mestia ushguli trek difficulty

A less busy road leads up through Murkmeli village, the first in the Ushguli community. (if camping), Down Jacket (if early/late in season) QUICK FACTS You will be hiking for 7 hours with 1-2 of those being steep uphill. You cannot see the bottom and there are rocks underfoot. Whats more, with trails in good condition, the max elevation below 3000 m, and the lack of any big ascents, this trek is a great option for people with wide ranging experience and fitness levels. Go right, down the slope and family guesthouse is on the right. Then you catch a taxi to get back. 67. r/Sakartvelo. This gives you time to explore both the villages and Lamaria, the 12th Century church. Mid October is definitely out of trekking season. Our feet were pretty wet too as we had spent so much time hopping across running water and muddy puddles. Tickets are 25 GEL. The journey flew by as the train has WiFi as long as there is cell service. 7 days / 6 nights Pick-up from: Tbilisi/Kutaisi/Zugdidi* Season: June-September Difficulty: Moderate. Weve marked possible camp spots on our map and we cover guesthouses in more detail below. Cost Bed 15 Lari Dinner 20 Lari Breakfast 15 Lari = Total 50 Lari, Like to hike? Make sure you have proper footwear (ideally, ) that are broken in already. They even have their own unwritten language. The trail is pretty well marked. Learn how your comment data is processed. Other places that come recommended include XII Century, Nizharadzes Tower, Guesthouse Qaldea, and Caucasus Guesthouse. WHAT TO EXPECT Original stone roofed dwellings sit beside more practical metal-roofed homes, a hodgepodge of old meets new which is characteristic of many remote Georgian mountain communities these days. Cards are not accepted. Difficulty Moderate. Personally, we always sterilise drinking water collected from streams (using a. June sees fewer crowds than the summer months but has the highest amount of rainfall. If youre anxious and want to book rooms ahead just in case, theyre all relatively cheap so you wont be eating that much money if you end up not staying in that guest house after all. You can also hire a horse from your guesthouse in Adishi if you are trekking outside of peak season and want to guarantee a horse for the crossing (expect this to cost more). The terrain is probably drier and better in the summer, but for us, it was quite a lot of mud. Service is particularly patchy around Adishi. In fact, 4 of Europes 10 highest mountains are in Georgia. The path was easy and comfortable and passed through beautiful open grasslands littered with a dazzling array of colourful wildflowers. By walking in this direction, there will be 30 minutes to an hour every day when you meet everyone walking in the opposite direction. While this isnt a bad idea, there are lots of guesthouses that do not handle advance booking. WATCH OUR FILM The trekking season usually extends from mid-June to mid-October, with July to September being the ideal trekking time. As for clothing, just bring some layers. We hope you enjoyed this account of the Mestia to Ushguli trek. The Mulkhura river was running high and fast, carrying melt water and debris down from the mountains. We arrived in Ushguli, dropped our things off at Guesthouse Angelina, and then ambitiously decided to go on a hike around the area. If theres anything essential you want to check (upcoming weather for example), check it up on the hillside beforehand. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. Duration: 2-4 days . Were not sure if this is a permanent feature or not. Either get a lunch pack from your guesthouse (5GEL for bread, salty cheese and a whole tomato or cucumber) or we recommend bringing energy bars and snacks. If you do this, check the source. Length 34.7 miElevation gain 9,875 ftRoute type Point to point Around halfway, you cross a small stream which is perfect for filling up water. Hi, were Lee and Mandy and we are the Frugal Travellers. We stayed at Lika guesthouse (next to Chvabiani guesthouse) Not booked in advance. Only 12 kms which takes a reasonable 4 hours of walking. Tap the menu button at the top left for more details, to toggle layers on and off, and switch between satellite and terrain view. You can rent camping gear at MPlus in Tbilisi. The night before, during dinner, the rain was pouring down outside, and everyone was talking about the river crossing. Just two remarks around Adishi: High route to