Abano Pass in Kakheti: address and opening hours

Name: Abano Pass - extreme pass between Khevsuria and Tusheti
Address: Telavi Municipality, Kakheti Region, Georgia

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📌 Address

Telavi Municipality, Kakheti Region, Georgia

⏰ Working hours

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Abano Pass is one of the highest passable passes in the Greater Caucasus (2,826 m), connecting the regions of Kakheti and Tusheti. This is a route for true thrill-seekers.

The route runs along a narrow dirt road, with steep serpentines, steep cliffs and minimal fences. Here, every turn is a test of skill and attention, especially in fog or strong winds. Passage is possible only in summer (from late June to mid-October) and exclusively on four-wheel drive vehicles.

Those who dare to go through Abano Pass will get not just a road, but a balcony route with views of mountain peaks, alpine slopes, wild meadows and pastures. This is the ideal point of meeting with the wildness of the Caucasus.

If you want adventure and nature, Abano Pass will make your visit to Georgia unforgettable.

Have you driven this part of the road? Share your story and photos on Madloba - your experience will help others to be more careful... and inspired!

🚗 By car: from Tbilisi via Telavi and Kvemo Alvani to Pshaveli (about 2 hours on asphalt). From Pshaveli the mountain road begins: 70 km to Omalo, 5-6 hours of driving. You need a 4WD with good ground clearance. Fill up in Telavi with extra fuel in canisters: there are no fuel stations on the mountain section.

🚌 Without your own car: marshrutka from Tbilisi or Telavi to Kvemo Alvani, then a jeep with a local driver to Omalo. Around 200 GEL per car, shared between 3-4 people. Driving the pass without experience in mountain off-roading is not recommended: local Tusheti drivers know the road and its tricky sections.

🏔️ What is the Abano Pass?

A mountain road at 2,826 m in Kakheti, the only motorable route into Tusheti. It links the Kakhetian village of Pshaveli with the Tusheti capital Omalo. The road was built in 1978; before that Tusheti was only accessible on foot or horseback.

📅 When is the pass open?

Usually from late May to late September or early October. The exact opening date shifts each year depending on snowmelt. In winter the pass is buried under snow and Tusheti is completely cut off.

🚙 Do I really need a 4WD?

Yes, a 4WD with good clearance is necessary. Driving alone in an unfamiliar vehicle without off-road experience is risky: narrow passing spots shared with trucks, sheer drops without barriers, and sharp rocks that cut tyre sidewalls. Most visitors travel with a local Tusheti driver or on an organised transfer.

⛽ Where is the last fuel stop?

Telavi. There are no fuel stations from Pshaveli to Omalo. Carry extra fuel in canisters.

🌧️ Can I drive after rain?

No. Heavy rain sharply raises the risk of landslides and rockfall. Drive the pass only in daylight and only in good weather.

👁️ What can you see from the pass?

At the top you get views of the Greater Caucasus and the Tusheti valleys below. Waterfalls run directly across the road, rock faces hang overhead, and roadside memorials mark spots where drivers have died. The descent into Tusheti is as dramatic as the climb.

🏘️ What is there to see in Tusheti once I cross?

Omalo with the Keselo fortress, medieval tower villages including Dartlo, Kvavlo and Diklo, and Tusheti National Park. Routes range from short walks to multi-day treks toward Khevsureti.

🏥 Is there medical help in Tusheti?

One doctor covers the entire region. Travel with medical insurance. Serious evacuation means helicopter only.

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Abano Pass - extreme pass between Khevsuria and Tusheti

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