Welcome to Tusheti
Tucked away in the Caucasus in Georgia’s far northeast corner, Tusheti is an ever more popular summer hiking and horse-trekking area and weekend getaway for lowland Georgians, but remains one of the country’s most picturesque, fascinating and pristine high-mountain regions. The single road to Tusheti, over the nerve-jangling 2900m Abano Pass from Kakheti, is 4WD-only and only passable from about late May to mid-October. Centuries-old koshkebi (stone defence and refuge towers) still stand in many villages, and evidence of Tusheti’s old animist religion is plentiful in the form of stone shrines called khatebi (singular: khati) decked with the horns of sacrificed goats or sheep. Women, including visitors, are not permitted to approach khatebi.
Top experiences in Tusheti
Tusheti activities
5 days private tour in Remote Tusheti (Omalo) hiking around the area.
ItineraryDay 1: During the first day we`ll visit couple of locations in the Gombori range, Kakheti region and reach Upper Omalo villageStop At: Ujarma Fortress, Ujarma, Kakheti RegionUjarma fortress presents 3rd century residence for the Kartlian Kings and it`s located in the Gombori mountains, pre-range area. Duration: 45 minutesStop At: Ikalto Monastery Complex, Ikalto, Kakheti RegionThis is not just a monastery, but one the first educational centers in early medieval century`s Georgia, established in the beginning of 11th century. This location allows astonishing views on the surrounding area, including Prometheus cliff.Duration: 45 minutesStop At: Telavi FortressTelavi city, cenral city of Kakheti region ( Capital city of Kakhetian Kingdom between the 15-18 centuries). Here, we`ll visit an agricultural market and the local Kings residenceDuration: 50 minutesStop At: National Park of Tusheti, Omalo, Kakheti RegionBy end of the day we`ll reach center of Tusheti region, named a Upper Omalo, the ancient settlement. This is where, there we`ll stay in the local guest-house or Hotel. Whole region is remote and the nature still looks so wild.Duration: 9 hoursMeals included: • Dinner: We`ll have our lunch probably in Telavi city and dinner in Upper Omalo. Notice: Meal is not included in the tour price.Accommodation included: Accommodation- Guest-house or Hotel, upon your request. Notice:The accommodation price isn`t included in the tour priceDay 2: Upper Omalo – Dartlo tower village - the abandoned tower village of Kvavlo - back to Omalo -Upper Omalo fortifications.Stop At: Dartlo ChurchDartlo ancient tower village is located in Piriqita valley of Tusheti region and looks very traditional. In this village we`ll walk between the village streets and locate ancient Tusheti style fortified houses as well as Protective towers.Duration: 50 minutesStop At: Hotel KvavloAfter Dartlo we`ll hike up the other ancient village of Kvavlo, located at a hill top,which allows beautiful views on the surrounding mountains and valley.Duration: 2 hours 30 minutesStop At: KeseloKeselo is a name of an ancient fortification system in Tusheti, which consists of dosen towers and is located right upper hillside of Omalo village. Duration: 1 hourNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 3: Visit to Gometsari gorge. This trip includes stops in couple of villages and some hiking event (moderate level)Stop At: Dartlo ChurchIn Dartlo tower village. We`ll walk around old town streets and see the ancient Tushetian houses (fortifications). we`ll also, visit the traditiona ancient court place. we can also, have some herbal tea in the local restaurant.