Tusheti National Park
Protected high-mountain land of pine forest, alpine meadows and deep gorges around Tusheti's villages, crossed by walking and horse trails.
Tusheti National ParkPhoto: Moahim, CC BY-SA 4.0Tusheti National Park protects most of the mountain country around Tusheti's villages, on the northern side of the main Caucasus ridge in Akhmeta municipality. Created in 2003, it forms part of a wider group of protected areas with a strict nature reserve and the Tusheti Protected Landscape, which covers the villages and their pastures. The terrain climbs from steep gorges wooded with pine and birch to alpine meadows, scree and peaks of over 4,000 m, such as Diklosmta, on the borders with Chechnya and Dagestan.
There are no gates or ticket booths; you experience the park by walking or riding between villages. Trails link Omalo with Shenako and Diklo, run up the Pirikiti valley through Dartlo to Girevi, and cross high passes between the valleys. Many routes can be done on horseback with a Tushetian horseman. East Caucasian tur, chamois, brown bear and lynx live here, and bearded vultures and golden eagles often circle above the ridges. Ask about routes, shelters and conditions at the information centre in Omalo.
What to see and do
- Walks between Omalo, Shenako and Diklo
- The Pirikiti valley route to Dartlo, Parsma and Girevi
- Horse-riding trips with local guides
- Pine and birch forest on the gorge slopes
- Bearded vultures and golden eagles over the ridges
How to visit
Getting there
The park surrounds Omalo, about 70 km over the Abano Pass from Pshaveli near Kvemo Alvani, a 4 to 6 hour 4x4 journey. Kvemo Alvani is about 2.5 to 3 hours by car from Tbilisi via Telavi.
When to go
July–September. Plan 3–7 days here.
- Tell the information centre your route, and carry your passport near the border
- Hire horses and a horseman in Omalo for long or steep sections
- Pack rain gear, as afternoon storms are common in July and August
- Keep your distance from sheepdogs guarding flocks and leave gates as you find them
Tusheti National Park: FAQ
Do you need a permit for Tusheti National Park?
There is no entrance ticket, but you should register longer hikes, and routes near the border require your passport and sometimes a stop at a border police post. Ask in Omalo for the current rules.
Can you go horse riding in Tusheti?
Yes. Tushetian families rent horses with a horseman for day rides or multi-day routes between villages, which is a good option for the steeper stretches.
Tours that include Tusheti National Park
Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Tusheti National Park.
