We're from these mountains.
A small team of local guides based in Mestia, running adventures across Svaneti all year round.
Where we work
Born on the passes we now guide.
Svaneti Tours grew out of a simple idea: the best way to see this region is with the people who live in it. We were raised in these villages, learned the trails as children, and skied these faces long before there were lifts.
Today we run freeride, heliski and backcountry trips in winter, and hiking, horse riding and cultural journeys in summer — always in small groups, always tuned to the day's conditions, and always bringing our guests into the real Svaneti, not a version staged for tourists.
Local knowledge, not a template.
We're from here
Local guides and drivers who read the weather, the snow and the roads — and change the plan when they need to.
One point of contact
Guiding, transfers, gear and accommodation organised together, so your trip actually connects.
Safety first
Certified guides, avalanche awareness and proper equipment on every off-piste and backcountry day.
Flexible & personal
Private trips, small groups and tailored itineraries built around your level and goals.
Meet your guides
Certified mountain guides, drivers and hosts — every one of them local to Svaneti.
Shako Margiani
Based in the Caucasus, Mestia. High-altitude skiing and expeditions.
Lasha Pirtskheliani
Certified mountain guide, Svaneti.
Galo Japharidze
Freeride and ski-touring guide based in Mestia. On the Svaneti peaks year-round.
Dato Guledani
Horseback riding guide.
The mountains set the rules. We respect them.
Certified guiding
Our winter guides are trained in avalanche assessment and mountain rescue, and equipped for it.
Right gear, every day
Transceiver, airbag pack, shovel and probe on every off-piste and backcountry day, with a briefing to match.
Conditions over schedule
If the mountain isn't safe, we change the plan. Reserve days keep a storm from wasting your trip.
Plan your Svaneti trip with locals.
Tell us your dates and what you're after — we'll build the trip and get back within a day.
About Svaneti Tours — born and guided in the mountains
Svaneti Tours is a small, family-run adventure operator based in Mestia, the capital of Upper Svaneti. We are Svans — we were born beneath these peaks, we ski and climb them every season, and we have spent our lives learning their moods. That local knowledge is the heart of what we offer: not a generic tour, but a trip shaped by people who truly know this corner of the Caucasus.
Our certified guides hold mountain and avalanche qualifications and first-aid training, and we put safety, small groups and honesty first. If conditions are wrong for a plan, we will tell you and change it. If a different tour suits you better, we will say so. We would rather build a lasting relationship than oversell a single trip.
What we do
In winter we guide freeride, catski, ski touring and heli-assisted days. In summer we guide hiking and trekking, the classic Mestia to Ushguli trek, mountaineering, horse riding and paragliding. We also run a guesthouse, gear rental and transfers — everything for your trip from one local team.
Why travel with locals
Because safety and depth both come from knowing the ground. We speak English and Georgian as well as Svan, we know which slope is safe after a storm and which family cooks the best kubdari, and we care about how you experience our home. That is something no outside operator can replicate.
Frequently asked questions
Are your guides certified?
Yes. Our mountain guides hold relevant mountain and avalanche safety qualifications and first-aid training, and we prioritise safety and small groups on every trip.
What languages do you speak?
We speak English, Georgian and Svan, so we can guide and support international guests comfortably.