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Georgia: Walking in Tusheti
Group Tour
Overview
A land steeped in myths and legends and extraordinary natural beauty, Georgia offers the perfect backdrop to this walking adventure in the Greater Caucasus mountains.
Beginning in the vibrant capital of Tbilisi, our journey unfolds through Georgia’s diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. We explore the historic streets of Tbilisi before travelling to the fertile Kakheti wine region, renowned for its ancient winemaking traditions and warm hospitality. From here, we venture deep into ...
A land steeped in myths and legends and extraordinary natural beauty, Georgia offers the perfect backdrop to this walking adventure in the Greater Caucasus mountains.
Beginning in the vibrant capital of Tbilisi, our journey unfolds through Georgia’s diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. We explore the historic streets of Tbilisi before travelling to the fertile Kakheti wine region, renowned for its ancient winemaking traditions and warm hospitality. From here, we venture deep into the Greater Caucasus Mountains, crossing the dramatic Abano Pass to reach the remote and majestic Tusheti National Park. The area is now recognised as a protected landscape and is managed by the Tushetian people. It is a true hidden gem, defined by medieval towers, alpine villages, and breathtaking mountain scenery. Our local hosts will help give us a unique insight into life in this more remote area, and how our journey helps support the preservation of traditional customs and skills.
On this tour we will venture across a landscape of sublime beauty, crossing a countryside liberally bedecked with traditional villages and historic old towns, all set against the magnificent backdrop of the towering and mysterious Greater Caucasus Mountains.
HIGHLIGHTS
At a glance
MEALS
TRANSPORT
GROUP SIZE
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
ENTRANCE FEES
FITNESS RATING
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
Wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience. This can obviously vary greatly across both countries and tours. On this particular trip we will stay in comfortable 3* hotels as well as staying in small local guesthouses. The guesthouses in Tusehti are very basic with shared facilities. Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.FITNESS RATING
LOW: You should be comfortable walking around towns and cultural sites. May include some optional walks (typically 1-2hrs).LOW/MODERATE: May be of a long duration and/or involve numerous border-crossings. May include easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-3hrs/day). You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle.
MODERATE: May include several easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-5hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle. Previous experience of similar trips helpful.
MODERATE/HIGH: May involve several days of moderate hiking (up to 3-6 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
HIGH: May involve several days of moderate/strenuous trekking (up to 4-7 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a very fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
Map & Itinerary
Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below
Day 1 Tour starts in Tbilisi
Day 1 Tour starts in Tbilisi
Rooms will be available in Tbilisi from this afternoon. Those arriving on the group flights will arrive in the early hours of tomorrow morning. If you would like more free time before the tour starts to explore what this amazing city has to offer, we can help book additional nights for you.
Day 2 Tbilisi: City Tour & The Cross Of St Nino
Day 2 Tbilisi: City Tour & The Cross Of St Nino
The pre-departure meeting will take place this morning at the hotel, after which we will have a city tour including all of Old Tbilisi. From the Metekhi Church (13th century) overlooking the river Mtkvari to the Narikala Fortress (4th century), one of the oldest fortifications in the city, we’ll also pay a visit the synagogue, the Anchiskhati Church (6th century) and Sioni Cathedral (6/7th century). In this cathedral the cross of St. Nino – the woman who brought Christianity to Georgia – is preserved. All these sights are in close proximity and it’s a pleasant walk.
Day 3 Tbilisi - Sighnaghi - Kvareli - Kondoli - Telavi: Mountain Views & Wine Tasting
Day 3 Tbilisi - Sighnaghi - Kvareli - Kondoli - Telavi: Mountain Views & Wine Tasting
Today, we travel into the Kakheti region, surrounded by the snowy Caucasus mountains and fertile valleys and famous for its wine making and welcoming hospitality. We visit the beautiful 18th centry small town of Sighnaghi, with its old fence and small houses with tile roofs and decorated balconies. We will be able to see the picturesque views of Alazani valley and Great Caucasus mountains. At lunch we will visit a local family, and learn how to make Churchkhela – a traditional dessert made with grape juice and walnuts, participate in baking Georgian bread. We will continue to Kondoli and visit a local producer of the natural wine ‘Zhghia’ and can observe the traditions and culture of the region as well as taste the wines, before ending our day in Telavi.
Day 4 Telavi – Omalo: Local Market & Cathedral
Day 4 Telavi – Omalo: Local Market & Cathedral
We start the morning with a visit to the local farmers market, where we can observe daily life and buy some supplies for our picnic lunch, before visiting the Alaverdi Cathedral, the highest cathedral in the Caucasus for many centuries. We then head into the heart of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, the Tusheti region and travel across the Abano Pass (2950m). Recognised as a protected landscape, the region is managed by the Tushetian people and here we will get the chance to enjoy local hospitality and sample some typical home-made food (including its famous cheese). This provides a rare opportunity to not only contribute directly to the preservation of this unique area, but also to experience village life first hand. The Tushetian people live very much off the grid, with our guesthouses being run off solar panels. Our visit here too will be very much low impact, with much of the time spent walking through this captivating landscape. On arrival in Omalo, we will enjoy a short walk to Keselo, a collection of nearby towers which once served as a fortress, standing high on the surrounding hills.
