Tusheti
Tusheti is located on the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains. One of the most ecologically unspoiled regions in the Caucasus, Tusheti is a popular mountain-trekking venue Traditionally, the Tushs are sheep herders. Tushetian Gouda (cheese) cheese and high quality wool was famous and was exported to Europe and Russia. Even today sheep and cattle breeding is the leading branch of the economy of highland Tusheti. The local shepherds spend the summer months in the highland areas of Tusheti but live in the lowland villages of Zemo Alvani and Kvemo Alvani in wintertime. Their customs and traditions are similar to those of other eastern Georgian mountaineers.
In 2003 The Tusheti National Park was established as a part of the Eastern Caucasus. Perfect for hikers, it possesses spectacular mountain landscape reaching up to 4,800m, where splendid alpine meadows, lakes and extremely well-preserved pine forests lay. The home to a variety of rare and endangered animal species, the park also possesses endemic plant relics, unique pine forests and an array of forest-forming species, such as birch and high-mountain oak. The mammals inhabiting this area include the Caucasian endemic subspecies like the Caspian Sea wolf, Caucasian lynx, Caucasian chamois and species of both East and West Caucasian goat. One of main goals for creating the Tusheti Nature Reserve was to protect a remarkable wild goat. The bird species are varied and incredible. They include the lammergeyer, the Caucasian black grouse, Caucasian snowcock and pheasant to name a few. And if these were not enough, the mysterious, and thought to be extinct leopard presumably lives there. On designated tourist trails visitors can explore this mountainous park by foot, horse or vehicle.
