth checking out. It is possible to ride the entire 240+ miles from Tbilisi to Mestia, but it wont be the most comfortable decision youll make, especially before trekking in Mestia. We went to bed well-fed and ready to hit the trail in the morning. Hatsvali Hatsvali Ski Resort (Zuruldi mountain ridge). From the cable car, head to the east. Before I start, I need to stress one thing. Good places along the trail tend to fill up fast, especially since many of them got registered on booking portals. More Georgia Travel Guides | 2 Day Tbilisi Itinerary with All the Highlights | Things to Do Near Majanishvili Street Tbilisi | Where to Eat in Batumi. There are two sections of the cable car. The water is freezing so you won't be able to spend too much time in the river. Tsvirmi is a lovely small village, barely touched by tourism. Behind the river, the path appears again. The village is quite small, there is only a handful of guesthouses and these mostly had no online presence so booking far in advance always posed a problem. Overall, I think it is a pretty good way to prolong this, otherwise quite easy, hiking day. We have done some research and we are quite excited to be coming. Many of these lodging options sit empty, so it is easy to negotiate the price. Loved your post!!! We had a (big) delicious breakfast at Bapsha before hitting the trail. From Batumi to Mestia:
Two kilometeres before the Ushguli village, the trail merges with the main road. There, you will have to switch to marshrutka to get to Mestia. Ive never heard of this hike but Ive been wanting to visit Georgia, so when I do I will most definitely try to do this hike.
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