Mestia Travel Guide

 
by leonik
 
  •   Mestia
    by leonik
  • A view over center of Svaneti in Mestia
      A view over center of Svaneti in Mestia
    by rjaparidze
  •   Mestia
    by terrycowan
  • A view from the top of the hill in Mestia - Mazeri
      A view from the top of the hill in...
    by rjaparidze
  • Georgia - Svanetia - Mestia
      Georgia - Svanetia - Mestia
    by Kuznetsov_Sergey
 

Explore Mestia

Things to Do  

Ifari Village Church

Ifari Village Church, Mestia

 rjaparidze Says:  Ifari is a small village on the way to Ushguli and it is worth stopping on after passing thw first pass. The Church of St. George is a small church in the village, with a cemetery in front. A caretaker whose last name is Pirveli is living next to the church and has the key... 

Museum in Mestia

Museum in Mestia, Mestia

 rjaparidze Says:  I will admit that I am not a big fan of Museums… Neverthelss those that are interested in Museums may find a trip to the Musuem of Mestia somewhat intersting. HAving a chanse to look at sites of other VT travellers gave me a conviction that going into a local museum may be... 

Tower on the Rock

Tower on the Rock, Mestia

 rjaparidze Says:  Svaneti is famous for its towers. I decided to include one that was different from all that I saw. It was built on the rock in the river and I thought it was beautiful. 

Village Jvari - Enguri Dam

Village Jvari - Enguri Dam, Mestia

 rjaparidze Says:  Village Jvari is one of the first settlement on the way towards Upper Svaneti. It is famous for a multi billion Enguri Water Dam project part of which is located in the disputed Abkhazia region.The views over dam are beautiful. One needs to take about 50minute walk as a... 

Zegaro Pass

Zegaro Pass, Mestia

 rjaparidze Says:  Zegaro Pass is the one of the passes that may be used for returning from Uopper Svanetia to Kutaisi or Tbilisi. The path goes through the villages of lower Svanetia that are a bit different from the Upper Svaneti – there are no towers. Though the road is not really very good... 

St Kvirike Church

St Kvirike Church, Mestia

 rjaparidze Says:  Svaenti is full of basilica-type sanctuaries. They are small not similar to what one sees in the rest of Georgia. I will not really suggest to visit them though there is one that really is worth of going to. This is Kvirike church close to village Kala. One needs to drive... 

Village Ushguli

Village Ushguli, Mestia

 rjaparidze Says:  This is the last village in Svaneti. I do not know whther this is true or not but if the height of 2150 meters is the highest inhabited place in Europen, than Ushguli is this place. Ushguli consists of four villages that are located in about 1 and a half 2 hour drive from... 

Mazeri

Mazeri, Mestia

 rjaparidze Says:  This is a hill overlooking on Mestia (regional center of Svaneti) that one can reach using the jeep (one can walk as well)... Going up there will enable to have breathtaking looks on Mestia itself as well as surrounging villages. Mount Ushba one of the most difficult to get... 

Ushguli

Ushguli, Mestia

 terrycowan Says:  Ushguli is the ultimate destination of any traveler to Svaneti--the most remote village in the most remote region of a remote country. The towers of Ushguli are truly remarkable--there are over 30 left in the vicinity. The Church of La Maria is the last building in the... 

Ushguli

Ushguli, Mestia

 terrycowan Says:  Ushguli is the ultimate destination of any traveler to Svaneti--the most remote village in the most remote region of a remote country. The towers of Ushguli are truly remarkable--there are over 30 left in the vicinity. The Church of La Maria is the last building in the... 

Ushguli

Ushguli, Mestia

 terrycowan Says:  Ushguli is the ultimate destination of any traveler to Svaneti--the most remote village in the most remote region of a remote country. The towers of Ushguli are truly remarkable--there are over 30 left in the vicinity. The Church of La Maria is the last building in the... 

Ushguli

Ushguli, Mestia

 terrycowan Says:  Ushguli is the ultimate destination of any traveler to Svaneti--the most remote village in the most remote region of a remote country. The towers of Ushguli are truly remarkable--there are over 30 left in the vicinity. The Church of La Maria is the last building in the... 

Iperi--Church of St. George

Iperi--Church of St. George, Mestia

 terrycowan Says:  Iperi is a small village between Mestia and Ushguli--perhaps 2 hours past Mestia, the first village after you come down the pass after crossing over the mountain. The Church of St. George is a small church in the village, with a cemetery in front--look for the bell tower. A... 

Iperi

Iperi, Mestia

 tcjohn Says:  Iperi is a small village about 2 hours journey from Mestia towards Ushguli. The small church in the village is the Church of St. George. Look for the bell tower. The caretaker of the church will open it for visitors for a nominal fee. The church was used as a stable during... 

12th Century Church in Mestia

12th Century Church in Mestia, Mestia

 terrycowan Says:  I'm not sure what the name of this church is, exactly. The building is unprepossessing from the outside, but has marvelous frescoes inside. Some of the frescoes have been recently restored. 

Margiani Tower

Margiani Tower, Mestia

 terrycowan Says:  The Margiani Tower in Mestia was made available to view (this through Caucasus Travel--I'm not sure if it is open, otherwise). Also, the adjoining Margiani home contains an authentic 12th Century Svan room, which is also open to view. 

Restaurants  

Restaurant with no name
rjaparidze profile photo

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rjaparidze 148 reviews

There are no restaurants in Upper Svaneti. The only locatin where there was a catering facility was right after the Enguri Dam (15 minute drive from there) where one can have local Kubdari and Shashlik. I was told that there was the second lcoation as well but I am not aware of the second location.

Favorite Dish: Kubdari -- it is a meat Khachapuri something of a local specialty.

Written Oct 14, 2006

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Transportation  

Mii Van Travel
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rjaparidze 148 reviews

One can get to Mestia from Tbilisi and Zugdidi by a mini van. I never traveled by these means but would assume they exist. They all go via Zugdidi. The other road is from Lentechi Kutaisi but there is not regular transport going on there.

Written Oct 14, 2006

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Local Customs  

Survival Svanuri

Survival Svanuri, Mestia

 leonik Says:  Svanuri's (and Georgian) not the easiest language to pronounce so i'm going to transliterate it to the best of my ability.Hello: kho-cha-la-dakhThank You: eh-wa-su-kha-riPlease: KHA-ah-maYes: aah-duNo: maa-maaGood Morning/Afternoon: kho-cha-la-dakhGood Evening:... 

Be prepared to drink a lot!

Be prepared to drink a lot!, Mestia

 leonik Says:  The Svans have their own potent firewater called "Chacha" (approx. 60% alcohol) made from fermented apples to fermented bread to fermented herbs.They toast 3 times. Each time for a divine entity. Can't remember who they are but one of them is definitely St. George, the... 

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Map of Mestia