Mestia is the main town of Upper Svaneti, at 1,500 m elevation in the Caucasus Mountains. It serves as the region's administrative and tourist hub with a population of around 2,000. Key draws: medieval Svan towers, trekking routes to Chalaadi Glacier and Koruldi Lakes, and access to Ushguli – one of Europe's highest continuously inhabited villages. Season is June–September; outside that window, trails are snow-covered and flights unreliable. In winter, the small Hatsvali ski resort operates near Mestia.
Getting there is harder than to other Georgian cities. The fastest option is a Vanilla Sky flight from Natakhtari (near Tbilisi): 45 minutes, 90 GEL one-way, but the plane is tiny, tickets sell out weeks ahead, and weather cancellations are routine. From Kutaisi: one flight per week for 50 GEL. Overland: train Tbilisi–Zugdidi (16 GEL, 6 hours), then marshrutka Zugdidi–Mestia (35–40 GEL, 3 hours). Direct marshrutka from Tbilisi: 50 GEL, 9–10 hours. Budget at least 3 days excluding travel time. To reach Ushguli you need a 4×4 or a local Delica taxi (200–250 GEL per vehicle). Car rental is possible, but some companies prohibit mountain roads – check the terms.
