Explore mountain villages on this private 2-day tour from Kutaisi! You will be going off-road for part of the trip to one of Europe's highest continuously inhabited villages. Imagine, 200 people spending harsh winters at 2100m., totally isolated from the world. You'll go there by 4x4 vehicle on the picturesque mountain road, will spend the night at the Ushguli village, and enjoy local Svanetian cuisine. The next day you will come back to Kutaisi. Itinerary: Day 1 Kutaisi - Ushguli - Lamaria church - Shkhara glacier - Ushguli. In the morning Megobari Tours Georgia guide will pick you up at your Kutaisi hotel and you will start your beautiful trip to the mountains. You will go on the picturesque Kutaisi – Lentekhi – Ushguli road. Listen to the stories about Svaneti, a Georgian region that has best preserved ancient culture and language. In the afternoon you will arrive at one of the highest villages in Europe, Ushguli at 2100 m. where a few hundred people live all year round. You will visit the 9th-century Lamaria church with views of the highest Georgian peak – Mt. Shkara 5193m. Afterwards, go to explore the Shkhara glacier, our guide will take you on a 4x4 vehicle part of the road and you will continue hiking part of the route, approx. 4 km and 1.5-2 hours both ways. It is optional to do this trip horseback riding. After the hike, take iconic photos of Ushguli village from the King Tamar castle viewpoint & take a car to Mestia. Day 2 Mestia - Hatsvali Lift - Mestia Museum - Enguri Dam - Kutaisi. The guide will meet you at the hotel and together you will wander in the old town of Mestia among Svan defense towers, if you dare, you can climb one of these. Take a Hatsvali ski lift from the center of Mestia town & enjoy the beautiful panorama of the Caucasian mountains range. After enjoying mountain views visit the Svaneti Museum of History, and explore impressive artifacts, that were hidden in Svaneti during the wars of Georgia. After lunch, you will leave Mestia and drive through the picturesque mountain road until Enguri Dam. In the evening you will head back to Kutaisi. Drop off at Kutaisi Hotel. Here are a few must-try of local svan cuisine specialties, in case you will be having dinner without our guide: "Kubdari" meat-filled bread, "Fetvraal Khachapuri" bread filled with cheese and millet seeds, and "Tashmijabi" potato puree with sulguni cheese.

You will leave Kutaisi early in the morning and start a journey through a beautiful mountain road along the Tskhenitskali mountain river (which translates to "horse water"). You will stop at two beautiful waterfalls on the way and continue to the mythological Khvamli Mountain in the Racha-Lechkhumi-Zemo Svaneti region. You will drive up to the 2002 meters above the sea level, and enjoy majestic views of the vineyards, rivers, and mountain valleys on the way. You will explore the Khvamli mountain, listen to the legends about it, visit St.Giorgi church, and enjoy the views of the Imereti region and Kutaisi city and take memorable photos. Khvamli Mountain, or Khomli, is believed to be a treasury of Georgian kings, an ancient observatory, it is also related to the legend of Argonauts and the Golden Fleece, and most importantly the Prometheus legend. Jules Vernes has written in one of his novels, ‘The rock of Khomli, overlooking Koutais, to which Prometheus was bound, and where the vultures eternally feed upon his entrails as a punishment for having stolen the bolts of heaven.’” Enjoy a picnic with Georgian meals and wine and take a car down from Khvamli. You will drive through the spectacular Tsageri pass, exploring more natural wonders and ancient fortresses in the region. You will discover the remote Lailashi village at 850 meters above sea level, once home to Georgians, Jews, Armenians, and Greeks. Here we will show the so-called "secret pool" where you can take breathtaking photos or take a swim if you dare, as the water comes from the cold mountain spring. The last wonder to explore on this day will be the limestone Sairme pillars, a spectacular natural formation with ancient church ruins on the top. You will drive up to the parking by 4x4 and continue to walk on a paved road towards the pillars. Enjoy the walk in a fragrant pine tree forest and take a break with some snacks before returning back to Kutaisi. In 2 hours you will reach Kutaisi, and drop off at Kutaisi hotel.