TREK THRU TUSHETI
Trek Thru Tusheti
Experience Georgia's Most Rugged Mountain Region
11 days / 10 nights :: For Private Groups
Tusheti -- Wild. Rugged. Breathtaking. This unique region will capture your heart, leaving you speechless with each new vista. From the serpentine roads to highland mountain villages to abandoned fortresses, Tusheti is sure to whet your appetite to return and revel in the utter silence & simplicity of natural beauty all around. With each mountain pass you cross, you'll note the three distinct mountain regions of Georgia through which this trek will take you. The diversity of the Caucasus Mountains never disappoints!
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN GEORGIA
Welcome to Georgia! An English-speaking guide will meet you at the airport and get you settled safely into your hotel. It will likely be middle-of-the-night when you arrive in Tbilisi, but we hope you’re able to start working through jet-lag and regain your energy before your trekking tour begins.
DAY 2: TBILISI TOURING
Welcome to Tbilisi! In recent years, Tbilisi is enjoying lots of positive press as one of the coolest cities in Eastern Europe, or the “New East”, as some call this part of the world. Enjoy your one full day here to the fullest with a guided city tour visiting some of Tbilisi’s most iconic spots: ancient churches, historic baths/saunas, the Jewish synagogue, an Old City that rivals any of Europe’s oldest cities, and more. Tbilisi has something for everyone, so you’re sure to be charmed in your time there. The city is quite hilly and so many of the views from restaurants are very memorable. You’ll finish the day with a tasty traditional Georgian meal and we hope you get another solid night’s rest before your mountain adventure starts tomorrow.
DAY 3: TRANSFER TO OMALO
After breakfast, your English-speaking guide & local drivers will meet you to load your belongings and begin the 6-7 hour drive to Tusheti. You’ll depart the city, entering the foothills of Kakheti, Georgia’s famous wine & agricultural region, heading over the Gombori Pass into Telavi, where you’ll make a brief stop at the bazaar for some final supplies. Here you will catch your first glimpse of the greater Caucasus mountain range. Continuing on your journey, you’ll stop to visit the 6th century Alaverdi Cathedral, as well as have a picnic lunch along the way to Tusheti. The road to Omalo is windy & beautiful, with green pastures & mountains, with views of roadside waterfalls as the river makes its way from the high mountains into the Kakheti valley below. Crossing over the Abano Pass (2830 meters) you’ll finally enter into Tusheti, Georgia’s most wild, rustic, & untouched mountain region. Upon arrival in Omalo, the central village of Tusheti region, you’ll settle into your guest house and soak in the surrounding views, finishing with a delicious dinner of traditional mountain cuisine prepared by your hosts.
DAY 4: OMALO TO DARTLO
Today your trekking journey begins! Over the next six days your feet will carry you approximately 84 km through some of the most beautiful mountain sites Georgia has to offer. After breakfast you’ll grab your day pack & start from Omalo to the village Dartlo, stopping at the famous Keselo fortress of Upper Omalo. Today’s leg of the trek is relatively easy, with great views of mountains & smaller villages along the way. All remaining gear & belongings will be transported by car today & tomorrow to the guest house where you’ll spend the night. Dartlo is one of the oldest villages in Georgia, so take the time to appreciate the history you’re surrounded by. In the evening there will be time to explore the fortress above Dartlo should you desire to do so or simply to sit near to the river, enjoying the peaceful calm of the Pirikitri region of northern Tusheti.
DAY 5: DARTLO TO GIREVI
After breakfast, you’ll start from Dartlo, hiking through the small upper village of Dano, then descending to the Alazani River, along which you’ll continue hiking Pirikitri River through the villages of Chesho & Parma before arriving in Girevi. You’ll notice many abandoned villages, and ruins of towers & fortresses throughout. These provided protection to Tushetians from the invasions of nearby Chechens & Dagestanis, who in centuries past would cross the mountains to attack & pillage Georgian villages. After settling into your guesthouse you’ll check in at the border station, since Girevi and the trail you will continue along are located so close to the border with Russia/Chechnya. It’s your last night in a guest house so be sure to get a hot shower and a good night’s rest before you enter the unpopulated, but most beautiful areas of Tusheti.
