Zeskho
Location: Lentekhi municipality, basin of the river Tskhenistskali
Access road: Distance from Tbilisi – 380 km, from Lfrom Tsageri (via Okureshi) – 34 km, from Kutaisi – 50 km, from Ambrolauri – 45 km;
River Zeskho flows across Lentekhi municipality. It starts on the elevation of 3180 meters. Its length is 19 km. Zeskho which in the local Svan means `blood` or `stifled blood`. Nowadays the village on the elevation of 1800 meters above sea level.. for the lovers of extreme and active holidays, the camp situated on the height of 1850 meters above sea level is attractive drawcard even today. The camp is surrounded by scores of 3000 to 5000 meters high summits. Using a walking path, it is possible to pass on to the foot of the mount Pasis (3786 m) at the source of river Tskenistskali. In several km from Zeskho, on the Southern slope of Svaneti range, a climatic and balheological resort Muashi, noted for its mineral waters, made its home. Svaneti range is also crossed by several passes linking Upper and Lower Svaneti: Lasili, Atkveri, also called Zagari and Latpari.
Mestiachala gorge
Location: Mestia municipality, Southern slope of the main range of Caucasus mountains in Svaneti.
Access road: from the settlement of Mestia a stone road follows river Mestiachala, thet appears a boulder, rolled here by the glacier wherefrom starts walking path route toward Chalaati glacier. It is difficult but possible to move in the direction of glacier Lekhziri with a necessary equipment for mountain climbers. Distance from Mestiachala boulder to Lekhziri is 6 km, and to Chalaati is 3 km; distance from Tbilisi is 500 km, from Zugdidi – 150 km.
Mestiachala gorge is located on the elevation of 1500 m above sea level, surrounded by mountains, Mestia is administrative and tourist center of Zemo Svaneti. River Mestiachalas length is 11 km, basin space- 152 sq. km.
Ushba waterfall
Location: Mestia municipality, Southern slope of the main Caucasus mountain range, environs of the Becho community; 2200 m above sea level.
Access road: there is a fork on the Zugdidi-Mestia road near village of Dolrasvipi, therefrom a rocky road runs across the gorge of river Dolra, passes the site of Shikhra, then, from the bridge across the gorge of river Dolra, starts the walking route toward the waterfall. Distance from the hamlet of Mazeri is 7 km, while from the waterfall to glasier Ushba leads a 2-km steep pathway; distance from Tbilisi – 490 km, from Zugdidi -140 km, from settlement of Mestia – 30 km.
Ushba waterfall, falls from the river stream arising from the glacier on the Ushba slope. Double-headed peak of Ushba, overlooking Ushba waterfall, is situated to South-East of Elbrus, on the small range of the main watershed line of Caucasus mountains. It has Southern and Northern peaks. Southern peak is the tallest (4700 m) while the Northern one is 10 m shorter.
Ushba peaks are noted for unforgettable beauty and inaccessibility, and attract thousands of climbers and tourists from all corners of the world.
Shkhara massif
Location: Mestia municipality, Svaneti segment of Caucasus Mountains, near the community of Ushguli, 5203 m above sea level.
Access road: starts from the village of Zhabiani, then a rocky road leads across river Inguri gorge and near the glacier starts walking trail route. Distance to Ushguli – 5 km. Ushguli connects through internal level of importance roads with Mestia and Lentekhi. Distance from Tbilisi – 550 km, from Zugdidi – 200 km, from Mestia – 60 km.
Among the summits in Shkhara massif, the tallest shot goes to Shkhara – 5203m, and in this respect it is behind only Mount Elbrus. Western Shkhara (5015 m), Eastern Shkhara and Southern Shkhara (4320 m) are also compared with Mount Elbrus.
Within the distance of 5 km from the glacier of Shkhara is located a historical settlement – the community of Ushguli consisting of 4 villages; Zhibiani, Chvibiani, Murkmeli and Chazhashi. The hamlet of Chazhashi hes been declared a museum. In the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this complex unites 13 towers, 4 citadel – houses and 21 `machubi` the hamlet hosts also Ushguli archeological museum.
