Mestia → Zhabeshi
About 15 km. Up through meadows above Mestia with views of Ushba, then down to the villages of Mulakhi valley.
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Travel Notes · Hiking
Mestia to Ushguli: the four-day trek
Georgia's most famous hike links medieval tower villages below glaciers. You sleep in family guesthouses and carry only a day pack.
Zhabeshi → Adishi
About 11 km with a long climb over a grassy ridge, then down to tiny Adishi, one of the most remote villages in Svaneti.
Adishi → Iprali
The highlight: views of the Adishi glacier, a river crossing (locals offer horses), then the Chkhunderi pass at about 2,700 m.
Iprali → Ushguli
An easier day along the valley to Ushguli and its towers below Shkhara, Georgia's highest peak.
Good to know
- Season: July to mid-September. Snow can block the pass in June and October.
- Sleeping: family guesthouses in every village, usually with dinner and breakfast. Bring cash.
- Difficulty: moderate; you need to be comfortable walking 5–7 hours a day.
- River crossing: on day 3 the glacial river can be deep and cold; take the horse if the water is high.
- Getting back: shared jeeps run from Ushguli to Mestia.
- Pack: good boots, rain jacket, warm layer, sun protection, water filter or tablets, offline map.
- Safety: tell your guesthouse your plan each day; signal is patchy. Emergency number 112.