Georgia · Hiking

6-Day Tusheti Hiking Tour from Tbilisi through Three Valleys

6 Days Round trip from Tbilisi Moderate pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Drive through Abano Pass with scenic photo stops
02 Explore the historic villages of Shenako and Diklo
03 Hike through Pirikiti Valley and admire breathtaking mountain views
04 Traverse the picturesque Gometsari Gorge and visit remote Tushetian villages

Embark on a hiking adventure in Tusheti, exploring three valleys and the region's main tourist spots on a circular route that starts and ends in Omalo. Expect a challenging trek averaging around 15 km daily as you discover Tusheti's villages, castles, and pristine landscapes. Along the way, enjoy local cuisine and gain cultural insights while hiking through one of Georgia's most striking mountain regions.

Embark on a hiking adventure in Tusheti, exploring three valleys and the region's main tourist spots on a circular route that starts and ends in Omalo.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Tbilisi, Tusheti

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

From Tbilisi to Tusheti via Abano Pass

Departure from Tbilisi at 07:00 AM.
Arrival in Tusheti via the Abano Pass on the first day, with opportunities for rest and photo stops.
Around 2:00 PM, arrival at the guesthouse for lunch.
The first day in Tusheti is primarily for rest, with a visit to the visitor center planned after lunch. A 15-minute walk from the guesthouse is required to reach the visitor center.

Day 02

Hike from Omalo to Shenako and Diklo

The hiking tour commences at 10:00 AM, following breakfast at 9:00 AM.
The journey begins in the village of Omalo, with highlights including visits to Shenako village and its 19th-century cross-type church.
In Diklo, explore the village and Old Diklo, featuring a fortress fused with the rock on a steep slope. Accessible only via a narrow southern path, the fortress served as both a residence and a defensive structure, although little remains of its former glory due to time and conflicts. Strategically located, it played a crucial role in guarding the gorge and facilitating communication with Dagestan, despite occasional tensions.
Lunch will be served around 2:00 PM at our guesthouse in Diklo. Following lunch and a brief rest, a visit to the Old Diklo fortress is planned, requiring passports due to its border location with Russia and the need for border guard clearance.

Overnight and dinner in the village of Diklo in the guesthouse.

From Omalo to Diklo - 13 km (3 km hard, 10 km easy).

From Diklo to and back to Old Diklo - 3 km (easy).

Full distance - 16 km (6-7 hours).

Difficulty of the day - Medium.

Day 03

From Diklo through Chigo to Dartlo

The day begins with breakfast at 9:00 AM, followed by departure at 10:00 AM.
The route from the village of Diklo to Chigo ascends along a trail, with half of the path winding through woods. Upon reaching the mountain summit before descending to Chigo, an awe-inspiring view of Omalo awaits.
Continue from Chigo to the village of Dartlo, known for its distinctive architecture. The journey follows the left bank of the Pirikita Alazani River from Dartlo onwards.

Lunch - we will have lunch boxes and have lunch in the woods.

Overnight and dinner in the village of Dartlo in the guesthouse.

From Diklo to Dartlo - around 14 km (6-7 hours).

Difficulty of the day - Medium.

Day 04

Cross Nakaecho Pass to Tsovata and Jvarboseli

The day's activities begin with breakfast at 9:00 AM, followed by departure at 10:00 AM.
The journey from Dartlo proceeds along the scenic route beside the Pirikita Alazani River.
From Parsma, the path leads to the Nakaecho Pass, situated at an elevation of 2900 meters above sea level.
Descending from Nakaecho Pass, the trail leads to the village of Dadikurta, one of the highest settlements in Tusheti, at 2350 meters above sea level.
Continuing onward, the route passes through the village of Verkhovani before reaching Tsovata.
The return journey traverses Verkhovani, home to the tallest tower in Tusheti at 17 meters. Next is the village of Jvarboseli, offering stunning vistas of neighboring villages including Vedziskhevi, Koklata, and Alisgori.

Lunch - we will have lunch boxes and have lunch near the trail.

Overnight and dinner in the village of Jvarboseli in the guesthouse.

From Diklo to Dartlo - around 17 km (7-8 hours).

Difficulty of the day - Hard.

Day 05

Through Gometsari Valley to Omalo

The day begins with breakfast at 9:00 AM, followed by departure at 10:00 AM.
The route from the village of Jvarboseli to Omalo follows the picturesque Gometsari Gorge.
Along the way, travelers will enjoy breathtaking views of villages such as Dochu and Gogrulta, and have the opportunity to visit the village of Bochorna, which stands as the highest inhabited village in Europe at 2345 meters above sea level. Notably, Dr. Irakli resides in Bochorna.
The descent towards Que-Omalo from Bochorna is gradual, making the journey long but relatively easy.

Lunch - we will have lunch boxes and have lunch near the road.

Overnight and dinner in the village of Omalo in the guesthouse.

From Diklo to Dartlo - around 22 km (7-8 hours).

Difficulty of the day - Medium.

Day 06

Visit Upper Omalo and Return to Tbilisi

The final day begins with breakfast at 9:00 AM, followed by departure at 10:00 AM.
Activities include a visit to Upper Omalo before returning to Tbilisi.

Lunch - we will have lunch boxes and have lunch at Abano Pass.

Where this trip takes you

Abano Pass, Nakaecho Pass, Gometsari Gorge, Omalo

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Tbilisi 2 cities · 6 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Transportation from and to Tbilisi
Accommodation
Luggage transfer
English-speaking guide
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

What's Not Included

Travel insurance (you will need your travel insurance)
Snacks and alcoholic beverages
Single room supplement
First aid kit

What to bring

Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Cap
Raincoat
Hiking shoes
Hiking sticks
Water bottle

Know before you go

According to Tushetian tradition, it is forbidden to make pork meat or any dish prepared with pork.
There are several places in Tusheti where women are not allowed. Ask locals when in doubt.
There is no ATM or currency exchange, but guesthouses can often arrange payment for services.
There is no pharmacy, and access to emergency medicine is often limited. Always bring essential medications.
There is only one hospital in Lower Omalo, with one ambulance, and critical transport can be arranged by the military via helicopter.
There are no petrol or car repair services in Tusheti. If you decide to go with your car, be prepared.
There is no supermarket in Tusheti. There are only a few small shops. Before you go to Tusheti, it is better to ask your host what you can buy in the nearest store.
If you have food allergies or restrictions, there are not enough food options. If you stay in a hotel or guesthouse, tell your host before you go.
If you are a hiker, be prepared before you go, as you cannot resupply in each village.
If you bring a water purifier, it is advisable to carry spare filters. Sometimes, on rainy days, the water is full of particulates.
You will need summer clothes and warm clothes as well. The weather is changeable and nights are cold - always carry layers.
Guesthouses have water heaters or solar panels, as well as wood stoves. Some hotels only have solar panels, and if the weather changes, there may not be hot water.
Georgia's mobile signal coverage is limited in Tusheti and only reaches about 40% of the 52 villages in the region.
Shepherd dogs guard flocks of sheep, shepherds' shelters, and cattle. If you do not cross their territory, they are not aggressive and only gather to warn you, but if you cross their territory, they become very defensive. Avoid walking through their territory as much as possible. If you have no other choice and must go through their territory, show the dog that you are not afraid of it, defend yourself, and always get advice from locals about how to manage animal encounters.