I Hiked Alone for 12 Days in Georgia's Most Remote Mountains - Tusheti 90km Trek (Part I)

Hiking in Tusheti had been my goal ever since I heard someone tell me ‘You haven’t truly been to Georgia until you’ve been to Tusheti.’ On my 4th visit to Georgia, in July ’24, I finally set everything up the way I wanted and fulfilled my wish.

This video is the first part of my intense journey through the remote and breathtaking Tusheti region. Over 12 days, I explored the Chaghma and Pirikiti Valleys with no rush, soaking in the unbelievable views and, most importantly, capturing this experience for you.

This adventure marked my first time focusing primarily on video. As a travel photographer, I became passionate about videography when I realized it could help me convey my love for the places I visit and the people I meet more dynamically.

With little time to waste and limited videography experience, I chose two lesser-known locations in Georgia: Tusheti and Vashlovani—with more videos from Vashlovani coming soon.

In just two months, I learned more than I would have from endless studying and planning, and I’m incredibly grateful for the experience.

Gear & Setup:
I used my LUMIX G9 with an Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 and a DJI Mavic Air 2 for aerial shots.

The Hike:
I combined two different hiking routes to create a loop that allowed me to discover Tusheti at my own pace. The first part, shown in this video, covers the trail from Omalo—the main hub of the region and Chaghma Valley’s largest village—to Dartlo via Diklo. The second part will take you through the Pirikiti Valley, from Dartlo to Girevi, and then back to Omalo.

The entire loop is about 90-100km and features mostly good terrain. The only challenging section is from Diklo to Chigho, as it’s a rarely traveled path and more demanding than other parts of the trail. When I say challenging, I mean it for an average solo hiker, which I am.

Tusheti is the most remote mountainous region of Georgia. Exploring its valleys is an absolute joy, with wilderness at every corner, but its comfort is far from that of hikes in the Alps or other well known mountains ranges. If you’re okay with that, this could be the experience of a lifetime.

If you’re planning a hike in Tusheti, I highly recommend following this itinerary. You can complete it in about 6-7 days, depending on your pace and goals. Hiking in Georgia is safe and wonderful, don’t miss out on these incredible areas.

Thank you for watching!

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