Svaneti Trekking - Cloudbase Hut
Backcountry adventures in Georgia
This rugged mountainous landscape feels like something out of a Tolkien novel
Hailed by National Geographic as one the best travel destinations in 2021, this rugged mountainous landscape with its snow-capped peaks, ancient stone villages, and austere Svan towers feels like something out of a Tolkien novel. Svaneti is accessible by plane, train, or car (long and arduous). Vanilla Sky operates flights from Natakhtari (near Tbilisi) to Mestia and can be booked online. Although flights are quicker, they are weather-dependent and frequently canceled if conditions are unfavorable.
We recommend using a tour guide with alternative options if flights are unavailable. No fancy boutique hotels exist, so do not expect luxury in Svaneti. But a few options outshine the rest, with the Cloudbase Hut being one of our favorites.
For those seeking adventure, we recommend joining an expedition or trekking with a respectable and responsible guide with mountaineering experience. We recommend the following tour guides:
Caucasus Expedition: Caucasus Expedition is well regarded by the ex-pat community in Georgia. A small boutique operation specializing in equestrian, ski adventures, and hiking treks through the mountain regions of Svaneti and Tuscheti, Caucasus Expedition is all about true local immersion: meeting the natives and participating in their daily lives and traditions.
Two tried and tested local mountain guides: Guga Begashvili and Rusadan Varshalomidze.
the look.
Cloudbase Hut is an off-grid red-roofed alpine hut with a jaw-dropping 360-degree view. Basic but clean, with an expansive wooden deck with plenty of hammocks overlooking the snowcapped Tetnuldi and Ushba mountains. This simple, low-impact mountain cabin is all about location, situated in the dramatic Chakh Mountain Mestia on the way to Koruldi lakes.
the experience.
Hike the 3-4 day well-trodden trail from Mestia to Ushguli (or the other way around) or catch a ride (with an organized car) for part of the way. Protected as the Upper Svaneti World Heritage Site, Ushguli (a mountain village) is one of Europe’s highest inhabited communities and a must-see pitstop when exploring the area.
Sleep in simple (but charming) guesthouses along the way and experience the local charm of Georgian life.
Explore the less-frequented trails, such as the hike to Shdugra (4.5 miles long and about 3-4 hours one way.) And don’t miss the stunning waterfall that can be reached from top to bottom.
Trek from Mestia to Chaladi Glacier, a relatively short day trip (5- 6 hours)
Explore the town of Mestia. First, visit the tower museum to see icons and processional crosses and learn how people lived in towers. Then, walk up from the museum and visit the highest tower.
Visit the History and Ethnography Museum and the Lamaria church.
Wander about Ushguli and visit the watchtowers.
Take a ride up the Hatsvali ski lift for spectacular views in the summer.
Visit Tsvirmi, deemed the least touched and most enchanting of all the villages in the area.
Eat at the highest restaurant in Georgia (Mount Zuruldi) and enjoy the views of Tetnuldi and the Caucasus.
the impact.
Overnights in the Svaneti area typically entail stays in locally owned homes or simple mountain huts. Cloudbase Hut is off-grid with a low-impact build.