Dartlo

Tusheti, Georgia

For many people, Dartlo is the most beautiful village in the whole of Tusheti. The medieval settlement lies in the heart of the remote mountain region and exudes a unique charm.

When you arrive in Dartlo, you feel transported back in time. From the already remote village of Omalo, another 15 km further into the Pirikita high valley. And there it lies, the fairytale medieval settlement of Dartlo. At 1,850 meters above sea level, the village nestles against the slope, so one might think it was built with the aim of creating a postcard motif.

Tusheti in winter

Tbilisi, the lively and noisy capital, is far away. 200 km, to be exact. And it seems even further when you arrive in this secluded idyll.

A part of the houses in Dartlo are empty, in others few resident families live. Most of them spend the summer in the village and leave it together with their sheep before winter arrives. They spend this time in the lowlands of Kakheti. Some of the houses have been converted into guesthouses by the locals. And in the lower part of the village, there is a cozy café/restaurant with a great view of the valley.

Kvavlo towers high above Dartlo

Anyone who thinks that nothing can top Dartlo will look the other way when he has made the ascent to Kvavlo. Kvavlo is a small fortress village situated above Dartlo. The path first winds through Dartlo and then up the mountain by about 300 meters. There lies Kvavlo at 2,150 meters. The view is breathtaking. And most visitors ask themselves first: How could people in the Middle Ages build houses and fortified towers in such an inaccessible place?

Trips to Dartlo