Driving time: Approx. 5 hrs
Day 5 Tusheti National Park: Omalo – Shenako – Diklo: Mountain Hike
Day 5 Tusheti National Park: Omalo – Shenako – Diklo: Mountain Hike
We set off into this stunning landscape today as we follow rivers, cross wooden bridges and pass through forest to reach the small but striking village of Shenako. A traditional mountain village occupying the southern slopes of the Priqiti ridge, Shenako is filled with historical and geographical appeal. Rarely visited by outsiders and scattered with typical Tushetian towers, it is home to the 13th century Russian built Church of the Holy Trinity. Here we’ll enjoy a traditional Georgian lunch prepared by our local hosts, before continuing on. We pass through pine wooded valleys, after which the road eventually leads up to Diklo. Infused with legend and folklore, it provides an atmospheric setting for the night and a walk up to the moss-covered ruins of its old fortress provides some stunning views out across the surrounding countryside.
Walking time: Approx. 5.5hrs
Walking distance: 15km
Ascent/descent: 710m/680m
Highest altitude: 2150m
Day 6 Tusheti National Park: Diklo – Chigo - Dartlo: Medieval Towers and Wooden Carvings
Day 6 Tusheti National Park: Diklo – Chigo - Dartlo: Medieval Towers and Wooden Carvings
Today we continue exploring the beautiful Tusheti landscape as we walk along the mountain slopes to the village of Chigo. This will take us most of the day and we can enjoy a picnic lunch en route. After some time to relax and explore Chigo, we drive to Dartlo. Often described as a “village-museum” due to the traditional houses and buildings crafted with stone walls and slate roofs, Dartlo is home to beautiful medieval towers, wooden carved balconies and offers marvellous views of the surrounding area. It is a little bigger than the other villages – which are really just hamlets – and so here we will again stay in a small local guesthouse, meet more locals and enjoy more of their fabled hospitality.
Walking time: Approx. 6.5hrs
Walking distance: 10km
Ascent/descent: 700m/640m
Highest altitude: 2500m
Day 7 Tusheti National Park: Dartlo – Kvavlo – Dano – Chesho – Parsma - Girevi: Walking Trail & Dumpling Making
Day 7 Tusheti National Park: Dartlo – Kvavlo – Dano – Chesho – Parsma - Girevi: Walking Trail & Dumpling Making
Our journey today begins on foot, hiking mostly uphill to Kvavlo, home to a number of towers and interesting sites, before following the trail to the beautiful hamlet of Dano. From here we continue along a pathway that connects us back to the main road, where we once again meet our vehicles and drive on to the picturesque villages of Chesho and Parsma where we can spend some time exploring. Built in the middle ages, the stone tower of Parsma still stands today and was built in a peaceful time by a Kist father-son from Bauli, like many of the towers in the region. Here we enjoy a home-cooked lunch with a local family, before this afternoon walking to the village of Girevi, only inhabited during the summer months. Discover the atmospheric Girevi Fortress, before settling in for the evening with our hosts who will introduce us to the art of making khinkali (a local dumpling), as well as introducing us to some of the local Tushetian beer called Aludi.
Walking time: Approx. 3hrs
Walking distance: 9km
Ascent/descent: 620m/500m
Highest altitude: 2150m
Day 8 Tusheti National Park: Girevi – Ghele – Dochu – Omalo: Along The Mountain Ridge
Day 8 Tusheti National Park: Girevi – Ghele – Dochu – Omalo: Along The Mountain Ridge
Today we drive to the village of Ghele for our final spectacular walk in Tusheti. From Ghele the trail leads us up to the mountain ridge, to provide some unforgettable views of the Tushetian landscape below as we walk along the ridge trail, enjoying a picnic lunch en route. We eventually descend to the mystical village of Dochu, perched on a rocky outcrop, from where we then drive on to Omalo for our final night in the mountains.
Walking time: 6hrs
Walking distance: 13km
Ascent/descent: 970m/1085m
Highest altitude: 2630m
Day 9 Tusheti National Park: Omalo – Tbilisi: Farewell To The Mountains
Day 9 Tusheti National Park: Omalo – Tbilisi: Farewell To The Mountains
We have an early start today as we spend most of today on the road, making our way back to Tbilisi. We will stop en route for our picnic lunch. This evening we can enjoy our well-earned final dinner in the capital in one of our favourite local restaurants.
