Georgia · The high Caucasus
Untouched powder, ancient stone towers and zero crowds. A week deep in Svaneti, based in the mountain village of Mestia.
Available dates
19–25 Mar
6 nights · 5 days touring
26 Mar–1 Apr
6 nights · 5 days touring
The place
Svaneti is one of the most remote and characterful corners of the high Caucasus. You are based in Mestia, a village where thousand-year-old Svan stone towers stand beneath giants like Ushba and Tetnuldi, and Shkhara, Georgia's highest peak at over 5,200m.
Your base
A family-run guesthouse built into two original Svan towers, where centuries of heritage meet warm Georgian hospitality. Cosy twin rooms with private bathrooms and mountain views, and a communal space where guides and guests gather each evening to plan the next day.
On the snow
Five days of guided touring with IFMGA-certified guides, a mix of lift access and human-powered missions. Short hikes lead to long, untracked descents far beyond the map.
The table
Mighty Svan breakfasts before the mountains, and family-style dinners after. Home cooking with local ingredients, and hospitality that still means everything.
The rhythm
Seven days, five of them on the snow. A warm-up, then progressively bigger tours, and a relaxed lift-assisted finale.
Arrival in Mestia
Land in Kutaisi and take the scenic five-hour drive up into Svaneti. Dinner with the group and guides.
Warm-up & group sync
An easy start near Tetnuldi. A short tour to check gear, find your rhythm and acclimatise.
Etseri Valley
Transfer to Etseri and climb toward Decili (2,560m), around 1,000m of ascent for untouched descents.
Guli Pass
A bigger day, roughly 1,300m up to Guli Pass (2,926m), with views of Mount Ushba (4,710m).
Ushguli's hidden passes
Early transfer to Ushguli, one of Europe's highest villages, and up toward Karetta Pass (~3,200m) under Mount Shkhara.
Hatsvali finale
A relaxed, lift-assisted day at Hatsvali on the Zuruldi Ridge. Celebratory dinner back in Mestia.
Farewell
A leisurely final breakfast before the transfer back to Kutaisi.
The itinerary is a guideline. Routes flex daily with the weather, the snowpack and the group.
Getting there
You get yourself to Georgia. From the moment you land, the ground logistics are ours.
Kutaisi International is our meeting point. Flying into Tbilisi or Batumi instead? Tell us and we'll help coordinate.
A shuttle from Kutaisi to Mestia is included, a scenic five-hour drive through the Georgian countryside and up into Svaneti.
All local transfers to the day's touring start point are included, so you never worry about how to reach the mountain.
Citizens of the EU, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many others can enter Georgia visa-free for up to a year. Always check your own country's rules before booking.
Kit
This is real backcountry, so the safety kit is not optional. Bring your own or rent from the best local shop: we point you to it and you pay the shop directly.
Skis or splitboard, skins, boots and poles. Bring your own or rent locally, roughly a day.
Transceiver, probe and shovel. Mandatory for everyone, every day. Bring your own or rent locally, roughly a day.
Each morning starts with a briefing and risk assessment. Your guide coaches safe travel, though this is not a formal avalanche course.
Pricing
per person · 7 days, 6 nights · 5 days guided touring
2027 dates: 19–25 March & 26 March–1 April. Small groups, six guests per guide. Private and custom weeks available on request.
Design your package
Start from the base retreat, add what you need, and see the total update live. Prices per person.
Gear rental (touring setup and avalanche kit) is arranged separately and paid directly to the local shop, so it isn't part of this total. See Gear & safety.
Good to know
50% secures your place; the balance is due 70 days before the trip.
The deposit is non-refundable; after that, refunds depend on how far ahead you cancel (full terms in the T&C).
Medical insurance that covers off-piste ski touring, with search, rescue and mountain evacuation, is required for everyone. Trip cancellation cover is a good idea for your own peace of mind, though not something we require.
An avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel are required every day. Rent locally if you don't own them.
Next step
Pick your week and send me what you built above. I'll come back with your booking details and the deposit link. A 50% deposit secures your place; the balance follows 70 days before you fly. Spots are capped at 6, so early is safer.
Or email go@shaperretreats.com
Skin. Ride. Connect. Reset.
We take care of everything behind the scenes, so all you do is be present in the mountains.