PLUNGING INTO THE CARCASS

1 day

TBILISI – Gombori – ABANO – Omalo

• 05:00 Early departure from Tbilisi. We will go through the Gombor Pass (the highest point of the highway is located at an altitude of 1620 meters above sea level) towards Kakheti and further to the Tusheti region.
• One single gravel road, laid in the mid-70s of the last century, connects the regions of Kakheti and Tusheti. This difficult path is 70 km long, our SUV overcomes in 4-5 hours. And here we are on the high mountain pass Abano (2926 m above sea level). According to tradition, three toasts should be raised at the pass: “For God”, “For the departed” and “For a good road”.
• Having overcome the pass, we go down to the inner Tusheti and go to the village of Omalo (1880 m above sea level) - the economic center of this remote mountainous region.
• Accommodation in a guest house in Omalo. A little rest. Lunch.
• It is divided into two parts that we explore on this day. Lower (New) Omalo is located on a small plateau, surrounded on all sides by deep gorges. From the north, the mountain rises by 200 meters, on which the Upper (Old) Omalo is located (2071 meters above sea level). And even higher on the rock - ancient towers - is a medieval fortress Keselo, built during the invasion of the Mongols in Georgia. To date, only five of the 13 towers in which the locals escaped from the enemy have survived. In the north-eastern part of the fortress there are sanctuaries (“niches”) and the remains of a sacred grove. Historically, there were no temples at the Tushinians, instead of them, a stone structure was formed, which is called “nishi” here (from the Georgian word “nishani” – “sign”). This structure resembles a pagan altar, and on holidays here sheep are cut.
• Here we will have the opportunity to try the famous local ram cheese "guda" and a rare variety of cheese "Dambali Hacho", very spicy and spicy, made by Tushino shepherds, as well as to purchase traditional wool products of local manufacture.

Dinner at the guest house. Night in Omalo.

2 days

Omalo - Pirikita Gorge - Gometsar Gorge - Omalo

• Breakfast at the guest house.

• On this day, we will have an exciting journey through the Pirikit Gorge, where we will visit the traditional Tushino villages, some of which have preserved Tushino watchtowers and fortresses, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• The village of Dartlo, one of the most picturesque villages of Tusheti, is located at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. Here are preserved castles, towers, ruins of a Christian church built in 1800 (one of two in this mountainous region). One of the towers is particularly remarkable. This tower had 6 floors: on the first floor held prisoners, and from the second to the fifth it served as a shelter for women and children. The sixth floor was used by soldiers during the battle. This tower now stands in the middle of the village. In Dartlo you can also see the preserved “stone chairs”. The village elders sat on them discussing controversial matters.
• We will go deep into the Pirikit Gorge and visit the beautiful highland villages of Kvavlo and Chesho (we will reach them by car), and in the villages of Parsma and Girevi we will have to walk 3-4 km along the mountain path. These villages are now almost empty, as residents moved from here to Kakheti. Several towers and fortresses are preserved here.
• Lunch at Dartlo.
• Now we move into the Gometsari gorge with its high-mountain Tushino villages of Bochorn, Dochu and Begela, which are scattered along the mountain slopes and rocks, resembling eagle nests. Gometsari Gorge has long been known for horse racing. They're called Dogs. This spectacular spectacle takes place here every year in July (date not fixed).
• Return to Omalo. Dinner at the guest house.
• Night in Omalo.

3 days

Omalo - Shenako - Diklo - Omalo - Bani Trade - Tbilisi

• Breakfast at the guest house.
• We will drive east from Omalo to the Tsovi Gorge and visit the village of Shenako, known for its unique, impressive architectural tower houses. The lower floor of the towers served to house livestock, and the upper floor - to protect against enemies. In Shenako is the only functioning Christian church of St. George (built in the mid-19th century) in Tusheti. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Visit to the traditional Tushin village of Diklo.
• Lunch in Omalo.
• Now, through the Abano pass, we will begin the descent to the Kakheti region. A miracle awaits us along the way. At an altitude of 1750 meters above the gorge of the river Storey are high-mountain baths Torgva with hydrogen sulfide water. Here you can take therapeutic baths from thermal waters. You will not forget this adventure!
• If you wish, you can come to Telavi and have dinner. Return to Tbilisi.

Tour category: Jeep tour.

The length of the entire route: 540 km.

Seasonality: mid-June – early October.

Start: Tbilisi.

The cost of the tour per person with 2-bed accommodation

(group 2 persons)

The tour price includes:

• service on a high-traffic vehicle, taking into account fuel costs;
• services of Russian-speaking guide-driver;
• accommodation in a guest house in Omalo 2 nights;
• meals – “breakfast + dinner” in the guest house;
• Visiting excursion facilities according to the tour program.

The tour price does not include:

• Air tickets;
• health insurance;
• food not specified in the program;
• alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages;
• Entrance tickets (museum in Korsha);
• Personal expenses and other services not specified in the program.

Attention!!!

Recommended shoes - mountain shoes or sneakers on a thick sole