Driving time: Approx. 7 hrs
Day 10 Tour ends in Tbilisi
Day 10 Tour ends in Tbilisi
The tour will end this morning at the hotel.
ACCOMMODATION USED ON THIS TOUR
Taberne Boutique Hotel, Tbilisi
Offering a great location within walking distance of central Tbilisi, the Taberne Boutique Hotel is a comfortable and stylish addition to the capital. With just 43 rooms, the hotel maintains an intimate feel which is felt throughout the different social areas and private rooms. The restaurant is light and airy, with a great selection of both local and international cuisine, whilst the rooms are spacious and beautifully designed, some with private balconies and great views of the city.
Seventeen Rooms, Telavi
This stylish boutique hotel popped up during the pandemic and quickly became a Telavi favourite. Located in the centre of the city, within a 15-munite walk from most of the historical sites, it offers convenience as well as comfort. The outdoor pool and small courtyard, protected by a green wall of beautiful tall trees, are perfect for lounging in the sun - perhaps with a drink from the bar. Décor within the hotel is contemporary and colourful, whilst the modern rooms are more understated, though well furnished with most mod cons and standard amenities. Higher category rooms boast spacious, outdoor balconies with glorious views beyond the city to the mountains in the distance. Guests can choose from one of the many dining options nearby or can grab a bite from the international menu served at Seventeen Rooms’ on-site restaurant.
Omalo Guesthouse, Omalo
Staying in local family-run guesthouses in remote Georgian villages provides a unique insight into rural life. You can eat the home-cooked local foods, see local traditions up close, and experience Georgia's famous hospitality. Rooms and facilities are basic, the latter often shared, but this is more than made up for with the great views of the surrounding mountains.
Diklo Guesthouse, Diklo
The humble guesthouse is found in a small community at the end of the road leading to Diklo, nearby Old Diklo and the fortress. The typical stone and wood structure has plenty of character, furnished with simple, locally-made pieces. There is a garden and outdoor seating area that is surrounded by green mountains on all sides, making it a great place to relax or walk around within peaceful Georgian countryside. The guesthouse has just five rooms, all of which have hot water and basic amenities. There is a communal kitchen for guests use as well as a dining room where the hosts can serve homemade Georgian fare, and a continental breakfast each morning. Basic creature comforts, proximity to Diklo and Georgian hospitality make it the perfect place to rest your head whilst in the area.
Dartlo Guesthouse, Dartlo
Staying with local family run guesthouses in remote Georgian villages provides a unique insight into rural life. You can eat the home-cooked local foods, see local traditions up close, and experience Georgia's famous hospitality. Rooms and facilities are basic, the latter often shared, but this is more than made up for with the great views of the surrounding mountains.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. *Please refer to the Detailed Itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
PRIVATE HOLIDAYS: DATES DON’T FIT?
All group tours can be taken on a private basis.
Additional Details
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Supporting Community Tourism in the Greater Caucasus
In Tusheti, through a successful form of interactive community-based tourism we are able to provide an important additional income to the people in this remote area. On this trip we travel through regions where conditions can be harsh and there is limited opportunity for earning an income. By visiting local families, we are able to put much-needed funds directly into the local communities. In addition, all foods are produced locally so several members of the village benefit financially, which improves several families’ standard of living.
The wonderful thing about this kind of interactive tourism is that everyone gains – the communities financially and us with the wonderful welcome and experience they give us.
In addition, Tusheti is now recognised as a protected landscape, and the region is managed by the Tushetian people, so this provides a rare opportunity to not only contribute directly to the preservation of this unique area, but also to experience village life first hand.
Low Impact Travel in Georgia
Using no-carbon forms of transport such as walking cuts down on environmental damage and tourist carbon footprint, which is more likely to be welcomed by locals. Slower forms of travel also allow for more chances to interact with people from another culture. Walking in the mountains of Georgia provides an opportunity to not only take in the incredible views and ancient architecture, but to slow down and better connect with the people you meet along the way, from those in the villages we stroll through to our guesthouse hosts, whose families have lived in these remote regions for generations. In addition, the Tushetian people live very much off the grid, with their guesthouses being run mainly off solar panels.
Reducing Single Use Plastic
We recognise the environmental issues and challenges around single-use plastic in many countries we visit and are actively working with our partners on the ground to reduce plastic waste on our tours and within the hotels and restaurants we visit. You can help to reduce your personal plastic waste by taking a refillable, filtered water bottle with you on your trip. Filtered water bottles can be refilled from water sources including your hotel room and restaurant taps, drinking fountains and refill stations. Every time you refill your bottle without the use of single-use plastic, you will be helping to reduce waste and protect the environment. Filtered Water Bottles | Wild Frontiers (wildfrontierstravel.com)
Supplementary Information
Travel Insurance for Georgia
As of 1st January 2026, Georgia has introduced a policy requiring all inbound tourists to present proof of adequate travel insurance for their visit. This may be checked either by your airline at check-in or by immigration authorities upon arrival in Georgia.
