Hut to Hut Ski Tour in Georgian Caucasus, Svaneti

Discover Svaneti, one of the most beautiful and remote places of Georgia, on this exciting ski tour along with Ilia, a local IFMGA certified guide.

Ilia

Details

Trip Duration

11 days

Mountain Range

Caucasus

People per Guide

8 people

Trip Level

Intermediate

Offer Period

Feb, Mar, Apr, May

Type of Trip

Private

Highlights

Enjoy ski touring in a fantastic destination in Georgia.

Discover the natural wonders and dreamy landscapes of Svaneti.

Join a multi-day hut to hut ski touring adventure like no other.

Would you like to experience the unique ski touring opportunities that Georgia has to offer? Then you must join me on this 11-day hut to hut adventure to experience the snowy peaks of Svaneti, in the Caucasus mountains. Not only will you have the chance to experience pristine untouched powder, but you will also discover the beautiful local culture as you explore different mountain villages.

Svaneti (also called Svanetia) is an ancient region in the northwestern part of Georgia. Located in the heart of the Caucasus, it is surrounded by the highest peaks of the range, at altitudes between 3000 and 5000 meters. Towering mountains, coniferous forests, pristine snow, and glaciers are part of the dreamy landscape of Svaneti, which is considered one of the most beautiful places in the country. Besides the natural attractions, the region is also known for its historical stone villages. Furthermore, in the past few years, Svaneti has become a very attractive spot for winter sport lovers.

On this 11-day adventure, we will visit the small village of Becho, Mestia and a community of villages called Ushguli. Each day, we will travel to different mountains in the region, of altitudes up to 3000m. You will be able to enjoy an exhilarating skiing program that will take your breath away while discover the Georgia mountains and its warm and welcoming local people! Find the complete itinerary below.

Please contact me if you want to be a part of this Svaneti skiing tour next winter. I’m a local GMGA certified guide who will be glad to show you the best spots of this outstanding region of Georgia.

You can also check another great tour that I offer in Georgia: Gudauri freeride and ski touring trip.

Price per person

Group of 1

2000 EUR

Group of 2

1650 EUR

Group of 3

1600 EUR

Group of 4

1500 EUR

Group of 5

1400 EUR

Group of 6

1400 EUR

Group of 7

1400 EUR

Group of 8

1400 EUR

Price includes

Guiding fee
Accommodation
Transport during the trip
Luggage transfer during the trip
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Cancellation Policy

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival
Arrive to the airport of Tbilisi (Georgia’s capital city) and departure to Svaneti. There’s a chance of taking a flight from Natakhtari (near Tbilisi) or Kutaisi airport to Mestia airport. We spend the night in a guesthouse at Becho village.

Day 2: Mount Decil
This is our first ski tour. We go from Village Mazeri to Mount Decil (at 2578 m). Then, we descend to village Etseri (1500 m). Finally, we spend the night in Becho.

Day 3: Guli Valley
We go from Village Mazeri to Guli Valley (there’s a viewpoint at 3200m). Then, we descent on Guli glacier to village Bagvdanari (at 1600 m). Night in Becho.

Day 4: Mount Simzagari
We go from village Etseri to Mount Simzagari (3311 m). Then, we descend to village Ipari (1300 m). Spend the night in Becho.

Day 5: Tskhkvzagari
We drive to Mestia and then go to Tskhkvzagari (2353 m). We descend on Chaladi glacier. Spend the night at a hotel in Mestia.

Day 6: Tetnuldi resort
A transfer takes us from Mestia to Tetnuldi resort (2000 m). We use lifts to 3300 m. After that, we descend to village Zabeshi (1600 m). Night in Mestia.

Day 7: Tetnuldi resort
Transfer takes us from Mestia again to Tetnuldi resort. We use lifts to 3300m. We descend to village Adishi (2000m). Finally, we drive to Ushguli, where we spend the night at a guesthouse.

