Five days by 4×4 from Tbilisi to the stone tower villages of Shatili and Mutso in Khevsureti, then over the Abano Pass to Dartlo and the Pirikiti villages of Tusheti.
- —Two of Georgia's most remote mountain regions combined in one route, joined by a night in Kakheti rather than a repeat drive.
- —Shatili and Mutso: medieval tower-house villages on the Arghuni river, reached on an unpaved but graded road.
- —Two of the country's highest 4×4 crossings, the Datvisjvari and Abano passes, driven by people who do this route through the season.
- —Dartlo and the smaller Pirikiti valley villages beyond Omalo, with time to walk between them rather than just photograph from the car.
- —Family-run guesthouses in Shatili, Telavi and Omalo, with breakfast and dinner included.
- —Fixed season, July to early October, timed around when both passes are actually open.
Map: OpenStreetMap · Road route and driving times: OSRM · Times exclude stops.
- ✓ 4×4 vehicle (Toyota Land Cruiser or Prado class) with an experienced mountain driver
- ✓ Fuel, tolls and parking
- ✓ 4 nights in guesthouses — Shatili, Telavi, Omalo (two nights)
- ✓ Breakfast and dinner at all guesthouses
- ✓ Driver's meals and accommodation
- ✓ Pickup and drop-off at your Tbilisi hotel or the airport
- ✓ All driving and pass crossings on the route
- — International flights
- — Lunches
- — Entrance fees where applicable (checked at booking)
- — Travel insurance
- — Alcoholic drinks beyond what is served with guesthouse meals
- · Roads to Shatili, Mutso and over both passes are unpaved, narrow in places and exposed to drop-offs; this is not a trip for anyone uneasy about mountain driving.
- · Season runs July to early October. The Abano Pass closes with the first heavy snow, sometimes as early as mid-October, and the route is adjusted if this happens.
- · Guesthouses in Shatili and Omalo are simple and family-run, with shared bathrooms in some cases and variable hot water.
- · Bring warm layers even in midsummer — nights at altitude in both Tusheti and Khevsureti drop well below daytime temperatures.
- · Mobile signal is patchy or absent for most of the route beyond Telavi.
- · No technical hiking is involved, but a reasonable level of fitness makes walking between village towers more comfortable.
Can we drive ourselves instead of using your driver?
No. The passes and river crossings on this route require local knowledge and a 4×4 we maintain specifically for this terrain, so a driver is included throughout.
What happens if the Abano Pass is closed by weather?
We check conditions before departure and adjust the route where needed, sometimes substituting extra time in Kakheti for the Tusheti leg. This is discussed with you in advance if conditions look uncertain.
Is this trip suitable for children?
The driving days are long and the roads rough, so we generally recommend this tour for adults and children over about 12 who are comfortable on unpaved mountain roads.
How many people travel per vehicle?
Up to four per 4×4. Larger groups are arranged as two or more vehicles, each with its own driver.
Prices are per person for two travelling together, in euros; solo travellers and larger groups are quoted on request. Every departure is private and adjusted to you. Hotels, wineries and restaurants on our routes are verified by GTour.
Ancient stone defensive towers of Mutso perched on a rocky ridge in Khevsureti, Georgia. · Photo: SethTri / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
| Group | Per person | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller | €2,544 ≈ $2,836 · 7,363 GEL | €2,544 ≈ $2,836 · 7,363 GEL |
| 2 travellers | €1,590 ≈ $1,773 · 4,602 GEL | €3,180 ≈ $3,545 · 9,204 GEL |
| 3 travellers | €1,511 ≈ $1,685 · 4,373 GEL | €4,533 ≈ $5,054 · 13,120 GEL |
| 4–6 travellers | €1,352 ≈ $1,507 · 3,913 GEL | €5,408 ≈ $6,029 · 15,652 GEL for four |
Private tour: your own car and driver, guide and hotels as described. Conversions at today's National Bank of Georgia rate.
Free cancellation up to 7 days before the tour. Between 7 days and 48 hours: 50 % of the price. Less than 48 hours or no-show: no refund. If a mountain road closes and the tour cannot run, you choose a new date or a full refund.
20 % deposit confirms the booking. Deposit by card or bank transfer when the date is confirmed; the balance in cash or by card at the start of the tour. No hidden fees — fuel, parking, driver and guide are included; entrance tickets, meals and hotels are listed per tour.
Since 1 January 2026 every foreign visitor to Georgia must hold health and accident insurance with cover of at least 30,000 GEL — see our guide to the rule. Our vehicles carry passenger liability insurance; your travel policy covers you.
Full booking conditions · Terms of use · What "Verified by GTour" means
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