Tourist trails
This chapter aims to provide you with tips on various
circular trails in Tusheti and its neighbouring regions. It seeks to lead you
to the most interesting places in the region. The lengths are only approximate
and may be combined from short one-day trips (from Omalo to Shenako/Diklo or Dartlo,
Shenako to the Castle of Love) to several-day treks. Some of the less known
trails are described in a guide by Nasmyth, Peter: Walking in the Caucasus.
Georgia. 2nd edition. MTA Publications, London, 2013, pp. 127-145.
In 2016-2019, a basic network of tourist trails in entire Tusheti was marked. See also an online map of all marked trails.
From Tusheti to Khevsureti
Omalo-Dartlo-Pharsma-Girevi- Atsunta Pass-Ardoti-Mutso-Shatili.
Directions: From
Omalo follow red marks and then take yellow to Girevi.
Duration: about 5 days, depending on the weather.
Classic small Tusheti circuit
Omalo-Shenako-Diklo (Dzveli Galavani)-Chigho-Dartlo-Omalo.
Duration: 3 days
Mostly Red trails from Omalo to Diklo and Chigho, yellow trail on Chigho-Dartlo-Omalo section.
Tusheti
à la carte. The best of Tusheti
Omalo-Dartlo-Chesho-Pharsma-Nakaicho Pass-Verkhovani-Jvarboseli-Dochu-Bochorna-Omalo;
may be combined with the trail "Small circuit" and "Gometsari Valley".
Duration: about 4-5 days (count with about 2 days more if visiting also Shenako and Diklo and 1-2 more days if going through Iliurta, Gogrulta and Khakhabo)
Through the valley of raids - from Pankisi to Omalo
Omalo (Pankisi Valley, 753m a.s.l.) - Mt. Oritsveri (2,930m) - saddle beneath Didgverdi (3,117m) - saddle Samkinvrostsveri (3,167m) - Oritskali Valley - village of Gogrulta (1,859m) - Dochu - Bochorna - Omalo (Tusheti)Duration: 5-6 days
Omalo - Shenako circuit (Castle of Love, Ageurta)
Marking: red trail, partly yellow trail from Shenako to Omalo.
Along the ridges above Gometsari Valley
Omalo-Ghele Pass-Makratela Ridge-Nakaicho Pass-Verkhovani-Iliurta-Gogrulta-Khakhabo-Omalo.Duration: about 4 days.
Orientation: Omalo Ghele - red trail, Ghele-Makratela-Nakaicho (unmarked, but clean trail on the mountain chain, from Nakaicho to Omalo red trail
Oreti Lake
Omalo-Visitor's Centre-Tsokalta-ascent along the ridge to a summer sheep pen-Oreti and back
Duration:
This option will take about 1.5 days (the best is to spend the night directly
by the lake). The trail is ideal on a horseback as a single day trip
Orientation: red trail from Upper/Lower Omalo up to Oreti Lake.