One of the most incredible places to visit in Svaneti is Ushguli, a collection of small mountain villages located deep inside the Great Caucasus Mountain Range, about 1 hour away from Mestia. Ushguli is considered to be one of the highest inhabited villages in Europe, standing at 2,345 meters above sea level, and the entire area is a designated UNESCO heritage site.
In this travel guide, I’ll provide all the information you need to plan the perfect trip to Ushguli, including a comprehensive list of things to do, how to get there, how many days to spend, and more. So, without further ado, here’s your complete travel guide to Ushguli:
Ushguli Things to Do Map
6 Best Things to Do in Ushguli
1. Visit Lamaria church
One of the most important and iconic landmarks in Ushguli is Lamaria Church, an ancient Pagan pantheon turned Orthodox church perched on top of a hill, set against the stunning 5,201-meter-high snow-capped peaks of the Shkhara Mountain.
The church dates back to the 9th and 10th centuries, and it is dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God. Lamaria is a name given to Mary, the mother of Jesus, by the Svan people, which is why the church is called Lamaria.
According to local legend, the Lamaria Church was the site where the nobleman was killed after attempting to impose his rule over the free people of Ushguli. The story goes that the entire village came together to pull a cord connected to the musket's trigger, killing the man and equally sharing the responsibility for his death.
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Despite its rather dark myth surrounding it, there is no denying that the church is incredibly scenic, thanks to its striking location, perching on top of a hill where you can see from anywhere in Ushguli, while the Shkhara Mountain hovers over it.
Not only that, but the interior has been preserved with much of its original frescoes remaining on the walls and ceiling of the church. While many of the frescoes are fading, you can still appreciate the incredible details. Another thing I like is that photography is allowed inside the church, which is uncommon in many places in Georgia.
The church is still in use, so be sure to respect the dress code. If you're wearing shorts or are a woman, make sure to cover up and cover your hair. They provide scarves at the entrance, so you don't need to bring one with you. The church is open from 9 AM to 8 PM every day, and the entrance is free.
2. Check Out the View from Queen Tamar Castle
One of the best viewpoints you can get in Ushguli is from Queen Tamar Castle, a medieval fortress, or what's left of it, where Queen/King Tamar used to reside during the winter. The fortress is dated around the 10th - 11th Century, during the golden age of Georgia.
The complex originally consisted of four towers and a church. Unfortunately, much has been lost over time, and now you can only see the church, one remaining tower, and the ruins of two other towers. Still, it holds historic significance and is a great place to visit.
The view from the castle is also incredible, as it sits atop a hill overlooking all four villages in Ushguli. From here, you can see nearly the entire valley, with the Svan Towers marking each village. It is truly quite a sight to behold.
The climb to the castle is quite steep, but it’s short, and you should be able to reach it from Zhibiani in about 15 minutes. Since there’s not much left of the castle, you can visit it anytime, and there is no entrance fee. If you love history or are looking for a great viewpoint in Ushguli, this is the place to be.
3. Explore Zhibiani's Street
As I mentioned earlier, Ushguli is not just one village but a collection of four. The largest and highest of them all is Zhibiani, where most of the accommodation and tourist attractions are located. The village is connected by narrow, winding dirt tracks sandwiched by old stone buildings and towers, which makes for a great place to explore.
When they refer to Ushguli as the highest inhabited place in Europe, they are actually talking about Zhibiani, which is situated at 2,100 meters above sea level, the highest of them all. The entire village is a UNESCO Heritage Site, so wandering through it feels like exploring an open-air museum.
Inside the village, you'll find several Svan Towers that you can visit and climb for a great view of Zhibiani. There are also a handful of cafes, restaurants, and small house museums to explore. You never know what you might stumble upon around the corner in Zhibiani. Be sure to spend some time exploring every nook and cranny while you're here.
4. Learn More about the Village at Ushguli Museum
Among the stone houses of Zhibiani, you will find Ushguli Museum, a small house ethnographic museum where you will find a room full of old artifacts that show what life was like living in the highest inhabited settlement in Europe.
