AMONG THE PEAKS OF THE CAUCASUS: A HORSEBACK EXPEDITION TO TUSHETI

Día 1: Tbilisi

ITALY / TBILISI (-/-/-)
This 10-day horseback journey in Georgia is an immersive experience blending culture, nature, and adventure in the heart of the Caucasus. From discovering vibrant Tbilisi and the ancient winemaking traditions of the Kakheti region, the route gradually leads into the remote and wild mountains of Tusheti, one of the country’s most authentic and unspoiled areas.
Here the real adventure begins: several days on horseback through medieval stone villages, vast alpine pastures, forests, and spectacular mountain passes, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and a local culture still deeply rooted in tradition. Nights in family-run guesthouses and genuine Georgian cuisine complete an intense and authentic experience, designed for travelers seeking an active journey far from mass tourism, in close contact with nature and the true soul of Georgia.

Arrival at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS). Meet and greet with our guides and transfer to the city. Free time, dinner on your own, and overnight at the hotel.

Día 2: Tbilisi

TBILISI (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day dedicated to visiting Tbilisi, a city of ancient origins divided by the Mtkvari River, forming a valley surrounded by charming hills. Today, Tbilisi is an important industrial, commercial, and cultural center, strategically located at the crossroads between Europe and Asia along the historic Silk Road.
Visits include: Metekhi Church (13th century), Narikala Fortress (4th century), one of the oldest fortifications in the city, the Sulphur Baths, Sioni Cathedral, and Anchiskhati Basilica (6th century). Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit to the Archaeological Treasury of the Georgian National Museum. Afterwards, stroll along Rustaveli Avenue, the city’s main boulevard, with the City Hall, the former Viceroy’s Palace, the Rustaveli Theatre, and the Opera House. Dinner at a traditional restaurant with a folklore show. Overnight at the hotel.

Día 3: Telavi

TBILISI / TELAVI (B/L/D)
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, drive to the Kakheti wine region. Here, the Greater Caucasus Mountains appear even more imposing, forming a stunning landscape together with the fertile plains of the region.
Visit to Bodbe Monastery, which houses the tomb of Saint Nino, the young woman from Cappadocia who converted the Georgian people to Christianity. Continue to the fortified town of Sighnaghi (18th century), which has preserved its original character and offers breathtaking views of the Caucasus Mountains. Lunch at a local farmer’s home, where you will taste regional dishes, learn about the traditional clay vessel (qvevri) winemaking method, and sample Georgian wine. Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Telavi.

Día 4:

TELAVI / OMALO (B/L/D)
After breakfast, departure north toward Tusheti, where our true adventure begins. This region is one of the most fascinating mountainous provinces in the country.
Drive along a spectacular mountain road built only in 1978, still partly unpaved, climbing up to the dramatic Abano Pass (2,950 m) before descending to Omalo, the largest and most important village in Tusheti. Beautifully located on a vast plateau, Omalo is surrounded on three sides by rivers, like the massive moats of a medieval fortress. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse in Omalo.

Día 5:

OMALO (B/L/D)
Morning meeting with the horses. Ride for 5–6 hours to the village of Qumelaurta, continuing through beautiful conifer forests. After a climb, we reach an alpine meadow sloping down toward the small mountain lake of Oreti. Return to Omalo. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse.

Día 6:

OMALO / VERKHOVANI (B/L/D)
Approximately 6 hours on horseback. Ride along a ridge offering panoramic views over Piraketa Tusheti, Pirikita Tusheti, and the Gometsari valleys. Continue through stunning pastures filled with wildflowers.
Reach the highest point of the ridge (2,950 m), then descend, leading the horses by hand on the steepest sections. Continue riding along the Alazani River to Verkhovani. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse.

Día 7:

VERKHOVANI / DARTLO (B/L/D)
Another full day in the saddle. Ride up to the Nakaicho Pass (2,500 m). Along the way, see the highest village in Tusheti – Dadikurta (2,360 m). After reaching the summit, descend into the Pirikita Tusheti gorge.
Upon reaching the valley floor (1,600 m), enjoy a picnic lunch and time to explore the beautiful village of Parsma. In the afternoon, continue riding to Dartlo via Chesho. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse in Dartlo.

Día 8:

DARTLO / OMALO (B/L/D)
Ride through fields rich in alpine flora. Pass through Diklo, currently divided into two parts: the abandoned old section and the newer one with towers still inhabited today. The village is famous for its beautiful wooden houses built on cliffs overlooking summer pastures. Arrival in Omalo in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse.

Día 9: Tbilisi

OMALO / TBILISI (B/L/D)
After breakfast, farewell to the magnificent Tusheti region and drive back to Tbilisi along the famous mountain road.
On the way, visit Alaverdi Monastery, one of the tallest cathedrals in Georgia (50 m). The current cathedral was built in the 11th century by King Kvirike III of Kakheti and is today the spiritual center of the region, preserving fresco cycles dating from the 11th to the 17th century.
Late afternoon arrival in Tbilisi. Check-in at the hotel. Farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Día 10:

TBILISI / ITALY (B/-/-)
After breakfast, transfer to Tbilisi International Airport in time for your flight.

Notes: The above itinerary is indicative and may be subject to change due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control.
(B/L/D): B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
Difficulty level: °° (Easy / Intermediate)


DURATION: 10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS
DIFFICULTY: °° (EASY / INTERMEDIATE)
ACCOMMODATION: Guesthouses / Hotels
EQUIPMENT: Local Caucasian saddles with soft seat
HORSES: Tushetian local breed, raised in the region. Average height 1.50 m at the withers, strong and well-suited for long distances in mountainous terrain. Docile and easy to ride.
RIDING TIME: 5–6 hours per day. Riders must be experienced and able to control horses at all three gaits, even on challenging mountain terrain.
MINIMUM AGE: 10 years
MAXIMUM WEIGHT: 100 kg
TYPE: Point-to-point itinerary with overnight stays in guesthouses/hotels


ACCOMMODATION
Night 1 & 2: Hotel Museum / Holiday Inn (or similar) – Tbilisi
Night 3: Holiday Inn (or similar) – Telavi
Night 4 & 5: Guesthouse – Omalo
Night 6: Guesthouse – Verkhovani
Night 7: Guesthouse – Dartlo
Night 8: Guesthouse – Omalo
Night 9: Hotel Museum / Holiday Inn (or similar) – Tbilisi

Mobile tented camp, basic and without sanitary facilities. A shower tent (cold water) is provided, along with sleeping mats. Guests must bring their own sleeping bag.

Meals included from breakfast on Day 2 to breakfast on Day 10 (water included; alcoholic beverages excluded and available locally). Traditional Georgian cuisine. Special dietary menus available upon request.


Departure dates on request between June and September.
PARTICIPANTS: Minimum 2 – Maximum 10


SUPPLEMENTS & REDUCTIONS
Supplement for departure with 2 riders – €1,100 per person
Discount for groups over 4 – ON REQUEST