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Hotel KvavloHiking from Dartlo to Kvavlo ghost village which is located in the higher altitude than Dartlo. Walking around the old ruins. From Kvavlo we`ll walk to another historical village, named as Dano and visit local grave yard and a holly place.Duration: 3 hoursStop At: National Park of Tusheti, Omalo, Kakheti RegionDriving back to Upper Omalo guest-houseDuration: 2 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 4: Trip to old Diklo fortress, located at the border line with Russia. Visiting- Canyon, Shenako and Diklo areas.Stop At: Guest House-Shenako VerandahWe`ll drive to Shenako ancient village (we can also hike), stop our vehicle, vist the local church and start hiking to Old diklo fortress.Duration: 3 hoursStop At: Tusheti Protected Areas AdministrationDuring this step we`ll stop for quick snack in the new Diklo village and walk around the village...Duration: 50 minutesStop At: National Park of Tusheti, Omalo, Kakheti RegionFrom Diklo village we`ll hike all the way up to the border cliffs with Dagestan, see the astonishing views and continue walking to the ruins of Old Diklo fortress. and return back to the newer Diklo.Duration: 3 minutesStop At: National Park of Tusheti, Omalo, Kakheti RegionLater the day we`ll walk to Shenako village, using different path and drive back to our Guest-houseDuration: 3 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 5: Finalizing our tour by driving back to Kakheti region and than Tbilisi. Stop At: Gremi Citadel and Church of the Archangels, Gremi, Kakheti RegionFrom Omalo we`ll drive back to Alazani valley and visit An ancient citadel of Gremi, we can also, organize some wine tasting in Kvareli city (upon your request)Duration: 5 hoursStop At: Signagi City Walls, Signagi, Kakheti RegionAfter Gremi we`ll cross over the Alazani valley and end up in the late medieval century style town of Signagi, located at a hill top, which allows astonishing views on the valley and the great Caucasus.Duration: 3 hoursStop At: Tbilisi MallAfter visiting Signagi we`ll had back to Tbilisi city. Duration: 2 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.
Step In Wildlife Adventure of Tusheti and Khevsureti
ItineraryDay 1: OmaloPass By: Step In Georgia, TbilisiWe start our journey from Capital of Georgia and proceed to Omalo, Tusheti - Mountain Region of Georgia Stop At: National Park of Tusheti, Omalo, Kakheti RegionEn rout visit Alaverdi cathedral. Crossing the main Caucasus ridge – Abano pass at the elevation 2926 m. Lunch on the way in nature. Arrival at the village Omalo. Accommodation at the Guesthouse. Sightseeing around villages upper and lower Omalo. Explore surroundings and enjoy by the beautiful views of Chagma valley, visit the Keselo fortress and ethnographical museum of Tusheti. Duration: 10 hoursMeals included: • Dinner: Dinner with national dishes and Georgian wine or chacha.Accommodation included: Overnight in Omalo at GuesthouseDay 2: Omalo - DartloStop At: National Park of Tusheti, Omalo, Kakheti RegionAfter arrival to Omalo, we spend cozy evening at a friendly guesthouse. Duration: 10 hoursNo meals included on this day.Accommodation included: Overnight at the guesthouseDay 3: Dartlo - Chesho - Parsma - GireviStop At: Dartlo ChurchStart early morning at 8 am after breakfast, First drive to Dartlo, Along the way visit some beautiful sites of Tusheti – Que and up to Ghele. Arrival in Dartlo by Crossing Pirikita-Gometsari Watershed Range. Explore surroundings in village Dartlo and start trek to the direction village Girevi, The way are running along the Alazani river. On the way we pass through the villages Chesho Parsma and Girevi. This is a fascinating and remote mountainous Georgian villages. The houses and towers in this village were built with local stones and have survived many centuries. Camp near the village Girevi.Duration: 8 hoursNo meals included on this day.Accommodation included: Overnight in tents near the village Girevi.Day 4: Girevi - KvakhidiStop At: National Park of