ProSvaneti
Ushguli Excursion & Namkuami Lake Trek
A guided history stop in Ushguli — the story of Free Svaneti — followed by an easy-to-moderate alpine trek to Lake Namkuami at 2,700m. A different, more active day than our standard Ushguli tour.
This is a fuller day in Ushguli than our standard village tour: a guided history excursion on the drive there — what "Free Svaneti" meant, how its mountain communities lived — followed by a real alpine trek to Lake Namkuami at about 2,700m (3.6 km one way, ~500 m of elevation gain, below-average difficulty).
It's a full day from Mestia (about 8–9 hours), run as a private 4x4 or a shared seat, for travelers who want more than the village walk our regular Ushguli tour offers.
Highlights
- ✓ The history of Free Svaneti, told on the way to Ushguli
- ✓ A real alpine trek most Ushguli day trips skip — Lake Namkuami at 2,700m
- ✓ A quieter, more active alternative to the standard village tour
Itinerary
- 10:00Depart Mestia
Guided drive to Ushguli (about 2 hours) — the story of Free Svaneti, its history and mountain communities.
- ~12:00Transfer to trailheadAltitude: 2,270 m
Short drive from Ushguli to the start of the Namkuami trek.
- trekTrek to Lake NamkuamiAltitude: ≈ 2,700 m
About 7 km round trip with around 500 m of elevation gain. The whole trek takes about 4 hours on average, depending on the group's pace.
- at the lakeRest and photos
Time at the lake before heading back down.
- 18:00–19:00Return to Mestia
Drive back from the trailhead.
What's included
- ✓ A 2-hour guided story of Free Svaneti on the way to Ushguli
- ✓ Guide on the trek to Lake Namkuami
- ✓ Local driver, round trip from Mestia
- ✓ Transfer to the trekking start point
Not included
- ✗ Food and drinks
What to bring
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- Water and snacks
- Sun protection
- A warm layer for the lake elevation
FAQ
How is this different from the standard Ushguli day tour?+
Our regular Ushguli tour is a village visit with the viewpoint by Lamaria monastery. This one drives closer to the Shkhara glacier and adds a real alpine trek to Lake Namkuami (about 7 km round trip) and a more detailed guided history of Free Svaneti — a longer, more active day.
How hard is the trek to the lake?+
Below-average difficulty — 3.6 km one way with about 500m of elevation gain. Reasonable fitness helps, but it doesn't require technical experience.
How shared tours, payment and cancellation work →
Related tours
Ushguli Day Tour from Mestia
One of Europe's highest permanently inhabited villages, a UNESCO site under Mount Shkhara — a full day of Svan towers and mountain road.
Koruldi Lakes Tour from Mestia
High alpine lakes above Mestia with a front-row panorama of Mount Ushba — reachable by 4x4 to the ridge, then a short walk, or as a full-day hike.
Ready for Ushguli Excursion & Namkuami Lake Trek?
Send your dates — we confirm availability with the driver and reply with a realistic plan, including current road and weather conditions.