Ushguli
Ushguli is a community of four villages in Northwestern Georgia next to the foot of Shkhara, one of the highest Caucasian summits.
Understand
[edit]The Ushguli villages contain buildings that are part of the UNESCO heritage site of Upper Svaneti.
Get in
[edit]
Transportation into Ushguli is very limited. There is a road from Kutaisi that is serviced by private vehicles.
By taxi
[edit]Otherwise a trip from Mestia is the easiest way to see Ushguli. A private vehicle can take you up for a day trip, or for a few days. The cost will be approximately 200 lari for a day trip. There are also some local drivers that gather several tourists and do the tour splitting the costs (in this case the price per person will be 50 lari [updated Sept 2024] ), available most days outside of winter, just ask around in Mestia. The price for round trip and one way to Ushguli is the same as they can't be guaranteed a new passenger to fill the space once in Ushguli. With a shared trip out you can expect about 4 hours in Ushguli and a return mid afternoon. The trip from Mestia takes about 1½ hr one way without snow, a marked improvement form the past as the road has been significantly improved. In ideal weather conditions, nearly any car can be used to reach Ushguli with only a very small section (<1km) not yet paved.
On foot
[edit]It is also possible to hike from Mestia in 3-4 days which is a great way to see Svaneti for the able-bodied—see Northwestern Georgia#Do.
Get around
[edit]Once in the villages, you can walk between them all very easily.
See
[edit]- Typical Svanetian protective towers are found throughout the village.
- Ushguli Chapel (On a hilltop near the village). It dates back to the 12th century.
Do
[edit]- A visit to the Ethnography museum is well worth the 5-6 lari that the local children will ask for admission. Housed in a preserved Svan house, the museum contains artifacts ranging in age from the long history of the Svaneti region. The local children will provide rehearsed description of the artifacts in passable English.
- The Georgian wartime treasury. Placed in the "most inaccessible part of Georgia" the countless national treasures were held in the Ushguli monastery during periods of conflict.
- Go to Enguri to Shkhara
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]There are a few restaurants in the villages serving traditional Georgian and Svan home cooking, catering to the increasing numbers of tourists. You could also get food from your guest house.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]Ask anyone in the village for a place to sleep or just walk around until you see a sign saying "Guest house" (there are a lot of them). The price will be US$20-30 per night. Most accommodation includes a cafe and some may include all your food in the price of your stay. Negotiate with your host as appropriate.
Go next
[edit]- Mazeri – A Svaneti mountain village, surrounded by a stunningly beautiful landscapes and huge waterfalls. The starting point for a several exciting Svaneti trekking routes, including Mount Ushba glacier trek.