Georgia, Svaneti: description how to get there, photo

One of the most beautiful corners, not spoiled by civilization, is located in a country like Georgia, Svaneti - a place that has preserved its unique beauty. Here you can find a nature that has not changed its original appearance over the past several centuries. Despite the fact that now there is an asphalted road leading here, and even a small airport, thanks to which tourists began to come here, Svaneti continues to keep its pristine beauty.

Svaneti, Georgia. General information

Svaneti is divided into Upper and Lower. Borders pass along the Great Caucasian ridge in the north and the Svanet ridge in the south. The administrative center of Upper Svaneti is a town of Mestia with a population of 2,600 sovans, and the lower one is the village of Lentekhi, home to 1,800 people.

This place is often called a lost world, because even the indigenous people in the majority know about Svaneti only by hearsay. This is due to the fact that this edge is located so high in the mountains that until recently it was practically impossible to get here. Even the enemies did not attempt to conquer Svaneti.

History of Svaneti

The freedom-loving and courageous people inhabiting this beautiful corner, to this day preserved its unique language, which is the only one for communication. The history of Svaneti is several thousand years, during which there were no captures and wars. This is due to the fact that the svans, who had previously inhabited the coastal strip of the Colchis lowland and modern Abkhazia, moved to the mountainous region, preferring freedom of dependence on the enemy.

Let's turn to the pages of the past, which Georgia is proud of (Svanetia). History says that there has never been a serfdom here, and even the nobility was conditional. The absence of wars of conquest, a proud people, keeping the history of their ancestors and living according to their own laws, it is these characteristics that can be found in the past of this most beautiful land.

In the Russian Empire, both valleys of Upper Svaneti entered only in 1840. But even after that, for a long time there were no representatives of the Russian administration, nor the Russian Orthodox Church.

Modern Svaneti - the center of alpine mountaineering and tourism

To date, this unapproachable land is a favorite place for backpackers. Upper Svaneti (Georgia), located in the most picturesque part of the Greater Caucasus Range, attracts lovers of highland recreation to spend time in fabulously beautiful mountains. Mestia, which is an administrative center, is now also called a tourist center - this is where the new route leads, and it is here that the airport is built. Also, ascent starts to the most famous mountain peaks, and now Mestia has a modern ski resort.

Hazvali Resort - mountain fairy tale

This resort was opened quite recently, in 2011. It can not yet be attributed to the world-famous, but nevertheless thousands of tourists from all over Europe come to Hatzvali every year.

The ski season here lasts long enough, from November to mid-April. This is due to the location of the resort, the height above sea level which exceeds 1500 meters.

In connection with the young age of Khitsvali, the length of the ski runs is not very large, but the government is actively working on this issue. Each year new routes are laid.

Another place that attracts thousands of tourists every year is the forest on the hills of Khatzvali, which is an excellent option for hiking and picnics. Thus, if you are planning an active winter vacation, Georgia will be a good choice (Svanetia). Skiing here is among the most popular sports.

Hiking in the mountain Svaneti

Hiking is one of the best ways to travel around Georgia. This is especially true for Svaneti, where during the transitions you will admire the majestic mountains, stormy rivers and emerald meadows. In addition, a march on Svaneti (Georgia) is a continuous feast. Nowhere else in the world will you be able to taste so many delicious dishes and hear so many interesting stories that seem to have come down from the pages of fairy tales.

There are many tours around the edge, from which you can choose a trip to your liking. A pleasant addition, which offers a hike in Georgia (Svanetia), is the sea in Batumi, where you can then go by bus. Anyone can go to such trips, regardless of their physical fitness. Conductors take charge of carrying food and things by themselves, you will only carry the most necessary things in backpacks. There are also no duty and cleaning. Thus, everyone can go on a trip to Svaneti.

In this case, spending the night in tents in the open air and surrounded by majestic mountains will be among your brightest memories. In addition, during his unusual journey in such a fantastically picturesque region as Svanetia (Georgia), you can make a lot of photos, and they will become the most beautiful in your archive.

Hotels for tourists

In recent years, when local tourism began to develop actively, Svaneti (Georgia) has become a place where you can find hotels of very different levels and costs, from the highest class to the budget. Given that the center of tourism is Mestia, it is here that the largest number of them. Despite the traditional difference in the number of stars, here you will find the highest level of service, regardless of the class of the hotel.

Annually new hotels are being built in different architectural solutions. If the direction of your trip is Georgia (Svaneti), the hotels in which you can accommodate meet the highest requirements.

sights

The most famous sights that Georgia (Svanetia) is proud of are Svan towers, architectural treasures, thanks to which this region is also called the country of thousands of towers. This is a structure consisting of five or six floors, which served as a fortress and home to the Svans. They hid here from the enemy all sorts, storing food and drink. History does not know the example when the Svan tower was taken by storm. Even now, a small number of fortresses, preserved to our times, can hide more than one hundred people within their walls. The Svan towers are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Another attraction for which you can visit this beautiful region is Lake Kvedi. It was formed as a result of a landslide, which blocked one of the rivers of the gorge. This place is famous for the extraordinary purity and healing properties of the local air. To the nearest village from the lake, a city called Kvays, stretches a road that gradually turns into a ground road. It can be used for bicycle tracking.

