Wild Tusheti Trail

Meeting point at 9.30 am at your hotel in Tbilissi.

We drive to the Kakheti region. This region has many places of interest. I selected some of them to have an overview of the Georgian heritage (history, wine, religion and landscapes).

We start with “the new” Shumta: a church and a nunnery which has been built in the 16th century. The inside frescoes are quite well preserved. 

Then we drive to Telavi, the main city in Kakheti. 40 mn - 1 hour free time to stroll around. We will see the colorful local market, fortress of the last king of Kakheti, Erekle II and the little streets.

After a quick lunch (picnic), we go to Tsinandali, a village known for the estate and its historic winery which once belonged to the 19th-century aristocratic poet, linguist and wine maker Alexander Chavchavadze. We visit the beautiful house and the garden built in 1835.

We finish our tour visiting with Alaverdi Cathedral. Built on a pagan worship dedicated to the moon, this cathedral was re-built in the 11th century. This was the highest cathedral during the Soviet Union period and since the Samba construction in Tbilisi. 

Then we go to Laliskhuri, a small village located at the foot of the Caucasian Mountains where you are welcomed by a Tush family for the diner and the night. There we will be preparing for the expedition.

Riding: No riding.

Overnight: guesthouse in Laliskhuri

After breakfast, we go with a 4WD to the Tusheti region. The path had been built after the second world war and carved in the rocks. We drive over the ‘Abano’ Pass which lies at 2926m high. The pass marks the border between the Tusheti and the Kakheti regions and offers some splendid panorama over them. 

We reach Omalo, the main village of the Tusheti, located in the heart of the Tusheti National Park at 2000 m high. We visit the fortress and drive further on to our final point Dotchu. As Gogrulta is not reachable by car, we meet the horses here. 

We ride up to Gogrulta. We ride around 2-3 hours to reach the village of Gogrulta. While the packhorses are taking another shorter way, we get used to our horses on a longer and easy one for a first ride. Gogrulta is located at the top of a small summit which offers some spectacular views. 

Riding: 3 hours, trot/gallop is possible

Overnight: traditional house. No bathrooms.

The paganism in the Caucasus Region was still present until the middle of the 20th century. Many altars remains in Tusheti and some of their divinities like Otchopintre (god of nature) or Elia (god of weather) are still honoured. Almost of the Tush people were living there all the year until this period. They started to leave Tusheti after the construction of the road. 

Depending on the weather and mountains conditions, we are riding either to Iliurta or the lost villages or up to a beautiful pass. 

We start going down for 40mn and ride up to the beautiful crest where we discover the first outstanding panorama on the region. 

Then we walk down for about 1 hour, cross the river and ride up (very very steep) to Gogrulta. 

Riding: 6 hours, trot/gallop is possible

Walking: 1-2 hours

Overnight: traditional house

We ride up to the crest where we have some beautiful panorama on the Tusheti region. We spend the whole day on the “roof” of the
Caucasian range around 3000 m (the highest part is 3200 m). 

We set up our camp depending on the weather (high elevation, 2500 m).

Riding: 6 hours, trot/gallop is possible

Walking: 1 hour

Overnight: tents

We start the day on foot. We go down the hill for around 30 minutes. 

We continue in the valley to a pass and reach in the beginning of the afternoon Gometsari. 

We go on to the Zovata valley.

Riding: 6 hours, trot/gallop is possible

Attention: we have to mount and dismount several times.

Walking: 1,5 hour

Overnight: tents

We ride up more than 900m to a pass leading to a beautiful valley. 

Then once at the pass, we ride along the river. There are some very wild landscapes (sometimes we need to walk). 

We set up the camp near a river.

Riding: 6-7 hours, trot/gallop is possible

Walking: 1,5 hour

Overnight: tents

We ride up to a third pass. Up to 800 meter high. 

Once at the top we walk down along some beautiful gorges. We should walk some times then we ride down to the valley and set up the camp a little bit further at Saidumlo.

Riding: 6 hours, trot/gallop is possible

Walking: 1,5 hour

Overnight: tents

We ride we reach the Pirikiti valley. In this valley there are several Tush villages. The first inhabited one is Girevi. We visit Parsma and ride through Tchecho. We set up the camp between Parsma and Dartlo near a river. 

This day some passages can present some difficulties: pathways are carved in the rock along a ravine, that’s why we require some mountains experiences.

Riding: 6-7 hours, trot/gallop is possible

Walking: 50 min

Overnight: tents

We visit Dartlo, (UNESCO world heritage) and ride up the Mirgvella pass and reach Omalo at the end of the day. We visit the fortress and different places of interest.

The paganism in the Caucasus Region was still present until the middle of the 20th century. Many altars remains in Tusheti and some of their divinities like Otchpintre (god of nature) or Elia (god of weather) are still honoured.

Almost of the Tush people were living there all the year until this period. They started to leave Tusheti after the construction of the
road. We spend the night in the traditional Tush house.

Riding: 6-7 hours, trot/gallop is possible

Walking: 40 min

Overnight: traditional house

Drive back to Kakheti. We reach Laliskhuri in the end of the afternoon. You will enjoy the shower! 

If we have time, our last visit today is the complex Alaverdi: built on a pagan worship, this cathedral had been set up in the 6th century and re-built in the 11th century. This was the highest cathedral during the Soviet Union period. The architecture of the edifice is typical of the region. 

We have dinner with the local people. 

Riding: No riding.

Overnight: guesthouse/ typical house

Depending on the period the horseback trekking will take pace, the weather and others parameters, our final destination could be Gogrulta, Omalo or Shenako.

We drive back to Tbilisi.

We arrive in Tbilisi in the beginning of the afternoon.

Free afternoon in Tbilisi.

Then we have dinner in a restaurant.

Riding: No riding.

Overnight: hotel

You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home, which is likely to depart in the early hours. Transfers are included provided your flight departs before 8 pm. 

Riding: no riding