Opened only in 2019, owners Tamara and Davit decided to bring services provided in Adishi up to the next level. The village is quite small, there is only a handful of guesthouses and these mostly had no online presence so booking far in advance always posed a problem. As tourism is increasing there has been an explosion of new hotels and guesthouses in Mestia. The trail often seen as "the classic one" follows the large track downhill. There may be also others during the day if there are enough tourists, but I wouldnt rely on that. Eventually, you'll have to cross the river. A return trip on the Mestia ski-lift costs 10 GEL during the summer. Svaneti (Mestia & Ushguli) Mestia is well-equipped to handle the many hundreds of tourists that visit Svaneti each year, with a good range of guesthouses and restaurants. From the outside Ushguli feels like a journey back in time. Leave Iprali village and cross Khaldechala river by a bridge. Will I get one in the afternoon? Moreover, several of these guesthouses are at best average - the facilities are very basic, food only decent, prices quite high and the owners are often moody, sometimes very friendly and sometimes not so much (the only bright exception being Panorama guesthouse). Your email address will not be published. Situated in the old, but recently renovated house, so now it has new beds, wooden facade and plastic windows. Public transport into Ushguli is limited. Other option was to take a taxi for at least double price. We are Rohan and Max, two travellers on a cross-the-world adventure. Here, you need make a decision - there are two ways to enter the valley. Previously, it was impossible to drive . 2.2 2. You will also have to carry a few liters of water, some snacks, sunscreen and so on. Where to Next? Most minivans leave in the early morning. . 2.3 3. Just keep in mind that prices advertised on booking portals are not always consistent with what you will be charged, since almost all visitors take not just an accommodation, but also a full pension. Begin this path, which starts 1/4 of a mile from where the first cable car exits. To go from Tbilisi to Mestia you have following options: - Go to Zugdidi (for example by night train or bus) and take in the morning a marshrutka or shared cab to Mestia. There is water available in the villages. The best Svan cuisine in Ushguli is the homemade food you get in one of the guesthouses in Ushguli. From Mestia there are daily minivans that run to Ushguli. Marshrutka is the only option, it departs from the main bus station. All of this should comfortably fit into 25-30 liters large backpack. If you hike in the opposite direction than most, you will meet almost all other hikers in a span of one or two hours and for the rest of the day will have the trail for yourself. The place was opened only in 2018 and it shows, it looks new and clean. They usually charge a small fee for entrance. If you would like to, you will have enough time. If you buy any service through any of my links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. The trail turns south-east and climbs over a series of pastures and through a light forest. The season for this trek is from the beginning of June till late October. Before you reach them, turn right uphill. After some 20 minutes, roughly at 2500m altitude, a marked trail (Hadiish) branches off to the south-east. 2.1 1. Earlier, I heard some complaints about the food being only average but since the covid hit, the quality of cooking has greatly improved. In October, you can admire colorful autumn foliage, but days are already much shorter and colder. Copyright 2022 Ellis Veen in collaboration with. And when they finally arrive, it's the 4-day trek between Mestia and Ushguli, two ancient villages set deep in the High Caucasus, that presents the ultimate outdoor experience. Answer 1 of 10: Hello, Does anyone know if there are any companies which organise day trips from Mestia to Ushguli at all please? Hey dont forget your Travel Insurance! Trekking in sub-optimal conditions means the higher chance of the accident and who am I to decide if this still worth to risk it or not? Thanks for your support! There is a fixed depoarture at 10:00 am but if you want to secure your spot, get there between 9:00 - 9:30 am. In June, one can enjoy green scenery with blooming flowers, The people from Ushguli are used to taking care of themselves. The journey from Mestia to Ushguli by your own car with stops takes about 2 hours one way. I find it very hard to answer. Most daytrippers will be gone by that time. Also does anyone know the timetable for marshrutka from Mestia to Zugdidi please or how much would a taxi cost please? Otra forma de llegar es en tren nocturno+ . The cost is around 40 Lari and the journey takes about 2 hours. Two kilometeres before the Ushguli village, the trail merges