Adishi was wonderful, with possibility to get close to Tenuldi ski resort infrastructure and imagine this place in winter. This is a hard 1.5-2 hour ascent. Click on the different category headings to find out more. Click the map, then scroll down and select Open in My Maps to access the interactive version. It was called Family Guesthouse Ucha, and while a bit pricier, it was really nice. Good hiking equipment is essential, though. Its about a two hour ride. You can also check distances between places offline, however you will only get elevation profiles while online. As a result, we descended to the river/ main road too early. If you are travelling alone sometimes you have to pay that premium unfortunately. Steripen, purification tablets, LifeStraw, etc.). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Welcome to one of the most popular hikes in Georgia; simultaneously, not that busy because of the pandemic. , making a crossing on foot usually more manageable. The actual point to cross wasnt as obvious as we were expecting (the usual telltale cluster of horses and trekkers by the crossing was absent), and there were steep embankments on the opposite side. If you still need to organise your travel insurance, wed suggest getting a quote from each to see which suits you best. 3 days is in fact enough to do the best parts. Just call the . We took a higher trail, leading us to a wonderful viewpoint of Lakhiri village and its numerous towers, before descending to the river. Minibuses from Mestia to Zugdidi, to meet the train, only go if there is enough demand. Another good option recommended by friends is, , an attractive stone and wood building near the top of the cobbled street on the trail as you enter Mestia. We stayed at Maizer Qaldani Guesthouse in Chvabiani and highly recommend it. As you approach Ushguli you can see the cars lining the road to take you back to civilisation. Pigs and piglets frolicked in the muddy lanes and a curly horned goat eyed us disapprovingly over a crumbling wall. It was my fault for not doing so and relying on internet descriptions. Not only will you get your important documents wet (passport, CDC card, phone, etc)., but hypothermia can set in very quickly. Only a short walk on, and we crossed the metal bridge that took us to our destination, Chvabiani village. If the direct Mestia bus has left or is full you can get the bus to Zugdidi and go on from there. The weather can be very unpredictable, change quickly, and vary greatly between the lower and higher altitudes. Continue on the trail and leave the town behind you. Homie made about $40 for a minutes work, but hey, what can ya do? After carefully assessing it we decided to backtrack and try to cross further up. Unlike Tusheti, Svaneti is accessible year-round, however the hiking trails are covered in snow in winter and many guesthouses close. Dont worry, this is the genuine ticket and they will let you on with a printed copy and your passport. We walked on a relatively flat trail for about 3 miles and 2 hours. Here you have two choices. At the Adishi river we had two choices. If not, 5 lari is a small price to pay to not have to carry all of your things on this epic journey. Whether you are currently in your home country or are already travelling, two travel insurance policy providers that can cover for hiking above 3000 m are World Nomads (for residents of 140+ countries) and True Traveller (for UK and EEA residents only). With no taxis or mini-buses operating in the tiny village, especially early morning, you are mostly stuck with your private taxi that you will have to arrange in Mestia. From Adishi the trail meanders along the hillside for around 5 km, with the Adishchala river flowing to your right. Khalde is the first village you come to after crossing the Chkunderi Pass. Yes, you can drink the water in the guesthouses. Europe's Highest permanent settlement Ushguli (2060-2200m) is located in Svaneti, Georgia 50km from Mestia at the foot of Shkhara summit (5193) - one of the highest in Georgia. If you prefer less crowded trails, go in September. ADISHCHALA RIVER CHKHUNDERI PASS | 2.4 km | + 457 m | 1 2 hours, RIDGE SIDE HIKE (RETURN) | 1.4 km | +/- 96 m | 30 mins, CHKHUNDERI PASS KHALDESCHALA VALLEY | 2.8 km | 473 m | 45 60 mins, KHALDESCHALA VALLEY IPRALI | 6.8 km, + 220 m / 511 m | 1.5 2 hours, IPRALI DAVBERI | 2.6 km | + 79 m / 200 m | 45 60 mins, DAVBERI USHGULI ROAD | 7 km | + 473 m / 264 m | 2 3 hours. It