Sparsely populated Khevsureti, bordering Chechnya (Russia), is home to some fantastic defensive architecture, a part-animist religion, and spectacular scenery of steep, forested valleys and blooming mountain pastures. Men in this remote area were still wearing chain mail well into the 20th century.
Today few villages have permanent inhabitants. There's no road access to most people's main destination, Shatili, 150km from Tbilisi, from about December to April when the Datvisjvari Pass (2676m) is closed. Shepherds bring their flocks up from Kakheti from about June to September, when tourism also provides an income for some families.
The road to Khevsureti turns northeast off the Georgian Military Hwy shortly before the Zhinvali Reservoir and runs up the Pshavis Aragvi valley towards Khevsureti’s largest village, Barisakho (population 200), about 100km from Tbilisi. The asphalt gives out about 15km before Barisakho.
ItineraryDay 1: Tbilisi-JutaPass By: ჯუთა/JutaThe village of Juta is one of the highest (2200 m above the sea level) year-round habited settlements in the municipality of Kazbegi. Surrounded by alpine terrain, it's a great place to escape civilization. Pass By: Chaukhi PassHiking to Chaukhi Pass and overnite in tents under the passNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 2: Chaukhi Pass -Abudelauri coloured Lakes-Roshka villageStop At: Abudelauri lakes, Roshka, Mtskheta-Mtianeti RegionColored lakes of Abudelauri give even greater charm to the picturesque surroundings of Khevsureti which is rich in traditions and culture. Lakes are on the list of the rarest creations of nature. They are of glacial origin, located in Eastern Georgia, on the southern slope of the Tusheti-Khevsureti Caucasus, at the source of Abudelauri, the right tributary of the Roshkystkali River, near the villages of Roshka and Juta, at 2812 meters above sea level. Lakes feed with melt water of snow and glaciers, rainwater. The maximum water level in the lakes is fixed in summer, the minimum level in winter. For a long time (more than 6 months) the lakes are covered with ice, from which they are released only in May.The green, white and blue lake are not far from each other. All three lakes perfectly merge with an authentic environment, from this the region of Khevsureti is even more impressive.Duration: 3 hoursPass By: Guesthouse RoshkaThe village of Roshka is one of the pearls of Khevsureti, which is located 2000 meters above sea level. The village is amazing all year round with picturesque nature, natural monuments, giant cobblestones, which are ranked among the largest “traveling“ cobblestones in the world. No meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.
Day 1 Arrival to Tbilisi International Airport. Transfer to Hotel, resting for morning start of the trip. Staying in Tbilisi.Day 2 Mtskheta, Tbilisi Surroundings - Didgori Battle Site. Briefing about trip, handing over the jeeps. The group will Head to Trialeti Mountain Range. Arrival to Didgori Battle Site. You will see beautiful nature of Trialeri Range. Arrival to Mtskheta, visiting Svetitskhoveli Cathedral(the Living Pillar Cathedral) with history dating back from 1st - 4th - 5th - 11th centuries, Staying in Mtskheta Hotel.Day 3 Pshavi-Khevsureti-Shatili-Mutso. Briefing of day. The cars will enter River Aragvi valley. The first location to pass is Jinvali water reservoir. Soon the road will go deep to valley and enter Pshavi. Pshavi is small historic region of Georgia, it lies at foothills of Grater Caucasus Mountains and along Pshavi Aregivi river. The road continues deeper in the valley and goes up to Dtvisjvari Pass. The pass is one of highest on Europe continent, 2676 meters. The pass is covered with alpine fields and is only road to Shatili (Khevsureti). After the highest point the cars will start to decent on the other side and enter the village of Shatili. Shatili is one of best examples of Georgian construction art, it is a unique medieval fortress and fortified dwelling complex. The new valley goes deeper in Caucasus mountains and the road goes along river banks to the Village Mutso. Mutso is almost completely abandoned century ago. The village has retained its original architecture, towers, stone houses and other buildings. Its favourite place for mountain trekkers and tourists. After visiting Mutso the cars come back to village Shatili to nice local guest house. Staying in Shatili.Day 4 Ananuri - Kazbegi – Gergeti Trinity Church Briefing. The first stop will be at Jinvali water reservoir, Ananuri Fortress complex. Ananuri was a castle for Eristavi Dukes of Aragvi. The complex has been on the tentative list of inclusion into the UNESCO world heritage site program. Second stop will be by the fascinating views from the top of Jvari (Cross) Pass 2379 meters. Soon the road will enter Kazbegi. The main attraction point in Kazbegi is Gergeti Trinity Church, located on the top of the mountain at the elevation of 2170 meters. Staying in Kazbegi.Day 5 Journey to Tbilisi, Shopping-Wine Gallery-AirportArrival to Tbilisi. Shopping in old Tbilisi. Visiting Wine Gallery, ancient Georgian wines tasting. Free time. Transfer to Tbilisi International Airport. The time and locations can weary depending on flight time.
