Svaneti & the Transcaucasian Trail, Georgia reviews
Read holiday reviews by Mountain Kingdoms travellers.
This holiday was a wonderful mix of alpine walking and cultural discovery. The Svaneti trail is breathtakingly beautiful, with its dramatic backdrop of glaciers and towering peaks, mountain passes bursting with vibrant wildflowers, and distinctive villages that seem frozen in time. The guesthouses were welcoming and cosy, with hot showers and a wonderful meal to refresh us after the exertions of the day. Our guide Irini was exceptional and added hugely to our enjoyment of the holiday. She was competent in the mountains but also extremely knowledgeable about the local culture and history of Georgia. We also enjoyed our time in Kotaisi and Tbilisi, which provided an interesting contrast from the mountains. We loved our final meal together, listening to Georgian music and watching Georgian dancers performing!
One of the best parts of this holiday was not having to worry about any of the logistics - it allowed me to relax and enjoy every moment. The hotel in Tbilisi was truly luxurious, while most of the guesthouses throughout the trip were comfortable, welcoming, and full of character. Our guide, Iirine, was exceptional. She communicated effortlessly with everyone—our group, hosts, drivers, and guides from other groups - and handled both the smallest details and the biggest challenges with remarkable ease. Her knowledge was extensive, and her genuine curiosity and eagerness to learn made her an absolute joy to travel with. We all adored her. The landscapes were breathtaking, the political discussions fascinating, and the Georgian food delicious. The thoughtful, tailored support we received meant we were all able to enjoy the experience fully. It was an unforgettable holiday.
The Svaneti area is absolutely stunning and the walk was excellent. The days hiking were well planned, being long and difficult enough to make one feel that one had a proper walk, but not so difficult as to be painful. Some of accommodation was rustic and a basic, but this is a deeply rural area in places. The breakfasts and dinners served on trek were excellent, good honest home cooking. As vegetarians we were well-cared for. There was plentiful hot water throughout. Tbilisi is also a charming city. The city hotel was very nice. The puppet theatre is recommended! The guide was easy-going and knowledgeable about both wine and walking. An excellent trip.
I don’t know why Georgia isn’t on everyone’s radar. Beautiful mountains, fabulous flowers, lovely food and interesting architecture. A treat.
A great country to visit and superb route.
A demanding but great trek in an interesting region of Georgia.
Georgia is a fascinating country, set right on the outer edges of Europe, and within Georgia itself, the Svaneti region is extremely remote. The journey there is well worth the effort, as you trek through magical countryside, home of myths and legends, soaring stone watchtowers and stunning mountains and glaciers. There are hillsides covered in wild flowers, sparkling mountain streams and plenty of delicious wine!
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