Caucasus Getaway Ride Georgia Georgia Ride through scenic mountain landscapes, dense forest and alpine meadows. This riding adventure brings you to some of the most beautiful and inaccessible parts of Georgia: Khevsureti and Tusheti. These regions remain mainly unexplored by travelers due to the poor road system in this part of the country. Your riding tour starts in Omalo, from where you will head towards Atsunta Pass (3525 m). During the ride, you will come across unique landscapes and great views over some of the major peaks in the Greater Caucasus range. To end your trip, we will bring you on a rafting excursion on Pshavi Aragvi river. On the way back to Tbilisi, you will visit one of the most important monuments of Georgian architecture - Jvari Monastery. Camping Ride with vehicle support Progressive Ride (no camping) Short Getaway Suitable for riders over 210 lbs Meeting: Tbilisi Airport: Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) Transfer: Tbilisi Airport Riders: Min 3 riders Max 12 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

Gratuity: 10 %

 

Transfer and Other Charges:

Sample Itinerary- subject to changes

Note: This itinerary is an example of the itinerary planned but it is only an example and may be changed at your guides discretion if they consider changes necessary due to weather or other local conditions. 
In case you want to add some riding days, we might be able to arrange something for you - please inquire.


Day 1: Arrival
From Tbilisi we’ll drive to Kakheti region. On the way, we visit Telavi – former capital of kingdom of Kakheti nestled at the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains. After visiting the bazaar and a small family winery (wine tasting) in Telavi, we will continue to Tusheti, driving across Abano pass - one of the high mountain roads passes in the Caucasus (2900m).
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Omalo

Day 2: Omalo to Baso
From Omalo we’ll start riding to Ghele pass. After the pass we continue our ride via the ridge of Gogorata, towards Nakaicho pass, with views on both sides of the ridge: Pirikiti and Gometsari Alazani valleys. From Nakaicho pass, we descend to our destination, village Baso. 
Riding approx. 25.5km (5 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Baso

Day 3: Baso to Atsunta camp
After breakfast, we start our ride through alpine meadows along the Pirikita-Alazani valley, passing some villages and ruins. We then continue up to our campsite, located at 2970m, near the Atsunta pass (3525m).
Riding approx. 27.5km (6 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Camp near Atsunta pass

Day 4: Ortskali camp to Shatili 
This morning, our trails offers stunning views on Khevsureti and Kazbegi summits as well as deep valleys. Later on, we start descending towards the valley. On the way to Shatili, we pass some villages and the Mutso fortress - one of the former strongholds of Khevsureti. Its medieval fortified dwellings and towers are arranged on vertical terraces above the gorge.
We overnight in Shatili – a medieval village of fortified flat-roofed stone dwellings and towers, which functioned both as homes and as a fortress guarding the north-eastern border of the country.
Riding approx. 24.8km (6 hours)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Guesthouse in Shatili

Day 5: Rafting
We start the day by going rafting with inflatable 6-8 seated boat on the rivers of Phavis Aragvi (about 45 min - 1,5km). Before starting you’ll take some safety measures with a professional guide so that, this activity remains pleasant and safe.
After rafting we’ll have a picnic lunch by the river. Then, it is time to head back to Tbilisi. On the way, we’ll visit Jvari monastery – a sixth-century Georgian Orthodox monastery listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Note that it is sometimes possible to customize the program upon special request (price will be calculated accordingly).

                                                    Stepantsminda area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	30	34	42	52	61	68	72	72	65	55	43	33
Average Low Temperature (°F)	13	15	22	32	39	45	51	50	42	34	25	17
Average High Temperature (°C)	-1	1	5	11	16	20	22	22	18	13	6	0
Average Low Temperature (°C)	-11	-10	-5	0	4	7	10	10	6	1	-4	-8
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	5	6	8	10	14	13	9	8	7	7	7	6

Source: NOAA


Seasons
Georgia can be divided into 2 distinct climate zones. The west of the country, along the coast features a humid Mediterranean climate, while the rest of the country, in the interior benefits from a dryer continental climate. The Caucasus Mountains allow to moderate the climate in the plains.
The mean annual precipitation varies from 300 to 600 mm in eastern Georgia.

