Welcome to the Heart of Svaneti!
Since 2017, I have made countless journeys into Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains, becoming intimately familiar with this breathtaking region. Georgia is a country where tradition blends with untouched nature, and Svaneti offers scenes that range from the mystical to the majestic. On this tour, we’ll journey through valleys adorned with wildflowers stretching towards the towering peaks of the Caucasus. I’ll guide you to unique, lesser-known locations-some rarely photographed, and even a hidden spot that no one has discovered. My goal is not only to lead you to stunning places but also to create an unforgettable experience that deepens your connection to this remarkable region!
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
DAY 1
On the first morning of our tour, we will meet at Tbilisi International Airport in Georgia’s capital at 9:00 AM. From there, we’ll embark on a 7.5-hour journey to Mestia, a charming town in the Svaneti region, where we’ll capture unforgettable moments.
Upon arrival, we’ll check into our hotel and quickly set out to our first location to witness the sunset. This easily accessible viewpoint, with no hiking required, offers inspiring views of multiple mountain ranges. This spot is very suitable for telephoto shots and also has perfect foreground flowers for compositions that we will use with wide-angle-zoom lenses!
DAY 2
On the second day of our tour, we will capture the breathtaking Ushba Mountain in the Caucasus from a scenic valley at sunrise. After an hour’s drive, we’ll embark on a 1.5 km hike ascending 290 meters, taking approximately 50 minutes. This valley provides an ideal canvas for wide-angle and telephoto shots, as well as drone photography, beautifully showcasing the surrounding landscape. Be on the lookout for the enchanting white roses, ‘Rosa Spinosissima,’ amid various wildflowers.
As evening approaches, we’ll head to a viewpoint where the Caucasus Mountains rise majestically to the east. The V-shaped formations, harmonized with the river below, create a dramatic scene that invites creativity. Here, we’ll employ focus stacking techniques with lenses like 24 mm and 30 mm to craft stunning visuals. This spot also offers excellent opportunities for telephoto and drone photography. We’ll explore the area on a brief 5-10 minute walk, requiring minimal hiking. With a touch of luck, we may even encounter wild horses roaming freely, adding to the magic of this inspiring landscape!
DAY 3
On the third day of our tour, we start early with a 45-minute drive to reach our sunrise location. After a brief 5-10-minute exploration walk, we’ll be ready to capture the morning light with creative wide-angle compositions and drone photography with the beautiful mountain in the background.
In the evening, we return to the same area for a sunset session, where we’ll embark on a 4.1 km hike that takes around 1.5 hours, ascending approximately 360 meters. This path leads us to the beautiful Shdugra Waterfall, nestled just below the Ushba Glacier. Here, we’ll capture the dramatic wide-angle shots of the waterfall with vibrant wildflowers in the foreground. With the help of a drone, we’ll photograph the Ushba Glacier, the majestic western face of the mountain above the waterfall, and the striking Mazeri peak on the right.
DAY 4
On our fourth day, we’ll head to a scenic viewpoint where we can enjoy short walks and capture stunning images without the need for hiking. From here, we’ll have an ideal opportunity to photograph Mount Ushba from a new angle, along with the Tetnuldi-Gistola peaks. If we’re lucky, we may even spot the wild horses that roam this area!
Towards the end of the day, we’ll visit a hidden spot for sunset photography. This special location, which requires no walking, offers a beautiful view of a high valley with a single peak illuminated within it. With special access permission, it’s also a fantastic place for drone shots, allowing us to capture this moment from a unique perspective!
DAY 5
On our fifth day, we will journey to the upper part of the lakes, where we once captured the sunset in the lower region. As the sun rises majestically behind the Caucasus Mountains, hopefully, we will witness breathtaking lightrays illuminating the lakes. This vantage point offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, creating countless framing opportunities. In this beautiful region, we might even encounter wild horses grazing peacefully! Shortly after sunrise, we’ll embark on a 20-30 minute walk to our drone take-off point, revealing the magnificent Ushba Mountain and its glacier. Although the path is a bit steep, the reward of the view will be truly worth the effort! Towards the evening, after around 45-minute drive, we will come to an area where we will take sunset photos and capture Ushba Mountain from among many layers with a telephoto lens and drone! We will enjoy the view in this area, which does not require hiking!
DAY 6
On the sixth morning of our trip, I will take you to a new valley where you can see more of the magnificent Caucasian giants! After about an hour of driving, we will enjoy a leisurely one-hour walk to capture photos of the 5,000-meter peaks of the Caucasus. This walk will be easy, and we will ascend approximately 190 meters. The valley is perfect for wide-angle shots and offers diverse flowers. It's also an excellent spot for drone and telephoto photography!
In the evening, we will set out to catch the sunset. After a short drive, we will reach an area ideal for photography. Here, I will guide you to two different viewpoints. These locations are effective for telephoto lenses, allowing us to get close-up shots of Mount Ushba, with the surrounding Caucasian mountains featured prominently in the frame.
DAY 7
On the last day of our tour, we’ll have an early breakfast and set off promptly. After an approximately 8-hour journey, we’ll arrive at Tbilisi Airport, wrapping up our trip with wonderful photos and cherished memories!
Price: € 4.250
(Twin Share, All Meals Included, Single Room + € 500 )
Deposit: € 1.500
Group Size: 6 People
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
- All in-tour transportation by 4x4 cars & fuel
- Hotel accommodations
- All meals are included
- Photo guide service by Aytek Cetin
- Photo editing sessions during the trip
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE AND PAID ADDITIONAL:
- Flights
- Any extras not included in the list of inclusions
- Travel insurance
I WILL HELP YOU TO BRING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY TO THE NEXT LEVEL;
Focus Stacking
Time Blending
Panorama Photography
Camera Settings
Editing Sessions
And many other photography tips...
This tour is suitable for all nature lovers, not just landscape photographers. Even if you don't have a camera, we guarantee you will capture unforgettable shots with your mobile phone...
TOUR GUIDE
Aytek Çetin
Aytek Çetin is an award-winning landscape photographer from Turkey. His love for the mountains is what inspires him to capture nature’s beauty. For him, nothing is more freeing than getting lost in the wilderness.
In 2021, he won the International Landscape Photographer of the Year award, along with the One Eyeland National Award. His work has been featured in major international newspapers and magazines and is frequently shared on social media.
Aytek leads photography tours and teaches both in the field and online. He believes the key to improving as a photographer is to constantly seek fresh perspectives and unique compositions.
CONTACT
