*Updated in 2021
Getting there: The train from Tbilisi to Zugdidi was 35 Lari ($11 USD), and the minivan from Zugdidi to Mestia was 20 Lari ($7). There were also taxis and a small bus running from Zugdidi station to Mestia for different prices.
On the Trek: The guesthouses charged us and other trekkers we spoke to a flat 50 Lari ($15 USD) for a double or triple room, dinner the night of arrival, and breakfast the next day. It’s possible to negotiate having lunch included in the price as well. This means your daily budget for the trek is an easy $15 USD.
Getting Back: The minivan from Ushguli back to Mestia was 35 Lari ($11), which was a bit pricey but when we didn’t have a lot of options first thing in the morning. The van from Mestia back to Zugdidi was 20 Lari ($7) again, and the latest one leaves at 4pm arriving around 8pm. This gives you plenty of time to make the overnight train back to Tbilisi which leaves at 10pm (another 35 Lari, $11).
In total, over 2 nights in the train and 5 nights in the mountain villages, I spent a little under 500 Lari ($158). The only time we splurged was in Mestia: the same 50 Lari for a really nice guesthouse didn’t include dinner, so we ate at the incredible Cafe Laila. We also hung out at Cafe ErtiKava (because it sounds like Erika) all day the next day while waiting for our van to back Zugdidi.
I can only imagine how useful all this advice will be to people looking to do the same trek. Especially the stuff about there not being any shops: who would expect that?
I love checking out little markets in other countries, so not having any on the trek was the only disappointing thing for me
The mountain views are amazing! I would love to camp on the trails and to wake up to the breathtaking views everyday. I tend to sleep well outside … must be the mountain air! The food served at the guesthouse looks yummy-what a feast. Shame there aren’t any shops to stock up on snacks for the trek. A great detailed itinerary!
Thanks! I would definitely recommend this trek for campers, it’s truly a beautiful place to wake up each morning!
What a beautiful hike! I love that it is in a slightly more unknown place and such a reasonable cost too! Your guide is really helpful and gives all the important details.
The trek trail on the Caucasus mountains seems really interesting. Thanks for sharing all the details of the plan and the tips as well. It would be so helpful for people who would like to trek the same trail. Plus I must say the photos are too good.
Thanks, it was such a beautiful place it would be hard to take not-so-good photos
I have recently learned of how beautiful the mountains on Georgia are. This guide is very useful for planning the trip, which I look forward to taking at some point. I take it you felt safe the whole time?
Yes, I felt completely safe! If you’re interested in reading about my day-to-day experiences on this trek, I wrote this post that summarizes it 🙂
That’s very generous that the guest houses along the way from Mestia to Ushguli include breakfast and dinner–and packed lunch negotiable. Your meal at Zhabeshi looks to die for! I was surprised to hear you would also have wifi in what appears to be such a remote destination. It looks heavenly!
I love to hike but not sure whether I would want to hike over 4 days. However, the views are very very beautiful. I have heard about Georgia and Tblisi before but not the region where you hiked. The prices seem very reasonable and it looks like a wonderful option for those on a budget who want a more authentic experience than other places in Europe.
It was an authentic experience for sure! If you don’t want to trek so many days in a row, there are many day-treks that go from Mestia and Ushguli as well!
What a beautiful part of the world to hike in! I’ve not yet been to Georgia, but it’s great to read about other places like Mestia. That’s quite surprising there aren’t more places to get food; I’m a newbie hiker but I know you need to eat small snacks in between to keep your energy up!
Exactly, I love snacking while trekking so I wish I had known to bring more of my own snacks! I highly recommend visiting Mestia, even as a newbie hiker
Wow what a sight! Love that you’re highlighting a lesser known destination to all wanderlusters out there. You make hiking look so easy!! Thank you for the tips & this great travel suggestion. It looks like the best views are during autumn. Will surely check it out!
Thanks, I’m happy I can share Georgia’s beauty with everyone. I just read about someone who hiked in the spring when there were wildflowers everywhere… I might have to go back for that view too 🙂
I missed visiting the Svaneti region on my trip to Georgia a couple of years back. I did the usual Tblisi – Kazbegi – Kakheti Wine region – Mksheta itinerary due to the shortage of time but I was well aware of what a lovely place I was missing out by not going to Svaneti. Since Georgia is only a 3-hour flight away from where I live (Dubai), I plan to go back and spend 5 days in just Svaneti. This is a very helpful guide, I’d love to hike in the region from Mestia to Ushguli and also since I will be travelling to and fro from Tbilisi, it is useful to know the best way to get there and the costs involved, thank you!
I’m glad I could help! I wish I had gone to Kazbegi when I was in Georgia… I’ll have to go back!