can be very rainy in June, meaning lush green hillsides but cloudy skies and swollen rivers. If you are in between sizes, buy the larger one as your feet will expand when they are warm. Be sure to watch the movie Dede that was filmed in Ushguli, and have a drink at the dungeon-y bar above the theater. Discover and book Svaneti Trek Mestia Ushguli 4 Days on Tripadvisor. If you prefer not to, there are usually guesthouses available which dont have online booking, so you should be able to find a bed somewhere but you might have to hunt around a bit. Lunch is 5 GEL extra. Day 2: From Zhabeshi to Adishi - ~10 KM. Some people opt to do this trek in reverse. Just remember to, The main villages offering guesthouse accommodation along the Mestia to Ushguli trail are. It even has a top-end spa hotel, Rooms Hotel Kazbegi. Hiking ( The Best Hiking Trails in Georgia Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti Mestia ) Mestia to Ushguli Download Send trail to GPS Author Daniel Grinberg 221 91 540 I've navigated this trail Distance 40.32 mi Elevation gain 10,341 ft Technical difficulty Difficult Elevation loss 7,657 ft Max elevation 9,155 ft Trailrank 53 Min elevation 4,684 ft Those downhill bits were treacherous without them. Having got lost the day before we decided to take the well-defined lower path. *Note that as of 2021, one of those gates now has a private property sign and the owners are charging 2 GEL for passage. Passing ancient villages, 5,000 meter high mountains and glaciers, the Mestia Ushguli trek is the most popular multi-day hike in Georgia for good reason. A taxi from Ushguli to Mestia costs 150+ GEL. The first guesthouse we stayed at (Guesthouse Gogia in Zhabeshi) had fresh and tasty meals. So, what to bring in your pack? It shows the contours in much more detail than Maps.me, and you can download both the topographical and satellite view of your route in advance for offline use. Unless you are a really fit and fast - in this case, you can do the whole trek even in two days (with sleepover . However, its worth keeping in mind that most popular doesnt necessarily mean the best. The view just before the village, with Tetnuldi rising in the background, is one of our favourite village scenes on the trek. I recommend doing dinner at your guest house (though I skipped breakfast due to wanting to hit the road early). We use cookies to ensure we give you the best possible user experience on Going the Whole Hogg. Another great spot is the hill where the church stands to the north of the village. Entdecke diese 34,7-Meilen lange Strecke in der Nhe von Mestia, Mingrelien und Oberswanetien. The route is punctuated by cracked and crumpled glaciers and the rivers that they bear, sweeping valleys and open countryside, a skyline of snow-capped peaks and . Keep an eye out for the trail markers, the red-and-white flags, or yellow-and-white flags painted on rocks and trees. We managed to hike up in 2 hours and back in 1.5 hours. The classic trek across Svaneti, with a twist. We met whilst trekking in Nepal in 1996, and have been following our passion for travel ever since slowly exploring the world by shoestring travel on long-haul journeys to many amazing destinations. Climb a few metres up the grassy hillside and continue on a trail heading east, parallel to the river. Its run by a very welcoming family, and Nino makes a great breakfast. This is only second-hand information, but we were told that the river looks more intimidating to cross on foot than it actually is. We just think its important to recognise that there are many other trekking options in Georgia. We highly recommend Mushkudiani Manor, a medium sized guesthouse (5 rooms with 3 shared bathrooms) by the river with wonderful tower views. Our pace slackened as we took more breaks for pictures and began to enjoy ourselves for the first time all day. Youll walk along a ridge for awhile and see some melting glacial run-off. If a dog comes up to you, its generally friendly. on foot, a little further upstream from The food is good and the family are very friendly. We greatly appreciate your support! We had a great stay at, (+995598153538) which is near Lamaria Church at the very top of the village (if youve seen, you might recognise the mum, Shorena, as the doctor from the film). For me this was more about mountain views in comfort and less about hiking. One of the benefits of doing this is that you do Leg 2 of the trek (Zhabeshi to Adishi) in