Tusheti, Omalo, Kakheti RegionStart trek early morning at 8 am. Continue our trek from the village Girevi along Hatsunta-Alazani Gorge, passing abandoned village Chontio – Which is the last inhabited village in Pirikiti valley, and continue towards to our campsite at Kvakhidi (2400m). The path goes up through the alpine meadows along the river, From where we have spectacular views and impressive surroundings. Duration: 10 hoursNo meals included on this day.Accommodation included: Overnight in Tents at Kvakhidi place.Day 5: Atsunta Pass (3431m)Stop At: Atsunta PassKhidotani Range On this day we have little bit hard trek, we start early morning, The path gradually goes up through alpine meadows along the head of the river Hatsunta. Then rising up on the grassy slopes with some scree sections to the Atsunta Pass and at the elevation 3431m we cross it, from the top we have spectacular views of the surrounding summits including the deep canyons of Khevsureti province where we will be trek in the next days. Duration: 10 hoursNo meals included on this day.Accommodation included: Descend to our campsite at 2400m, overnight in Tents.Day 6: Khidotani Range - Mutso Stop At: Mutso, Mtskheta, Mtskheta-Mtianeti RegionWe start trek early morning. The most famous and impressive medieval fortress Mutso, located on a steep hill where we have short excursion. And at the end of our trek Shatili village-citadel. It is one of the impressive monument of Georgia, with its mighty towers standing proudly in Arguni river valley for 1200 years.Duration: 8 hoursNo meals included on this day.Accommodation included: Overnight in MutsoDay 7: Mutso - Shatili -TbilisiStop At: Shatili Medieval Fortress Village, Shatili, Mtskheta-Mtianeti RegionIn the morning drive to Shatili (our driver will pick you up). sightseeing around Shatili complex and then drive to Tbilisi, First crossing Datvijvari Pass (2676m) then following the deep Aragvi gorge to join the Georgian Military Highway. Duration: 8 hoursNo meals included on this day.Accommodation included: Overnight in Tbilisi
Tusheti Jeep tour (3 days)
First day enjoy a hotel pickup and transfer to through Gombori and Abano passes to Tusheti. First stop will be in Alaverdi cathedral where you will have a short excursion. Next, you’ll drive to the direction of Tusheti. On the way you’ll have a lunch in nature. Even the road takes 7-8 hours from Tbilisi, you will not feel tiredness. All the time of driving you will have unbelievable views on Caucasus mountains covered with a lot of springs and some glaciers. In Upper Omalo, after a short rest, you will visit Keselo towers and than you will drive to Gometsari valley to see one of the most beautiful village of Tusheti - Dochu. Driving back to Upper Omalo. Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse.Second day after a breakfast you will drive to Pirikiti gorge to see the villages: Dartlo, Dano, Kvavlo, Chesho and Parsma. You will have a two hours trekking to village Kvavlo. This tour will take all day. You will also have a lunch in nature. At evening we will drive back to Upper Omalo. Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse. Third Day you will drive to Chanchakhovani gorge to visit villages: Shenako and Diklo. In Diklo we will have 1 hour short trekking to Pichekhi castle, which is standing at the border of Russian Federation. After this half day tour you will drive back to Tbilisi with unforgettable impressions.
Tusheti Tour
