Discover Samegrelo and Upper Svaneti

Alpine nature and Colchian wetlands, UNESCO heritage, and river landscapes shape the travel experience in Samegrelo and Upper Svaneti. In Upper Svaneti, clear lakes, waterfalls, and the Enguri River are among the landscape features; Kolkheti National Park protects Colchian swamps and lowland forests. Museums and historic sites also offer a glimpse into different eras. When planning, you can consider whether nature, history, or a mix of both should be the focus of your trip.

Regions and landscapes

Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti comprises the historic and geographic areas of Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti. Their centers are Zugdidi and Mestia, respectively. This distinction offers a helpful guide to the region’s different areas of focus: Zugdidi represents Samegrelo, while Mestia represents Zemo Svaneti. In Zemo Svaneti, alpine nature, clear lakes, the Enguri River and its fast-flowing tributaries, and waterfalls shape the landscape. Upper Svaneti was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996. The designation refers to Upper Svaneti, not the entire region.

A road also follows the Enguri Valley, running from the source of the Enguri to the border of Samegrelo. This gives the landscape a distinct orientation along the valley. The route described here offers a different perspective on the region from the multi-day hike between Mestia and Ushguli.

Rivers, wetlands, and boat trips

Kolkheti National Park preserves Colchian swamps and lowland forests. Its administration offers visitors boat tours by reservation at two locations near Poti and Zugdidi. Check the operational details before your trip. At Martvili Canyon, a natural monument in Samegrelo, there is a 300- to 350-meter stretch of the Abasha River for boat trips. Boat trips there are weather-dependent. The two offerings therefore differ mainly in their stated planning requirements: reservations are required for the tours in the national park, while weather is a factor in the canyon.

As a natural monument in Samegrelo, Martvili Canyon provides the setting for the boat section on the Abasha River. Those who would rather take in the landscape of a mountain valley can find it in the Enguri Valley and Zemo Svaneti. The destination thus offers different nature experiences without requiring them to be the same kind of excursion.

Hiking and trip planning

The hike from Mestia to Ushguli takes four days; the route described is about 57 kilometers long. The duration and approximate distance give you an idea of what to expect when planning your trip. Conditions and route logistics can change on a mountain hike, so check the specific arrangements in advance. The hike and the road along the Enguri Valley offer different ways to experience the landscape: one is a multi-day route between two places, the other a road running along the valley.

Museums, history, and garden design

In Zugdidi, the museum in the two Dadiani Palaces houses more than 44,475 ancient objects. These include an item from Napoleon’s private collection and a death mask of Napoleon Bonaparte. The botanical garden is also located at Dadiani Palace: established in 1840, it covers 67 hectares and is designed in the French style. The collection and the garden offer different perspectives: one provides a window into history through specific objects, while the other does so through an extensive garden.

Nokalakevi Museum Reserve offers visitors the opportunity to walk through ancient history. The Church of the 40 Holy Martyrs, dating from the 6th century, is located within the reserve. Items held there include pieces dating back as far as the 8th–7th century BC. The site thus combines a historic walk with a church and a collection of objects from different periods.

The Enguri Dam and Svan dishes

The Enguri Arch Dam is 271.5 meters high and received national-importance industrial heritage status in 2015. Enguri Attraction offers three guided tours of the dam facilities: a Walking Tour, a Short Tour, and a Full Tour. Since visitor tour arrangements may change, it is worth checking the latest visitor information before planning.

The regional cuisine also has distinctive names: Svan dishes include kubdari and kupati, seasoned with Svan salt. Together with the landscapes, historic collections, and different boating and hiking experiences, they offer several possible focuses for a trip through Samegrelo and Upper Svaneti.

Discover more destinations: Chakvinji, Poti, Mestia, Anaklia, Kirovi, Zugdidi, Guria, Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti.

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