It's a great place to visit and get a glimpse of how people survived the harsh winters here in the past. The museum isn’t always open, but it's worth checking out. The entrance fee is 10 GEL per person. If you want to learn more about Ushguli and its way of life, be sure to visit this museum.
5. Explore other villages in Ushguli
Since Ushguli consists of 4 villages; Zhibiani, Murkmeli, Chvibiani, and Chazhashi, it would be a shame if you spent a night here and did not explore the other villages. You can start off by exploring Zhibiani and then make your way down to Chvibiani.
In Chvibiani, you won't find many Svan Towers, but there are a few lovely cafes down by the river where you can relax. After that, you can continue to Chazhashi, located behind the hill where Queen Tamar Castle is situated. It has many old medieval towers you can explore, as well as another ethnographic museum, the Church of the Savior of Chazhashi, and more.
Last but not least, make your way to Murkmeli, the lowest village in Ushguli, to explore its towers, visit the Matskhovari Church, and just enjoy the scenic views along the way. The walk from the highest village to the lowest should take no more than 30 minutes.
6. Hike to Shkhara Glacier
If you are looking for a fun half-day hike to tackle while you are in Ushguli, I highly recommend you hike to Shkhara Glacier, a massive glacier located on the slopes of Shkhara Mountain, the second highest mountain in Georgia standing at 5,085 meters above sea level. The glacier formed the Inguri River, which helps supply clean water to Ushguli and other villages in the valley.
The entire hike is about 16 km in total, and you can hike straight from Ushguli. It should take about 5-6 hours to complete, but you can also shorten that time by 2-3 hours and hire a jeep in town to take you to the glacier's trailhead.
If you walk from Ushguli, it should take you about 2.5 hours to reach the trailhead where you will find a cafe where you can take a break. The hike from Ushguli to the cafe is pretty straightforward, as you will be hiking on a relatively flat trail along the Inguri River. If you take a jeep, this part of the hike will be cut out for you as the jeep will take you all the way to the cafe.
Once you arrive at the cafe, you'll need to hike for about an hour up the foot of the glacier before reaching the end of the trail. You can probably hike further, but even then, you won’t be able to get too close to the glacier as it continues to retreat each year. That said, it’s a fantastic day trip from Ushguli. If you're in good shape and want to spend some time in nature, be sure to visit Shkhara Glacier.
Where to Stay in Ushguli?
When to Visit Ushguli?
The best time to visit Ushguli is during the summer months between June and September. During this period, the weather is generally favorable, with minimal rain. Thanks to its elevation, Ushguli also doesn't get as hot as other places in Georgia, so the summer months are the perfect time to visit.
One thing to note is that during winter, Ushguli is often cut off from the rest of the world due to heavy snowfall, so I recommend avoiding a visit between December and March. While skiing may be possible in the surrounding areas, many places, including road access to Ushguli, could be closed. Be sure to ask around in Mestia before planning a winter trip.
How to Get to Ushguli?
To get to Ushguli, you will first have to make your way to Mestia, the largest town in Svaneti. To get to Mestia, you have quite a few options as you can travel here from Tbilisi, Kutaisi, and Batumi, the three largest cities in Georgia. There are several flights, both direct and non-direct, to these cities' airports, and it will depend on what your Georgia itinerary looks like. You can browse for cheap flights through Skyscanner or Expedia.
Getting from Tbilisi to Mestia
Tbilisi is the capital city of Georgia, and it is the furthest away from Mestia out of all 3. Mestia is over 400 km away from Tbilisi, so you can expect to spend at least 10 hours or more if you rely on public transportation.
By Private Transfer: The easiest and most convenient way is to organize a private transfer from Tbilisi. It will cost you 260 USD and take about 10 hours with optional stops along the way. It is quite expensive, but it is direct and less hassle than the other options.
By Public Transportation: For public transportation, the best way is to take the train from Tbilisi to Zugdidi, and then catch a Marshrutka van to Mestia. There is one train at 8:20 AM for about 10 USD and you should get to Zugdidi in 6 hours, arriving at 2:30 PM. Keep in mind that trains in Georgia get booked out days in advance, so be sure to book it early.
