Omalo - Shatili is a famous trekking route that follows old shepherd´s paths connecting Tusheti region with Khevsureti. Most people hike it, few others bike it and you will get an opportunity to experience it from the horseback.
Even classic route is really good - it offers stunning mountain scenery as well as with traditional villages dominated by stone towers. But we improved it even more - added an extra day in Tusheti and altered the classic route so you will visit also some little-visited Tushetis Alazani valley, the highest mountian lake in Tusheti and cross 2900 meters high mountain pass.
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Pickup by guide in Tbilisi and transfer to Alvani. Lunch in the village, switching to 4WD cars and departure for Tusheti. Narrow, dusty road climbs from the lowlands to the 2900m high Abano pass and offers thrilling views into the valley below. Descent to Omalo, the largest settlement in Tusheti. In the afternoon visit of fortified Keselo hill. Dinner and accommodation at the guesthouse in Omalo.
After the breakfast starts the horseriding part of the tour. First, we will get familiar with our horses and ride them on a flat, wide track to Kumelaurta to get familiar with them. Then starts the climb to the Oreti lake - first through the beautiful forest, then through meadows and pastures. From the lake, lying right below the Russian border, we will admire almost the whole Tusheti. Then we will return the same way and spend a night at the guesthouse in Omalo.
Today, we will follow the dirt track into Tushetis Alazani, one of three main valleys forming Tusheti (but the one that sees very few tourists). We will pass numerous traditional Tush villages - pictoresque Dochu lying deep in the valley, Bochorna, the highest village in Georgia and many others. Night at the Verkhovani guesthouse
A difficult day. After the breakfast starts a difficult climb to the Nakle-Kholi pass - at some steeper sections, we will dismount and continue on foot. We will pass an abandoned Dadikurta village and then ascent further towards the pass. Wonderful views from the top - countless mountains around as well as almost aerial views of villages below. Then comes steep descent into Pirikita Alazani valley, the river crossing and visit of historical Parsma village. Night at Girevi guesthouse.
The most difficult day of the trek. We ride deeper into the mountains, passing the abandoned settlement of Chontio. The trail mostly traverses the alpine meadows high above the river, but from time to time descends also into the river gorge. We pass campsite at Kvakhidi meadows and continue towards Atsunta pass. If conditions allow, we cross it and camp behind it, otherwise, we will camp at last campsite beneath the pass. Either way, the scenery will be unforgettable.
If we ddin´t do it on previous day, we will cross the Atsunta pass in the morning. The pass is one of the most scenic places of the whole trek since it offers great views on both Tusheti and Khevsureti. Descent from the pass onto the Khidotanis ridge. Traverse of the ridge - great views in all directions, especially onto Mt. Tebulo, the highest mountain of Tusheti. Then we with descend into the Khonischala valley. Ride to ruins of the Mutso fortress, exploration of the site. Then we will follow the dirt track at the bottom of the valley, pass Anatori necropolis (“Houses of the dead”) and reach Shatili. Dinner and accommodation at the Shatili guesthouse.
Transfer to Tbilisi. The road passes abandoned settlements such as Guro and Kistani, climbs to 2600m high Datvisjvari pass and descends into Lower Khevsureti. Eventually, it leaves the mountains near Zhilvali reservoir, some 50km north of Tbilisi.
If you consider joining one of our tours, you should understand how our booking process works - so what happens after you fill in that form to the right.