with the main road. Located at an altitude of 2,100 meters (6,900 ft), and a community of four villages at the head of the Enguri gorge in Svaneti, Ushguli is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the highest continuously . After the river crossing, take the steep elevation gain to reach the Chkhunderi Pass. So don't rely on these buses too much. Vodos guesthouse - a pleasant homestay located in Chvabiani village. The Ushgulis ethnographic museum is very tiny, but still manages to give you a good idea of how life was in Ushguli. They usually had a few empty seats on the return trip which occured around 3 pm. For ushguli you need a 4x4 car to take you on this bumpy ride. We opted for a nice midrange option slightly out of the town centre. All rights reserved -- Travels of a Bookpacker are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and the Booking.com Affiliate Partner Program. There is a sign that says 'Mestia - 7am' right in front of the entrance to the station. This high up, the first snow falls in October and then stays till April. Includes places to stay, what to pack and details about the route for hiking from Mestia to Ushguli in 3 or 4 days. . Going by marshrutka takes over 10 hours from Tbilisi and about half . Ushguli is actually a cluster of 4 isolated and ancient communities at the foot of mount Skhara in the Svaneti region of Georgia. I found the food also slightly better than the other places in Ushguli. If you want something more central, we heard good things about BapshaGuesthouse. Follow the downhill for around 1 mile and make a right turn towards Tsvirmi hamlet. The downside is that they seem not to operate outside of the summer season and will get you only as far as to Zugdidi. Check out Batumi, Georgia's Seaside City & Here's Where to Eat in Batumi, Begin trek from Zuruldi Cable Car top station. The lady running it doesnt speak English but is very welcoming and works hard to make her guests feel comfortable. I've been traveling slow over 10+ years and have experienced over 70 countries. The cost is around 40 Lari and the journey takes about 2 hours. The 'bus station' is near the post office and you can make a reservation for your bus ticket there. My favourite place to eat is Sunseti cafe. Go from the train station to the main road (Rustaveli street), turn left and follow it towards the city, just before the bridge turns left and go in the Gulua street about 200 m. There should be a sign saying "MESTIA" on the right hand side. Then you will pass a huge construction site on your right (supposedly a new hydrocentral). Here I will share my adventures with you. If you want to travel from Mestia to Ushguli with marshutka, choose wisely the company you travel with. Ushba. Start this day early as one of the first hurdles is a turbulent river crossing. The usual price is 20 GEL per person. This Mestia to Ushguli trek map skips the small village of Zhabeshi. Hiking is the thing to do in . The plan is to take the overnight train Tbilisi-Zugdidi and then a Marshrutka from Zugdidi-Mestia. This spiced salt mix gives most Svan dishes its unique taste. It is not too long, takes only three to four days to finish. How to find it? There is also WiFi in many of the guest houses along the way but dont rely on it. Mestia marks the start of the very popular four day hike to Ushguli which we plan to do during our stay. On the downside, they occassionally get canceled because of the weather and during the summer, you should book at least month in advance since they get booked up pretty fast. Tbilisi to Zugdidi by train, overnight - Day 0. it offers great views of surrounding mountains and the Adishi glacier. We reach Batumi in the evening, the downpour is waiting for us to sit down in a bar. You can read all the details about transport from Tbilisi to Mestia here. - Fly with VanillaSky from Tbilisi (tickets are fairly cheap, but if the weather is not stable, like it is the case in winter), flights are often cancelled. Ucha Margveliani's guesthouse - And last but not least, Uchas, the largest guesthouse (or rather a hotel) in the village, able to accommodate 50 people or even more. The biggest downside to marshrutky in my opinion is road safety. Distance is 16km (860 m up and 900m down) if you sleep in Khalde or car waits for you in Khalde to take you to Ushguli for overnight. Leave cute Tsvirmi in the morning and follow the red and white trail markers to Zhabeshi. Also, food was tasty and plentiful. Please comment below if something doesnt download right or email me here, as it helps me keep the maps up to date and maintained. The route is less well-trodden so make sure you mark it on a map first. For some amazing views of the town and surrounding mountains head around to the left of the building and climb the stairs to the roof where there is a rooftop garden