From Zugdidi, you should be able to catch a Marshrutka just outside the train station. It should take another 3 - 4 hours and cost around 40 GEL before you arrive in Mestia. The van will leave when it is full. Keep in mind that Marshrutka vans rarely come with AC and if you travel in the summer, it can be quite unbearably hot, so make sure you seat yourself by the window that actually opens.
For a more comfortable ride from Zugdidi to Mestia, you might also find shared taxis waiting for you in front of the train station. They are a bit pricier at 50+ GEL per person or 150 - 200 GEL for the whole car, but way more comfortable and a bit faster than a Marshrutka van.
Getting from Kutaisi to Mestia
By Shared Transfer: The easiest and most convenient way is to organize a shared transfer from Kutaisi. It costs 33 USD and takes about 6 hours. They leave every morning at 7 AM from the organizer's office in Kutaisi city center.
This is how I got to Mestia, and I found the trip very comfortable and on time. There were only 5 people in the car, and we arrived in Mestia around 1 PM. The mountain road to Mestia can be pretty rough at times, so I'm glad I chose this option.
By Public Transportation: From Kutaisi Bus Station, you should be able to find a Marshrutka van to Zugdidi leaving at all hours during the day. They leave when it is full so the schedule is not fixed. The journey should take about 2 hours and cost 7 - 10 GEL per person.
From Zugdidi, you should be able to catch a Marshrutka just outside the train station. It should take another 3 - 4 hours and cost around 40 GEL before you arrive in Mestia. Keep in mind that Marshrutka vans rarely come with AC and if you travel in the summer, it can be quite unbearably hot, so make sure you seat yourself by the window that actually opens.
For a more comfortable ride from Zugdidi to Mestia, you might also find shared taxis waiting for you in front of the train station. They are a bit pricier at 50+ GEL per person, 150 - 200 GEL for the whole car, but way more comfortable and a bit faster than a Marshrutka van.
Getting from Batumi to Mestia
By Shared Transfer: The easiest and most convenient way is to organize a shared transfer from Batumi. It costs 80 GEL and takes about 7 hours. They leave every morning at 6:30 AM from the organizer's office in Batumi.
By Public Transportation: From Batumi Bus Station, you should be able to find a Marshrutka van to Zugdidi leaving at all hours during the day from 8 AM to 8 PM. They leave when it is full so the schedule is not fixed. The journey should take about 3 hours and cost 7 to 10 GEL per person.
From Zugdidi, you should be able to catch a Marshrutka just outside the train station. It should take another 3-4 hours and cost around 40 GEL before you arrive in Mestia. Keep in mind that Marshrutka vans rarely come with AC, and if you travel in the summer, it can be quite unbearably hot, so make sure you seat yourself by the window that actually opens.
For a more comfortable ride from Zugdidi to Mestia, you might also find shared taxis waiting for you in front of the train station. They are a bit pricier at 50+ GEL per person, 150 - 200 GEL for the whole car, but way more comfortable and a bit faster than a Marshrutka van.
Getting from Mestia to Ushguli
Once you arrive in Mestia, you can spend the night there and plan the next part of your journey. From Mestia to Ushguli, you also have a few options:
By Day Trips: One of the most convenient ways to get to Ushguli is to go on a day trip from Mestia, and then you can choose whether to spend a night in Ushguli, or come back and sleep in Mestia.
The organized tour runs daily at 10 AM from Mestia, and you will be taken to Ushguli on a guided tour while also stopping by several places along the way such as the Tower of Love, Queen Tamar Castle, Lamaria Monastery, and more.
The tour costs around 35 USD per person and takes about 3 hours in total. You will be back in Mestia by 3 PM. This is a convenient way to visit Ushguli without worrying about logistics, especially for those short on time. You can book the day trip here.
By Public Transportation: If you want to save costs, there is also a daily marshrutka van that runs between Mestia and Ushguli at around 8 AM from the Mestia Bus Station. The journey takes about 2 hours and costs around 40-50 GEL per person. The van departs once it's full, and they fill up quickly, so be sure to arrive about 30 minutes before the scheduled departure.
