[2025 Mestia ] Travel Guide for Mestia (Updated Apr)

#Traveling Abroad If you are looking for snowy mountains, old castles, wine, and nature, but think Switzerland is too expensive, Georgia is the perfect choice! Plus, you can stay for 30 days without a visa! It's the best value for money travel destination! 📍 Why Georgia? ✔ No visa required! You can stay for 30 days! ✔ Low prices and full of exotic atmosphere! Great value for money! ✔ Enjoy the spectacular views of the Caucasus Mountains, monasteries, and wineries at the same time! ✔ Over 8,000 years of wine culture! The birthplace of the world's oldest qvevri wine! 🌟 TOP 8 recommended cities 1️⃣ Kazbegi - A spectacular view highly praised by Lonely Planet! 2️⃣ Tbilisi - The capital where old and new coexist! 3️⃣ Sighnaghi - "The city of love" and wine town! 4️⃣ Mestia - Georgia's "Little Switzerland" ⛰️ 5️⃣ Mtskheta - A historic "holy city" ✨ 6️⃣ Batumi - The setting for the "Georgian Romeo and Juliet" 💙 7️⃣ Gorri - Stalin's birthplace! For history lovers ◎ 8️⃣ Kutaisi - A small town where you can enjoy a leisurely city walk🌿 📌 Model itinerary (6 days) 🚶 City walk + nature 🌄 D1: Japan ✈️ Arrival in Tbilisi D2: Tbilisi → Winery (Khareba) → Sighnaghi → Tbilisi D3: Tbilisi → Kazbegi / Gudauri D4: Kazbegi → Mtskheta → Tbilisi D5: Tbilisi → Gori → Uplistsikhe Cave City → Tbilisi D6: Tbilisi ✈️ Return home 👑 Trekking heaven! Many routes that even beginners can enjoy! Georgia has more than 300 trekking courses, from beginner to advanced! Please try this moving experience of walking in the great outdoors.

The start of the trail is about 10km from mestia, you can choose to hire a taxi to there or like us, we choose to walk. But we were lucky enough that there’s a truck driver stop and save us about 5km of walking. At the trail start we have to cross a quite scary metal bridge, after the bridge it’s so closed to russia border that you might be asked by soldier to check your passport. Then there’s only 2.5km of hike to the glacier. #glacier #outdoor #hiking

we Georgians often say if you come to Georgia you must visit Svaneti, otherwise you will miss a lot! Svaneti is the most beautiful region in Georgia, it's full of mountains and amazing views. you can visit Svaneti any season and be satisfied with your experience at Svaneti. you can go there by car, by bus or by plane, but for plane you have to book tickets before 2 months maybe. the bus from Tbilisi takes around 10 hours and 30-40 lari, and by car 8 hours is enough. Svanetis center is called Mestia, there you can find guest houses, hotels and local restaurants with delicious local food #yearofrabbit #newyearadventure #tripblazers #mytripvlog #本地遊 #georgia #svaneti #mestia

### Ushguli Travel Guide 1. Destination Overview Ushguli, located in the Svaneti region of Georgia, is one of the highest permanently inhabited settlements in Europe, at an altitude of approximately 2,100 meters. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its ancient towers, breathtaking views of the Caucasus Mountains, and pristine natural environment. 2. Best Time to Visit - **Summer (June–September)**: Warm weather and accessible roads make it ideal for hiking and outdoor activities. - **Autumn (September–October)**: Vibrant scenery and fewer tourists create a perfect setting for photography. - **Winter (November–March)**: Stunning snow-covered landscapes, but limited accessibility, suitable for skiing and adventure. 3. How to Get There - **From Tbilisi**: 1. Take a car or train to Zugdidi (approx. 5–6 hrs). 2. From Zugdidi, take a bus or hire a car to Mestia (approx. 3–4 hrs). 3. From Mestia, hire a car or hike to Ushguli (approx. 2–3 hrs by car or 2 days on foot). - **From Mestia**: 1. Hire a car or take a local bus to Ushguli (approx. 2–3 hrs). 2. Hiking enthusiasts can opt for a 2–3-day trek with scenic views along the way. 4. Main Attractions - **Svan Towers**: Ushguli is famous for its ancient defensive towers, built in the Middle Ages to protect against invaders. - **Lamaria Church**: Built in the 9th–10th centuries, it is one of Georgia's significant religious sites. - **Mount Shkhara**: The third highest peak in the Caucasus Mountains, standing at 5,068 meters, it's an ideal destination for mountaineers. - **Ushguli Villages**: Comprising four small villages, it preserves traditional ways of life, offering an authentic cultural experience. 5. Hiking Trails - **Mestia–Ushguli Trek**: A classic hiking route, taking approximately 4 days, passing through alpine meadows, forests, and villages, with magnificent scenery. - **Ushguli–Mount Shkhara Trek**: Suitable for experienced hikers, offering close-up views of the majestic Mount Shkhara. 6. Accommodation and Dining - **Accommodation**: Ushguli offers guesthouses and inns with basic but clean and comfortable amenities. Advance booking is recommended. - **Dining**: Local cuisine mainly features traditional Georgian dishes such as Khachapuri (cheese bread), Khinkali (meat dumplings), and grilled meats. 7. Things to Note - **Transportation**: The roads to Ushguli are challenging; 4x4 vehicles or hired cars are recommended. - **Weather**: Mountain weather is unpredictable; pack warm clothes and rain gear. - **Health**: Be mindful of altitude sickness in high-altitude areas; acclimatization is advised. - **Cultural Respect**: Respect local culture and customs; dress modestly when entering churches. 8. Recommended Itineraries - **3-Day Itinerary**: - Day 1: Depart from Mestia, travel to Ushguli by car, visit the towers and church. - Day 2: Hike and explore the surrounding villages and natural landscapes. - Day 3: Return to Mestia, enjoying the Caucasus Mountains scenery along the way. - **5-Day Itinerary**: - Day 1: Hike from Mestia to Ushguli, camping or staying in villages along the way. - Days 2–3: Hike in and around Ushguli, exploring Mount Shkhara and Lamaria Church. - Day 4: Return to Mestia. - Day 5: Relax in Mestia, visit the local museum and cultural sites. Ushguli is a place rich in history and natural beauty, ideal for hikers, photographers, and culture enthusiasts. Whether it's a short trip or an in-depth trek, Ushguli offers an unforgettable experience.

Mestia is a town about 1500m above sea level, the town is the starting point for many hiking trails, like the hike to ushguli, chalaadi glacier, lake koruldi and so on. We spent four days in mestia, and went on a few trails. We normally start our hike early in the morning, and come back to the town to chill by the afternoon. A leisure walk around the town is very recharging. The snow mountains are always in sights, the svan tower tower with thousands years of history is all around and the animals are eating grass by the hills.#mestia #mountain

Mestia is one of the best place to visit in Georgia, there’s plenty of hiking tract there. We love the hike to lake Koruldi the most. It is quite tough with 1400m elevation, but the 360degree of snow mountain view is totally worth it😊#hiking #georgia #mountain #mestia

love this places✨💕#georgia #mestia

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