The insurance policy must provide a minimum coverage of 30,000 GEL and be issued by an international insurance provider. The document you show must include key facts: start and end dates (not annual dates), coverage limits and risk, premium amount, payment terms, and have your name and Georgia as a destination. More details on this are available in our Pre-Departure Information provided at the time of booking.
Getting There
If you would like us to send you a quote for the suggested tour flights or on any alternative flight that may suit you better, please let us know, noting that for our US clients, we will most likely refer you to one of our preferred partners. For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.
If you wish to arrange your own flights you are completely free to do so and in this case we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require. However please note that if you are planning on making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions.
| Flight Code | Departing | Arriving |
|---|---|---|
| TK 1990 | London Heathrow (LHR) 13:20 | Istanbul (IST) 19:20 |
| TK 386 | Istanbul (IST) 21:55 | Tbilisi Airport (TBS) 01:15 |
| TK 379 | Tbilisi Airport (TBS) 11:05 | Istanbul (IST) 12:45 |
| TK 1971 | Istanbul (IST) 15:00 | London Heathrow (LHR) 16:50 |
Visas & Vaccinations
VISAS
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders do not require a visa for Georgia.
Passports should ideally be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the end of your tour.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
BRINGING MEDICINE INTO GEORGIA
Georgia has a very strict anti-drugs policy. This covers prescription and non-prescription medicines commonly available in the UK. For example, non-prescription medicines containing codeine are illegal. This can cause serious problems for travellers and in some cases lead to criminal prosecution. Foreign nationals have been detained on arrival for having medicines that would not normally cause problems in the UK.
For more information on the legal status of a specific medicine, contact the Revenue Service of Georgia or the Georgian Embassy in the UK. Non-UK passport holders should contact their local Georgian Embassy.
If you travel with prescription medicine, you must carry a doctor’s prescription and ideally the original packaging. You should check in advance if your prescription would be acceptable to the Georgian authorities and whether the medicine you carry needs a prescription. You can contact the State Regulation Agency for Medical and Pharmaceutical Activities via email: regagency@moh.gov.ge. Assessment of your enquiry will take approximately one month.
VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for travellers to Georgia.
For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider.
For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Covid Testing: No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.
If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Extensions
If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Alternatively, you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries*. Please contact the office for more details and to discuss your requirements.
*Please note bespoke, tailor-made itineraries need to be a minimum of 7 days and we can only offer them in countries where we have a tailor-made expert
Governmental Travel Advice
Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department.
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.
Key Information
CLIMATE
The Tusheti region offers mild summer temperatures at this time of year, usually sitting around 22-25 degrees Celsius during the daytime, with cool nights seeing as you're in the mountains. The chance of rain is far less during this time as well, which makes July and August prime hiking months. It is best to bring layers, considering you are in the mountains and weather can be changeable.
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
It may sound obvious, but not all Wild Frontiers tours are the same, and it is important that you choose a tour which is suitable for you. To help you decide and ensure you choose a suitable tour, please refer to our helpful guide here. As a minimum, you should make sure that you read the day-by-day itinerary and the Key Aspects to Consider sections carefully. Should you still have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour, then please contact us.
KEY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER
You will need to be in a good state of health and have a high level of fitness to be suitable to join this tour. The trek is graded as high with average daily walking time of 5-7hrs. The maximum trekking altitude reached will be 2650m. Please see the day-by-day itinerary for the specific walking time, distances, ascent, descent and altitude.
Please note that
the only access road into the remote region of Tusheti is a dramatic and
beautiful route of winding mountain passes with steep drops. We use 4WD
vehicles with experienced drivers in the region for this section of the tour
and only travel in the summer months when conditions are at their best.
However, it may not be suitable for those with a fear of heights, travel
sickness or anyone with back problems or recent hip or pelvis surgery.
Please be advised that on this trip, vegetarians are well catered for. If you are vegan or gluten-free, we would recommend packing a few extra bits to fill the gaps.
TRAVELLING SOLO AND SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour except in Diklo, Dartlo and Girevi in Tusheti, where due to limited infrastructure depending on the group size you may need to share. Please be advised that the Taberne Hotel in Tbilisi provides a single bed in all single-occupancy rooms.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
INSURANCE
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
General Information
TOUR PRICE
All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour.
DEPOSIT
A 10% deposit is required to confirm your booking.
PROTECTION FOR YOUR MONEY
For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page
WILD MILES
This tour will earn you 4406 Wild Miles
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
WILD FRONTIERS COMMUNITY
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Visit our Why Wild Frontiers page to find out.