Resort of Muashi
Location: southern slope of the Svaneti range
Distance: 350 km away from Tbilisi
Sea level: 1250-1300 m
Landscape: mountainous
Climate:middle mountain climate, winter cold, snowy, mean temperature in January -4 degrees, summer moderately warm and dry, mean temperature in August 17,9 degrees centigrade
Average annual precipitation: 2000 mm
Average comparative annual humidity: 78%
Duration of annual sunny light: 1800-1900 h
Natural treatment factors: middle mountain, spring waters: carbohydrate, hydro-carbonate, sodium-calcium, iron mineral waters with general mineralization of 1,8 g/dm3
Types of therapy: Muashi mineral water baths and application and Tsurnashi mineral water baths, passive climate therapy.
Diseases for treatment: Alimentary tract, bone and peripheral nervous system diseases.
Georgias historical and geographic region – Svaneti consists of two parts: Zemo (Upper) and Kvemo (lower) Svaneti divided by Svaneti range. Zemo Svaneti is part of Samegerelo-Zemo Svaneti region while Kvemo Svaneti is included in the Racha-Leckhumi-Kvemo Svaneti region and encompasses Tskhenistskali river gorge from the beginning to the bridge of Muri.
On the Svaneti range there are several passes connecting Zemo and Kvemo Svaneti. Among them is Latpari (2830 m) used for farmling activity (haymaking, timber logging, hunting) and transit of tourists. Auto traffic movement is possible only from July until October, as steep slopes of the range in winter are via two more passes – Lsili (3086 m) and Atkveri (2623 m).
On the Sothern slope of Svaneti range, in the gorge of river Tskenistskali is situated health and spa resort of Muashi noted for its mineral waters. From Muashi it is possible to move to Zeskho gorge where since 1978 have operated mointain climber camps `Ailama` (Ailama is a peak in Zeskho gorge, 4546 m) and Zeskho (1880 m above sea level). `Ailama` was earmarked for professional climbers while Zeskhalo – for amateurs. Since 2003 `Zeskhalo` has started hosting of active holiday makers again.
Resort of Mestia
Location: Mestia cavity
Distance: 145 km from Zugdidi, 465 km from Tbilisi
Sea level: 1500-1550 m
Landscape: mountainous
Climate: middle mountain climate, winter cold with a lot of snow, mean temperature in January 6 degrees centigrade, summer short, cool, mean temperature in August 16 degrees centigrade
Average annual precipitation: 960 mm
Average comparative annual humidity: 75%
Duration of annual sunny light: 2000h.
Natural treatment factors: middle mountain climate of low mountains, monoxide, hydro-carbonate-and chloride hidrocarbonate, calcium-sodium waters with overall mineralization 0,7 g/dm3
Types of therapy: application drinking of mineral water, passive climate water
Diseases for treatment: bronchial asthma, bronchitis
Located on the elevation of 1500 m above sea level, surrounded by mountains. Mestia is administrative and tourist center of Zemo Svaneti. It is linked with center of the region, Zugdidi, by 138 km road snaking in the gorges between slopes of Svaneti segment of Kavkasioni mountain range. This road has vital importance for this highland region. Cold and snowy winter is habitual in Svaneti.
The highest human settlement in Svaneti and the whole of Europe – Ushguli – is located on the elevation of 2060-2200 m above sea level. The community of Ushguli consists of four villages: Zhibiani, Chvibiani, Mukmeli and Chzhashi. Nowadays the hamlet of Chazhashi is included in the list of UNESCOs World Heritage Sites and declared a museum, since unique archuitectural and ethnological heritage – more than 30 traditional Svaneti towers- survive on its territory. To the south from the hamlet a fotress of XII-XIICC.. is standing and overlooking all four villages of Ushguli, in the upper, Northern part of Ushguli is St. Mary (in the Svan language, `Lamaria`) church wherefrom a road to the mountain Shkhara leads.
There are many peaks in Svaneti segment of Kavkasioni mountains with perpetual snow in summer and winter. Among them three peaks are prominent:Shkhara (the highest peak in Georgia with the height of 5203 m above sea level), Tetnuldi (4858 m above sea level) and Ushba. Double-fased Ushba (the height of the Southern peak is 4700 m, of Northern peak – 1690 m) is not the highest among them. However, it was assigned the highest category of complexity, after up to twenty failed climbs, the Nortern oeak was climbed first in 1888 by the British, while the southern peak was ascended by the joint expedition of German, Swiss and Austrian mountaineers. After that until 1934 there were up to 60 attempts to ascered Ushba with only 4 successful ones.
Several years ago it was decided that everlasting snow cover is precious recreational resource and should be used for the development of winter sports. 7 km away from Mestia, in Hatsvali, three skiing tracks for sporting events were built including one having the length of 2950 m.