Georgia’s historical and geographic region – Svaneti consists of two parts: Zemo (Upper) and Kvemo (Lower) Svaneti divided by Svaneti range. Zemo Svaneti is part of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region while Kvemo Svaneti is included in the Racha-Lechkhumi- Kvemo Svaneti region and encompasses Tskhenistskali river gorge from the beginning to the bridge of Muri. On the Svaneti range there are several passes connecting Zemo and Kvemo Svaneti. Among them is Latpari (2830 m) used for farming activity (haymaking, timber logging, hunting) and transit of tourists. Auto traffic movement is possible only from July unti October, as steep slopes of the range in winter are prone to avalanches. Zemo and Kvemo Svaneti are linked also via two more passes – Lasili (3086 m) and Atkveri (2623 m). On the Southern slope of Svaneti range, in the gorge of river Tskhenistskali is situated health and spa resort of Muashi noted for its mineral waters. From Muashi it is possible to move to Zeskho gorge where since 1978 have operated mountain climber camps ‘Ailama’ (Ailama is a peak in Zeskho gorge, 4546 m) and ‘Zeskho’ (1880 m above sea level). ‘Ailama’ was earmarked for professional climbers while ‘Zeskho’ – for amateurs. In the course of the year thousands of young men and women from the whole Soviet Union mastered here mountain

climbing fundamentals. Very often cottages could not host all visitors who had to unfold tents in the center of the camp. In the 1990-ies camps stopped their business, though since 2003 ‘Zeskho’ has started hosting of active holiday makers again. 

 

1. Ailama mountain and Zeskho gorge.

2. Muashi. Cottages for vacationers.

3. Kids of a goat. In Svaneti, 18 species of fish, 7 species of amphibians, 10 species of reptiles, up to 70 species of birds and up to 30 species of mammals typical for the middle and upper highland of Central Kavkasioni are registered. Among them is West-Caucasus goat whose number today in Georgia as well as in the whole of Kavkasioni due to uncontrolled hunting has sharply decreased. It is known that in the XIX century hunters in Svaneti killed approximately 220 goats. Today Georgian legislation bans goat hunting.

 

Location: Southern slope of the Svaneti range (system of Greater Kavkasioni), gorge of river Tskhenistskali (right tributary of river Rioni)

Distance: 350 km away from Tbilisi

Sea level: 1250-1300 m

Landscape: mountainous

Climate: middle mountain climate (lower belt), winter cold, snowy, mean temperature in January -4 degrees centigrade, summer moderately warm and dry, mean temperature in August 17,9 degrees centigrade

Average annual precipitation: 2000 mm

Average comparative annual humidity: 78%

Duration of annual sunny light: 1800-1900 h.

Natural treatment factors: middle mountain, lower belt climate and two spring waters: carbohydrate, hydro-carbonate, sodium-calcium, iron mineral waters, with general mineralization of 1,8-2,5 g/dm3 (Muashi); and carbohydrate, iron, hydro-carbonate, magnesium-calcium mineral waters, with general mineralization of 0,8-2,0 g/dm3 (Tsurnashi).

Overall discharge of waters: 13 thous. l”day

Types of therapy: Muashi mineral water application (drinking) and Tsurnashi mineral water baths, passive climate therapy

Diseases for treatment: alimentary tract, bone and peripheral nervous system diseases