Tusheti Protected Areas and Routes
Tusheti, one of the most beautiful regions of Georgia, is located in the eastern Caucasus. Tusheti is bordered by Dagestan to the east and by Chechnya – to the north. Khevsureti is located to the west of Tusheti and Kakheti – to the south. Tusheti, surrounded by the high mountain ranges and summits, is rugged by the numerous gorges, the waters from which flow into the two major rivers of Tusheti – Pirikiti’s Alazani and Tusheti’s (Gometsari) Alazani separated with the watershed of Makratela. Both Alazanis merge near the village of Shenako and then leave Tusheti and the border of Georgia, flows to Dagestan, where this river is called as Andis Koisu and finally flows into the Caspian Sea.
Tusheti Protected Areas cover Tusheti Strict Nature Reserve, Tusheti National Park and Tusheti Protected Landscape. There total area is about113,660.2 ha.he vegetation of Tusheti is characterized by a high level of endemism. 230 representatives of domestic flora are endemic to Caucasus (more than 20% of total amount of Caucasus endemic species) and 11 species are endemic to Georgia.
Among endemic species found in Tusheti Strict Nature Reserve and Tusheti National Park the following can be distinguished: Tushetian Monkshood, Iberian barberry bellflower, bear nut-tree, lily, Tushetian Dog-rose, Tebulo’s buttercup , et al. Some endemic species to Caucasus can be found here, such as: Black or Radde’s birch, Caucasian fritillaries, yellow Caucasian fritillaries, Juliana Primrose, Caucasian rhododendron, squill, et al.
60 species of mammals, about 120 species of birds, 4 - of reptiles, 6 - of amphibians and 1 species of fish are widespread in Tusheti. There are ancient villages and former villages in Tusheti, in the most part of which the fortresses of the late Middle Ages are well preserved; Tusheti itself with the nomadic and romantic lifestyle of the Tushetians and summer icon-holidays has always attracted visitors.
Tusheti Protected Areas cover Tusheti Strict Nature Reserve, Tusheti National Park and Tusheti Protected Landscape. There total area is about113,660.2 ha.he vegetation of Tusheti is characterized by a high level of endemism. 230 representatives of domestic flora are endemic to Caucasus (more than 20% of total amount of Caucasus endemic species) and 11 species are endemic to Georgia.
Among endemic species found in Tusheti Strict Nature Reserve and Tusheti National Park the following can be distinguished: Tushetian Monkshood, Iberian barberry bellflower, bear nut-tree, lily, Tushetian Dog-rose, Tebulo’s buttercup , et al. Some endemic species to Caucasus can be found here, such as: Black or Radde’s birch, Caucasian fritillaries, yellow Caucasian fritillaries, Juliana Primrose, Caucasian rhododendron, squill, et al.
60 species of mammals, about 120 species of birds, 4 - of reptiles, 6 - of amphibians and 1 species of fish are widespread in Tusheti. There are ancient villages and former villages in Tusheti, in the most part of which the fortresses of the late Middle Ages are well preserved; Tusheti itself with the nomadic and romantic lifestyle of the Tushetians and summer icon-holidays has always attracted visitors.
Tusheti protected areas offers 4 routes:
1. Hiking Trail “Diklo”
Tour duration – 3 days;
Route length – 36 km;
Route direction: Omalo – Ageurta – Dotkalto – Diklo – Diklo’s Khaa – Shavi Kvisha – Sanare – Sonekhi – Shenako – Omalo.
2.Hiking Trail “Oreti”
Tour duration – 2 days;
Route length – 23 km;
Route direction: Omalo – Khoshane – Ighone – Oreti – Chikhale – Tsokalta – Omalo.
3. Horse-riding Trail “Dochu”
Tour duration – 2 days;
Route length – 28 km;
Route direction: Omalo – Ghele – Sakheo – Dochu – Gogrulta – Kekhi –Khakhabo – Omalo.
4.Horse-riding Trail “Tsovata”
Tour duration – 5 days;
Route length – 65 km;
Route direction: Omalo – Dartlo – Parsma – Nakhaicho Pass – Verkhovani – Tsaro – Tsovata – Alaznistavi – Vakisdziri – Iliurta – Vestmo – Gogrulta – Dochu – Omalo.
1. Hiking Trail “Diklo”
Tour duration – 3 days;
Route length – 36 km;
Route direction: Omalo – Ageurta – Dotkalto – Diklo – Diklo’s Khaa – Shavi Kvisha – Sanare – Sonekhi – Shenako – Omalo.
2.Hiking Trail “Oreti”
Tour duration – 2 days;
Route length – 23 km;
Route direction: Omalo – Khoshane – Ighone – Oreti – Chikhale – Tsokalta – Omalo.
3. Horse-riding Trail “Dochu”
Tour duration – 2 days;
Route length – 28 km;
Route direction: Omalo – Ghele – Sakheo – Dochu – Gogrulta – Kekhi –Khakhabo – Omalo.
4.Horse-riding Trail “Tsovata”
Tour duration – 5 days;
Route length – 65 km;
Route direction: Omalo – Dartlo – Parsma – Nakhaicho Pass – Verkhovani – Tsaro – Tsovata – Alaznistavi – Vakisdziri – Iliurta – Vestmo – Gogrulta – Dochu – Omalo.