Getaway to Tushetian Mountains

We begin the tour in the early morning. We drive southeastern direction from Tbilisi, past cities of Kakheti - Telavi, Gurjaani - and reach Qvemo Alvani where valleys end. We proceed out way to Akhmeta region and drive up and up - to the heaven. The way from Qvemo Alvani to Tusheti area abounds variety of landscapes: lushing greenery changes into rocks, with no trees around, and then trees appear again and the air gets colder.

After driving for some 4 hours from Qvemo Alvani we reach Village Omalo - a nice and old village populated only in summer, at 2,330-2,998m altitude. We check into hotel in Omalo and have our dinner. Next stop is the Information Centre of Tusheti Protected Areas that exhibits all the information about local species, handicraft and culture. It is possible to purchase some souvenirs of Tusheti there. Then we go to Upper Omalo and visit 17th century Keselo Fortress with its museum. The museum constitutes a recently-renovated tower that shows traditional way of living, furniture, archeological findings. We get back to the hotel in Omalo.

Next day begins with ancient villages of Diklo, Shenako and Dartlo that are located just 3 km away from Village Omalo. We drive to the places from Omalo. The two villages are unique in the sense that there are ancient towers; people take care of cattle, live in traditional Tushetian houses. Diklo is the highest point of the area.

We drop in on to local family of the Elanidzes in Dartlo. They run a guesthouse and tell us thousands of interesting tips and legends about Tusheti.

We get back to Omalo from Dartlo and drive down to Tbilisi at about 3:00pm.

Day 1:

- Departure from Tbilisi

- Village Omalo, Lower Omalo

- Information Centre of Tusheti Protected Areas

- Keselo Fortress, Upper Omalo

- Overnight in a hotel in Omalo

Day 2:

- Village Diklo

- Village Shenako

- Village Dartlo, dinner at the guesthouse in Dartlo

- Back to Village Omalo

- Return to Tbilisi