One of our star trips this year and possibly one of the best routes of Georgia and Caucasus trekking.
The route from Mestia to Ushguli involves 5 days of moderate walking through remote valleys and medieval villages, crossing mountain passes and admiring magnificent glaciers with views of the country’s highest peaks. Here are some opinions from travellers on our trip to Georgia during this year 2019.
M. ANGELA N > Easter 2019
Trip review ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
A pleasant impression of the trip, but a pity it was too short to be able to visit more places in the country.
The best of the trip:
I liked the route in general, but especially the days of Mestia, in the Svaneti region.
PEDRO MARCOS BERGES > June 2019
Trip review ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
A very appealing trip in June, before peak season, and very reasonably priced.
The best of the trip:
Everything in general. A fascinating country combining culture with trekking through mountains as impressive as the Alps. Tourism is still developing, so it remains authentic and uncrowded. Excellent food, wine and beer, and wonderfully friendly people.
JUAN J P > August 2019
Trip review ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The trip is varied and well structured, with routes becoming more demanding as the group gains confidence, interspersed with easier days to rest. Combining cities, art, culture and mountains makes it a very appealing way to discover the country.
The best of the trip:
Alongside the wonderful landscapes, the chance to discover another culture and its customs, and companions who became friends from the start, I must highlight our guide Giorgi (Gio): an unassuming, highly capable person with extensive knowledge of Georgia. He was exceptionally kind and always looked after us like a true friend. No one should miss this trip.
Aranza C. > August 2019
Trip review ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I loved the combination of history, heritage and trekking. Georgia It has been a great discovery for me, both on a landscape, cultural and human level. I'd come back without hesitation. Great country that we could enjoy through the special look of our guide. Thank you.
The best of the trip:
The support of our guide Sophia and mountain guide Alex, and the great atmosphere throughout the group. Respect, mutual support and, above all, so much joy.
Very satisfying overall. Tbilisi is a forward-looking, multicultural and cosmopolitan capital well worth seeing, though beware of the stifling summer heat. Mtskheta, the old capital, is beautiful, with pleasant streets of houses and gardens. The journey to Kazbegi/Stepantsminda via Gudauri ski resort and Jvari Pass at 2400 metres has spectacular views. You really feel you are in the Caucasus. The surroundings are breathtaking. Gergeti and Kazbegi, much cooler than the capital, share a fast-flowing river in a green, amphitheatre-shaped valley amid high mountains. The treks are moderate if you are accustomed to walking. Bring comfortable, sturdy hiking footwear. The train is comparable to European standards, though the journey to Zugdidi is rather long. The 3-hour drive to Mestia follows a scenic, exposed road with several landslips. It is memorable. Improvements are under way, but the section between Ipari and Ushguli has to be seen to be believed. Mestia has most services, including a hospital and many hotels. In Ushguli, despite poor connections to the rest of Svaneti and Georgia, new accommodation and tourism investment are appearing. Batumi has the relaxed holiday atmosphere of an old seaside resort. Its wide boulevard and promenade, several kilometres long, invite leisurely walks beneath century-old cedars and magnolias. The botanical garden is also a must if you have time and enjoy walking; allow a whole day. Food stalls are available at both entrances. There are good cafés and relaxed lounges beside the Black Sea promenade. Overall, this is a country with great tourism potential, many mountain and natural areas for outdoor enthusiasts, and a fascinating cultural heritage still waiting to be discovered. I would return, and recommend visiting before mass tourism arrives.
The best of the trip:
The guides Sophie and Bacha, without doubt. Sofia is a 30-year-old Georgian who speaks perfect Spanish and 6 other languages, including Russian, and is an encyclopaedia of Georgian culture, history and religious art. Her explanations are timely, concise and detailed. Always attentive, she takes care of every need. She accompanied us almost everywhere, every day, and became like family. Bacha, our Svaneti guide, is a young man with a big heart. Connect with him and you will have a wonderful time. He loves Italian romantic songs and hums constantly. On the Upper Svaneti trek, we sang karaoke with the guides in the evenings, haha ;). The local guesthouses in Kazbegi and Svaneti (Mestia–Mulakhi–Adishi–Iprali–Ushguli) were another highlight. They were much better than expected, and better than the agency’s description suggests, which I think should be updated. Many rooms were comfortable with private bathrooms. Perhaps we were lucky, but families in this beautiful, isolated valley seem to be investing tourism income in improving their homes and guests’ comfort. It rained almost every trekking day, but we completed 100% of the route. One night it even snowed on the summits. Both local meals, dinner and breakfast, were plentiful and varied. Hospitality is sacred in the Caucasus, as the food demonstrates…