Tusheti-Khevsureti Wild Trekking Tour With Tents


This trek is strenuous, requiring 12-15 km of trekking per day. Sometimes on steep, uneven terrain, as well as crossing mountain streams in bare feet.

 July – September
 Tent; Guesthouse
 6 Days / 5 Nights
 Max Altitude 3,510m

Embark on a wild journey through the remote mountains of Tusheti and Khevsureti on our Trekking Tour with Tents. This tour takes you on a challenging trek through some of the most beautiful and unspoiled wilderness in the region.

Embark on a wild journey through the remote mountains of Tusheti and Khevsureti regions. This tour takes you on a challenging trek through some of the most beautiful and unspoiled wilderness in the North-East Caucasus mountains.

Highlights

  • 45km trekking route, with 3510m Atsunta Pass, while carrying a small backpack (large bags carried by support horses).
  • Remote wilderness of Tusheti National Park, without any internet or mobile connection, only solitude and raw beauty of the Eastern Caucasus mountains.
  • Meet the local Tushetian people, experience their hospitality and participate in cooking local dishes with your fellow travelers.

Trip Details

PRICE

$1,175 USD (twin share)

  • $250 deposit
  • Lifetime Deposit. If you need to cancel, your deposit is transferable to other trips.
  • Twin Share: we’ll match you with a roomie if you’re travelling solo.
  • Private supplement available: $160; only for 3 nights during camping. Not available for 2 nights in guesthouses.

TRIP LENGTH

6 Days / 5 Nights
Trip starts and finishes in Tbilisi city

DATES

July 2024
0 booked • 16 spots left
Starts: 13 July 2024
Finishes: 18 July 2024


August 2024
3 booked • 13 spots left
Starts: 5 August 2024
Finishes: 10 August 2024


September 2024
New date!
Starts: 11 September 2024
Finishes: 17 September 2024

STARTING POINT

Tbilisi International Airport or Freedom Square

ENDING POINT

Tbilisi International Airport or Freedom Square

GROUP SIZE

Max 16 persons, Min 4 persons.
Trip will be confirmed once 4 deposits are received.

Gallery

Tour Plan

On the first day we will drive from the capital to the Tusheti region. On the way we will stop in Telavi, a historic town and the capital of wine making. We will also visit a local winery where you will have the opportunity to taste some of the region’s finest wines and learn about the traditional wine-making process. After the winery visit, we will drive over the Abano Pass, which offers stunning views of the Tusheti National Park. Once in Omalo, we will spend the night and prepare for the next day’s adventure.

Driving: 6 hours
Accommodation: Guesthouse

We will start the day with a short hike from Omalo to Dartlo. The route will be partly on a trail and partly on a gravel road. We will also visit the Bezoar viewpoint, a great place to enjoy the panoramic views and take some photos. In the afternoon we will hike to the top of Dartlo village, to the Keselo towers and return the same way.

Hiking: 9.4km; ↑ 580m; ↓ 840m
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Our trip starts with a drive to the village of Girevi, the last settlement in the valley. From here we begin our hike to the first campsite, passing medieval abandoned towers and castles. These abandoned structures are a testament to the rich history of the Caucasus. They offer a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived there centuries ago.

Hiking: 13.7km; ↑ 735m; ↓ 330m
Accommodation: Tents

On this day we will trek over the Atsunta Pass, which is at an altitude of 3,530m. The route will begin by following the valley, but will then turn into a steep climb up to the pass. The last part of the hike will be a steep descent to the campsite. This hike will be physically and mentally challenging, but the views from the top of the pass will be worth it. The Atsunta Pass offers panoramic views of the Khevsureti and Tusheti National Parks.

Hiking: 11.3km; ↑ 1,195m; ↓ 640m
Accommodation: Tents

After crossing the Atsunta Pass we will start our descent to the bottom of the valley near the first settlements of the Khevsureti region. Once we reach the bottom of the valley, we will have a nice feast with a bonfire. This will be a great opportunity to relax, unwind and share stories with our fellow travelers. It will be a fitting end to a challenging but rewarding trek.

Hiking: 10.9km; ↑ 104m; ↓ 1,390m
Accommodation: Tents

After breakfast we will pack and drive from the campsite to Shatili. This medieval castle-village is a unique and well-preserved example of traditional Caucasian architecture.

On the way back to Tbilisi we will have a 13 km rafting session on the Pshavi Aragvi River, followed by dinner and wine. After the rafting session we will have dinner and wine, then continue our drive back to Tbilisi, arriving in the evening. This will be a perfect end to an unforgettable trip and you will have a chance to relax and reflect on all the amazing things you have experienced on your trip.

Driving: 4-5 hours
Rafting: 13km, 1.5 hours, Category II-III

Includes

  • Guide: 1 English speaking guide throughout the trip. Rafting guides for rafting.
  • A cook will be with you to prepare delicious meals during your experience.
  • All transportations: Airport transfer, vehicles to/from mountains, luggage horses (for carrying large bags and camping equipment).
  • Accommodation for 5 nights; 2 nights in a mountain guesthouses. 3 nights in tents.
  • Camping equipment: Tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag.
  • All meals, from lunch of the first day to dinner of the last day.
  • Rafting, winery and other mentioned addon activities.