The next attraction of Svaneti is the airport named after Queen Tamara, which is designed in the style of Svan towers. The modern building stands apart from the natural splendor of the mountainous region. The airport has been operating since the end of 2010, however, flights are often delayed due to changing local weather conditions.

If the purpose of your trip is Svaneti (Georgia), the sights to visit include the Michael Hergiani Museum. This is an exhibition dedicated to the great Soviet climber. The museum is located directly in the house of Michael Hergiani and consists of four ethnographic halls dedicated to its ascents, a private room and a memory hall. This place will be significant for every mountaineer and will allow you to get acquainted with the history of Soviet mountaineering through the preserved old photos and equipment of those times.

One of the most beautiful places in Svaneti is the Inguri River, originating from the glaciers of the Greater Caucasus. It is primarily famous for the largest on the territory of the Caucasus HPP, which is the largest arch dam. This place is popular among tourists who are allowed here, despite the fact that the hydroelectric station belongs to the regime facilities. You can get here only on foot, because the roads, like the previous railway branch, are closed. Another feature of Inguri is its unusual azure hue, which is extremely rare among rivers.

Lake Paleostomi, the water in which is close to the sea, is a real pearl of Georgia. It is a part of the natural Colchis reserve. A noteworthy fact of this place are the traces of the settlement of the 2nd century AD, which were discovered at the bottom of the lake.

The Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior is an ancient church that is on the list of Svaneti attractions. It opens only during the service, but you can ask the locals who will open it to you. Here you can find frescoes preserved to our times, as well as an ancient relic - a chased icon of the Savior of the XIII century, made of an alloy of gold and silver.

Thus, visiting Svaneti, in addition to natural beauty, you will find quite a lot of unique sights to see which is worth to everyone.

How to get there

If the purpose of your route is Georgia (Svaneti), how to get here, the question is quite urgent. The asphalt road to Mestia was laid only recently, however, with its appearance, a trip to this hard-to-reach land has become quite simple. It is easy to get to the administrative center of Svaneti. You can get to Mestia from several cities in Georgia, most of all from the capital of the country. A fixed-route taxi is sent there from Tbilisi every day from 6am. The journey takes 8 hours. Also from here you can get to the nearest to Mestia administrative center of Zugdidi, and from there on a fixed-route taxi - to the final point.

Another way to get to Svaneti from Tbilisi is by air. Since the construction of a local airport, this method has become available to everyone. In winter, the airport accepts single-engine and small passenger aircraft with a capacity of no more than 18 people, and in summer - airplanes designed for 50 passengers. However, it should be borne in mind that local flights depend very much on changeable local weather. Therefore, it is worthwhile to be prepared for the fact that, having flown to Svaneti by plane, you will have to get back by car. You can also take a taxi that will take you from the Georgian capital to Mestia for a modest amount. From Kutaisi to Svaneti it is possible to reach by fixed-route taxis, which travel every day.

As for another major Georgian city, Batumi, there is no direct connection with Mestia. Therefore, you will first have to get on a minibus to Zugdidi, and from there transfer to another transport. The road without long stops from Zugdidi to Mestia will take 3 hours.

If you are going to use the highway, it is worth considering that in the evening and at night public transport does not go by it. This is due to the fact that on a certain section of the road there is always a danger of the stones falling from the mountain peaks. In this place the driver does not follow the road almost, paying all attention to the mountains, in time to slow down in case of a rockfall. That's why it's not safe to ride this road in the dark. In the daytime, you can reach Mestia by any motor transport in quite comfortable conditions.

Reviews of tourists about Svaneti

When the decision is made to travel to a place where it has never been before, the impressions of the people who visited it are of great importance. As for a place like Georgia (Svanetia), the tourists' reviews of their stay here are only admired. The beauty of this land does not leave anyone indifferent, who at least once saw it. The reasons why you should visit Svaneti, based on the reviews of tourists:

- the unique beauty of nature;

- a wonderful ski resort, where there is not yet a large crowd due to his youth;

- Rich excursion program;

- hiking in the most beautiful corners of the earth;

- Interesting culture;

- the hospitality of the Svans;

- delicious dishes, which Georgia is famous for.

Negative impressions this place did not leave any of its guests. Everyone who comes here strives to return to Svaneti again, to once again see one of the most beautiful places in the country.

Mountain Svaneti is a paradise on earth

If you want to relax from the bustle of megacities, enjoy the unity with nature, see the most interesting places, Georgia (Svaneti) will be an excellent choice for travel directions. After visiting here, everyone leaves a piece of himself in a mountainous country, changing in some way. That's why this place is worth a visit to anyone who is tired of the monotony of big cities and wants to get fresh impressions.

In Svaneti you will meet real long-livers, who will be able to tell you an amazing story of their land. However, it should be borne in mind that you will need the help of an interpreter, the Russian language is known to individuals. Most locals do not speak Georgian either, so if you want to communicate with the indigenous svans, take care of the guide who will help your communication.

Goodwill, hospitality, sincerity and kindness are qualities that distinguish the proud inhabitants of Svaneti. Having visited here, having communicated with svans and having seen the pristine beauty of this place, which is not spoiled by civilization, perhaps you will change in something yourself. In any case, visit Svaneti, which rightly bears the name of the pearl of Georgia, should be to everyone who wants to see one of the most beautiful places on earth.