Route guide
Tbilisi to Omalo (Tusheti)
About 200 km, of which the last 72 km is a narrow dirt road climbing to roughly 2,850 m at Abano. 4x4 only, usually open from June to early October, weather permitting. Allow a full day.
Tusheti is the most remote corner of the Georgian Caucasus, and the only road in is famous. From the Alazani valley at Pshaveli near Kvemo Alvani it climbs in tight bends up the side of the range, goes over the pass of Abano and drops into the valleys of the Tushetian Alazani to Omalo. The track is unpaved, has long drops and no barriers on many bends, and is cut off by snow for most of the year.
Ordinary cars, minivans and buses cannot make the trip. We send a 4x4 driven by a local who has done this road many times. The first part to Kvemo Alvani is on asphalt, so a day starting in Tbilisi can include Ujarma, Telavi or Alaverdi before the climb.
Ways to go, compared
| Option | Time | Price (2026) | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private 4x4 transferYour hotel in Tbilisi or Telavi | 6-7 h including the pass | see vehicle prices below (SUV only) | In season only, any day |
| Shared 4x4 from Kvemo AlvaniKvemo Alvani; minibuses from Tbilisi to Alvani run a few times a day | 4-5 h from Alvani | about 100-120 GEL (about $37-44) per seat in 2026; a whole car about 500-650 GEL (about $185-240) one way | Leaves in the morning when full |
| Tusheti 4x4 adventureTbilisi | 5 days | see the tour page | In season |
- Time
- 6-7 h including the pass
- Price
- see vehicle prices below (SUV only)
- How often
- In season only, any day
- From
- Your hotel in Tbilisi or Telavi
- Local mountain driver, stops when you want them, luggage space
- The most expensive way, but the only comfortable one
- Time
- 4-5 h from Alvani
- Price
- about 100-120 GEL (about $37-44) per seat in 2026; a whole car about 500-650 GEL (about $185-240) one way
- How often
- Leaves in the morning when full
- From
- Kvemo Alvani; minibuses from Tbilisi to Alvani run a few times a day
- Cheapest way in
- You need to reach Alvani first; you may wait for the car to fill
- Time
- 5 days
- Price
- see the tour page
- How often
- In season
- From
- Tbilisi
- Driver, guesthouses and hikes arranged
- Fixed itinerary
Prices are approximate for 2026 (1 USD is about 2.7 GEL) and change with fuel and season.
Stops on the way
6 stops, adding about 2 h 35 min to the drive. Easy with a private car; buses do not stop.
- 0 km1TbilisiStart
- 45 km2Ujarma FortressStop about 20 min · Royal fortress beside the Gombori road, if that road is open.
- 96 km3Batonis Tsikhe, TelaviStop about 30 min · Fill up and have a coffee in Telavi: there is no fuel beyond the valley.
- 115 km4Alaverdi MonasteryStop about 30 min · 11th-century cathedral rising out of the vineyards near Akhmeta.
- 128 km5Pshaveli, start of the Tusheti roadStop about 10 min · Where the asphalt ends and the 72 km mountain road begins.
- 175 km6Abano PassStop about 20 min · About 2,850 m, often in cloud. A small shrine and snowfields well into summer.
- 200 km7Keselo Fortress, OmaloStop about 45 min · Restored stone towers above Upper Omalo, with the best view of the valley at sunset.
- 200 km8Omalo (Tusheti)Arrive
Private transfer prices
Whole car with driver, one way, stops included. Sample prices
| Vehicle | Seats | One way |
|---|---|---|
| SedanComfortable saloon such as a Toyota Camry or similar hybrid. Right for one to three people with normal luggage on paved roads. | up to 3 | Not possible (4x4 only) |
| MinivanMercedes Vito, V-Class or similar. For families and groups of four to seven, or three people with a lot of luggage or ski gear. | up to 7 | Not possible (4x4 only) |
| SUV (4x4)Real four-wheel drive such as a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado or Mitsubishi Delica, with a driver used to mountain tracks. Needed for Tusheti, Khevsureti, the upper Truso valley and snowy winter roads. | up to 4 | $380 |
| MinibusMercedes Sprinter or similar with air conditioning, for groups of eight to seventeen. Paved roads only. | up to 17 | Not possible (4x4 only) |
- Only 4x4s with experienced drivers go over the Abano Pass. Sedans, minivans and minibuses cannot be used on this route.
- The road usually opens in June and closes in early October, but dates move every year with the snow. In 2026 it opened on 20 June.
- Avoid the descent after rain or in the late afternoon. Morning departures are safer and clearer.
- Bring cash for the whole stay: there are no ATMs in Tusheti, and signal is patchy.
- Keep a buffer day: an early snowfall can close the pass for days in late September or October.
Do it with us
Tbilisi to Omalo (Tusheti), privately
Any date, any group size. Private guide, transport, horses and camping gear if needed.
Ready-made tourTusheti 4x4 Adventure5 days · from $1,130 pp (sample)Tbilisi to Omalo (Tusheti): FAQ
Can I drive to Tusheti myself?
We do not recommend it. The road is unpaved, narrow and exposed, and many rental contracts exclude it. Hire a local 4x4 with a driver.
When is the Tusheti road open?
Usually from June to early October, weather permitting. Opening and closing dates change each year.
How many hours from Tbilisi to Omalo?
About 6 to 7 hours: 2.5 hours of asphalt to Pshaveli and 3.5 to 4.5 hours on the mountain road.
Last checked Oct 2026 by the Maspindzeli team. Mountain conditions change: ask us before you go.
Tours on this road
Book a private transfer with stops
Tbilisi to Omalo (Tusheti) in your own car with driver, stopping at Ujarma Fortress, Batonis Tsikhe, Telavi, Alaverdi Monastery and more. Fixed price, any time.
WhatsApp +995 598 74 74 54