Georgia Horseback Riding Week, Caucasus Mountains

Day 1: Tbilisi – Pankisi Valley – Jokolo

After a two hour drive we get to Pankisi Valley  – probably the most misunderstood place in Georgia. After years trying to shake off an unwarranted bad reputation, the community is now embracing tourism as a way to set the record straight. As we get there we’ll have a traditional Kist lunch which is a great mix of Georgian and Chechen cuisine.

Overnight and dinner at a local family guest house.

Riding distance: 15km

Day 2: Pankisi Valley – Tbatana – Masara

After breakfast, we’ll be transferred to the village of Tbatana – summer pasture above tree level just an hour drive from Jokolo. Our tush horses will be ready and waiting for us, we will mount and head up to Rkinis Mta (Iron mountain) on the footpath. From time to time we’ll need to get off the horse and lead the horse. 

• Lowest elevation: 1900m

• Highest elevation: 2980m

• Total riding distance: 17km

Difficulty: Difficult

Day 3: Masara – Alaznistavi – shepherds’ hut

After morning preparation, we will lead horses down to the river for about half an hour and head up to Sakorno Pass (2850m) to descend on the Tusheti side into Alaznistavi valley via the alpine green grassland full of colorful alpine flowers.

Overnight at shepherds’ hut in Alaznistavi in tents. It will be possible to participate in milking cows or watch sheep shearing if wanted. 

• Lowest elevation: 1965m

• Highest elevation: 2770m

• Total riding distance: 16km

• Difficulty: difficult

Day 4: Alaznistavi – Vestomta

From Alaznistavi we’ll continue following the river valley downwards until we reach Jvarbosli. After a nourishing lunch at the guesthouse, where we will spend the night, we’ll visit a small community of Tsovata 6km away from Jvarboseli (12km both ways). Participation in the second part is optional.

Overnight at the local Guesthouse. 

• Lowest elevation: 1965m

• Highest elevation: 2770m

• Total walking distance: 18km

• Difficulty: difficult

Day 5: Vestomta – Jvarboseli – Baso

Starting from Vestomta we spend every night in guest houses and hotels. Tushetian villages are scattered on the ridges or rocky hilltops. During our ride in Tusheti we will visit several of them. Some of the most outstanding are Farsma and Dartlo etc.

Overnight at the most beautiful guest house in Baso.

• Lowest elevation: 1860m

• Highest elevation: 2820m

• Total riding distance: 26km

• Difficulty: difficult

Day 6: Baso – Darto – Omalo

We will continue exploring Tusheti villages. We’ll ride through 4 villages following the Piriqiti river valley until we reach the village of Omalo – the central and the biggest village of Tusheti, where we will spend the night in a hotel. 

• Lowest elevation: 1830m

• Highest elevation: 2310m

• Total riding distance: 26km

• Difficulty: medium (mostly on the dirt road with some opportunities to canter)

Day 7: Omalo – Shenako – Diklo – Omalo

Shenako and Diklo are the villages located at the eastern border of Tusheti (Georgia). We’ll visit an old fortress of ancient Diklo at the border of Dagestan.

• Lowest elevation: 1830m

• Highest elevation: 2120m

• Total riding distance: 24km

• Difficulty: easy (on the dirt road)

Day 8: Transfer back to Tbilisi

We’ll be transferred to Tbilisi by 4×4 cars via Abano pass – the highest drivable pass in Europe.

After we get down to the lowland in Kakheti we’ll have lunch and wine tasting at the small family winery.