space. There are a few options for how to get to Mestia. Itinerary Note | There are many hiking trails that lead to Ushguli. For more info, pls check this excellent post about the flight (covers also flight from Kutaisi). Our first hike however was straight from the village up to the Koruldi Lakes. Not yet on booking.com. They seem to no longer be available to book online though so if you want to book in advance try Guesthouse Tanano which comes highly recommended. Most of the time, you will have cell coverage. - Fly with VanillaSky from Tbilisi (tickets are fairly cheap, but if the weather is not stable, like it is the case in winter), flights are often cancelled. That wont be an option if you start trekking right after getting off the bus. Regular marshrutkas (1-3 per day) to Mestia wait on Gulua street or Nikoladze street in Zugdidi. It's like cab mafia there, we managed to get in a bus for 20 GEL but the cab guys saw it, followed by car, stopped the bus and made us leave it. if someone need use our service. Required fields are marked *. Or staying in Mestia on. Hello Ms. Ellis, thank you for your good information about the route from Mastia to Oshgoli, Georgia. Eventually, begin the descent down towards the village of Tsvirmi. The shoulder months of June and September can offer pleasant weather and fewer people. It departs from Tbilisi at 8:25 and makes it to Zugdidi at 14:10, just in time to catch some of the last marshrutkas to Svaneti. The bus station is near the post office and you can make a reservation for your bus ticket there. The place has a long tradition and it shows - the staff, while not too friendly, is professional and the food, while not extraordinary, is hearty and filling. Soon, it sharply turns to the right and descends into Zardlashi village. There is certainly no lack of choice in Ushguli - every other house got already got converted into a guesthouse, not counting those newly built. It deserves all its accolades, but it is also a great area to visit without doing any walking. Also people are mostly nice :) Svaneti has always been a remote region with its own culture, language and cuisine. Still, if you cant hike with all your luggage, there is an option. 2.4 4. If youre not totally over hiking there is a great day hike to a nearby glacier. You are at the highest point of today's walk. 42.508333 41.866667. The kubdari I had there was very good. After arriving to Ushguli I stayed there a couple of hours to walk around and eat and then took a marshrutka back to Mestia. The scenery is beautiful and you will visit more beautiful villages on the way. When you reach the road, look for a makeshift bus station to the right. 42.395 41.56471. There are direct marshrutka from Tbilisi (9 hours) as well as a daily morning bus from Kutaisi (6 hours). Do you need a guide for the Mestia to Ushguli hike? Follow the path until it meets up with the road with a signpost that welcomes you to the small villages that make up Ushguli. The most popular tour is to the Shkhara glacier. As to mount ushba, it is not in the mestia valley but about half an hours drive from mestia ( becho valley). As we set off we passed a very friendly dog behind a fence and moments later he appeared behind us so he must've leaped over the gate. There is good cellphone signal along the Mestia to Ushguli trek so if you have a Georgian SIM card you should have no trouble connecting in most of the villages. But, again, when the place gets full (20+ people), you may have to wait for a while for one of two bathrooms. Some Svan specialities are Kubdari, Chvishtari and Tashmijabi. For its small size there is an impressive amount of choice in Ushguli. A good walker with a tent could comfortably finish this trek in three days, but if you want to sleep in guesthouses, you probably need to split it into four days. Unfortunately, glaciers were covered by heavy snow when we tried. Betegi guesthouse - a new guesthouse strategially located at the beginning of the village. There are many locals with horses, so its obvious on where to cross. The Ushguli villages contain old Svan towers and buildings that are part of the UNESCO Heritage site of Upper Svaneti. Each period has its pros and cons. Be mindful of the current and depth changes of the river. If you are there early enough the river may be shallow enough to cross on foot but be very cautious. Marshutka took us to Ushguli and the departure back was planned to 5PM, from bridge where all marshutkas are parked. You can use the extra time to climb to the tower above the village or for Follow along with this complementing blog post: The Complete Guide to the Mestia to Ushguli Trek in 4 Days, Where to Next? There is also a small grocery shop as well as a bakery. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators .
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