Duration of the tour: 2 days Departure from Kutaisi Distance from Kutaisi: 368 km Cost does not include hotel fees! Places to see: 1st day: Departure to Tusheti and staying at a hotel. 2nd day: 1.Tusheti Tusheti is a fascinating place, which is situated in the Caucasus mountains. Tusheti has truly unique cultural heritage. Shale stone towers dot the landscape and mark the ancient sites of ritual animal sacrifices. The area is thought to have long been inhabited by the Tush, a subgroup of Georgians, which themselves divide into two groups- the Chaghma-Tush (Georgian name, used for Tush who speak the local Georgian dialect) and Tsova-Tush (Nakh-speaking Tush, better known as Bats or Batsbi). It is uncertain whether ethnic Georgians were there first or whether Bats were. There are two major theories on the origins of the Bats (with various variations).Tell: Joni Robakidze: +995599405957 Karlo Piranashvili: +995595656561
Amazing Jeep Tour in Tusheti (Enjoy Wild Life of Georgia)
OVERVIEW • Tour name: Amazing Jeep Tour in Tusheti – Enjoy Wild Life of Georgia • Route: Tbilisi – Alvani – Omalo – Shenako – Diklo – Dartlo – Kvavlo – Parsma – Girevi – Bochorna – Dochu – Iliurta – Jvarboseli – Verkhovani – Omalo – Telavi – Tbilisi • Tour type: Adventure Tourism, Jeep Tour • Transportation Mode: 4X4 Jeep Mitsubishi Delica or Toyota 4Runner • Meal: Half Board • Accommodation: Guesthouse • Tour Duration: 2 night / 3 days • Distance: One way 230km • Meeting Point: Agreed location DAY 1: Dzveli (old) Omalo, Shenako, Diklo 07:00 Departure from Tbilisi to Alaverdi monastery (VI c) through the Gombori pass 12:00 – 13:00 Drive to Abano Pass 2900m. Here we will have lunch 15:00 Arrival to Omalo – The largest village in Tusheti. Accommodate in the Guesthouse. One hour break. 17:00 After a short rest we’ll visit Village Shenako 18:00 See amazing village Diklo. 20:00 Drive back to Omalo. Traditional Tushetian Dinner. Overnight in GuesthouseDAY 2: Dartlo, Kvavlo, Parsma, Girevi 09:00 After breakfast we’ll visit Keselo fortress and local museum 10:00 – 18:00 Drive to Pirikiti Tusheti to see the villages: Dartlo, Kvavlo, Parsma, Girevi 20:00 Drive back to Omalo. Dinner and overnight at the local guesthouseDAY 3: Dochu, Iliurta, Jvarboseli, Verkhovani 09:00 After breakfast drive to Gometsari valley to see amazing village Dochu 11:00 – 12:00 Visit villages Iliurta, Jvarboseli, Verkhovani 14:00 Drive back to Omalo. After lunch departure to Tbilisi 21:00 Arrival in TbilisiEnd of Amazing Jeep Tour in Tusheti – Enjoy Wild Life of Georgia
Amazing Jeep Tour in Tusheti (Enjoy Wild Life of Georgia)
OVERVIEW • Tour name: Amazing Jeep Tour in Tusheti – Enjoy Wild Life of Georgia • Route: Tbilisi – Alvani – Omalo – Shenako – Diklo – Dartlo – Kvavlo – Parsma – Girevi – Bochorna – Dochu – Iliurta – Jvarboseli – Verkhovani – Omalo – Telavi – Tbilisi • Tour type: Adventure Tourism, Jeep Tour • Transportation Mode: 4X4 Jeep Mitsubishi Delica or Toyota 4Runner • Meal: Half Board • Accommodation: Guesthouse • Tour Duration: 2 night / 3 days • Distance: One way 230km • Meeting Point: Agreed location DAY 1: Dzveli (old) Omalo, Shenako, Diklo 07:00 Departure from Tbilisi to Alaverdi monastery (VI c) through the Gombori pass 12:00 – 13:00 Drive to Abano Pass 2900m. Here we will have lunch 15:00 Arrival to Omalo – The largest village in Tusheti. Accommodate in the Guesthouse. One hour break. 17:00 After a short rest we’ll visit Village Shenako 18:00 See amazing village Diklo. 20:00 Drive back to Omalo. Traditional Tushetian Dinner. Overnight in GuesthouseDAY 2: Dartlo, Kvavlo, Parsma, Girevi 09:00 After breakfast we’ll visit Keselo fortress and local museum 10:00 – 18:00 Drive to Pirikiti Tusheti to see the villages: Dartlo, Kvavlo, Parsma, Girevi 20:00 Drive back to Omalo. Dinner and overnight at the local guesthouseDAY 3: Dochu, Iliurta, Jvarboseli, Verkhovani 09:00 After breakfast drive to Gometsari valley to see amazing village Dochu 11:00 – 12:00 Visit villages Iliurta, Jvarboseli, Verkhovani 14:00 Drive back to Omalo. After lunch departure to Tbilisi 21:00 Arrival in TbilisiEnd of Amazing Jeep Tour in Tusheti – Enjoy Wild Life of Georgia