Khevsureti Tour from Tbilisi — Shatili & Mutso (4x4)
Khevsureti is a rugged mountain region in north-east Georgia, right on the border with Chechnya. Medieval slate tower-fortresses at Shatili, the abandoned cliff-top fortress of Mutso and the Datvisjvari pass at 2,676 metres. It is one of the most atmospheric and remote day trips from Tbilisi — summer only, and only by 4x4.
Price
from ₾340
Duration
13–14 hours
Group
up to 7 people
Departure
07:00
Language
English
Format
Private tour
Written by Timur, private tours in Tbilisi since 2015 · 460+ tours · rating 4.9/5
Why choose this tour
4x4 vehicle — the mountain road beyond Zhinvali is gravel and steep
Shatili — a unique cluster of medieval slate towers fused into one fortress
Mutso — a dramatic abandoned fortress climbing a sheer cliff
The Datvisjvari pass (2,676 m) with endless Caucasus ridge panoramas
A short stop at Ananuri fortress on the way
Group up to 7 people — a true mountain adventure at a comfortable pace
In short: Khevsureti Tour from Tbilisi — from ₾340 per person. Small group, private guide from Sakhva Travel, direct booking with no agency fees.
Shatili — a Fortress of Towers
Shatili is not just a village but a single defensive complex: dozens of stone towers fused into one fortress above the Argun river gorge. Built from local slate, they protected the Khevsurs from raids from the north for centuries.
You can climb through the narrow passages and feel how people lived inside — livestock below, family above, defence at the top.
Mutso and the Anatori Crypts
Mutso is an abandoned fortress on a steep cliff, reached by a footpath. The towers seem to grow straight out of the rock; from below it looks impossible to climb.
Nearby are the Anatori crypts, where during epidemics the sick would go to die so as not to infect the village. It is a stark, powerful place.
The Road and Datvisjvari Pass
The adventure is in the journey itself. A gravel switchback over the Datvisjvari pass (2,676 m) is passable only by 4x4 and only in the warm season.
From the pass the view opens onto endless ridges of the Greater Caucasus — one of the finest panoramas in Georgia.
Timur's insider tip
Shatili looks best in the late afternoon, when the sun drops behind the ridge and the towers glow warm — completely different from harsh midday light, so we time our visit for then. I always linger on the Datvisjvari pass: that is where you grasp the scale of the Caucasus. Bring a thermos — a coffee with that view is worth it. The walk up to Mutso is short but steep; take it slowly and wear proper shoes. And dress warm: even in July the pass is cold and windy.
Detailed itinerary
Khevsureti is a full mountain adventure. The asphalt ends soon after Zhinvali and turns into a gravel mountain road, so we travel only by 4x4 and only in summer when the pass is open.
The pace is relaxed but the day is long: an early start, stops on the pass, at Shatili and Mutso, and lunch in a Khevsur village. This is a trip for travellers who want real mountains and medieval history, not postcard stops.
07:00Departure from Tbilisi — early start, ~3.5 hours then gravel mountain road
09:30Zhinvali reservoir & Ananuri — short stop at the lakeside fortress on the way
11:00Datvisjvari pass — 2,676 m — the highest point, ridge panoramas
12:30Shatili — the medieval slate tower-fortress above the Argun gorge
13:30Lunch — Khevsur home cooking in the village (₾25–35, not included)
15:00Mutso & Anatori — cliff-top fortress and the ancient crypts
16:30Return drive — back over the mountain road
~21:00Arrival — drop-off at your hotel
Included
Private 4x4 transfer from Tbilisi and back
Personal guide (English)
Shatili
Mutso and the Anatori crypts
Stop at Ananuri
Bottled water
Not included
Meals and drinks
Souvenirs
Personal expenses
Want the same Military Road but with the famous church above Kazbegi?
The tour starts from your hotel in Tbilisi — Timur picks you up in a 4x4. Groups are a maximum of 7 people. This is a long, remote mountain day on gravel roads; it suits adventurous travellers and is not recommended for very young children. Payment is in Georgian Lari (₾). Booking is through WhatsApp.
When to book
Available only in summer (roughly June–September) when the pass is open. Book a few days ahead. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before; we monitor road and weather conditions closely.
What to bring
Warm clothing — the pass is cold and windy even in July
Sturdy shoes for the climb up to Mutso
Motion-sickness tablets — the gravel road is bumpy
Camera — Shatili and the Caucasus panoramas are unforgettable
Best time to visit
June to September, when the Datvisjvari pass is clear of snow. The road is closed in winter and the shoulder seasons.
Book the Khevsureti Tour
Private tour from ₾340 · Up to 7 people · Timur answers within 1 hour
Yes, it is essential. Beyond Zhinvali the road becomes a gravel mountain track over a 2,676 m pass that only a four-wheel-drive can handle — which is why this tour costs more than a standard day trip.
When is the road to Shatili open?
Roughly June to September, depending on snow on the pass. The road is closed in winter and the shoulder seasons.
Is it physically hard?
The route itself is not strenuous — most of the time is spent driving and on short walks. There is a moderate climb up to Mutso; otherwise the effort is light.
Huge thanks to Saba and Timur for making our bachelor party such an amazing experience! They were professional, friendly. Everything was perfectly organized, fun, and unforgettable. Couldn’t have asked for better guides. Highly recommended, 10/10!
Eric Mushtukov — Google, August 2026
★★★★★
I don’t like group tours, so I was very glad to find out that SakhvaTravel can put together an individual trip. They picked a route to our wishes, suggested beautiful spots and organised everything without any fuss. Georgia is in our hearts now, we will definitely come back. (translated from Russian)
Regina — Google, September 2026
★★★★★
Saba, our guide and driver, was wonderful. He was on time, knowledgeable, and provided a memorable day for us.
