Svaneti and Racha in 3 days
A journey through Georgia’s great mountains
About the tour
Svaneti and Racha are two mountain regions of Georgia that, over three days, unfold as a grand journey through Caucasus glaciers, ancient towers and wine villages. The road passes through Mestia, Ushguli, mountain passes and high valleys with panoramas of peaks and glaciers.
You’re accompanied by a certified Georgian guide who tells the stories of these places and of life in the mountain regions. In three days the route covers a huge part of mountain Georgia and feels like a truly grand journey.
Itinerary
Day 1
On the first day we leave Batumi for Svaneti, one of Georgia’s most impressive mountain regions. Along the way you’ll see mountains, rivers and gorges, and stops at beautiful spots let you really take in the journey.
By evening we reach Mestia. We walk among the Svan towers and visit a traditional Svan house museum, where you can see how people lived in these mountains for centuries and how their daily life was arranged. We go up to a viewpoint with swings, which opens onto panoramic views of the Svan mountains.
Route of the day
- 08.00departure from Batumi
- Enguri Reservoir
- Lunch overlooking the Enguri River (optional)
- Scenic mountain roads and waterfalls
- Arrival in Mestia
- Margiani Svan House Museum
- A high-altitude viewpoint with swings
- Hotel check-in in Mestia
- A walk around Mestia among the Svan towers
- Dinner
- Horseback ride (optional)
Day 2
On the second day the route crosses high-mountain Svaneti with a climb to Ushguli, where ancient towers still stand and you can see Shkhara. The scenery changes all day, and almost every stop on the route offers striking, memorable views.
In the second half of the day we continue to Racha, where we discover the region’s wine tradition. The day ends in the village of Khvanchkara, with a Racha family and a tasting of qvevri wine.
Our route
- 08.00departure for Racha
- Ugviri Pass (one of the best views of Mount Ushba)
- Ushguli village
- The towers of Ushguli
- 12th-century Lamaria Church
- Queen Tamar’s Tower
- View of Mount Shkhara (5,201 m)
- Lunch in Ushguli
- Zagaro Pass (2,600 m)
- Lailashi village
- Open-air mineral pool
- View of the Ladjanuri hydropower plant
- Gvirishi Waterfall
- Sairme Pillars
- Khvanchkara village
- Visit to a family wine cellar in Racha
- Dinner with a Georgian family (optional)
- Hotel stay in Ambrolauri
Day 3
The third day is spent amid the mountain landscapes of Racha. Along the way come panoramas of forests, Shaori Reservoir and ancient churches, while your guide tells the stories and legends of these places.
The highlight of the day is Nine Crosses mountain. The hike (900 m) leads through the forest to the summit, home to St. George’s Church and nine crosses. By local tradition you make nine wishes here, and from the top you can see the Tkibuli mountain ridges.
Our route
- 09.00departure for Batumi
- Heart Waterfall
- Nikortsminda Monastery
- Shaori Reservoir
- Climb up Nine Crosses mountain (1,500 m)
- St. George’s Church
- Lunch
- Return to Batumi
What’s included
- Certified guide
- Comfortable transfer
- Stay in comfortable hotels with breakfast
- Entrance ticket to the Svan House Museum of Margiani
- Alcoholic and soft drinks in the car
Not included
- Lunches and dinners
- Horseback ride
