Marvellous Horse riding tour in Georgia – 11 days

Eleven days in the saddle across three of Georgia’s most spectacular regions — from the forested trails of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park to the wild highlands of Tusheti, crossing 3,000-meter mountain passes and staying in remote villages accessible only by horse or foot.

This tour combines everything that makes Georgia special for equestrians: diverse terrain from alpine meadows to dense forests, historic sites including medieval cave cities and ancient fortresses, authentic village hospitality where guests are still a blessing, and riding conditions that challenge experienced riders while rewarding them with landscapes few tourists ever see. Over 130 kilometers on horseback, you’ll experience Georgia the way travelers did for centuries – at the pace of a walking horse, with the mountains rising around you.

This tour combines Georgia’s two finest horse riding destinations into one comprehensive adventure. The first section takes you into Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park – at 85,000 hectares, one of the largest protected areas in Europe, with pristine forest, alpine meadows, and mountain terrain. The second section explores Tusheti, the legendary highland region of northeastern Georgia – a land so remote that the only road in closes for eight months each year. The contrast between these two regions – the forested trails of Borjomi and the open highlands of Tusheti – gives riders a complete picture of Georgia’s mountain landscapes.

We depart early from Tbilisi (or Kutaisi – the itinerary adapts to your arrival point), driving south toward the Samtskhe-Javakheti region. This area along Georgia’s border with Turkey has seen empires come and go for millennia, and today’s sightseeing reflects that layered history.

First stop is Rabati Castle in Akhaltsikhe, a remarkable fortress complex where a mosque, church, synagogue, and citadel stand side by side – a physical reminder of the region’s diverse heritage. The castle has been beautifully restored and offers panoramic views over the town.

We continue to Vardzia, one of Georgia’s most extraordinary monuments. This 12th-century cave monastery was carved into a cliff face during the reign of Queen Tamar, eventually containing over 6,000 rooms across 13 levels. Walking through the caves, you’ll see frescoed churches, royal quarters, and the ingenious engineering that made this vertical city possible.

Late afternoon, we arrive at the village of Atskhuri near Borjomi, where you’ll meet your hosts for the next three nights and get an early rest before tomorrow’s first ride.

Your first day in the saddle takes you into Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park – at 85,000 hectares, one of the largest protected areas in Europe. After meeting the horses and adjusting tack, we set off toward the Amarati area.

The trail leads through mixed forests of beech, oak, and conifer, climbing gradually as the valley narrows. This is classic Caucasian mountain terrain: dense forest cover, streams crossing the trail, and occasional clearings that offer views of the peaks above. The horses here are sturdy Georgian mountain breeds, sure-footed on the forest paths.

This ride serves as both an introduction and a warm-up. You’ll get comfortable with your horse and the terrain before the more challenging rides ahead. We return to Atskhuri by late afternoon, where a traditional Georgian dinner awaits.

Today’s ride takes a different route through Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, heading toward Tsinubani and a ranger station deep in the wilderness. The trail climbs higher than yesterday, breaking out of the forest into alpine meadows with views across the surrounding peaks.

The highlight is a traditional Georgian barbecue lunch at the ranger station – grilled meat, fresh bread, vegetables, and local wine, prepared outdoors in one of the most scenic lunch spots imaginable. The rangers who patrol this vast park are happy to share stories of wildlife encounters (bear, wolf, lynx, and deer all inhabit the park) and conservation efforts.

After lunch, we continue exploring the high meadows before beginning the descent back to Atskhuri. This ride shows why Borjomi-Kharagauli attracts horse riders from across Europe – the combination of pristine wilderness and well-maintained trails is hard to match.

A rest day from riding, but full of experiences. Morning begins with a visit to Borjomi town, famous throughout the former Soviet Union for its mineral water. You can visit the source spring in Borjomi Central Park and, if desired, soak tired muscles in the sulfur baths.

We then drive to Tbilisi, arriving in time for a walking tour of the old city: the sulfur bath district, the Narikala Fortress, the Bridge of Peace, and the winding streets of the historic center. Evening brings a traditional Georgian dinner at a restaurant featuring live folk music and polyphonic singing – the perfect way to experience Georgia’s famous hospitality culture.

Tonight’s hotel stay gives you a comfortable bed and a hot shower before the more rustic Tusheti section begins tomorrow.