Spring (April to May) is one of the best times to visit because it is usually dry and temperatures start warming up. However, you should keep in mind that nights can still be cold in the mountains.

Summer (June to August) in Georgia can be hot but there is generally a pleasant breeze in the mountains, preventing it from being unbearable. You should be aware that there are some risk of rain at the beginning of the season.

Autumn (September & October) is an amazing time to visit as you can still benefit from mild weather a few precipitations. Moreover, the fall colors are splendid in the mountains.

During the trek your main luggage will be transported by car. Please use bags or suitcases that are easy to handle. The horses are equipped with small saddle bags.

What to Bring
• Personal medication: ointment, blister plaster, anti-allergy, diarrhea, pain killer
• Flashlight / headlamp
• Water bottle
• Good Raingear
• Comfortable riding clothes for hot and cold weather.
• Trekking or hiking boots/shoes
• Sports shoes / flip-flops
• Sun hat, sunglasses, sun protection
• Mosquito repellent
• Sleeping bag/inflatable sleeping mat (we can give you foldable non-inflatable mat)
• Cushions for sitting outdoors

We also accept any kinds of horse riding and horse care equipment (used or new) that you do not wish to use anymore.

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Accommodations
This is a wilderness ride, so you will be staying in a mixture of guesthouses and camps.
During the tour, all luggage will be loaded in one of the 4x4 cars and transferred to the overnight accommodation or campsite.

Description
You will spend 1 night in tents and 3 nights in guesthouses. Most of the guesthouses have Wi-Fi access and facilities are shared.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Guesthouse in Omalo
Night 2: Guesthouse in Baso
Night 3: Camp near Atsunta pass
Night 4: Guesthouse in Shatili



Camping
We provide tents (2p or 3p MSR Elixir) and non-inflatable sleeping mats. You need to bring your own sleeping bags.
We carry a shower tent (cold water). Because our camps are set up in the wilderness, there are no washrooms and you will need to dig a hole in the ground.

Room Occupancy
Single rooms are not available on this trip. Sometimes, participants might have to share rooms with 2 or 3 other participants.


Meals
All meals are included from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 5.

Alcoholic drinks are not included but you are welcome to bring your own.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with prior notice.

This trip can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Caucasian with a leather cushion and saddle bag
Horses:		Tushetian horses (local breed)
Pace:		Approx. 5-6 hours in the saddle per riding day - mostly walking | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2 to 5 out of 5)    All Riding Levels
Age:		Min 16	Max 65
Weight:		Max 220 lbs
Riders:		Min 3 riders	Max 12 riders

Riding Pace & Terrain
During the ride, we will go mostly at a walk. However, we will also have some opportunities to trot and canter from time to time, when the terrain allows. Because this ride takes place at a slower pace, people with very little riding experience can participate as long as they feel comfortable staying in the saddle for long hours.

Horses
We use Tushetian Horses – a relatively small breed measuring between 140-150 cm. They are friendly, easy-going, surefooted, trustworthy, tamed and used to walk long distances and well adapted to the riding environment.

Passport/ Visa

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passports

To enter Georgia, a passport valid for the duration of stay is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above, except (1) EU nationals, who may enter with a national ID card. 

Visas

Visas are not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for stays in Georgia for up to one year. Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements for Georgia.

Types and Cost

Short-term visa: $20US plus 2% service charge.

Validity

The validity of a visa is dependent on the applicant's nationality. Typically, it might be valid for 30 days in a 120-day period or 90 days in a 180-day period.

Application to

Consulate (or consular section at the embassy). Nationals requiring visas must initially submit an application online (https://evisa.gov.ge/GeoVisa).

Working Days

Allow at least five working days for visa processing.

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.