Tusheti National Park

National Park Highland national park with traditional alpine villages

A mountain park in northeastern Georgia accessed via the Abano Pass, dotted with medieval watchtowers and alpine villages like Omalo. Trekkers come for trail networks, seasonal pastures and traditional shepherding culture.

Main image

Tusheti National Park protects a high-mountain area of northeastern Georgia in the Tusheti region of Kakheti, encompassing alpine meadows, villages and historic stone architecture. The park conserves natural landscapes and traditional settlements in the eastern Caucasus.

Hiking and multi-day trekking routes connect a series of high-altitude villages such as Omalo, Dartlo and Shenako, where visitors see stone houses, defensive towers and pastoral landscapes. The park offers alpine meadows, seasonal wildflowers and panoramic mountain views; guided treks and local guesthouses provide access and accommodation.

The area has been inhabited for centuries by mountain communities that built clustered stone villages and defensive towers. In the early 21st century Tusheti was designated and managed to protect both natural values and traditional cultural features, with conservation and controlled tourism a focus.

Located in northeastern Georgia in the eastern Greater Caucasus within Kakheti, Tusheti lies along the border with the Russian Federation and is accessed from lower valleys by a high mountain road over Abano Pass.

  • Seasonal access: Access is seasonal: the high road over Abano Pass is usually open only from late spring to early autumn and closed by snow the rest of the year.
  • Cultural features: The area is notable for well-preserved stone villages and medieval defensive towers that form part of the cultural landscape visitors explore on foot.

What to See #

  • Omalo village: Omalo, the principal village and administrative centre of Tusheti, surrounded by traditional stone houses and defensive towers.
  • Mountain villages: Dartlo and Shenako, high-mountain villages known for stone architecture and clustered defensive towers set among alpine pastures.
  • Abano Pass access route: The Abano Pass route linking Tusheti to the rest of Kakheti, a high mountain road that is typically open only in summer months.
Tusheti National Park
Tusheti Protected Areas, Kakheti Region, Georgia
42.4100, 45.4869
Park entrance fees may apply; camping and guide fees vary

How to Get to Tusheti National Park #

Access is seasonally limited. The Abano Pass from Omalo is the main route and is typically open only in summer months; 4x4 transport and local guides are strongly recommended. From the regional center in Kakheti or nearby towns, expect full-day travel by road and track.

Tips for Visiting Tusheti National Park #

  • Hire a local guide for the highland villages and remote pass routes - trails are often poorly marked and conditions change rapidly.
  • Plan logistics early: road access is seasonal and many guesthouses operate only in summer.
  • Respect local customs: Tusheti's villages retain strong traditions and hospitality practices.

Best Time to Visit Tusheti National Park #

Summer (June-September) is the practical season for travel: roads and passes are open and local infrastructure is operating.

Summer (High Season)
Jun-Sep · 10-25°C
Mountain passes are open, wildflowers bloom, and guesthouses are available.
Late Spring/Early Autumn
May, Oct · 0-15°C
Quieter and vivid in color, but weather can be unpredictable and some passes may still be closed.

Weather & Climate near Tusheti National Park #

Climate

Tusheti National Park's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -13°C to 17°C. Moderate rainfall (865 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 40 Good
Best Time to Visit
AugustJulySeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
29°
Warmest Month
-28°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -5°C and lows of -12°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

35 Poor

Comfort

-9°
Feels Like Freezing
-9°C
Temperature
-12° -5°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

36 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.3h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -13°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

34 Poor

Comfort

-9°
Feels Like Freezing
-9°C
Temperature
-13° -4°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.4h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

34 Poor

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-10° -1°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -3°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-3°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

93 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.1
UV Index
High
13.2h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

49 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

120 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
Very High
14.4h daylight

June

June is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (123 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

49 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

123 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
15.1h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
17°
70%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

106 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
14.8h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
17°
68%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

92 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
13.7h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
14°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

51 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

49 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
10.9h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

49 Poor

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-5°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

49 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.6h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

-6°
Feels Like Freezing
-6°C
Temperature
-10° -3°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.0h daylight

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