IUCN Categories: 1) National Park; 2) Strict Nature Reserve Tusheti – hidden in the Caucasus Mountains is the treasure of Georgia. The mysterious part is different from all the other sides of Georgia, its nature is diverse and enchants tourists. Tusheti Protected Areas include 11 tourist trails, these are: 1,2,3,4 and 6 day trails. Visitors have possibilities to select hiking, bicycle, horse riding, cultural, bird and gazelle watching tours. Tusheti Natoinal Park is the best place to arrange picnic. Tushetian cuisine is unique, do not miss chance to taste Tushetian cheese and take part in bow and arrow competitions during folk festivals. Tushetian culture is unique. Tushetian sheep, horse, Tushetian cheese are the main words that come mind while speaking about Tusheti. Tusheti is rich with biodiversity.  Concerning ‘Red List’ species, there are presented: black bot birch, bot Caucasian evergreen azalea, bot bilberry and black cranberry. If you are bird-watching lover Tusheti National Park is the best destination for you!

Flora

• Tusheti flora is distinguished by its diversity, here are 1062 species of plants. Forest habitat of the national park areas is mostly represented by the Caucasian pine  (Pinus kochyana). Pine forest is spread at 1700-2000 meters above sea level and  its total area covers about 15000 hectares.
• With evelation Pine forest is replaced by birch trees. There are birch forests at 1700-2400 meters above sea level, the most spread species are warty and Litvinov birch.(here are also crooked birch trees).  Crooked forests mainly include Litvinov birch. But in some places there is also Radde’s birch. The total area of broad leaf forests is not more than 1400 hectares. Subalpine forests totally cover 6200 hectares. The upper lower zone of the forest spreads from 1650 meters to 1900 meters. Subalpine forests are represented from 1700 meters to 2600 meters.

Species from the “Red List” of Georgia

• From Tusheti National Park 2 woody species are included in the “Red List” – Radde’s and black birch. 8 Herbaceous species (Allium otschiauria eTscholokaschvili, Erysimum subnivale Prima, Ficaria varia Otschiauri, Galeopsis nana Otschiaur, Jurinea exuberans (Trautv.) Otschiauri, Rosa irysthonica Manden, Tragopogon otschiaurii Kuthatheladze) are assessed as nationally vulnerable categories.

Endemic species

• The Park is distinguished by endemic plant species. 230 species of Tusheti National Park flora are the Caucasian endemic (more than 20% of the total number of the Caucasian endemic), and 11 species are Georgian endemic. Form Georgian and local endemic species there are: Tushetian aconite, lily, Tushetian weet brier, Tebulo buttercup and Tushetian skullcaps. And from the Caucasian endemic: Radde’s birch, rhododendron, Sosnovski pine, Litvinov birch, fritillaries, primrose and squill.

Fauna

• In Tusheti National Park fauna is represented in about 180 species. With unverified data in Tusheti there are: 60 species of mammals, about 120 – birds, 3-reptiles, 6-amphibian and one species of fish.
• Weathered sloped of the Caucasus and inaccessible cliffs are the homeland of East Caucasian tur chamois and wild goat. The neighbor of Caucasian tur is Caucasian endemic – the Caucasian Snowcock, and in rhododendron shrubs and birch groves lives the Caucasian black grouse.
• From large ungulates in Tusheti forests it is possible to meet roe and rarely deer. A boar regularly comes from the neighboring Dagestan.
• Tusheti is rich in predators – fox and wolf is met everywhere. Almost in the entire territory there are: brown bear, lynx, hare, chamois and tur.
• Tusheti is a diverse region in terms of ornithology. There are many birds of different size and different lifestyle. Tusheti inaccessible cliffs are the nesting place for huge birds- vultures, Bearded vultures and Golden eagles. In the National Park there are also a great number of: crossbill, several kinds of woodpeckers, red head finch, mountain Pipit and wallcreeper, partridge, mountain kestrel, buzzard and the fastest bird on the planet – falcon.

Tusheti rivers are rich in trout.

• There are three species of reptiles in Tusheti: Coronella austriaca, Vipera ursine, Laerta sp. And others, also there is one species of the green toad.
• Species fom the “Red List” of Gerorgia - 18 species (10 birds, 7 mammals and 1 fish) of Tusheti National Park fauna are included in the “Red List”. From mammals there are: European barbastelle, otter, brown bear, wild goat, tur, deer, aucasian grouse and Caucasian Snowcok. From rare species of birds are common: Imperial eagle, greater spotted eagle, lesser kestrel, corncrake, steppe eagle, black kite, vulture, field Montagu’s Harrier. There is only one species of fish on this territory – trout.

• Endemic species - From endemic mammals in Tusheti can be found:  Sorex raddei, Sorex volnuchini, Myotis daubentonii Chionomys gud, Chionomys roberti, Terricola majori, Terricola daghestanicus and others. From endemic birds Caucasian grouse and Caucasian Snowcock are notable.

Art and Cuisine

• A tradition of knitting socks, „chiti”, carpets and pressing thick felt still exists in Tusheti and is very popular among the visitors. These are prepared from natural and ecologically pure material. Men prepare musical instruments, furniture and utensils for their families.
• Traditional Tushetian cuisine is distinguished from food of other regions and deserves particular appreciation. Khinkali is best known among the Tushetian food that is made by meat chopped with a dagger and seasoned with water savory-kvliavi. Tushetian khachapuri called Kotori and cottage cheese boiled in melted butter - Khavitsi are also very popular dishes.

Adventure

• Hikng - There are many routes of varying difficulty for tourists.
• Cycling - There are cycling trails at National Parks of Georgia for those who prefer cycling than walking. No reasons to worry if you do not have your own bike, we offer a bike rental service.
• Horse Riding -  If you love horse riding, then Tusheti Natoinal Park awaits you.
• Birdwatching - If you eager to spend time in quite place and observe birds in nature, then visit Tusheti National Park. It is possible to hire binocular on place as well.