Summer 2026 in Svaneti: What Made This Season Memorable

🏔 SUMMER 2026 IN SVANETI: WHAT MADE THIS SEASON MEMORABLE

The summer season in Svaneti has come to an end. The Hatsvali cable car completed operations on October 20th, and the first snow has already reminded us that winter is just around the corner.

Let's look back on what this summer was like. And there was plenty happening!

❄️ A SUMMER THAT TOOK A WHILE TO BEGIN

Back in mid-June, people were still snowboarding in the mountains, and the passes remained snow-covered. The full-fledged tourist season started later than usual.

Overall, summer was rainy and cool, but thanks to this, the greenery and alpine meadows remained vibrant right through fall.

🚠 HATSVALI OPENED ONLY ON AUGUST 8TH

This was arguably one of the most anticipated launches of the season. All summer long, tourists asked when the cable car to Zuruldi would start operating. Promises, postponements, waiting — and finally, opening on August 8th.

And on October 20th, the cable car wrapped up operations, even earlier than the announced date.

🌧 NATURE AGAINST THE ROADS

This summer will be remembered for heavy rainfall, mudslides, and damaged bridges.

• On July 11th, a mudslide came down on the Khaishe–Nakra section. Fortunately, traffic was restored in just half an hour.

• On July 19th, a swollen river blocked the Ushguli–Lentkhi road near Chvelieri.

• In late July, powerful water flows damaged the earthen bridge to the hydroelectric station on Chaladi, and Mestia experienced power outages.

• On August 6th, a rockfall blocked the Mestia–Zugdidi road near Lakhamula.

• On August 25–26, heavy rains posed the risk of flooding and mudslides. Traffic was disrupted at several locations, including near Tsany.

• In late August, a concrete bridge was destroyed on the Lentkhi–Lasdili road. By August 30th, a temporary SARM bridge was installed near Sakdari and traffic was restored via Zagaro.

Once again, we were reminded how quickly road conditions can change in the mountains.

🎭 A CULTURAL SUMMER

Svaneti's cultural life was particularly rich this season.

In June, Mestia hosted the international street art festival GAMO KHATE MESTIA. Artists from around the world created a large mural dedicated to Georgia's history and mythology.

In July, two international film festivals took place: Svaneti IFF – DALI in Ushguli and a short film and mountain cinema festival in Mestia.

There were celebrations of Quirikotsoba, Svanetioba, and Khaldeshoba. Concerts, theatrical performances, and folk ensemble shows took place throughout the season.

In August, the international music residency Ocean and Glacier brought together Georgian and foreign musicians who created music together right in Mestia.

And in October, the Iberia ensemble performed in Chuberi and Mestia with the participation of the Svan ensemble Nenskra.

⚽️ A SPORTING SUMMER

On June 7th, the traditional Hulisoba festival took place, featuring horse races, Svan wrestling marklani, arm wrestling, and other competitions.

On July 18–19, Mestia hosted the international mountain race Mestia Ultra 2026. Its routes ran along mountain trails and passes in Svaneti.

The Svan Alpinists and Rock Climbers Club held its first training expedition in the Chaukhi massif.

15 participants, 7 days, and 14 peaks. For ten participants, these were their first summits.

From August 31st to September 5th, Mestia hosted the annual mini-football tournament in memory of senior lieutenant Mukhran Shukvani, who died in Afghanistan in 2010.

16 teams participated in the qualifying stage — 6 military teams and 10 local ones. The army team won, Mestia took second place, and Lendzeri came third. Mukhran Shukvani's mother presented the trophy to the winners.

Work continued on the Niko Paliani bike trail project. In August, organizers reported 7,400 lari collected against a necessary budget of 75,000 lari. Territory research, route marking, and geological work were completed.

🏗 INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

One of the notable projects of the season was the construction of a stadium in Mestia. The work also affected city utilities: in late August, water was temporarily cut off in several neighborhoods due to relocation of the main water pipeline.

In July, Mestia officially launched construction of a Marriage House. Georgia's Minister of Justice, along with local authorities, laid a symbolic time capsule.

Road work continued, including on the Kala–Ushguli section. Much of the road already has concrete pavement, and a tunnel is under construction on one section.

In Lakhani, a new waste transfer station was built, designed to serve the entire Mestia municipality.

⚡️ In Mestia municipality, they began installing balance-type electricity meters to monitor grid load and combat illegal cryptocurrency mining.

By October, meters had been installed in 33 villages, and electricity consumption reportedly dropped by 22%. By year-end, another 48 meters are planned for 25 villages. However, the problem of power outages persists.

In August, they announced a tender for construction of a new terminal at Queen Tamar Airport costing approximately 15 million lari. The project envisions a modern terminal designed for roughly 50,000 passengers annually.

🌍 SVANETI ON THE INTERNATIONAL TOURISM MAP

This season, Svaneti was actively promoted on foreign tourism markets.

🇨🇳 May — China, Shanghai

At the international ITB China 2026 exhibition, Georgia was featured as the partner country. About 30 Georgian companies participated in the event.

Then in September, representatives from 9 Chinese tourism companies visited Georgia for a familiarization tour. Svaneti was included in the itinerary. Tour operators studied the tourism infrastructure, attractions, and opportunities for collaboration with local businesses.

🇯🇵 September — Japan, Tokyo

At Tourism EXPO Japan 2026, Svaneti was represented by the DMO Svaneti team, introducing Japanese travelers and international partners to our region.

🇮🇹 October — Italy, Rimini

DMO Svaneti participated in the international tourism exhibition TTG Travel Experience 2026, where it presented the region's natural and cultural heritage, tourist routes, and recreation opportunities.

Such events are important not only for Svaneti's recognition. They create new contacts with foreign tour operators, opportunities for local businesses, and prospects for attracting tourists from new countries.

🍂 AND THEN FALL ARRIVED

In early October, the first snow fell on Zagaro. Svaneti began preparing for winter.

Work continued at Tetnuldi on concrete paving of the access road and parking area. By the winter season, they plan to improve road infrastructure and resort service conditions.

Ahead is a new ski season, with resort openings announced for December 20th.

That's how summer 2026 will be remembered: with beautiful celebrations, sporting competitions, new projects, challenging weather, big plans, and the endless effort to maintain good roads.

Which event from this summer made the biggest impression on you? Perhaps we missed something?

Share in the comments ❤️

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