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Svaneti Horseback Riding Week in Georgia

Join local GMGA certified guide, Tinatin, on an unforgettable Svaneti horseback riding week in Georgia. Start from Kutaisi and explore the Svaneti region with stops at the Ushba waterfalls, Mestia, Ushguli, Shkara glacier, the Prometheus cave, and more!

Private and Group

8 Days

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Occasional

All Levels


Highlights

* Spend a week exploring the amazing Caucasus mountains on horseback.

* Stop at some of the most amazing spots in Svaneti, Georgia.

* Let a local guide show you the best spots in Svaneti and share her knowledge.

Description

The historic province of Svaneti in northwest Georgia is a stunning region to explore, and on this Svaneti horseback riding week, we will have a chance to visit some of its most amazing spots. 

On this week long journey,  we will cover about 25km – 35km per day.
We will ride on the southern slopes of the central Caucasus Mountains, carved by deep gorges and revealing stunning views of towering peaks and glaciers. As we advance, we will also go by old Orthodox churches and fortresses, which will give you a taste of the Georgian culture and history.

The route we will follow, is the most famous trekking route in Georgia, from Becho to Ushguli and Lentekhi. On the way, we will stop at the Ushba falls, Shkhara Glacier, Prometheis Cave, and more. You can find a detailed itinerary below.

Please keep in mind that this program is open to all levels and participants of minimum 8 years of age. However, being physically fit is important as we will spend many hours riding every day.

Don’t miss the chance to explore Svaneti on a unique horseback riding adventure! Contact me today and I will be happy to answer your questions and help you plan this amazing trip!

Price includes

- Accommodation included

- Guiding fee

- Breakfast

- Lunch

- Dinner

- Transport during the trip

- Permit and entrance fees

- Mules and horses

Price details

Minimum number of participants: 3 people

Tour price includes:

All meals during the tour

Overnights at the guesthouses during the tour

Horses and horse keepers

Cave and canyon entrance fee

A car to carry the luggage during the tour

English speaking guide

Tour price excludes:

Alcohol drinks during the tour

Horse riding equipment (Helmet, vest, chaps, etc)

Tips


Itinerary

Day 1: Kutaisi – Martvili Canyons – Becho

After breakfast we’ll head for Martvili Canyons, that are named after the nearby town of Martvili to enjoy the scenery, its waterfalls and take a boat trip in the river canyon that was formed over time by the Abasha River and feature a beautiful green and blue colors. We’ll continue to the village Becho – the village right at the foot of mount Ushba. Overnight in Becho at a local guest house.

Day 2: Becho – Ushba waterfalls – Becho

After a nourishing breakfast, you will saddle the horses. A short introduction brings you into contact with the horses and off we go to Sdugra waterfalls. The path passes mineral water springs, beautiful meadows, and then ascends slowly through the beautiful pine forests. Lunch at the waterfall. After having spent some time there we saddle up again and head back to the village. Overnight in Becho. * Total distance – 28km * Difficulty – medium

Day 3: Becho – Guli pass – Mestia

This part of the tour is very spectacular. Here we ride from Becho to Mestia via Guli pass from where you’ll have magnificent views of villages of Becho community with the double-peaked Mount Ushba to the North and Mulakhi community with the background of the snowy Tetnuldy massif to the east and the Egrisi ridge to the South. After a couple of hours of descent, we’ll head for Koruldi Lakes to have lunch there. * Total distance – 30km * Difficulty – hard

Day 4: Mestia – Jabeshi – Adishi

Early morning we start riding from Mestia Towards Mulakhi valley. During the day we’ll be passing via the Svanetian villages, outstanding for their impressive defensive towers. After lunch in Jabeshi we’ll ascend to the ski resort of Tetnuldi and descend to the village of Adishi. Most of the ride is on the footpath. * Total distance – 30km * Difficulty – medium

