Svaneti Mountain Villages 4x4 Safari, tour from Kutaisi
Overview
Available languages
48 hours
Mobile ticket
Explore remote mountain villages on this 2- or 3-day adventure from Kutaisi! You’ll go off-road to reach one of Europe’s highest continuously inhabited villages — Ushguli, where around 200 people live year-round at 2,100 meters, cut off from the world each winter. Travel in a 4x4 along a spectacular mountain road, hike to the Shkhara Glacier, and stay overnight in Mestia. Next day will return to Kutaisi, expected return: approx. 7–8 PM (let us know if you need to be back by a specific time).
Please note: Accommodation is not included in the tour price. We recommend booking a hotel in Mestia, at walking distance from Seti Square — feel free to contact us for suggestions!
Tour options: 1. Small group tour (max 6 passengers per car), 2. Private 2-day tour, 3. Private 3-day tour.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
4x4 or AWD Vehicle (3-6 seats)
Hiking in Svaneti with the guide (as described)
English-speaking guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Photo stops along the route
Kutaisi hotel pickup and drop-off
Accommodation (you should book it in Mestia)
Hatsvali Cable car, optional (25 Gel)
Traditional Svanetian house with tower, optional (10 Gel)
Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography, optional (20 Gel)
Enguri Dam, optional (25 Gel)
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Kutaisi - Ushguli - Lamaria church - Shkhara glacier - Mestia.
Kutaisi
We will leave Kutaisi in the morning for our beautiful trip to the mountains
Ushguli
Visit the 9th-century Lamaria Church, hike to Shkhara Glacier and take iconic photos of Ushguli from the Queen Tamar Castle viewpoint
Mestia - Hatsvali Lift - Mestia Museum - Enguri Dam - Kutaisi.
Mestia
We will wander in the old town of Mestia among Svan defense towers, listen to stories & legends about Svaneti.
Lets take ski lift from the center of Mestia town & enjoy beautiful panorama of Caucasian mountains. If ski lift wouldnt work, guide will drive up to the viewpoint.
Margiani's House Museum
On the way we will visit an Ethnographic house-museum or Mountaineering museum.
Kutaisi
After lunch we leave to Kutaisi, at night we will be back in Kutaisi
Options
Svaneti Small group 2-day tour
Pickup included
Svaneti Private 2-day tour
Private tour
Pickup included
Svaneti Private 3-day tour
Chaladi Glacier and Schdugra W: This option is great for travelers who want to spend more time hiking in the Caucasian mountains with a guide
Pickup included
Reviews
29 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Recommended
Jorgelina S,
Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00A very nice way to get into the Caucasus and appreciate nature. Mikheili was a warm, attentive and knowledgeable guide to his country.
Good option to see Esvanetia
Paloma A,
Oct 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour went as expected. Everything went well, although some things were not available, like the cable car. The dam was not in operation
Mesmerising Svaneti Mountains
aryans715,
Sep 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a mesmerizing experience of Svaneti in the autum season. Our driver was very lively and helpful throughout. Enjoyed a lot. Love from India.
Compact but impressive excursion to Swanetia
caroh456,
Sep 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The two-day tour to Mestia and Ushguli was a really great experience and definitely worth the money. Although the bus for six people was a bit small and narrow (max. 5 people would have been more comfortable), but overall it was a very successful trip. There were many stops to take photos and enjoy the impressive surroundings. The trip provided a quick but very impressive overview of Swanetia. Anna did a great job and also gave us excellent food recommendations.
Recommended at 200%. AMAZING Experience! :)
Y4782VFpabloc,
Sep 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Brutal experience, out of 10! Super recommended. Teona, the guide is a super responsible person with the group (we were only 2 couples, which made it closer and special even) and very interesting and attentive. He knows the region wonderfully and transmits his passion for the Georgian mountains at every turn. He had many details with us during the trip (I buy typical bread, a bottle of wine, offer me his canes for trekking, chocolate,... Incredible) as well as recommendations and information of interest about the country. It was better than we expected. Recommended at 200%.
Great tour
marliesv292,
Sep 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I really loved this tour. All the activities were great, the hike to the glacier was fun and I appreciatie you can pick your own hotel in Mestia. We had James as a tour guide and driver; he was fun, informative, and very happy to stop for photographs along the way. This might have been my favourite tour I’ve ever done.
Unique experience you should not miss
Hans JF P,
Sep 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This 2 day excursion exceeded all my expectations Despite the rain and the long distance covered we had a truthfully great and unique experience with our guide James to see this region of Georgia everyone should visit Svaneti! I would say this is the best part of all of Georgia’s nice places. Nature, culture, animals not so many tourists and a great variety in sites to explore make this excursion a MUST do Hats off for our great driver James
Strongly recommended
Mariangela2492,
Aug 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We have just returned from a two-day "safari" in Svaneti, staying overnight in Mestia. We did the 4x4 tour with Teona, a kind, helpful and prepared person. He made us fall in love with this land with his stories, from which a deep attachment and sincere empathy for the Georgian people shone through. On the first day we had the chance to do a short and easy trek (2 hours about) to get closer to the glacier. Despite the bad weather on the second day prevented us from making the cable car ride to enjoy the beautiful view, we fell back on the visit of the Enguri Dam, an important engineering work. Overall we recommend this tour: the landscapes are breathtaking, the urban agglomerations with very characteristic tower houses and divine food, as in every place in Georgia. Thank you Teona and happy birthday! ❤️☺️ We hope to see you again soon!
Amazing adventures in Svaneti
74seanc,
Aug 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This Svaneti Villages tour ended up being the absolute highlight of our trip to Georgia. The views in Svaneti are just breathtaking, Ushguli and especially the Shkhara Glacier were the best parts. The tour itself was really full-on, with so much to see and do that we never once felt bored. But honestly, what made the overall experience great was our guide, Ana. She wasn’t just super knowledgeable and professional, but also really warm and down-to-earth. She always made sure we were comfortable and enjoying ourselves, and you could tell how much she genuinely loves Svaneti. It honestly felt more like traveling with a friend than with a guide. Out of all the tours we did in Georgia, this was by far the best one. If you’re planning to go to Svaneti, we can’t recommend this tourenough!
Excellent private transfer Ushguli - Kutaisi
Escape29214644606,
Jun 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ana is an amazing driver! After our Mestia-Ushguli hike we were looking for a faster transfer to Kutaisi. The car was in a great condition, Ana shared very useful insights into Georgia and we made stops when needed - 100% recommended!
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Operated by Megobari Tours Georgia