Koruldi Lakes above Mestia in half a day: a steep 4×4 climb to the cross at 2,160 m, then a trek to alpine lakes at 2,750 m with Ushba views. From ₾400 per jeep.
Route: Mestia → cross at 2,160 m → Koruldi Lakes
The Koruldi Lakes lie on an alpine plateau at 2,750 metres right above Mestia. From here opens perhaps the most striking view in the region: the twin-headed Ushba (4,710 m), the pyramid of Tetnuldi and the whole Mestia valley at your feet. In calm weather the peaks reflect in the lakes — the postcard image of Svaneti you've seen everywhere.
The climb to Koruldi is one of the steepest jeep routes in Georgia. The 4×4 crawls up the switchbacks from Mestia to the cross at 2,160 metres, and above that real off-road begins. Depending on weather and ground conditions we either drive all the way to the lakes or leave the car at the cross and walk the last stretch (30–40 minutes). An ordinary car simply cannot make this climb.
The whole route takes 3.5–4 hours, so Koruldi is best taken either in the morning or the afternoon, leaving the other half of the day for the Chalaadi glacier or a walk around Mestia. It is noticeably colder and windier up top than in town, even at the height of summer: a warm jacket is a must. The cross above Mestia is a draw in itself — many stay to watch the sunset with a view of Ushba.
Half a day — 3.5–4 hours from Mestia and back. Most of the time is the steep jeep climb; up at the lakes and the viewpoint we spend about an hour. The route pairs easily with a second activity the same day.
It depends on weather and road conditions. In dry weather the 4×4 reaches almost to the lakes. After rain the last stretch is walked from the cross — 30–40 minutes on an easy trail. The guide decides on the spot what is safer.
₾400 is for the 4×4 for up to 6 people with driver and an English-speaking guide. It's one of the best-value options for a group: for 4–6 people it works out very cheap for a view like this. Personal expenses are extra.
The road to Koruldi is a steep, rocky switchback with off-road above the cross. A regular car can't handle the climb, and after rain it's dangerous even for an unprepared 4×4. We only go in a prepared 4×4 with an experienced driver.
Ushba is more often clear in the morning and at sunset — during the day the peak is frequently wrapped in cloud. For the best shots we take either an early start or a pre-sunset run: the light on Ushba is at its most expressive then.
Koruldi is about the views, and the views are about the weather. Ushba is temperamental: clear in the morning, in cloud by noon. If the sky is clear, don't wait — go straight up. At 2,750 metres the wind cuts through even in July, so a warm jacket and hat won't go amiss. And allow an extra 20 minutes at the cross above Mestia: many find the view from there stronger than the lakes themselves.
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Saba is a licensed Svaneti guide (lic. #9332412411), a Mestia native with 10 years in the region. Jeep tours from Mestia, groups up to 6, a flexible schedule for your day in Svaneti.
More about guide Saba →Other tours from Mestia and Svaneti:
Coming to Svaneti from Tbilisi? See the multi-day Svaneti tour → — these day trips from Mestia are included as optional days.
We went to Kazbegi — Timur convinced us the special atmosphere was worth it. Snow by the church, silence. The most romantic day of the trip.
You have no idea how much I enjoyed it. Nice tiredness, nice people, delicious food. Thank you very much.
Wonderful excursion, thank you so much! Everything was top-notch.
Excellent guide. Showed and told us everything about sunny Georgia. Speaks great English and Russian.
Very good guide. We had a great time! The program was tailored to us, recommend!
Highly recommend if you want the best advice and travel services across Georgia.