Not Includes

  • Accommodation in Tbilisi
  • Flights and travel insurance
  • Personal expenses, alcohol, souvenirs

Dates & Availability

DepartingFinishingTotal From USD
13 July 202418 July 2024available$1,175
5 August 202410 August 2024available$1,175
11 September 202417 September 2024available$1,175

Want to go private?

Book this tour for your group on your preferred dates. Customize the details according to your needs and desires. Get 10% discount for groups of more than 10 people.

Amenities & Accommodation

We pass through remote areas with no luxury hotels and stay in small guesthouses and homes. Each guesthouse is different from the last, but always simple, clean and tidy. Shower and toilet facilities are often shared, but the hospitality, beautiful views and home-cooked gourmet meals make up for the simple living. Three nights will be in tents, on open mountain meadows of Tusheti and Khevsureti region.

Difficulty: Hard

Previous mountaineering experience is recommended but not required. This route involves 12-15km of trekking per day, for 6-8 hours per day. Altitude sickness is unlikely as the highest point is 3530m (altitude sickness starts at 3000m). Near the pass the trail is steep and narrow, but there is no danger of falling. No ropes are needed.

Your large bag will be carried by horses, so you will only need to take a small backpack with you, where you will have your lunch-pack.

Rafting part is relatively easy, on category 2 river. Each boat will have a rafting guide and each participant will be equipped with helmet, life-vest and paddle. It will be more of a scenic stroll, than adrenaline fueled boating.

Safety

Tusheti Trekking Trip is an outdoor experience where things can get challenging due to your personal health or external events such as heavy rain, snow or wind. During the 3 days of camping there will be no communication with the outside world, but your guide will be equipped with an emergency satellite phone. We reserve the right to change the itinerary in case of severe weather conditions. “Changing the itinerary” can mean slightly changing the route or completely changing the trekking destination (some of the B plan options include trekking in Lagodekhi and Kazbegi National Parks, depending on the state of situation). In case of a change of itinerary, there is NO extra charge.

In addition, the group will have 1 extra horse in case someone is too tired to walk. This option will also be used in case of health issues where helicopter rescue is unnecessary or unavailable due to severe weather conditions.

For more information, visit Assumption of Risk and Liability Release Agreement.

Useful to Know

Money

There are few places to spend your money in Tusheti and Khevsureti. Everything you will need during the trip will be covered by us. For souvenirs and other personal expenses you should bring 150-200 GEL total, as local shops rarely accept credit cards. Tipping is not mandatory, but is considered a good gesture.

What to bring with you

Large bags will be carried by horses, so make sure to bring soft, inexpensive bag that you won’t worry if it gets scratched or ruined (on narrow passages sometimes horses scratch bags).

  • 20 to 35 litre backpack: you should be able to carry your gear comfortably so a bag with a waist strap is suggested. Dry bag to keep things dry in the backpack.
  • Hiking boots (Strong and waterproof with a high ankle)
  • Hiking poles (recommended but not essential – can be rented)
  • Warm clothes – jumpers, hats, gloves
  • Shorts, tee shirts (preferably synthetics)
  • Trainers for the evenings
  • Water and windproof jacket and trousers
  • Sun protection – glasses, sun cream, lip balm
  • Toiletries
  • Small quick-drying towel

Tent, sleeping pad and sleeping bag is already included in the price of the trip. Let us know in advance if you want to bring yours.

Weather

Weather and temperature will vary from day to day. At the highest point of the trek, you may experience sub-zero temperatures. Occasional snowfall occurs even in summer, but usually not more than 5-10cm. Rain is expected. Most likely it will be 5-10C at the top of the Atsunta Pass and 10-20C during the trek.

Tbilisi and the Kakheti region can be hot during the summer, with temperatures reaching 40C, rarely raining with occasional thunderstorms and hail. These are the extreme examples of possible weather variations, but most likely it will be milder version of this.

Trip Video

  • Enquire now to hold your spot
  • Pay by PayPal or bank transfer
  • Solo traveler friendly

Frequently Asked Questions

The Tusheti Trek is relatively difficult, but can be done by complete trekking beginners. Ideally, you should be in good shape and able to walk several kilometers a day on uneven terrain. If you are not sure if this trip is right for you, please contact us and the tour manager will provide all necessary information.

There are no additional costs. None whatsoever. Your only expenses would be strictly personal, such as souvenirs and some alcoholic beverages.
Tips to your guides are also not mandatory.

In the guesthouses typical Georgian dishes are served for breakfast and dinner, which consists of soup (mushroom, meat or vegetable), vegetable salad, cheese, fish, meat, khachapuri (cheese filled pastry), omelette, bread, butter, jam, honey, tea, coffee. For lunch your guide will have packed fruit, bread, cheese, fish, nuts and chocolate.

During the camp, one of your guides will be a designated cook who will prepare the following dishes:
Oatmeal, boiled buckwheat with butter and cheese, omelet, vegetable soup, rice with mushrooms and onions, macaroni and cheese, or similar. Each breakfast and dinner includes tea, coffee, bread, cheese, jam and honey.

Tap water is potable throughout the trip. During the trek, you will cross numerous mountain springs, all of which are drinkable except where animals are in the upper reaches of the stream. Ask your guide before taking spring water.