Day 8: Mount Kareta
We go from Ushguli to Enguri Valley, and from there to Mount Kareta (3524 m). Then we descend on Shkara glacier to Ushguli. Finally, we spend the night at a guesthouse in Ushguli.

Day 9: Mount Kuruldashi
We go from Ushguli to Mount Kuruldashi (3014 m). Once there, we have a beautiful view of Mount Ushba, TeTnuldi and Shkara. After that, we descend to Ushguli and be transferred to Mestia. We spend the night in a hotel in Mestia.

Day 10: Hatsvali ski resort
We go to Hatsvali ski resort (2400 m). After a short hike, we descend to village Kala (1400 m). We spend the night in Mestia.

Day 11: Departure
We return to Tbilisi. Then, a transfer takes you to the airport for departure.

Other details

Skill level required

Intermediate

Fitness level required

Fit

Meeting point

Airport of Tbilisi (Georgia)

Accommodation

Guesthouse and hotels.

About the Guide

Ilia

Mountain Guide

41 reviews

I'm a fully certified IFMGA / UIAGM mountain guide from Tbilisi, Georgia. I have the GMGA (Georgian Mountain Guides Association) certificate and I'm a member of the Austrian Mountain Guide Association.

I'm a professional mountaineer, national team member of Georgian Mountain Federation. I am actively climbing in the Caucasus mountain range.

The programs I guide more often are:
- Mountaineering = Mt. Kazbek, Mt. Tetnuldi, Mt. Ushba, Chaukhi region.
- Ski Touring = Gudauri, Svaneti, Kazbegi regions.
I also manage large expeditions and base camps for Caucasus Mountains.

Please get in touch with me if you plan to come to Georgia. It will be my great pleasure to help you and to guide you in our awesome mountains.

I am leading a Guide Office in Georgia, and work together with my colleagues George, Lasha and Leri (National certified Mountain Guides). In case I'm not available, one of them will be your guide.

Certificates

IFMGA
GMGA

Certificates

IFMGA
GMGA

Languages

English
Georgian
Russian

Languages

English
Georgian
Russian

Residence

Tbilisi, Georgia

Residence

Tbilisi, Georgia

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What People are Saying

6 reviews

We spent an exceptional week in Svaneti. Ilia guided us safely all around the valley. The place is wonderful and exceptionally well preserved. Villages are just out of time and still protected from mass tourism. they should definitly be visited soon... We enjoyed extraordinary views and gigantic landscapes, followed by endless descents in superb snow... Ilia\'s reputation clearly precedes him among all the guides who consider him as a reference. One recommendation : Get there soon and enjoy this beautiful region!

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Louis Hubert P.

Mestia and in particular Ushguli provided for a remarkable context to this amazing, off the beaten track skiing trip. The pictures speak for themselves: it is developing quickly but is nevertheless a place frozen in time, where cows and donkeys far outnumber cars and the Caucasus provides for an imposing backdrop. Georgian hospitality was fantastic and Ilia made sure we were well looked after at all times, on and off the slope. We felt very safe enjoying the copious amounts of powder that was falling the week we were there. We kept on bumping into groups of people who had been guided by him in prior seasons and felt compelled to visit again - and something tells me we might join those ranks soon too...

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Oliver Schmid

Mestia in the Svaneti region will not remain an idem gem for long. It\'s got it all: alpine descents, all-you-can-ski powder and remote villages charged with history. Illia was a great guide both in and out of the slopes; safe, fun and knowledgeable. And do not worry about the food, it is amazing!

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Benoit Tesch

Absolutely loved our trip to Georgia. In short: incredibly pittoresque villages, wonderful people, amazing food, stunning scenaries, ridiculous powder (some of the best snow ever!), and a very friendly, professional and experienced ski guide. You will always feel safe with Ilia. What more does one need? I highly recommend a trip to the beautiful Svaneti region.

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Victoria van Lennep