This is the Way we decided to do it because we where a bit short on time.
Starting in Khaishi rather than Kutaisi cuts out over 140 km of flat, busy lowland asphalt and heavy summer heat, dropping you straight into the high-alpine gorge.
Route Overview
- Day 1 (Khaishi → Mestia): 65 km | +1,100 m
A steady, paved climb through the dramatic Enguri River canyon into the heart of Upper Svaneti. - Day 2 (Mestia → Ushguli): 43 km | +1,560 m
Steep concrete switchbacks over Ughviri Pass straight into the UNESCO stone-tower village of Ushguli. - Day 3 (Shkhara Glacier Rest Day): 16 km | +350 m
An easy, scenic out-and-back gravel spin along the riverbed directly to the base of Shkhara Glacier. - Day 4 (Ushguli → Lentekhi via Zagari Pass): 73 km | +550 m
The route’s crux: a short ascent over the unpaved 2,620 m Zagari Pass, followed by a technical, jarring -2,150 m gravel descent into Lower Svaneti. - Day 5 (Lentekhi → Kutaisi): 88 km | +380 m / -850 m
A fast, scenic paved downhill cruise through Tsageri and Tskaltubo to finish the trip.
Total: 285 km | +3,940 m ascent
