Ushguli: Hotels and accommodations

Ushguli is located at 2,200 meters above sea level. Roads lead from the municipality toward the highest peaks of the Caucasus.

Culture

The villages belonging to the municipality of Ushguli—Chazhashi, Jibiani, Chvibiani, and Murkmeli—as well as their architectural elements, are still listed as national monuments. The landscape of Chazhashi is protected as part of the World Heritage property and the Ushguli-Chazhashi Museum Reserve.

Lamaria, also known as Ushguli Mother of God Church, is a basilica-like structure dating from the 9th–10th centuries, with a distinctive tower and a protective enclosure. Lamaria’s frescoes use a style characteristic of Svan painting and depict scenes of the Deesis, the Nativity of Christ, and the Transfiguration.

The Chazhashi Museum Reserve includes residential complexes and an exhibition housed in a tower. Dozens of traditional Svan towers have been preserved in the villages of Ushguli. Murkmeli is described as the “village of towers”; of up to 80 defensive towers once standing there, 10 remain.

The historic buildings in Ushguli include a fortress dating from the 12th–13th centuries, associated with the reign of Queen Tamar. A 12th–13th-century castle is located in Chazhashi, whose third tower is still standing; the fortress served as Queen Tamar’s winter residence. Queen Tamar’s Castle preserves the foundations of the old complex, a ruined defensive wall, and a partially preserved tower. Chazhashi is also associated with Queen Tamar’s summer tower and a preserved 10th-century church. St. Barbara’s Church in Murqmeli is described as a notable attraction.

Nature

The Ushguli–Shkhara Glacier–Namkvami Lake route begins in Chazhashi, passes through Chvibiani and Zhibiani, and reaches the banks of the Enguri. It is 9 kilometers long, takes 7 to 8 hours, and extends to the foot of the Shkhara Glacier at 2,900 meters above sea level. Namkvami Lake, also known as Romisghele Lake, is the final stop on the route and lies at 2,500 meters above sea level.

The Ushguli–Mami route is 23 kilometers long and takes 10–12 hours. There are no places to camp along this route. An experienced guide is essential for hiking the route safely.

Cuisine

Kubdari is recognized as an intangible monument of Georgian cultural heritage. Gitsruli, a mountain herb used in kubdari, grows mainly in the hay meadows of the village of Ushguli.

Getting there

Ushguli is connected to the outside world by the Ushguli–Mestia and Ushguli–Lentekhi roads. Access is possible for about four months of the year, while snow covers the roads during the remaining eight months. An off-road vehicle is required from Mestia to Chazhashi; as the weather deteriorates, the road can become almost impassable.

Those wishing to book a hotel in Ushguli can continue their accommodation search afterward. Tvebishi, Lakhushdi, Martvili, Adishi, Chkhorotsku, Chvabiani, Lalkhori, Jvari

For the higher-level travel overview: Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti.