Home Day Tours from Mestia Ushguli Day Tour
Day Tour from Mestia

Ushguli Day Tour
From Mestia, Svaneti

Full day (~6 hours)
Small groups or private
4x4 from Mestia
Starts in Mestia
Ushguli - highest permanently inhabited village in Europe (2200m)
Medieval Svan towers - UNESCO World Heritage Site
Lamaria Church - 12th century, still active today
Shkhara Viewpoint - highest peak in Georgia (5203m)
Love Tower with a local legend - your guide tells the story
Local guide included - EN, GE, RU
About This Tour

Into the village that feels like the end of the world

Ushguli sits at 2200 meters above sea level, about 45 km from Mestia. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the highest permanently inhabited villages in Europe, and the kind of place that makes you stop talking and just look around.

You'll travel by 4x4 through the Enguri valley - the road itself is part of the experience. Svan farmhouses, meadows, the river below. The first stop is the Ushba Viewpoint, where you get a direct view of the twin-peaked Ushba (4710m) before continuing deeper into the mountains.

In Ushguli, you'll walk through a village that hasn't changed much in centuries. Medieval defensive towers rise above stone houses. The Lamaria Church - built in the 9th-10th century and still used today - sits above the village with Shkhara (5203m) filling the entire horizon behind it.

There's free time to walk at your own pace, explore the lanes between towers, and have lunch at one of the small local guesthouses if you want. No rushing.

How the Day Goes

Tour Itinerary

9:30 AM

Pickup in Mestia

We pick you up in front of Hotel Daeli, near Market Spar in the center of Mestia. Private tours can be arranged at a different time if needed.

First stop

Ushba Viewpoint (4710m)

A stop on the road out of Mestia with a direct view of Mount Ushba (4710m) - one of the most striking twin-peaked mountains in the Caucasus.

~45 min drive

Scenic drive through Svan valleys

The road to Ushguli follows the Enguri River through traditional Svan villages. Medieval towers on every hillside. Partly paved, partly off-road.

Along the way

Love Tower stop

A well-preserved Svan tower with a local legend. Your guide will tell you the story. Entry fee: 2 GEL per person, paid on site.

Arrival

Ushguli village - Svan towers and Lamaria Church

Walk through the UNESCO-listed village. Medieval towers, stone lanes, and the 12th century Lamaria Church above the rooftops. Your guide explains the history.

Highlight

Shkhara Viewpoint (5203m)

The highest mountain in Georgia, seen from the edge of the village. On a clear day the glacier fills the entire backdrop.

Free time

Walk the village at your own pace

Wander the lanes, have lunch at a local guesthouse, take photos. We build in enough time so you're not rushed.

Afternoon

Return to Mestia

Drive back along the same valley. Total tour duration: approximately 6 hours.

Pricing

Ushguli Day Tour - how much does it cost?

Option
Price
Shared Tour
Join a small group. Shared 4x4, fixed departure at 9:30 AM. Local guide included.
70 GELper person

* For larger groups we can arrange multiple vehicles. Write to us on WhatsApp and we'll sort it out.

Direct booking - better price, no platform fee
Local team - operating in Svaneti since 2015
Quick response - usually within the hour
What's Included

Included in the price

Included

4x4 transfer from/to Mestia
Local guide (EN, GE, RU)
Ushba Viewpoint stop
Love Tower stop
Lamaria Church and Shkhara Viewpoint
Free time in Ushguli village

Not Included

Food and drinks
Love Tower entry fee (2 GEL/person, pay on site)
Personal travel insurance
Practical Info

Before you go

Difficulty
Easy - no hiking required, full 4x4 tour
Meeting Point
In front of Hotel Daeli, near Market Spar, Mestia
Departure
9:30 AM (shared) - flexible for private tours
Duration
~6 hours total
Best Season
All year - winter is different but equally beautiful
Village Altitude
Ushguli sits at 2200m - dress warmer than Mestia
What to Bring

Pack for the Ushguli tour

👟 Comfortable walking shoes (uneven village terrain)
🧥 Warm layers (cooler at 2200m)
🕶️ Sunscreen and sunglasses
📷 Camera or charged phone
💵 Cash (GEL) for entry fees and lunch
💧 Water and snacks for the road
FAQ

Ushguli Day Tour - common questions

Is the Ushguli tour available in winter?
Yes - Ushguli is accessible all year. Winter conditions are different but genuinely beautiful: snow-covered towers, fewer tourists, a quieter atmosphere. The road requires a proper 4x4 in winter, which is what we use. Just dress for the cold - Ushguli can be significantly colder than Mestia.
What's the difference between shared and private?
Shared: you join a small group in a shared car, fixed 9:30 AM departure, 70 GEL per person. Guide included. Private: the car is yours - your schedule, your group, your pace. 300 GEL for the vehicle (up to 7 people). If you're 4 or more, private works out equal or cheaper per person and gives you full flexibility.
Do I need any hiking experience?
No. The entire tour is by 4x4. Walking in Ushguli itself is easy - flat to gently uneven terrain through the village. There's no trekking involved. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, including older travelers and children.
Are entry fees included in the tour price?
Not all of them. The Love Tower has a small entry fee of 2 GEL per person, paid on site. Walking through the village, visiting the Lamaria Church area and the Shkhara viewpoint is free. Bring a bit of cash for these small fees and for lunch if you plan to eat in Ushguli.
Can I have lunch in Ushguli?
Yes - there are a few small family guesthouses in Ushguli that serve food. Expect simple Georgian dishes: kubdari, khinkali, bread, cheese. Nothing fancy, but it's local and worth it. Lunch is not included in the tour price. We build in enough free time so you can eat without rushing.
What if the weather is bad?
We monitor the weather and will let you know in advance if conditions make the trip unsafe. Overcast or light rain doesn't mean a cancellation - Ushguli in moody weather has its own atmosphere. If we cancel on our side, you get a full refund or the option to reschedule.
How do I book the Ushguli Day Tour?
Book directly via WhatsApp or Instagram - we usually reply within a few minutes. Direct booking gives you a better price and you deal directly with the local team running the tour.

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