Date: 24th May 2026
Travelled: 250 kms from Kutaisi to Mestia in Georgia
Visited: Martvili Canyon, Enguri Dam and Mestia
Stayed: Mestia Paliani Hotel
A quiet night in the hotel for drinks and dinner last night. By the time the storm passed it was too late to go back into Kutaisi. As I stated in the last blog our hotel is 15+ minutes walk from the centrum.
Weโre up early for a walk around the neighbourhood before breakfast. Then at the appointed time back on the coach. Our first stop of the day is Martvili Canyon less than an hour later. From the bus carpark we walk past the usual tat stalls to the pay office following our leader to the start of the canyon.
The Abasha River has created a gorge in limestone rocks, reaching a depth of 40 metres with canyons, caves and waterfalls. Thereโs the possibility of boating here but the river is running too fast this time of year our guide tells us.
Anyway we follow the trail which runs for 7-800 metres down the river which provides some spectacular views and some good photo opportunities. It is slippery going so we all take our time.
The gorge done back to the coach.
Our next stop is Enguri Dam. Itโs a slow drive mostly 60 kph limit through the numerous villages before we start the climb into the mountains. According to the blurb at 271 metres itโs the second highest concrete arch dam in the world. Work commenced in 1961 taking 25 years to complete due to a series of wars and disputes.
I get the feeling the dam visit is more of a leg stretch and toilet break. We watch a short Soviet style movie on itโs construction, walk through a pop-up art art gallery and have 5 minutes to take a picture which is plenty of time.
On the road once again we follow the Enguri River north from the dam into the region of Svaneti. The road is narrow and at times treacherous. There are several areas under repair where the winter avalanches and rock falls have taken away large sections of the road.
Some 90 minutes from the dam we stop at a tiny cafe adjacent a bridge at the confluence of the Enguri and Darch Rivers, pictured below.
We continue on further up the valley the river roaring downstream along side the narrow road for another 90 minutes. The mountains on either side capped in snow but suddenly they open and we arrive in Mestia. Apart from the relief of having that drive behind us, Mestia is a post card village as you can see from the photos below.
Where soon at our hotel.
Our rooms are on the third floor the balcony with panoramic views. Anyway breakfast and dinners are included during our stay in Mestia and dinner is ready, so that was our day in Georgiaโฆ
Michael + Pam
2 thoughts on “Mestia, Georgia ๐ฌ๐ช 2026”
As usual great report, we are here in Bacharach on the Rhine before flying back home tomorrow.
Safe travels
Johannes โค๏ธ
Certainly some beautiful scenery