Ushguli plus a trek to the Shkhara glacier from Mestia: UNESCO village at 2,200 m and the foot of Georgia's highest peak (5,193 m). From ₾750 per jeep.
Route: Mestia → Ushguli → Shkhara Glacier
This is the extended version of the Ushguli trip for those who want not just to see the village but to walk to the foot of Shkhara — the highest peak in Georgia (5,193 m). First we drive to Ushguli, the highest inhabited village in Europe under UNESCO protection, then set out on a trek up the Enguri valley to the tongue of the Shkhara glacier. In one full day — both medieval towers and big Caucasus ice.
From Ushguli to the foot of the glacier runs about 6 kilometres of trail along the Enguri river — this is its source. The route is gentle by mountain standards but not quick: the climb to about 2,200 metres and back takes 3–4 hours. At the end the trail reaches a moraine, beyond which the ice wall of Bezengi and Shkhara rises. The level is moderate: you need reasonable fitness and trekking shoes, but no mountaineering skills.
We leave Mestia earlier than usual — at 8:30 — because the day is long: 2 hours to Ushguli, seeing the village, 3–4 hours of trekking, lunch and the return. The 4×4 with driver waits for us in Ushguli while we are on the trail. In Ushguli there is a token 2 GEL fee at the Tower of Love. We're back in Mestia by 19:00, so it's best to keep the evening free. If a trek isn't for you, the standard Ushguli tour without the glacier walk is a gentler option.
It adds a trek: besides seeing the village of Ushguli you walk to the foot of the Shkhara glacier — 6 km of trail along the Enguri each way. The regular Ushguli tour is limited to the village and a distant view of Shkhara, with no walk out to the glacier.
Moderate. The trail is gentle with no dangerous sections, but long — 6 km each way and 3–4 hours for the whole walking part. You need reasonable fitness and trekking shoes. No mountaineering gear or experience is required.
9–10 hours: departure from Mestia at 8:30, return around 19:00. That includes 2 hours of driving each way, seeing Ushguli, the trek to the glacier and lunch. It's a full day, so keep the evening free.
₾750 is for the 4×4 for up to 6 people with driver and an English-speaking guide for the whole day, including on the trek. Lunch in Ushguli, the Tower of Love fee (2 ₾) and personal expenses are extra.
June to September, when the trail to Shkhara is free of snow and the river is calm for the fords. In the shoulder season there may be snow patches and high water, so we adjust the route to trail conditions and the forecast.
The Shkhara glacier is the source of the Enguri, and in early summer the stream fords can be higher than you'd like. Bring trekking poles and don't skip a spare pair of socks. Set out on the trail right after Ushguli, without dragging lunch out: in the afternoon clouds roll off the glacier and the panorama of the Shkhara wall closes in. The best light on the peak is before noon.
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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.