Caucasus Getaway Ride

Introduction
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.

Accomodation


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 includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

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.

Itinerary


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).

Rates and Dates for Caucasus Getaway Ride

Dates Note: Departures can sometimes be confirmed with less than 3 pax (small group supplement applies)

Other Info
Meeting: Tbilisi
Airport: Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi International Airport (TBS)
Transfer: Tbilisi Airport

Climate:
                                                    Stepantsminda area