Pilgrim tour

We accept requests for the tour.

Duration:5 days

Cost per person: $ 480 (when the group consists of 6 persons)

Description

In Svaneti now there remain more than 50 medieval churches. The earliest of them are dated to the 9^th century AD. Many churches still have unique interior frescos and external paintings. The technology of building is also unique. The churches were built of tuff and then mortared. There are many mysteries still hidden in the churches of Svaneti. The peculiarity of this region of Georgia is that Svaneti always had been a closed region, in which incalculable Georgian wealth was preserved from attacks of enemies: golden and silver icons, medieval crosses, encrusted with jewels, ancient Georgian bibles. All this is preserved in Svaneti up till now, but often hidden from tourists as a force of old Svan habit – to hide the wealth from strangers. Therefore, all the churches of Svaneti are closed, and the keys are kept by the clan that once built the church. Indeed, many churches are ancestral and have tribal cemeteries around them. During this tour we will lift the veil of secrecy. The guests will be able to visit all the important churches of Svaneti, see the old icons, talk to priests and monks. It’s important that the guests should honor and respect Svan Orthodox traditions. Thus women and men participating in the tour are to wear clothes complying with canons of the church, but also comfortable for hiking, as some churches and monasteries were built in the mountains, "closer to God." The program also includes participation in the Sunday liturgy, where you can listen to the Svan hymns.

Day 1

Churches of Ushguli community

- Church of the Assumption

- Church of the Archangel in Iprali

- Church of St. Barbara

Churches  of Kala community

- Church of the Archangel in Iprali

- Church and Kvirike and Evlita

- Church of St. Barbara

Day 2

Church of Ipari community

- Church of St. George in Adishi

- Church of St. George in Ipari

- Church of the Saviour

Church of Tsvirmi community

- Church of the Archangel in Atsi

- Church of the Saviour in Ieli

- Church of St. George in Tsvirmi

- Church of the Saviour in Tsvirmi

- Church of the Archangel in Tsvirmi

Day 3

Churches of  Mulakhi community

- Church of the Archangel in Chvabiani

- Church of the Saviour in Chvabiani

- Church of the Saviour in Jabeshi

- Church of the Saviour in Mulakhi

Churches of Mestia community

- Church of the Transfiguration in Lagami

- Church of the Archangel in Lanchvali

- Church of the Assumption in Lehtagi

Churches of Lendgheri community

- Church of the Archangel Gabriel

- Church of the Archangels

Day 4

Churches of Etseri community

- Church of St. George in Ugvali

- Church of St. George in Kurashi

- Church of the Archangels in Protreri

Churches  of Tskhumari community

- Church of the Archangel in Labskaldi

Church of Becho community

- Church of the Saviour in Chohuldi

Day 5

Liturgy

Churches of Latali community

- Church of the Prophet Jonah

- Church of the Ascension

- Church of the Saviour in Lahuzhdi

- Church of the Saviour in Lahili

- Church of St. George

- Cathedral of the Archangel in Tangili

- Jonah Baptist Church in Ienashi

Svan traditional feast with Latali folk choir.

Please note: the duration and cost of the tour is calculated without taking into account the route Tbilisi-Svaneti-Tbilisi. For you, we can choose a convenient and affordable way.