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Photos: Aktron / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons

Zhabeshi

Svaneti · Village

Getting there
About 15 km (30 min) from Mestia by road, or about 16 km (5–6 h) on foot on the first stage of the Mestia–Ushguli trek
Best time
Mid-June–early October
Recommended stay
1 night

About Zhabeshi

Zhabeshi is a small Svan village in the Mulakhi valley of Upper Svaneti, about 15 km east of Mestia by road. It is the usual first overnight stop on the four-day Mestia–Ushguli trek: a day of about 16 km on foot over pastures with views of Mount Ushba, ending at a family guesthouse with dinner. There are a few old defence towers and a quiet village lane, but you come here for the trek, the evening meal and an early start toward Adishi.

Tours Including Zhabeshi

See the tour

Must-See Attractions

  • Mulakhi valley towers

    Svan defence towers in Zhabeshi and the neighbouring villages of the Mulakhi community.

  • Mestia–Zhabeshi trail

    The first trek stage, about 16 km with about 760 m of ascent and 520 m of descent, 5–6 hours, with views of Ushba and Tetnuldi.

  • Mulkhura river

    The valley river below the village, the route east toward the Tetnuldi ridge next morning.

Nearby

  • Mestia

    The main town of Upper Svaneti and the last ATM on the route, about 15 km by road (30 min).

  • Adishi

    The next trek stop, a tower village below the Adishi glacier, about 11 km on foot (4–5 h, about 900 m of climbing).

  • Tetnuldi ski area

    The ridge crossed on the second trek day, with a summer café hut at about 2,500 m.

Location43.0466° N, 42.8673° EView on map

Good to know

Getting there

About 15 km (30 min) from Mestia by road, or about 16 km (5–6 h) on foot on the first stage of the Mestia–Ushguli trek.

Best time

Mid-June–early October

Best time

July to mid-September is the main trekking season, with open passes further along the route; in June snow can linger on the Chkhunderi pass between Adishi and Iprari, and guesthouses start closing in October.

Recommended stay

1 night

Money

Mestia has the last ATM; guesthouses on the trek take cash only.

Getting there

On foot from Mestia on the trek, or about 30 minutes by car if you want to skip or shorten the first stage.

What to bring

Rain gear and a warm layer; mountain weather changes quickly.

Time needed

One night.

Local Cuisine

Guesthouse dinners are Svan home cooking: kubdari, chvishtari (cornbread with cheese), potatoes and dishes seasoned with Svan salt.

Accommodation

Several family guesthouses in Zhabeshi and the neighbouring Mulakhi villages, most offering half board (dinner and breakfast) and packed lunches on request. Rooms are simple, often with shared bathrooms.