the morning instead of afternoon where its a little more forgiving (which only helps if you plan on doing two legs in a day). Taking on the trek in the offseason made for an exciting challenge with unforgettable views all throughout. Pass on a day of changeable and dramatic weather. You can navigate easily on the trail using the arrow that shows your GPS location. *, Hiking Season If you need a larger backpack than this, in my view, you are bringing too much. Theres not much of a trail to follow on the descent, so pay close attention to your GPS track and watch your footing the final section before joining the low route trail is the steepest and hiking poles are a good idea. This first leg has some altitude gain, but most of it is gradual. A group of us, trekkers who had united on the trail, then enjoyed a wonderfully restorative yoga session on the bridge. Furthermore, trekking from Mestia to Ushguli offers insight into Georgia's unique Svaneti region. Its also easier to get transportation from Mestia to Ushguli, as opposed to the other way around. The snowstorm was still in full blast at this point, so we hastily worked our way down the mountain. In our experience, crossing in late September, the river was about 5 6 metres wide. But all you really need to know is how many hours you will be walking and have maps.me on your phone. Dinner, bed, and breakfast is normally 70 80 GEL per person. Going there in one week, and your article is a gold mine Youll get dramatic vistas and picturesque views, somewhat similar to what youd see in the Alps, but for far less the cost. Arriving in Adishi late afternoon, we searched for a guesthouse and found a very good one in the centre of the village. It was a short hike on to summit the pass and grab an even more dramatic view of the Mulkhura valley spreading away to the east. Find out more by visiting About Us. In the hiking season expect the weather to be warm during the day but cold enough for a fleece at night. This part is a little confusing since the path is mostly trodden grass, but there should be enough markings to indicate where to go. ATMs are plentiful, even in small towns in Georgia and Armenia. Youll eventually veer to the right off the relatively flat path so far, beginning a steep climb through the forest. Its located close to the start of the Mestia to Ushguli trail, as well as the Dede Pub and Cinema. About 70 families, approximately 250 people live in the village, which dates back more than 2000 years. Staying at guesthouses with heating, wed often be able to dry our socks over the radiator, which was nice. Its a cow trail really only marked by pressed down grass and cow pies. If youre keen to take the more scenic high route to Adishi, you can skip the 330 metre climb on gravel road by taking the lowest line of the Tetnuldi Cable Car. When they finish the final part into Ushguli this will reduce even further. Our latest Outer Hebrides film is out, Mingulay // The day trip to this uninhabited islan, Making a beeline for the beer, barbecue, fire, and, Loch Eynort wasnt on our radar, but a tip from, Vallay // One of the best walks in Uist is to the, There are streams and mountain springs situated along the trail. On the nature side, it has high mountains, glaciers, deep forested valleys, and wild running rivers. Off all the islands of the Outer Hebrides, Harris, New Video! We watched others cross on foot first to assess the situation. One of the most popular and scenic ways to see this part of the world is by doing a trek from the touristy base town of Mestia to the remote UNESCO World Heritage town of Ushguli, also known as the highest settled town in Europe. The path is well trodden so sturdy hiking boots may be too heavy for some. It doesnt drain our phone battery, and its quick and easy to save and organise bookmarks. , Cool! From here it is a 9.5 km downhill hike, dropping down to the Khaldechala river and following it past Khalde village to Iprari below. The main reason to do it the right way around, i.e. When you emerge from the forest, you will see the town of Adishi (and possibly hear it too the one bar in town blasts Russian club music). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Walk through the village and over the bridge and youll reach a hill. Make a hairpin left turn immediately at the first house in Davberi. And it's easy to see why. In my view September is the best time to go. This slightly longer version is becoming more popular and we think it is worth walking a bit further to stay at Guesthouse Robinzon. Covers not only classic trails but also alternative routes which are even more difficult and scenic. Required fields are marked *. We have purchased travel insurance policies from both of these companies in the past. As you round the corner after an hour and a half or so, the magnificent Adishi Glacier comes into view. Continue down the path and into the villages. Equally, if you have any questions, let us know and well do our best to answer them. Trek from Mestia to Ushguli is the most popular multi-day hike in Georgia and for a good reason. There will be a ski lift up ahead. A great option for connecting Upper and Lower Svaneti is the 1 2 day hike from Ushguli to Chvelpi, via Latpari Pass. LOW ROUTE TURN-OFF ADISHI (VIA HIGH ROUTE) | 7.2 km | + 333 m / 686 m | 2 3 hours, Theres not much of a trail to follow on the descent, so pay close attention to your GPS track and watch your footing the final section before joining the low route trail is the steepest and hiking poles are a good idea. Hearing the water rushing past and seeing a bridge confirmed it. To top it off the Mestia to Ushguli trek is an relatively easy, comfortable trek over an undulating landscape, the longest day being 7 hours long. Not booked in advance. It was all three, and ended up being quite miserable. It is a pretty, atmospheric place in a spectacular location which was slowly rebuilt after an avalanche had destroyed many buildings. Drive from Mestiato Ushguli normally takes 2 hours one way. It cost 20 GEL per person and takes 2.5 hours, including a 30 minute bathroom break. The first leg of the journey is from Mestia to Zhabeshi, about 10 miles. The multi-day hike from Mestia to Ushguli is legendary amongst those who come to trek in Georgia. Enjoy!! How common is ATMs in Georgia and Armenia? After a long chat with a cafe owner, our driver decided he really wanted to buy the cafe owners cute little kitten. One downside is that the free version does not include contour lines, but these can be added via a paid plugin. Many of the places in these villages arent on booking. , Svaneti is accessible year-round, however the hiking trails are covered in snow in winter and many guesthouses close. You can browse many more options on booking.com. You made it! There is a fair amount of road walking, although most of it is on old or disused tracks. In my view they are not needed. Our broken up journey cost about 20 GEL ($6) to Kutaisi then another 30 GEL ($10) to Mestia. What would you suggest for a shorter or day trek to see the towers and villages? Follow the road and the next obstacle is a great flowing rush of water over the road. His/Hers The owner invited us in and made us welcome. There are a lot of guesthouses in the neighbouring villages of Chvabiani and Zhabeshi. Have the right change in your pocket or the cost will be 20 GEL. The way up involved scaling steep and icy trails where a stream would normally be in the summer. View thepartyingtravelers profile on Facebook, View thepartyingtravelers profile on Instagram, We're Going To Pakistan! The trail entrance is not far off the road, though its a little hidden. Day 1 of the Mestia to Ushguli trek. We followed the dirt path towards Iprali. Go early to secure a seat. Beyond the initial switchbacks there is a wonderful viewpoint looking straight across to Adishi Glacier, marked as splendid view of the glacier on Maps.me (and wed have to agree!). It has all of the above in spades. Some people recommend booking guesthouses in the high season. Negotiating a Ride From Ushguli to Mestia at the End of the Hike, How to Visit Svaneti National Park Without Hiking, The Complete Guide to Visiting Kazbegi in Georgia. This is a glacier run-off so its numbingly cold water. This village deserves at least an overnight stay to explore it and its surroundings properly. The view was worth the hike, though. Gloves and a hat will definitely come in handy since it can get freezing cold in the offseason. We knew 4 days of exposure could be bad news for us so erred on the side of caution and bought enough to keep us covered. This app is very easy to use. You can find a taxi by asking around (a lot of guest houses are willing to drive you) or you can go to the sign that says Marshrutka and ask there. It is exhilerating to arrive in in this wonderful location at the end of the Mestia to Ushguli trek. There are a few steeper parts here and there, with the trail flattening out a bit as you approach the road. No need to carry a heavy backpack! To top it off the Mestia to Ushguli trek is an relatively easy, comfortable trek over an undulating landscape, the longest day being 7 hours long. This is the cheapest way to go, and how I chose to get to Mestia. Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didnt do than by the ones you did, This post may contain affiliate links. To prolong the remote feeling, the largely abandoned Khalde village makes a good overnight stop instead of Iprali. It took us about 5 minutes before we found a bar with a nice terrace and decided to spend our day there instead. If you go in June it is good to have some flexibility in your itinerary in case one of the days is a washout. A hat, gloves and sunglasses are also needed. See the expandable box below for tips on using these apps. The Transcaucasian Trail website also has a downloadable KMZ file of the route. On the plus side, in good weather, youll have excellent views of Ushba, Tetnuldi, and many more impressive snowy peaks. I fed him some khachapuri. The hosts are used to catering to hikers staying just one night during trekking season, rather than benefiting from year-round tourism and multi-day stays (which tends to encourage better service levels). It's not a difficult trek, and the views from the top are unforgettable. They will happily keep your luggage while you go hiking and coming back to a nice room and shower was heaven. In our experience, Gaia drains your phone battery much quicker than Maps.me, even in flight mode, so its best to shut down the app completely each time you finish using it. Your email address will not be published. So if you are a reasonably fast hiker you must wait or have a cold shower. Dont drink from streams near where animals frequent. Kutaisi: Buses leave from the main bus station (at the rear, past McDonalds) early in the morning. Snacks and water are nice to have along the way, but you dont need to pack food for the entire journey. Guesthouses offer meals, private rooms, and shared bathrooms. We have found their policies to be comprehensive, and their online claims and extension processes straightforward. Thank you Kim for this detailed article! We stayed at Elizabeth Kaldanis guesthouse. Day 3 starts with an hour walking slowly up the valley. After crossing, you have some uphill, though not as bad as yesterdays uphill. Speaking Russian really helps when negotiating prices and I think we got a good deal as one of the other hikers could do all the bargaining for us. There are two trains from Zugdidi to Tbilisi which need to be booked in advance (see above): For all bus tickets inquire at the office opposite Guesthouse David Zhorzholiani on the square (this is also where you will be dropped off when you arrive). I took a wrong step and ended up submerging my whole foot in mud. Starting from Zugdidi in the morning, you could be in Ushghuli for lunch. You can, on the trail using the arrow that shows your GPS location. What an amazing sight Ushguli is! The taxis and marshrutkas gather at the bridge on the entrance into the village and charge tourists a set fee of 40 Lari for a one way trip back to Mestia which is extortionately high. They have to make a living though I suppose. The Ultimate Georgia Itinerary for 1 or 2 Weeks, 7 Things to Know Before Driving in Armenia, Georgia or Azerbaijan. We stopped for a picnic lunch at a wonderful spot half way down in a flower filled field close to an ice cold mountain stream. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. Day 2 is the shortest in terms of distance, but involves the biggest climb of the Mestia to Ushguli trek. Soak it in the river and tie it round your neck or wrists to keep you cool. I took my footwear off and wore my rubber sandals which protected my feet from the rocks. If you do decide to cross on your own, go a little downstream and it gets a little gentler. Day 3 is the undoubted highlight of the Mestia to Ushguli trek. On the cultural side it has historic picturesque villages; friendly and hospitable people, and delicious and unique food to sample. If you want to see mountains but are not up to the time commitment of getting to the far flung Svaneti region, you can explore the Tusheti region (about 5 hours from Tbilisi in a 4WD vehicle) for similar views of farm villages and defense towers.

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