DAY 6: GIREVI TO KVAKHIDI CAMP
After breakfast, you’ll set out from “civilization” passing through Chontio, the final (though abandoned) village in this valley of Tusheti, continuing towards the shepherd’s summer camp at Kvakhidi. From today, your luggage & the group’s gear & supplies will be transported by horses. You’ll pass by some shepherds’ highland living camps and may even have the opportunity to see how they make local gouda cheese from sheep’s milk. Today & for the next three nights you’ll stay in tents, but there is one large tent for having meals and sitting together in the evening. After setting up camp you can rest before enjoying a delicious dinner prepared by the cook accompanying your group. Do your best to get a full night’s sleep as tomorrow will be your hardest day of of this trek!
DAY 7: ATSUNTA PASS
Today will be your longest, hardest day of the trek, ascending over 1,000m to the Atsunta Pass (3485m), crossing into Khevsureti region. After a hearty breakfast, you’ll break down camp, pack your belongings, & grab your packs. It is a long, slow, winding ascent to the Atsunta Pass, but the views from the top of the pass are well worth the effort! From this point you have gorgeous panoramic views into Tusheti & Khevsureti regions of Georgia, as well as views of mountains in Chechnya, including Mount Tebulos (4493m) on the border of Chechnya & Georgia. After a short rest, you’ll begin the steep descent to a wide plain where you’ll set up camp for the night. This is by far one of the most beautiful campsites on your trek. Depending on the weather, you may have spectacular views of Mount Kazbek & the Chaukhi Mountains of Kazbegi region in the evening or early morning.
DAY 8: KHEVSURETI
After breakfast & breaking down camp, you’ll start along a narrow path winding alongside the mountains, opening to a wider plain as you gradually descend. You’ll note how very different this mountain region is from Tusheti, yet with a beauty of its own. After processing your permits at the border guard station, you’ll continue descending through a meadow of wildflowers, with surrounding panoramic mountain views. Looking back at the Atsunta Pass, you’ll find it hard to believe the descent you made yesterday! Your descent will end at the Andaki River below the abandoned Ardoti village, which is one of Georgia’s endangered monuments. Here you’ll have the chance to refresh yourself in the cool river before continuing by 4×4 vehicles to Roshka. Along the way you’ll stop at the fortified villages of Mutso & Shatili. Driving along the winding roads of Khevsureti, you’ll continue to enjoy majestic views of green mountains, largely uninhabited, arriving at your campsite just outside of the village Roshka, with views of the Chaukhi Mountains. It’s your final night of tent camping before your second-most difficult day of trekking tomorrow, so enjoy your final overnight in the wild.
DAY 9: CHAUKHI PASS TO STEPANTSMINDA
After breakfast & breaking down camp for the final time, you’ll start off into the wide valley below the Chaukhi Mountains. Your luggage will go by 4×4 vehicle to meet you in Stepantsminda at the end of the day’s hiking. The ascent to Chaukhi Pass (3340m) is steep, but winds along the mountainside by switchbacks to ease the difficulty. As you ascend, you’ll have clear views of the three Abedalauri Lakes (white, green, & blue), a popular destination for overnight hiking in the region. From the top of Chaukhi Pass you can see into both Khevsureti & Kazbegi regions of Georgia, again noting how very different the landscape and mountains appear simply by crossing a pass. After a short rest, you’ll descend through Juta, one of the highest villages in Europe (2300m). The view of Chaukhi Mountain is quite different from this side, being labeled by many as the “Dolomites of Georgia.” Congratulations! Your trek is finished & you’ve traveled by foot approximately 84km in six days! The 4×4 vehicles will meet you in Juta & transport you to your hotel in Stepantsminda where a hot shower & delicious meal await you!
DAY 10: STEPANTSMINDA TO TBILISI
Today your feet & legs get to rest as you enjoy some of the sites in Kazbegi region and views of iconic Mount Kazbek (5054 m) from Stepantsminda. In the morning you’ll go by car to Gergeti Trinity Church, to soak in the magnificent views of Mount Kazbek. You’ll return to the hotel for breakfast & to pack your belongings before heading back to Tbilisi along the Georgia Military Highway. On the way you’ll stop to visit Ananuli Fortress at Zhinvali Reservoir and the UNESCO World Heritage sites Svetitskhoveli Cathedral & Jvari Monastery in Mtskheta. After a rest & settling into your hotel, you’ll enjoy one final traditional Georgian meal to celebrate the journey you’ve taken through the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia.
