Things to Do in Mestia and Upper Svaneti

Mestia, the main town of Upper Svaneti, is eight to nine hours from Tbilisi by road, or a short and weather-dependent flight from Natakhtari or Kutaisi — the flight is worth checking first since it can save the better part of a day. The town itself is ringed by stone Svan defensive towers, some over 900 years old, and works as a base for hikes to Chalaadi Glacier or up toward Koruldi Lakes rather than as a single stop. Most visitors stay at least two nights to make the trip out here worthwhile.