The Best Remote Mountain Villages in Georgia, Caucasus

When it comes to the beautiful Caucasus country of Georgia, most people think of the bustling Tbilisi, charming Kutaisi, or the coastal resort town of Batumi.

But Georgia being a mountainous country on the southern slopes of the Caucasus mountains means that there are many mountain towns nestled in remote regions, each with its own quaint character and local ethnolinguistic groups.

So don’t just go to the big cities – explore some of the smallest mountain villages in Georgia and all of the Caucasus.

Juta

Situated in the Kazbegi municipality, Juta is a small mountain village surrounded by stunning alpine landscapes. It serves as a starting point for treks to Chaukhi Pass and the beautiful Abudelauri Lakes.

It’s part of the Kazbegi National Park and is only about 4 km from the border with Russia. It’s in contention for being the highest altitude permanently inhabited settlement in Europe (although geographically it’s in Asia), along with Ushguli in the Svaneti region.

How to get there

To get there from Tbilisi, first, get a bus to Stepantsminda from Didube station, then change to another regional bus to Juta. It’s a remote village and the road after Achkhoti requires a car with a good clearance, if not a 4×4.

Thankfully, the kind fellas at Mountain Freaks have regular transport to Juta from Stepantsminda.

Tbilisi to Stepantsminda is often called The Georgian Military Highway and is a popular road trip in Georgia.

Where to stay

If you go trekking around Juta, it’s easiest if you go back and sleep in Stepantsminda. Otherwise, I recommend Lali’s Guesthouse in Juta.

Khulo

Located in the Adjara region, Khulo is a mountain village perched on the slopes of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains.

Back in the 19th century, Khulo was a really small hamlet. It grew over the years and finally received city status in 1964. Nevertheless, it’s still rather remote and has a unique feel to it.

If you want even smaller villages, explore the nearby Keda and Shuakhevi. These villages offer a glimpse into traditional rural life, with their unique architecture, friendly locals, and pristine natural surroundings.

How to get there

To get to Khulo, take a marshrutka from the bus station in Batumi. It’s the one next to the main train station. It costs 7 GEL / 2.5 EUR and takes 2.5 hours.

A must-see attraction nearby is the mosque in the small village of Didachara, 7 km from Khulo. It has this unique old look that you won’t see elsewhere.

Where to stay

There are plenty of budget options for sleeping in Khulo. Luka 55 is the cheapest in Khulo, although if you want to stay in Didachara a good option is Farvana Guesthouse.

If you’re into glamping, then there’s an awesome option in the village of Tago (which you can reach by cable car from Khulo).

Ushguli

Recognized as one of the highest inhabited villages in Europe, Ushguli is part of the Upper Svaneti region. It offers breathtaking views of Mount Shkhara (the highest point in Georgia) and is known for its preserved medieval architecture.

Ushguli village with its authentic Svan towers is one of the UNESCO heritage sites of Georgia. The whole region feels like taken from a medieval computer game. The region is quite remote and has retained most of its local customs, folk music, dances, and handicrafts.

Summer is the high season when the village welcomes most of its tourists. In the winter accessibility drops and only the biggest enthusiasts visit to enjoy winter sports.

How to get there

Getting to Ushguli is a journey on its own. You must first get to Mestia. There are daily buses from Kutaisi and Tbilisi, whereas from Batumi you’ll have to change buses in Zugdidi first. For those with a bit more cash (and the wisdom to book two weeks in advance), there are 5 weekly flights on the domestic airline Vanilla Sky.

From Mestia getting to Ushguli can be expensive. There are daily marshrutkas or shared taxis that charge 50 GEL / 18 EUR one way. The road is bad in some places, but it’s still quite expensive.

Alternatively, many people opt to do a 3-day hike from Mestia, stopping in Zhabeshi, Adishi, and Iprari on the way.

Where to stay

There are many options for accommodation in Ushguli and the region. You can find a guesthouse in any of the villages between Mestia and Ushguli, but if you’re set on sleeping in Ushguli itself, I recommend Mshvidoba Guesthouse.

Dartlo

Found in the Tusheti region, Dartlo is a remote mountain village known for its traditional stone houses and scenic beauty. It offers a peaceful atmosphere and serves as a starting point for treks to other Tusheti villages.

Dartlo is so remote, that even though it’s only 200 km from Tbilisi, you cannot reach it in a single day. Its isolation has helped preserve its traditional way of life and untouched natural surroundings. It has to be the most isolated mountain village in Georgia!

Dartlo is surrounded by breathtaking mountain vistas, deep gorges, and alpine meadows. The village overlooks the Pirikita Alazani River and offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks, including the majestic Mount Diklo.

How to get there

To get there first take a marshurtka from Ortachala bus station in the south of the city to Alvani, some 2h away. There are three minibuses daily, at 9 AM, 13:00, and 16:00. Costs 12 GEL / 4.4 EUR. I strongly advise you to take the early morning one as the journey is indeed quite long.

If you miss it, there are regular marshrutkas to Telavi (15 GEL) where you can take a taxi to Alvani (~10 GEL).

Make sure you’re dropped off in Kvemo Alvani. There at the main crossroads, 4×4 vehicles wait to fill up with passengers before departing to Omalo. The going rate for a seat is 75 GEL / 27 EUR.

Where to stay

Once you reach Omalo, it will be dark or close to sunset, so stay the night there. I recommend Guesthouse Javakhe for a good balance of quality and price.

If you don’t have your own car, the only way to get to Dartlo from Omalo is to hike. It’s about 11 km and takes 3 hours. You will enjoy mesmerizing views and stunning landscapes.

My recommendation for a place to stay there is Guesthouse Makratela in the center of the village. There are more options in the other villages in the area – Chesho, Baso, and Girevi.

Shatili

Situated in the Khevsureti region, Shatili is a medieval fortress village with stone towers and a rugged mountain setting. It provides a glimpse into Georgia’s rich history and offers hiking trails in the surrounding area. It’s located very near to the border with Chechnya.

Shatili has a long and storied history. The village and its defensive structures served as a stronghold for the Khevsur people during invasions and conflicts throughout the centuries. It was then resettled during the USSR period. The remnants of this history are visible in the architecture and the tales shared by the locals.

How to get there

It’s so remote that getting there is a challenge in itself. From Didube station in Tbilisi, there are only 2 weekly marshrutkas to Shatili – on Wednesday and Saturday at 9 AM– and they only go if there are enough people. It’s best to go and ask in person and be flexible.

If money isn’t an issue, you can organize a private transfer to Shatili for about 250 GEL / 90 EUR per person.

Hitchhiking is possible, but you need to be lucky. It’s easy in Georgia, but the traffic toward Shatili is low.

Another way to reach this extremely remote village is by hiking.

• You can hike from Omalo (~75 km) which will take about 5 days.
• You can hike from Juta (~58 km) which will take about 4 days.

Where to stay

In most villages in the region, there’s at least one guesthouse. For the hiking trails, you may need a tent and basic survival skills.

Call the guesthouses in advance to make sure they are waiting for you.

While there surely are other mountain villages in Georgia that a worth a visit, these 5 are a good selection from five different regions due to their beauty, remoteness, and authenticity.