Ride, hike and explore the real Svaneti.
Freeride, heliski and backcountry in winter. Hiking, horse riding and paragliding in summer — led by local guides who know when and where the conditions are right.
Winter programs
Freeride, heli, cat-ski and backcountry around Tetnuldi, Hatsvali and Ushguli — built around the day's snow, not a fixed schedule.
Summer programs
Glaciers, ridgelines, medieval villages and long daylight — active days combined with real local culture, from easy walks to high alpine treks.
Local knowledge, not a template.
We're from here
Local guides and drivers who read the weather, the snow and the roads — and change the plan when they need to.
One point of contact
Guiding, transfers, gear and accommodation organised together, so your trip actually connects.
Safety first
Certified guides, avalanche awareness and proper equipment on every off-piste and backcountry day.
Flexible & personal
Private trips, small groups and tailored itineraries built around your level and goals.
Destinations
"They read the mountain and completely rebuilt our day when the weather turned. We got the best powder of the trip because they knew exactly where to go."
Tell us what you want to ride.
Send your dates and what you're after — powder, trails, culture or a mix. We build the trip and get back fast.
Guided adventures in Svaneti, run by local mountain people
Svaneti Tours is a small, locally-run adventure operator based in Mestia, the heart of Upper Svaneti in the Georgian Caucasus. We were born here, we ski and hike these valleys every season, and we build every trip around the mountains we know best — Tetnuldi, Hatsvali, Ushba, Shkhara and the remote ridgelines above Ushguli. Whether you are chasing deep winter powder or long summer ridge walks, you travel with certified local guides who put safety, small groups and real local knowledge first.
Svaneti sits in the north-west of Georgia, a region of medieval stone tower-houses, UNESCO-listed villages and some of the highest peaks in the Caucasus. It is one of the last genuinely wild corners of Europe's mountain belt — and far quieter than the big resorts of Gudauri or Bakuriani. That is exactly why people come to us: to ride and walk terrain that still feels undiscovered, with a guide who grew up beneath it.
Winter in Svaneti: freeride, heliski, catski & ski touring
From December to April the valleys fill with cold, dry Caucasus snow. Our winter programme covers freeride skiing on the open bowls and tree runs of Tetnuldi and Hatsvali, snowcat skiing for lift-free powder laps, backcountry ski touring toward the Laila range and Adishi, and heli-assisted and heliski-style days for advanced riders. Beginners are welcome too — see our ski & snowboard lessons and rental shop in Mestia.
Summer in Svaneti: hiking, trekking, horses & paragliding
When the snow melts, Svaneti becomes a hiker's paradise. The classic Mestia to Ushguli trek is one of the finest multi-day walks in the Caucasus, while day trips to the Koruldi Lakes, Chalaadi Glacier and Adishi suit every level. Add horse riding, tandem paragliding over Mestia and mountaineering for a full summer of adventure.
Every itinerary is flexible. Tell us your dates, your level and what you want to see, and we will shape a private trip around you — transfers from Kutaisi, Tbilisi or Zugdidi, a warm guesthouse in Mestia, and a guide for the whole stay.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Svaneti?
For skiing and freeride, come between late December and early April, when the Caucasus snow is deepest and driest. For hiking and trekking, the season runs from June to early October, with July and August the warmest and most reliable. May and late October are quiet shoulder months, beautiful but with unpredictable weather in the high mountains.
How do I get to Mestia in Svaneti?
Most travellers fly into Kutaisi or Tbilisi and continue by road to Mestia (about 4–5 hours from Kutaisi, 8–9 from Tbilisi). There are also small scheduled flights from Natakhtari (near Tbilisi) to Mestia's Queen Tamar Airport. We arrange private transfers from any of these points — see our transfers page.
Do I need to be experienced to join a tour?
No. We run trips for every level, from first-time skiers and easy family day hikes to expert freeride, ski touring and mountaineering. Just tell us your experience when you book and we will match the guide, terrain and pace to you.