By Private Transfer: You can also hire a taxi driver from Mestia Bus Station (or anywhere from Seti Square as that is where the drivers like to hang out) to take you there, but expect to pay at least 200 GEL per car.
By Hiking: This is arguably one of the most epic ways to travel from Mestia to Ushguli. The two towns are connected by a 56-km hiking trail, which takes about 4 days to complete. Here's how the hike typically unfolds:
- Day 1: Mestia - Zhabeshi (16 km)
- Day 2: Zhabeshi - Adishi (10 km)
- Day 3: Adishi - Iprali (18 km)
- Day 4: Iprali - Ushguli (12 km)
You will be spending each night at a local village, which will give you a glimpse of what life is typically like for the locals living here. The trail is clearly marked with distance and hiking duration provided at each stop.
Due to the sheer distance, the hike won't be easy, but you are going to see more of Svaneti than most people do. If you have a few days to spare and you love hiking, this is the way to do it. For more details, check out: A complete guide to trekking from Mestia to Ushguli.
How to Get Around Ushguli?
By Walking: Although Ushguli consists of several villages, the entire area is quite compact, and you should be able to travel between villages on foot. If you're staying overnight, you'll have plenty of time to explore and visit all the places I've suggested in this travel guide without any difficulty.
How Many Days to Spend in Ushguli?
You can visit Ushguli as a day trip from Mestia, but if you truly want to do this town justice, I highly recommend spending at least one night in Ushguli. The town is stunningly framed by snow-capped mountains, and you'll want to experience it at both sunrise and sunset. Trust me, the beauty of Ushguli really shines during the golden hour.
What to Pack for Ushguli?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Ushguli, Georgia:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
- Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
- Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
- Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Georgia
I hope you found this Georgia travel guide useful. If you are looking for something to read to help with your Georgia trip planning even further, be sure to check out the articles below:
- For a complete itinerary to Georgia, check out: 2 Weeks Backpacking Georgia Itinerary.
- Tbilisi is definitely one of my favorite cities in the Caucasus with its vibrancy and liveliness that rival no one. If you are planning a trip here, be sure to check out our guide: 15 Incredible Things to Do in Tbilisi.
- Looking for a great day trip from Tbilisi? How about visiting the romantic wine region of Kakheti? Here is A Complete Travel Guide to Kakheti.
- Nestled between the rolling mountains of the Greater Caucasus Range, Kazbegi is hands down one of the best places to visit in Georgia. From the photogenic Gergeti Trinity Church to all the awesome hikes you can do, here is A Complete Travel Guide to Kazbegi.
- One of the best day trips you can make in Kazbegi is to visit Juta Valley and go hiking around one of the many hiking trails here. Here is A Complete Hiking Guide to Juta Valley.
- An alternative day trip you can make in Kazbegi is to spend a day hiking in Truso Valley, where stunning nature meets incredible history. To help you plan the ultimate trip, here is A Complete Hiking Guide to Truso Valley.
- As one of the oldest cities in Georgia, with a history spanning 3,000 years, Kutaisi has a ton of things for you to see and do. If you're planning a visit, be sure to check out our 10 best things to do in Kutaisi.
- Svaneti is one of the most beautiful regions in Georgia. It is home to not just beautiful mountains, but also the Svans with their rich history, and unique culture. If you want to visit Svaneti, this is the travel guide for you: A Complete Travel Guide to Svaneti
- One of the best hikes you can do in Svaneti is the Koruldi Lakse hike. Here is A Complete Hiking Guide to Koruldi Lakes
- For a complete list of things to do in Mestia, check out: 10 Best Things to Do in Mestia
- Batumi is more than just the Dubai of the Black Sea; it has a rich history, delicious cuisine, and plenty of things to do. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Batumi.
- Wondering where to go after Georgia? Why not drop by Armenia or Azerbaijan afterward?
- For all articles about Georgia, visit our Georgia Travel Guide page.
- Looking to travel to the Caucasus Region? Check out all my articles about the region here: The Caucasus Travel Guide page.
- You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
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