TUSHETI  PROTECTED  AREAS

 Tusheti National Park is the largest protected area in Europe. It is located in the Northeast part of Georgia on the slopes of East Caucasus; is bordered by Dagestan and Chechnya from east and north and Khevsureti and Kakheti from west and south. Total areas of Tusheti National Park is 83 453 ha. Tusheti is 1650-4493 meters above sea level and settlements are located from 1900 meters to as high as 2400 meters above sea level. 

Tusheti National Park protects alpine meadows, glaciers and river sources that are located in the area, rare and endangered animal species and endemic relics of plants and unique pine forest. Tusheti National Park is notable for its fabulous landscapes, beautiful alpine meadows and extremely well preserved pine forests, as well as for magnificent peaks of Tebulo, Dilo, Borbalo and Sakisto mountains. Visitors are astonished by the severity and the beauty of Tusheti Mountains. 

Visitors are astonished by the severity and the beauty of Tusheti Mountains, intact and wild nature, environment of traditional villages and delicious cooking, architectural monuments from past centuries that so closely intertwine in the beautiful nature and the landscape of Tusheti. These are the memories that Tusheti offers to its visitors.

JEEP or HORSE RIDING TOUR

Duration: 4 days

Total route length: 600 km

Total route on foot: 3 km

Route Direction:Tbilisi – Tusheti – Tbilis

DAY 1

Route Direction:Tbilisi – Telavi – Alvani – Omalo – Keselo – Omalo

Deaprture early in the morning fom Tbilisi.

The route to Tusheti lays through Kakheti region.

Arival to Alvani (near Telavi).

Departure to Omalo.

Arrival to Omalo in the early evening hours.  Sightseeing tour around Omalo.

Omalo is the principle village in Tusheti. Omalo is the economic centre of Tusheti where the only airport, boarding school and hospital in the region are located. It lays between the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range and the Pirikiti Range of Tusheti. This is one of the holy places of the Tushetians. Omalo is divided into two parts: New and Old Omalo. The last one is called "Keselo". The castle of "Keselo" is a middle aged castle, which looks down to New Omalo.

Picnic on the open air.

Visit to Keselo - a small medieval fortress just above the village of Omalo. Keselo towers which originally totaled thirteen were constructed during the Mongol invasion of Georgia in 1230s. During the raid on Tush villages by the invader, people abandoned their villages and used towers as temporary shelters.

Departure to Omalo.

Check in at the hotel-guesthouse.

Dinner at the hotel. Free time.

Overnight in Omalo

DAY 2

Route Direction:Omalo – Dartlo – Kvavlo – Dano – Farsma – Girevi – Omalo

Breakfast at the hotel.

Visit to Pirikiti Range of Tusheti. The road leads along the pine forest to the field (2250m above sea-level.) that is a crossing point of trails to Dartlo, Omalo and Gometsari. This is a place where all Tushetian community meetings were held in the past.

There are up to 50 depopulated and abandoned villages in Tusheti. Tusheti villages sre decorated by the towers and castles, which defended the population against neighboring community’s attack. Most of these castles are destroyed now. Tusheti villages are situated along the eastern bank of the River Alazani.

Visits to ancient Tusheti villages: Kvavlo, Dano, Farsma and Girevi.(sometimes Farsma and Girevi isn’t approachable because of the roads conditions). The most astonishing place is a village Dartlo, which has still its ancient look. It is located in the middle of the gorge sheltered under inaccessible Dano and Kvavlo. There are ruins of ancient church there, only men have access to this church.

Resting time. Picnic on the open air.

Back to Omalo in the evening.

Dinner at the hotel. Free time.

Overnight in Omalo

DAY 3

Route Direction:Omalo - Gometsari Gorge: Dochu, Beghela, Jvarboseli, village Iliurta - Omalo

Breakfast at the hotel.

Visit to Gometsari Gorge. There are many gorges in Tusheti. The most important is a gorge of Gometsari and Pirikita Alazani. There are still some ancient ruins of villages in both gorges. Villages and the sites of ancient villages sheltered on the mountain slopes and rocks like eagle nests adorn Gometsari gorge. Those villages are: Dochu, Beghela,Jvarboseli, Iliurta and others (sometimes Jvarboseli and Ilurta aren’t approachable because of the roads conditions). Many of them have survived as ruins only. Dochu is one of the most well preserved old Tushetian architectural monument. It is exciting to see three-storied houses, halls and boiler-houses in the village.

Gometsari Gorge is also famous for Dogi – Horse Racings. This event is held here every year in July, the date is not fixed. We advice you not to leave out it!

Resting time. Picnic on the open air.

Back to Omalo in the evening.

Dinner at the hotel. Free time.

Overnight in Omalo.

DAY 4

Route Direction:Omalo – Shenako – Tbilisi

Breakfast at the hotel.

Early check out at the hotel.

Visit to the most beautiful villages of Tusheti: Shenako This village is densely populated what has been caused by small land areas on the one hand, and by the fear of the enemies’ invasions, on the other hand. The village Shenako is overlooked by Mount Diklo and contains a series of buildings of Georgian folk. You can visit a small church in Shenako.

Depature to Tbilisi.

En route you can visit Alaverdi and Shuamta Monastery, dated back to the 6th century.

Arrival to Tbilisi in the evening.

Farewell dinner at the restaurant in Tbilisi.

SPECIAL NOTES FOR VISITORS:

NOTE 1:THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF THE GROUP IS 4 PEOPLE

------------THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF THE GROUP IS 30 PEOPLE

 NOTE 2:During your trip it is PROHIBITED:

• carry any type of firearm or any type of weapon for hunting
• collect plants, rock minerals or other fossils
• catch, banish or cause any harm to animals
• climb trees, rocks, caves or stand at the edge of gorges
• cause any damage to historical monuments, collect remnants, undertake excavation without special permit
• start a fire on the places other than specially designated spots.

NOTE 3: According to local customs and traditions it is absolutely prohibited for females to enter sacred places and chapels.

 NOTE 4: How to dress while visiting Tusheti Protected Areas? You are recommended to be casually dressed, suitable to the high region; you should ------------wear a hat, sporting trousers, boots and raincoat.

NOTE 5: While visiting Tusheti protected areas it’s necessary to hold your passport or identify document with you.

NOTE 6:DISTANCES

• The distance from Tbilisi to Tusheti National Park is 190 km.
• The distance from Batumi to Tusheti National Park is 550 km.

 NOTE 7: DURATION FROM TBILISI TO LAGODEKHI (BY CAR) – 2,5 HOURS

 NOTE 8:ACTIVITIES:

• Hiking/Natural trails;
• Horse riding;
• Bird watching