Itinerary: Day 1: Tbilisi-Jinvali-Datvijvari Pass-Shatili Jinvali Reservoir: is one of the largest artificial water reservoir in Georgia. It is located at the confluence of rivers Mtiuleti Aragvi and Fshavi Aragvi. Khevsureti Ethnographic Museum- Khevsureti is one the most isolated region in Georgia. Because of it, local people kept their traditions in the purest forms. This small museum consists unique displays of local people’s life, weapons, clothing, other artefacts. Datvijvari Pass - (engl. "bear's cross) – is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2689 m. Its construction finished in 1970s and nowadays is one of the most dangerous road. It is situated on the Great Caucasus mountain range and offers stunning views of the surrounded mountains. Lebaiskari Tower – is a medieval type tower and guards the Shatili road. It has five floors. The first floor was used to be as a shelter for kettles, while middle floors for the living purposes. The last floor was the purpose of fighting and giving fire signals. Shatili – is a unique mediaeval-type complex unites defensive towers with fortified dwellings. All complex was built as a single village with small and narrow streets and common defense walls. All buildings were built by only using stone and mortar. Shatili was the guardian of the northeastern outskirts of Georgia. Day 2: Shatili-Mutso-Shatili-Tbilisi Kachu fortress: a late medieval-type fortress is situated on the top of the mountain. Today, it is in ruins but in the past served as an important stronghold of Khevsureti. It can be accessed from Shatili, after 1,5 km hiking. Mutso fortress: is another defense complex in Khevsureti region. Located on a rocky mountain (1880m) and consisted tens of strong towers, it created the most formidable stronghold for Georgians against the foreign invaders. The village is now largely abandoned but still amazes visitors with its beautiful surrounding scenery, towers and architectural type. Recently, Mutso fortress complex has been renovated. Shatiliskhevi and Mitkhuli gorges – for hikers wishing to take further outdoor activities are the best places. Take an optional hike for up to 10 km in the narrow gorges. We follow the rivers upstream and explore its unspoiled basins.
Ethnographic Museum of Korsha is a museum located in Khevsureti, in the village of Korsha of the Dusheti Municipality. Its goal is to disclose details of the Khevsurs life to every visitor, whether it is a traditional outfit or combat weapons, furniture or utensils. Fortress of Lebaskari is a typical Khevsurian dwelling-fortress, which is a good example of the style and architecture of this region. At the same time, it is an unshakable monument of the Middle Ages, to which neither the time nor the machinations of the enemies could harm. Kistani fortresses - a village in the Dusheti municipality between the Datvisdjvari pass and Shatili, 2080 meters above sea level. The village dazzles every visitor not only with beautiful nature, but also with age-old fortresses that are scattered around, as if on each side they are watching the visitors. The towers of the Shatili - one of the parts of the Khevsurian century-old tower-fortress to this day stands staunchly, proudly on the long-suffering land and boldly watches the days, months, centuries, millennia ... The undefeated Shatili is an illustrative example of a stone symphony, so to speak, located at 1000 meters above sea level The Anatori tombs – extinct village in Khevsuteti. During the plague the Khevsurs built their own tombs by themselves and went there themselves, lay down and waited for death to take them. It was the Khevsurs who showed such magnanimity and tried to protect their neighbours. Mutso - the historical defender and guard of the entrance of Khevsureti, is located at 1880 meters above sea level, 121 km from Dusheti. According to legend, the inhabitants of Mutso prayed for the icon of the archangel in Broliskalo and for centuries protected the treasures donated by the icon. According to beliefs, the treasure is still kept in the high mountains near Mutso, waiting for the chosen one. The Vazha-Pshavela House Museum is the home of the Georgian poet and patriot Vazha-Pshavela. It was in this house that he wrote wonderful lines, fulfilled with folly to the homeland. Schedule of the tour I day 08:00 - meet at your accommodation in Tbilisi. departing from Tbilisi to Shatili Ethnographic Museum of Korsha Lunch at the Datvisjvari Pass Fortress Lebaiskari Kistani fortresses Shatili Dinner in the field conditions Note Hiking distance: to Lebaiskari 300 meters, to Kistani 800 meters. II day breakfast 8:00 Excursion to the towers of Shalili Anatori Tombs Mutso Pshavi – Vazha-Pshavela House Museum Return to Tbilisi, the end of the tour At your accommodation in Tbilisi. Note Walking distances: to Mutso1000 meters.