Kutaisi-Samegrelo-Svaneti Round Trip – 7 Days
This is an example of a standard day trip starting from Kutaisi – Samegrelo – Svaneti and ending in Kutaisi.
This tour is described here for the convenience of independent travelers who choose to travel by a car without assistance of a travel company or a guide. All times are specified based on our experience of traveling with tourists to these locations. Durations and locations can be changed upon your preferences and desires.
Locations and times are chosen and optimized for a 7 days trip starting and returning to Kutaisi.
Day 1 – Imereti Caves & Canyon
09:00 – Departure from Kutaisi / hotel
10:00 – Sightseeing at Tskhaltubo / Tetra Cave, Tskaltubo Cave — a karst cave in Georgia, The cave was formed in the phreatic regime by the active action of pressurized waters, Later, temporary water flows played an active role in its formation. Currently, the cave is in the dry-talan stage of development. Tetra Cave is interesting for the diversity of ancient siphon channels. (Tetra Cave is the first ecotourism space in Georgia, where you can taste aged wine in the most beautiful and ancient cave)
11:30 – Departure from Tetra Cave
12:00 – Sightseeing at Prometheus Caves – a notable beautiful natural monument of the world. It is about 60-70 million years old. This beautifully shaped karst cave with stunning strips of stalactites and stalagmites once again will convince you of the enormous power of nature and will travel you in the fairy world.
(lunch near Prometheus Caves Different options/Tskaltubo area)
14:00 – Departure from Tskaltubo
15:00 – Sightseeing at Okatse Canyon – The first canyon in Georgia with winding paths, rich in lakes and waterfalls, is located in Imereti, near the village of Gordi, Khoni municipality, in the Okatse River gorge. The canyon is decorated with several waterfalls, the largest of which is the Okatse (Kinchki) waterfall. Quite large boxwood trees grow on the rocky shore of the canyon and the banks of the gorge are covered with forest thickets.
18:00 – Departure from Okatse to Zugdidi
20:30 – Arriving in Zugdidi / Hotel
Overnight in Zugdidi
Day 2 – Zugdidi – Mestia
09:30 – Departure from The Hotel /Zugdidi
10:00 – Sightseeing at Dadiani Palace – residence of the Samegrelo princes, the Dadiani. It was built by the prince of Odishi – Levan II Dadiani, in the 17th century. It is located in the center of the city of Zugdidi.
Dadiani Palace is currently a state historical and ethnographic museum. It is located in the Samegrelo palace complex (the Queen’s Palace, the Nikoseuli Palace, the Matriarch’s Temple and the decorative garden near the palace).
Sightseeing/ free time – Botanical Garden
13:00 – Lunch in Zugdidi
14:00 – Departure from Zugdidi to Mestia
15:00 – Sightseeing Stop at Enguri Dam – a 271.5-meter-high concrete arch dam on the Enguri River in Jvari, Western Georgia, making it one of the world’s highest arched dams. Completed in 1978, this massive hydroelectric facility serves as a vital energy source for Georgia, while also functioning as a major industrial heritage site and tourist attraction offering scenic views of the Caucasus mountains and the 30 km long reservoir.
16:00 – Departure To Mestia
19:30 – Arriving in Mestia / Hotel
Free time / Overnight in Mestia
Day 3 – Mestia & Surrounding areas
10:00 – Sightseeing in Mestia
The Svaneti Historical and Ethnographic Museum includes a diverse exposition, where almost all branches of Svaneti’s ethnocultural heritage are presented.
Visit Mineral water springs – very tasty and healthy (best for hangovers) slightly carbonated mineral waters near Mestia museum
Mikheil Khergiani House Museum – The house museum of the Georgian alpinist, Honored Master of Sports of the USSR nicknamed “the Tiger of the Cliffs” – Mikheil Khergiani in Mestia, Svaneti
Lunch In Mestia
14:00 Sightseeing at Qoruldi Lakes – located in Upper Svaneti, at an altitude of 2850 m, 10 km from Mestia. The lakes are surrounded by the glaciers of the Caucasus.
Koruldi Lakes are one of these special places. Velvet meadows, flowing water and white glaciers standing guard, stretching to the sky, will fill you with a feeling of freedom, peace and life. The Koruldi Lakes offer magnificent views.
Chalaadi Glacier
Near Mestia, a 30minutes drive – is located a breathtaking natural wonder surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Visitors can witness its beauty up close with a 1 hour mild and beautiful hike. At an altitude of over 2,800 meters above sea level, the glacier is fed by the Chalaadi River. The area also offers opportunities for adventure, including horse riding, skiing, and mountaineering. The moderate hike to the glacier passes through traditional Svan villages and ancient towers, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including Mount Ushba. Proper hiking gear is recommended for a safe and enjoyable experience.
19:00 – Departure to Mestia
Free time / Overnight in Mestia
Day 4 – Mazeri Village & Ushba Waterfalls (trekking)
10:00 – Departure from Mestia
11:00 – Sightseeing at Village Mazeri – a small last village in the Becho villages range near Mestia. The area offers the best views of Mt. Ushba from the south side and some beautiful treks to Ushba glacier, Shdugra waterfalls and over the Guli pass to Mestia.
Visiting Ushba Glacier
Sightseeing at Ushba Waterfall (Shdugra) – the most water-rich waterfall in Georgia.