Day 5: Adishi – Khalde – Iprali – Ushguli

From Adishi we ride towards the majestic Chkhutnieri pass (2,720 m) with stunning views on Ladraadi glacier which locals also refer to as the Adishi glacier. This glacier takes shape on the south slopes of the Tetnuldi-Adishi mountain range and descends to 2,400 meters. Near the glacier (2,390 m) we cross the river and follow the path on the slopes covered with evergreen rhododendron shrubs. This descent from the pass is steep, so we will need to dismount from our horses and walk down. From the Chkhutnieri pass, we get a good view of the Adishis Tchala river valley as well as on the other side of the pass Khaldes Tchala river valley. Lunch in Khalde at a local guest house. After lunch, we’ll continue towards Iprali and Ushguli. Ushguli is one of the most beautiful places in Svaneti and has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Ushguli is actually the joint name of four small villages which are located around 2200 meters above sea level at the foot of Shkhara peak which is the highest point in Georgia (5200m). Overnight in Ushguli. * Total distance – 31km * Difficulty – hard

Day 6: Ushguli – Shkhara glacier – Ushguli

The plan for today is to ride to the foot of Mt Shkhara to have a look at the Shkhara Glacier, which is the source of the Enguri River. Mount Shkhara is the highest point of the central watershed ridge of the Caucasus. It is located in its central section, in the 12 km length rock massive, which is called the Bezengi wall. The height of the highest peak reaches 5201 meters and according to its height, it is the second peak in the whole Caucasus after Mount Elbrus and is also considered the highest point of Georgia. * Total distance – 19km * Difficulty – easy

Day 7: Ushguli – Latphari pass – Mami pass – Lentekhi

From Ushguli we’ll ride to Mami Pass via Latphari pass (28075m). Almost all the peaks of the Main Caucasus are visible to the North, and a face of smooth schist rocks of the Svaneti Ridge is seen to the West. We’ll pass several alpine lakes and ride to Mami pass where we farewell to our horses and continue by 4WD car to the town of Lentekhi. Overnight in Lentekhi at a local guest house. * Total distance – 24km * Difficulty – hard

Day 8: Lentekhi – Tskaltubo - Kutaisi

After late breakfast, we head for Prometheus Cave – one of Georgia’s natural wonders providing visitors with breathtaking examples of stalactites, stalagmites, curtains, petrified waterfalls, cave pearls, underground rivers, and lakes. After the excursion in the cave, the transfer continues to Kutaisi. End of the program flight home, Transfer to the airport.

 

Equipment you will need to bring

Other gear: Horse riding equipment (Helmet, vest, chaps, etc)


About the guide

Guide profile image

Tinatin

5.00

(3)

Hiking Guide

Hiking and horseback riding guide.

I'm Georgian, native Tushetian. As a girl, I lived in the main wine region of Georgia – Kakheti, spent every summer in Tusheti – outstanding and authentic mountain region for its location, ethno-culture and nature. In 2014 I became certified sightseeing guide and started guiding all over Georgia. The more I travelled and learnt about Georgia’s rich cultural landscape, the more I grew to love my home country.

In 2017 I got certifications in trekking and in 2019 in horseback riding guiding. My main purpose is to use my experience in adventure tourism and offer unpopular, least crowded and still least popular activities such as agro tours, equestrian trekking and many others. My passion is to share the many undiscovered and unspoiled regions that make Georgia so special, adventurous and worth to discover.

Languages

Georgian | English

Certificates

GMGA

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What people are saying about Tinatin

Heath

5.00

Tiko was the best guide you could hope for. If you like horse riding and mountains this is the trip to be on!

kira

5.00

abaolutely loved this tour! i didnt have any experience, but tina guided me:) she is a great guide who knows a lot about tusheti and will tell you a lot about the region!! i would recommend this tour to everyone who wants to be in the mountains and learn about their culture Tina, Thankyou so much for this tour and maybe see you again:)!

Suzy

5.00

Fantastic trip with an amazing guide - what a power house of information, adventure and wonderful hospitality


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