Prepared by Sakhva Travel Georgia Guide, a tours and travel platform for Georgia. Sakhva Travel office: 14 Merab Kostava St, Tbilisi.
Tour on this topic: Tusheti tour from Tbilisi — from ₾345
About the region
For centuries the Tushetians herded sheep: in summer they lived in the mountains and in winter they came down to the Alazani Valley. Many families still live this way. In summer guesthouses open in Tusheti; in winter the villages empty out.
The main village is Omalo with Keselo fortress, whose towers stand on a hill above the village. The most photogenic is Dartlo, where stone houses with slate roofs have survived almost unchanged.
Abano Pass
The road from Kakheti via Abano is about 70 km of dirt track, most of it hairpin bends above sheer drops. It is often called one of the most dangerous roads in the world. You need to travel with an experienced local driver in an off-road vehicle, 4–5 hours from Kvemo Alvani.
What to do
Walk between the villages: Omalo — Diklo, Omalo — Dartlo — Paranga. There are multi-day routes to Khevsureti over the Atsunta pass. Guesthouses organise horse rides.
Be sure to try Tushetian guda cheese, khinkali with mutton and the local beer.
When to go
The pass usually opens in early June and closes in October after the first snow. The best time is July–September. In mid-August the Tushetoba festival takes place, with horse races.
Tips
Allow at least 2–3 days: there is no point going for one day. There are no ATMs, so bring cash. Electricity in the villages often comes from solar panels, and mobile coverage is weak.
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