From the Alazani valley a dirt road climbs to the Abano Pass, at about 2,850 m, and drops into Tusheti: stone villages, slate towers and summer pastures with no through traffic. It is a 4×4-only road.
Getting there
The journey starts from Telavi in Kakheti: about 100 km and four to five hours by 4×4. The road is dirt and exposed, so the vehicle and driver matter more than the schedule. Rezo uses a short 4×4 Sprinter (see our vehicles), and he plans the day around the conditions rather than the clock. Read more on the 4×4 adventure page.
When the road is open
Snow decides when the road opens each year. It is usually open June to October; Tusheti days are therefore planned around the season, and if you ask for Tusheti outside it, Rezo will say so and suggest other high valleys instead. The mountain roads guide explains what to expect.
Omalo and the villages
Omalo (about 1,880 m) is the main village and the usual base. Beyond it the valleys are walking country: stone villages, slate towers and high pastures. Allow at least two nights, because the road in and out takes most of a day.
Fitting Tusheti into a route
Tusheti is a long way from everywhere. After it, a night in Tbilisi makes the drive to the west (Kutaisi) easy. For a shorter plan, combine it with Kakheti’s cellars in the eight-day Wine valleys to high villages idea.