Today is an adventure in itself – the drive into Tusheti over Abano Pass, one of the most dramatic mountain roads in the world. At 2,926 meters, it’s the highest drivable pass in the Caucasus, and the unpaved road clinging to cliffsides is legendary among overland travelers.

We take this journey slowly, stopping frequently to photograph the views and appreciate the engineering feat. The road climbs from the Kakheti lowlands through forests and alpine meadows before reaching the pass, where (weather permitting) you can see snowy peaks stretching in every direction.

The descent into Tusheti is equally dramatic. As we drop into the Pirikiti Alazani valley, stone tower villages appear on distant hillsides – your first glimpse of the medieval landscape that has survived here almost unchanged. We arrive in Upper Omalo by evening, the administrative “capital” of Tusheti (population: a few dozen in summer, zero in winter).

⚠️ Road Note: Abano Pass typically opens in late May/early June and closes with the first heavy snows in October – exact dates vary by year. The unpaved road requires 4×4 vehicles and experienced drivers. We monitor conditions carefully and adjust timing if necessary.

Your first ride in Tusheti takes you into the Pirikiti Gorge – the wilder, more remote section of the region. The landscape here is dramatically different from Borjomi: treeless high-altitude valleys, rushing glacial rivers, and tower villages perched on impossible slopes.

The horses in Tusheti are different too – smaller and nimbler than the Borjomi breeds, evolved for the steep terrain and thin air. You’ll appreciate their sure-footedness as the trail crosses streams and traverses steep hillsides.

Tonight’s destination is Chesho, a tiny village with no road access – only horse or foot can reach it. Your guesthouse here is truly remote, and the night sky, free from any light pollution, is spectacular.

The most challenging day of the tour – and the most rewarding. Today we cross the 3,000-meter Nokaicho Pass on horseback, traversing from one Tusheti valley to another by a route that has been used for centuries.

The morning climb is steady, ascending through alpine meadows where shepherds graze their flocks in summer. As you gain elevation, the views expand: snow-capped peaks, distant villages, and the vast emptiness of the high Greater Caucasus. The air is thin and cold at the pass, even in summer.

The descent into Gometsari Valley is spectacular, with the trail winding down through terrain that feels almost lunar – grey scree slopes and sparse vegetation giving way to greener meadows below. We overnight in Jvarboseli, another roadless village where your arrival on horseback is the highlight of the day for local children.

Today’s ride takes a scenic route back toward Omalo, passing through several of Tusheti’s beautiful tower villages. Each settlement has its own character – some inhabited, some abandoned, all featuring the distinctive stone defensive towers that Tusheti is famous for.

You’ll stop to explore some villages on foot, meeting the residents who spend summers here continuing traditions that stretch back centuries. Many villagers are elderly, returning each June when the pass opens and staying until September when the first snows come. Their stories of winter isolation and summer community are fascinating.

A short vehicle transfer brings us the final stretch to Upper Omalo, where a more comfortable guesthouse awaits – your reward after three days of remote riding.

Your final riding day offers a choice of two excellent routes, depending on weather and group preference.

Option A: Shenako and Diklo – Visit two of Tusheti’s most photogenic villages. Shenako features a beautiful 19th-century church with stunning frescoes, while Diklo sits on a dramatic ridge near the Russian border with commanding views of the Greater Caucasus. This route offers more cultural content and somewhat easier riding.

Option B: Oreti Lakes – A longer ride to a pair of alpine lakes at nearly 3,000 meters. The trail climbs steadily through high pastures, and the lakes themselves – set in a glacial cirque with peaks rising above – are among the most beautiful spots in Tusheti. This option offers more challenging riding and spectacular natural scenery.

Either choice provides a memorable final day in the saddle before tomorrow’s long drive out of the mountains.

The final driving day takes us back over Abano Pass (always dramatic on the descent) and down into the Kakheti wine region. We make a stop in Telavi, the regional capital, and visit a traditional wine cellar for a tasting and lunch.

Georgia claims to be the birthplace of wine (8,000 years of continuous production), and Kakheti is where most of it is made. The traditional qvevri method – fermentation in buried clay vessels – is UNESCO-recognized, and you’ll taste wines made this way alongside modern techniques.

We arrive in Tbilisi by evening, giving you time to shower, rest, and enjoy a final dinner celebrating eleven days of adventure.

Transfer to Tbilisi airport (or Kutaisi if arranged) at a time convenient for your flight. End of tour.