Itinerary:

Day 1
Tbilisi – Gombori Pass – Lechuri – Abano Pass – Omalo

We will depart Tbilisi early in the morning. Our drive will take us over Gombori Pass to the foothills of the Great Caucasus. Once we reach the village of Lechuri, we will turn off the asphalt road and follow an unpaved mountain route towards Abano Pass – the highest driveable mountain pass in the Caucasus (2,826 m.a.s.l.). Prepare for an EXTREMELY scenic yet DIFFICULT ride. It will take us min. 3 hours to climb to the top of the pass and another 2 or 3 hours to reach our guesthouse. Upon arrival in Tusheti, we will head to our guesthouse in Omalo before exploring the area. We will stroll around the village and visit Keselo Fortress for the spectacular views of Tusheti.

Day 2
Day in Tusheti (Shenako, Diklo, Dartlo, Kvavlo)

Today, we will visit the picturesque St. George Church in Shenako village and hike to the ruins of the Diklo Fortress. We will also stop at the fortified Dartlo village, hike to the remote Kvavlo, and explore nearby settlements. You will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the local cuisine.

Day 3
Omalo – Goat Panorama – Bochorna – Omalo

Today, you will start with an excursion to the Goat Panorama – a scenic viewpoint from which lucky visitors may spot wild mountain goats. Next, we will head to Bochorna – the highest settlement in Europe (2,345 m.a.s.l.). In the afternoon, you will have time to relax or head for an optional horse ride (let the guide know a day or two in advance) to admire the area from the saddle.

Day 4
Omalo – Abano Pass – Lechuri – Tbilisi

Start the day with a late breakfast and a couple of final hours to enjoy Tusheti. Next, we will slowly head back to Tbilisi with short breaks at scenic spots that will help us to ease the ride. Once we reach the asphalt road you will also stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Return to Tbilisi late in the evening. The end of the tour.

Inclusions:

1. Transfers,
2. Sightseeing/hiking itinerary with an English-speaking guide with excellent knowledge of Tusheti,
3. Accommodation in shared twin/double/ Single rooms in a local guesthouse 
4. Breakfasts and dinners
5. Entrance fees as per itinerary.

Exclusions:

1. Lunches,
2. Horse ride,
3. Travel insurance.

Note:
Please check Terms and Conditions for our cancellation and insurance policy

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE TOUR

MEETING TIME AND PLACE
We meet 08:00 at your hotel.

DOCUMENTS
Tusheti is close to the Russian – Georgian border, so you will need PASSPORTS to access some areas. Please bring them with you to show to the border guards to register as a visitor.

WEATHER
Georgian weather changes often and fast. For this reason, it’s essential to follow the weather forecast closely.
Here is the weather forecast. Please check it the night before the tour to be well prepared.

WHAT TO WEAR
Please wear clothes appropriate to the weather. Bring layers. The days are warm in Tusheti, but the evenings get chilly. Additionally, you will cross Abano Pass at an altitude of 2,826 m.a.s.l. Long sleeves, light jackets, and long trousers (on top of shorts and t-shirts) may come in handy. Bring sun cream, hats, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun. Wear comfortable walking/sports shoes for the hikes. Just in case, you may also pack a raincoat.

THE ROAD
The road to Tusheti is very difficult. It’s long, bumpy, and requires many hours in the car. It may even get scary as it runs along a deep canyon. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring the medicine and take it before the ride. We will be taking plenty of stops to take photos and to rest. If you need to stop, let your guide know. The drivers will stop as soon as they find a good place for that.

FOOD & DRINKS
Always make sure you have enough drinking water. 1.5-2 liters should be enough for the day. Please make sure to bring snacks – sandwiches, dried fruit, and sweets for the road. They will help you maintain your energy between meals.
Breakfasts and dinners are included in the price of the tour. You will eat them in your guesthouse. The price doesn’t cover lunches, but you will have an opportunity to order them locally. There are no supermarkets in Tusheti. We will be eating homemade Georgian cuisine. Please let us know if you have any allergies or food limitations well in advance. We will let you know to what degree we can accommodate you. The food choice is limited in Tusheti, so if you have some comfort food you cannot go without, please bring it with you.

MONEY
Bring CASH. There are no ATMs in Tusheti, and people don’t accept credit cards. Lunch usually costs 20-25 GEL per person. You may also bring cash to spend on local souvenirs (20-50 GEL) or an optional horse ride (50-100 GEL).

OTHER ESSENTIAL ITEMS
If you are prone to motion sickness, please have medicine with you. Bring a day pack to carry important items with you. Tusheti is very remote, so guesthouses are conserving electric energy, which they mostly get from solar panels. You will be able to charge cameras, phones, and tablets. But leave hair dryers, electric shaving machines, and other similar devices at home.

GUIDE
We will e-mail you the guide’s name and contact info a few days before the trip. Please make sure to check your inbox. Meanwhile, if you have any questions, feel free to contact us via e-mail or chat.