The waterfall can be reached both from the bottom and from the top. If you climb to the top, you can see the glacier at the bottom of Ushba, as well as a beautiful view of Svaneti. The walking distance to the bottom of the waterfall is about 3 km (one way), and if you want to get to the top of the waterfall, you will have to walk an additional 3 km. The last section follows a medium-difficulty trail and you will also have to cross a river, but you will be satisfied with what you see.
18:30 Departure to Mestia
Free time / Overnight in Mestia
Day 5 – Mestia – Ushguli
10:00 – Departure from Mestia / Hotel
10:45 – Sightseeing stop at Tower of Love – a small but striking landmark on the road from Mestia to Ushguli, near the village of Kala. Unlike the defensive Svan towers nearby, this one stands alone and is tied to a local legend rather than warfare.
12:00 – Ushguli – a community of five medieval villages located at the head of the Enguri gorge in Svaneti, Georgia. Ushguli is one of the highest continuously inhabited settlements in Europe. Compared to somewhat more developed towns like Mestia, Ushguli is not in an accessible location, which has preserved many of the villages’ medieval characteristics, including unique defensive tower houses called Svan towers.
Check in -in Hotel
Lunch in Ushguli
14:00 – Sightseeing in Ushguli
The Chazhashi Lower Fortress Complex, also known as “Tamari’s Forge” – located in the village of Chazhashi, Ushguli community, Mestia municipality, Svaneti. It was part of the Chazhashi fortification system together with the Tamari Upper Fortress and overlooks all four villages of Ushguli. The monument dates back to the 10th-11th centuries.
Free time / Overnight in Ushguli
Day 6 – Ushguli & Shkhara Glacier
10:00 – Mt. Shkhara & Hike to its Glacier
Mount Shkhara is the highest peak in Georgia and one of the giants of the Greater Caucasus, rising to 5,193 meters on the Georgian–Russian border. It dominates the skyline of Upper Svaneti, especially around Ushguli, where its massive ice-covered walls feel almost unreal. Shkhara is not only a mountaineering icon but also a powerful symbol of the wild, untamed Caucasus.
One of the most rewarding hikes in the area leads from Ushguli village toward the Shkhara Glacier, at the very source of the Enguri River. The trail follows the valley past alpine meadows and grazing cattle, with Shkhara’s north face slowly filling the horizon. The hike is non-technical and suitable for most fit hikers, offering close-up views of the glacier and the newborn Enguri flowing out from beneath the ice. It’s a dramatic yet accessible walk that captures the raw beauty of Svaneti in just a few hours.
Sightseeing at Ushguli’s Lamaria – a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, located on a high hill in the Ushguli community of Mestia municipality, Svaneti, north of the village of Zhibiani. The church is surrounded by a fence with a fortified tower. It is a basilica-type building of the 9th-10th centuries, with a three-nave nave and an apse protruding outwards. The church has an entrance from the west, and the nave from the southwest.
Free time / Overnight in Ushguli
Day 7 – Ushguli – Lower Svaneti – Kutaisi
09:00 – Departure from Ushguli
The road from Ushguli to Lentekhi (Lower Svaneti) is one of the most dramatic and challenging routes in Georgia, cutting through the heart of Lower Svaneti. It descends from the high alpine world of Ushguli, passing Mt. Ailama into deep gorges, dense forests, and remote villages that feel largely untouched by time. The scenery changes fast: glaciated peaks and open valleys give way to narrow canyons, waterfalls, and thick greenery.This route is rough and remote, with long unpaved sections, river crossings, and frequent landslides, especially after rain.
A high-clearance 4×4 is strongly recommended, and travel time can be unpredictable. That said, for experienced drivers, it’s an unforgettable journey – less about speed and more about immersion in wild landscapes and the quieter, more traditional side of Svaneti. It’s a road chosen by adventurers, not by those in a hurry. Before taking the route, always inquire with locals and the road department about the road condition. In winter the road is mostly closed. It is not maintained and usually rarely taken by travelers or locals.
On The way to Lentekhi :
Sightseeing at Chikhareshi Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God — Located in the village of Chikhareshi, Lentekhi Municipality. Dating back to the High Middle Ages (16th-17th centuries), the small hall church is built of thin horizontal slate stone, which gives the facades a scratched texture. The church is completely painted, both the crypt and the trapezium are decorated with paintings. The paintings are accompanied by Mkhedruli inscriptions in the local dialect.
Sightseeing at The Chukuli Archangel Church – It dates back to the 10th-11th centuries. The church is a hall-shaped building, semicircular on the east, with a seven-nave exterior, and a vaulted apse. The interior was painted in the late Middle Ages, with an earlier layer also noticeable. The repertoire of paintings is diverse.
13:30 – 14:00 – Lentekhi (Approximate timing, closest)
Lunch in Lentekhi, SIghtseeing in Lentekhi
Sightseeing at The Skaldi Archangels Church, an architectural monument located 5 km northwest of the village of Paki, Lentekhi Municipality, on Mount Skaldi. It is 2,210 meters above sea level. According to local traditions, the Skaldi Church was built in the 10th-11th centuries, although its original appearance has almost disappeared. Ornamental stones from the old church are stacked on the church platform. The Skaldi Church offers magnificent views.
17:00 – Departure To Kutaisi
19:30 – Arriving in Kutaisi / Hotel
Overnight in Kutaisi / End
