Adishi
Tiny, remote Svan village at about 2,040 m with medieval churches and towers, reached on foot on the Mestia to Ushguli trek.
AdishiPhoto: Martin Lopatka, CC BY-SA 2.0Adishi is one of the most isolated villages in Upper Svaneti, set at about 2,040 m in a narrow valley below the Adishi Glacier. Only a few dozen people live here year-round, among stone towers, small medieval churches and wooden hay barns, far from the paved road. In summer the village comes alive as the overnight stop at the end of the second day of the Mestia to Ushguli trek, with several family guesthouses serving dinner and breakfast to hikers. Arriving on foot over the ridge from Zhabeshi, you see the whole village spread out below you.
The next morning the trail follows the Adishchala River upstream. Hikers ford the river or pay a local horseman for a short ride across, then climb past views of the Adishi Glacier to the Chkhunderi Pass. Even if you are not walking the full trek, a night in Adishi rewards you with silence and dark, starry skies. Guesthouses are simple but welcoming, and most close by early October. There is no ATM, so bring enough cash.
History
Adishi's churches date from the 10th to the 12th centuries and include the Church of the Saviour, two churches of Saint George and a church of the Archangels. The village is best known for the Adishi Gospels, a manuscript written in 897 and kept here for centuries; it is one of the oldest dated Georgian Gospel books. Only 44 people were recorded living in the village in 2014.
What to see and do
- A night in a family guesthouse on the trek
- Medieval churches and Svan towers
- Views of the Adishi Glacier east of the village
- Crossing the Adishchala River on horseback
How to visit
Getting there
Adishi is reached on foot on day two of the Mestia to Ushguli trek, about 11 km from Zhabeshi. There is no public transport; ask in Mestia about 4x4 transfers, which depend on the state of the track.
When to go
July to mid-September. Plan 1 night here.
- Book guesthouses ahead in peak season, as beds are limited.
- Carry cash; there is no ATM.
- Cross the Adishchala River early in the morning, when the water is usually lowest.
- Guesthouses close in autumn, so check before walking in after mid-September.
Adishi: FAQ
Can you reach Adishi by car?
Not by ordinary car. Most visitors arrive on foot on the Mestia to Ushguli trek; ask in Mestia about 4x4 transfers, which depend on the condition of the track.
How high is Adishi?
Adishi sits at about 2,040 m above sea level, one of the higher villages in Upper Svaneti.
Read more in our guides
Photo: Q-lieb-in, CC BY-SA 4.0Four days and roughly 55 km through Svan tower villages: each stage explained, plus the river ford, where to sleep, what to pack and when the pass is clear.
Photo: Alexxx1979, CC BY-SA 4.0Who to tip in Georgia and how much: the restaurant service charge, tour guides and drivers, taxis, hotels, guesthouses, cellars and sulphur baths, in lari.
Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Adishi.