DAY 11: DEPARTURE
You’ll be transferred to the airport this morning for your flight home. Thanks for visiting and experiencing just a drop of what Georgia has to offer! We hope to see you again for a cultural tour or to explore more of the natural beauty of the South Caucasus in Armenia and Azerbaijan. Nakhvamdis! (Goodbye in Georgian)
- All transportation: Airport transfers; Transport in 4×4 vehicles from Tbilisi to Omalo, Ardoti to Roshka, and Stepantsminda back to Tbilisi
- All breakfasts
- Dinners on Days 2-10
- Lunches on Days 3-9
- Other meals as indicated on itinerary
- Lodging – 7 nights in guest home/hotel (Days 1-5, 9-10)
- Lodging – 3 nights in tents (Days 6-8, two people per tent)
- Half-day cultural tour with English-speaking guide in Tbilisi
- Visits to other historical/cultural sites: Alaverdi Cathedral, Gergeti Trinity Church, Annuli Fortress, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, & Jvari Monastery
- Professional and experienced English-speaking trekking guide and cook
- Tents
- Horse Porters for carrying personal luggage & group gear/food. Personal gear limit: 15 kg (33 lbs)/person
- Extensive pre-trip planning, customization, & customer service
- International airfare
- Tourist visa on a per-country basis
- Personal trekking gear (see required gear list)
- Additional services requested at hotels (spa/banya, etc.)
- All meals on Day 1
- Lunches on Days 2,10,11
- Any change to the program that requires extra expense (any departure from the itinerary will be booked by you at your own expense)
- Additional beverages at meals (non-alcoholic and alcoholic)
- Personal Insurance (not required)
- Tips for guides, drivers & meals
Trekking Gear:
- Waterproof Pack/Backpack (50-80 liters) for transport on horses
- Day Pack (10-30 liters)
- Trekking poles – Optional, but advisable
- Sleeping bag (0 degree C)
- Sleeping pad
- Liter sized water bottle
- Seat pad – Optional
Upper Body:
- Light/Mid-weight insulated “puffy” jacket
- Rain Jacket (Gore-tex or equivalent; wind & waterproof)
- Fleece hoodie/pullover
- Synthetic base layer – Optional
- Synthetic t-shirts or sleeveless
Lower Body:
- Synthetic trekking pants
- Synthetic/wool underwear
- Synthetic/wool thermal long underwear – Optional
Hands and Feet:
- Synthetic/wool hiking socks
- Hiking boots/shoes (Goretex or equivalent)
- Mid/lightweight gloves (optional)
- Camp shoes (sneakers or sandals–helpful for stream crossing)
Headwear:
- Balaclava/buff and/or beanie
- Hat
- Sunglasses
Other:
- Personal first-aid kit & basic medications (against diarrhea, fever, indigestion, etc)
- Prescription meds (inhaler, EpiPen, etc.)
- Personal toiletries & sunscreen
- Quick drying towel
- Battery pack & cords for device charging
- Head lamp (with extra batteries)
- Thermos – Optional
Talk to a Trekking expert today:
- +1 704-810-4296
Your safety & success are our priority. Our guides:
- Are locals with years of trekking experience
- Are English-speaking with local expertise
What you’ll experience on “Trek Thru Tusheti”
Trek Thru Tusheti Pricing
| Tour Level | 2 People | 3-4 People | 5-6 People |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Economic |
$3,695 |
$3,095 |
$2,745 |
|
Classic/Mid-Range |
$3,990 |
$3,375 |
$2,995 |
|
Affordable Luxury |
$4,275 |
$3,640 |
$3,265 |
*As a US based company, all prices are in US Dollars, per person. We accept payment in US dollars at the exchange rate in affect at the time of payment. Refer to our Payment Options document for further details on various methods of payment.
*Accommodation levels apply to hotels in Tbilisi and Stepantsminda ONLY. During the trekking days accommodations in Tusheti are 3-star guest houses and tents.
*For requesting single rooms & tents, a single supplement fee will be applied.
*Contact us for larger group pricing.
*Contact us for tent-only pricing
*Contact us for 8-day Omalo to Shatili trek pricing