Tusheti Week-Like Tour Review
A week in Tusheti isn’t just a vacation. It’s waking up to sunlight hitting your face while the only things around are mountains, silence, and the smell of fresh hay. No phone notifications, no traffic. Just trails, towers that have stood for a thousand years, and people who smile at you like you’re their best friend—even though you’ve just met.
I put together a seven-day route that keeps things moving without rushing you into exhaustion. Base is Omalo, the biggest settlement (by local standards). We stay in guesthouses, eat what the hosts cook: shoti bread, guda cheese that melts in your mouth, meat grilled over open fire, and—of course—moderate amounts of chacha. The drive over Abano Pass is already an adventure, but more on that later.
Day 1. Arrival and first wow — Upper Omalo and Keselo Fortress
You reach Omalo after hours of hairpin turns (yes, the ones where locals joke: “If the driver is quiet, everything’s fine”). Altitude around 1900–2000 m, the air already feels different—sharp and light.
Right after check-in we walk up to Upper Omalo. There stands Keselo Fortress—a cluster of towers perched on a rock, placed perfectly for sunset photos. Climb up and bam: 360-degree view. Gorges, peaks, clouds below you. In the evening—dinner with the family: khinkali (don’t say you’ve had better ones in Tbilisi, they’ll take it personally), homemade bread, and stories about how they used to fend off raiders. You fall asleep feeling like you’ve stepped into another century.
Day 2. Shenako, Diklo, and the climb to Shavikvishe
Morning breakfast with mountain views—then off we go. We drive (or walk if you feel like stretching your legs) to Shenako and Diklo. Shenako is a quiet village with beautiful old houses and a church on the hill (remember those shots from “Mimino”?). Diklo feels more serious: fortress, towers, a panorama that makes you want to just sit and stare.
We have a snack inside one of the towers—tea, homemade sweets, honey. Then trekking through forest and alpine meadows up to roughly 2700 m, to the foot of Shavikvishe. The view from there is one of the strongest in Tusheti: the whole Caucasus spread out like a map. If the group is strong and the weather cooperates—we push to the summit at 3200 m. Adrenaline, wind in your face, and that pure “I did it” feeling. Night back in Omalo or nearby.
Day 3. Dartlo — the most photogenic village in Georgia
Today we head to Dartlo. This is the iconic silhouette with towers you’ve seen a hundred times on Instagram. The village seems to grow straight out of the rock—flat slate stones stacked tightly, narrow lanes where two people barely pass.
We wander, step inside towers (some are open), greet the local animals—donkeys, friendly dogs, curious kids’ goats that come right up for a scratch. Then a short walk to Kvavlo—another tiny village with remnants of old buildings. There’s a little café up top: grab coffee and just sit looking at the mountains. Overnight in a guesthouse in Dartlo—wooden balconies, stars overhead, total silence.
Day 4. Recharge day in Omalo
Back to Omalo. Today there’s no strict schedule. Giant meadows all around—perfect spot to lie on the grass, listen to the wind, and recover after three active days.
For those who can’t sit still—picnic, games, optional horseback ride (the horses here are tough and sure-footed). Evening again with the hosts, talking until midnight. Sometimes these “empty” days end up being the most memorable.
Day 5. Oreti Lake — turquoise in the middle of the mountains
One of the most beautiful trails leads to Oreti Lake (2650 m). The ascent isn’t brutal, but the scenery along the way is stunning. The lake itself changes color several times a day: from bright turquoise to almost crystal clear. The water is freezing—yet some people still jump in, claiming it “recharges” you.
Lunch by the lake (shashlik, cheeses, wine from the backpack), a million photos, then back to Omalo. Legs ache, but the soul is singing.
Day 6. Bochorna — officially Europe’s highest continuously inhabited village
Today we drive to Bochorna—2345 m above sea level, officially the highest permanently inhabited village in Europe. One man lives here year-round: local doctor Irakli. He fought for this status himself and now stays alone through winter so the village doesn’t lose the title. It’s almost a legend.
The village is tiny, but the views are insane. Old stone buildings, utter quiet, feeling like the edge of the world. On the way back we pick up our things and descend the same thrilling serpentine toward Tbilisi. Evening already down below—different air, different colors.
Day 7. Buffer day — just in case
Mountain weather is unpredictable. If rain, snow, or simply the desire to stay longer keeps us somewhere—this is the spare day. We can revisit a favorite spot, linger in Dartlo, walk to the lake again, or just hang out in Omalo. If everything went according to plan—we use it for the return journey with stops in Kakheti.
Features of Our Tusheti Tours
- The Abano Pass road (2826–2900 m) — one of the most scenic and challenging drives in the world: endless switchbacks, gorge views, pure flying sensation. We cross it in reliable 4×4 jeeps with experienced local drivers—safety always comes first.
- Flexibility: the itinerary adjusts to weather, group mood, and fitness level. Want more trekking? We add it. Want to sit longer by the fire? We stay.
- Full immersion: nights in authentic guesthouses (sometimes inside towers!), home-cooked food (guda cheese in a wineskin, herbal teas, shashlik by the lake), real conversations with Tush people about traditions and legends.
- Small groups: no crowds, personal attention, plenty of time alone with the mountains.
- Off-road + trekking: from easy walks to summit climbs with 360° views. Plus picnics in jaw-dropping locations—not just food, but an event.
- Seasonality: the road is open only 3–4 months a year (June–September/October), so every tour feels like a celebration.
Tusheti doesn’t let go right away. After a week you return to the city, but a part of you stays behind—among the towers, lakes, and people who’ve lived by their own rhythm for centuries.
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Why People Choose PVD Club
We don’t just take you to sightseeing spots. We live Georgia and its mountains. Our team has run dozens of Tusheti trips, knows every bend on Abano, every trail, every legend. We make sure you don’t merely see the beauty—you feel it: the bite of the wind, the taste of cheese by the hearth, the silence after a long day. No rush, no checklist—just real adventure. People come back to us again and again because this isn’t tourism; it’s real mountain life. If you want memories that last a lifetime instead of another tick on a list—come with us.
