In the morning we set off from Omalo, crossing the dramatic Alazani canyon on our way to Shenako — one of Tusheti’s most beautifully preserved villages. After exploring its stone houses and ancient church, the trail leads us into thick forest. From time to time the canopy parts, revealing the blue ribbon of the river snaking through the gorge far below.

As we go farther, the horizon sharpens and the jagged Dagestani mountains rise before us. Suddenly, towers appear as if they’ve grown straight from the rock — this is Old Diklo. Here we pause for lunch, surrounded by a breathtaking panorama.

The path continues toward the stronghold, where ruined walls cling to the cliff edge and sheer slopes fall away into the canyon that once guarded Tusheti’s border with Dagestan. Among the stones, you’ll hear the story of Diklo’s tragic past before we retrace our steps back to the car and return to Omalo.

Distance to Hike: 12 km.
Distance to Drive: 20 km.

We begin our day with a drive into the beautiful Gometsari Valley. Following the winding road our first stop is Bochorna – the highest village in Europe. You’ll hear the inspiring story of how one man’s dedication gave the village this unique status.

The road then takes us past Dochu. Hidden deep in the cliffs, it’s almost invisible unless you know where to look. From above, you’ll spot its houses clinging to the rocks, with a river flowing far below. Life here was so challenging that locals even developed their own ways of raising children.

Next comes Beghela - a grain storage stronghold for all of Tusheti during hard times. From here, the views open up toward the last villages of Gometsari. We’ll leave the car and start a hike to panoramic viewpoints overlooking Tsovata – one of Tusheti’s most remote and abandoned valleys – and Alaznistavi, the headwaters of the Alazani River.

On our return to Omalo, we’ll make one last stop at the Que viewpoint, a great place to scan the cliffs for Bezoar goats and other wildlife.

Distance to hike: 10 km.
Distance to drive: 50 km.

Our journey takes us to Pirkita Gorge. As the vast panorama unfolds before you, the slopes seem to narrate the rich, traditional life of Tushetian people. Every detail highlights profound harmony between their customs and natural world, a testament to how deeply ancient Tushetians respected nature's delicate balance.

Our first stop will be Village Farsma. Here, impressive medieval towers house intricate petroglyphs – keys to local mythology and philosophy. After exploring Farsma, we'll stop in Dartlo, where a delicious lunch awaits at the wonderful Shuni Guest House. Post-lunch, we'll wander the narrow pathways between slate walls, visit the old court and begin our hike to Kvavlo, a village perched above Dartlo. This hike offers breathtaking views before looping back to Dartlo. From there, we'll start our drive back to Omalo.

Distance to Hike: 10 km.
Distance to Drive: 55 km.

After breakfast at the guest house, we'll mount our horses and begin the long ride toward one of Tusheti's most breathtaking destinations: Oreti Lake. Our route takes us past the village of Kumelaurta before plunging into the dense forest. The winding trail ascends steadily, with towering pine trees looking down on us. The rhythmic sound of hooves is occasionally punctuated by the sharp tap of a woodpecker, lending an almost mystical atmosphere to the ride.

Soon, the forest transitions into a sub-alpine landscape. Here, the pine trees, even larger now, stand more sparsely, their gaps filled with verdant meadows and elegant birch trees. From this point, panoramic vistas of all Tusheti unfold before us, becoming our companion.

Then, we arrive at Oreti Lake nestled amidst the Caucasian rhododendron grow. This stunning setting is where we'll enjoy our lunch. Following our meal, we'll begin our descent. At various points, we'll dismount and walk, allowing horses to navigate the steep downhill sections with ease. By evening, we'll reach our guest house, ready for dinner and to share the unforgettable impressions of our ride.

Horseback riding distance: 15 km.
Hiking distance: 5 km.

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