Things to Do in Svaneti

Svaneti is Georgia's most isolated region — a UNESCO-listed valley of medieval stone tower-houses tucked between 4,000-metre peaks. Mestia is the main hub, Ushguli (the highest continuously inhabited village in Europe at 2,200 m) is 2 hours further east, and the trekking between them is the reason most people come.

Even non-hikers get a lot from Svaneti in 2 days: Mestia's Svaneti Museum has genuinely world-class icons and manuscripts, the tower-houses of Chazhashi are climbable, and the drive to Ushguli passes 100+ towers stacked against the Shkhara massif (Georgia's highest mountain at 5,193 m).

Highlights

• Mestia to Ushguli 4-day trek — the classic Svaneti hike, mountain-hut nights
• Chalaadi Glacier day hike from Mestia — 4h round trip, moderate
• Koruldi Lakes hike — steep, 6h, alpine lakes with tower-house views
• Svaneti Museum in Mestia — icons, manuscripts, and Svan chainmail
• Ushguli & Chazhashi tower complex — climbable towers, Shkhara viewpoint
• Hatsvali ski resort (winter) — small but genuine alpine skiing