In the south of Georgia, in Tusheti, an enormous variety of landscapes awaits you. From waterlogged wasteland to desert, past a bubbling moor, lakes and through rustic pistachio forests, olive and almond groves. Gorges and colorful rocks add further accents to the dramatic landscape. The nature parks are home to a wide variety of plants and sometimes rare birds. You can gain an insight into the culture of the country by staying with locals in the villages and exploring an ancient monastery.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Tbilisi and transfer to Bakurishke, where you will get to know your fellow riders at a wine tasting. Continue to Erisimedi on the border with Azerbaijan. The small village is located directly on the border, with the kindergarten and infirmary in one countryside and the school in the other. In German, Erisimedi means "the hope of the nation". Your final destination is Samtatskaro, where a delicious dinner awaits you and you spend the night in a small guesthouse.

Day 2: Your Riding tour begins today! After breakfast, you meet the horses and guides and start your ride along the river Alazani. You to ride partly directly along the river bank or slightly above with a view of Azerbaijan, which lies on the other side of the river. The wooded area at river is a stopover for numerous migratory birds and you can see and hear many birds on your way, including some endangered species that still find a protected refuge with intact nature here.
After a not too difficult but long riding day (approx. 35 km), you reach a small vacation resort in Vashlovani Nature Park, at the mouth of the river into a reservoir. Here you spend the night with a beautiful view of the water.

Day 3: If you are up early, you can enjoy a fantastic sunrise over the river today in fine weather. After a hearty breakfast, you can explore the surrounding area at your leisure on a short walk. It is not until around midday to rear that you return to saddle. You follow a small gorge and roam through the vast landscape of the nature park, which is characterized by the water . After a pleasant ride of around 4 hours, you reach your camp near a forestry station.

Day 4: After an early breakfast, to ride you continue towards Pantishara. The landscape now changes dramatically and you cross the driest plain in Georgia, where gazelles live. In winter, the area is used by many shepherds for their herds. Picnic at the entrance to the Pantishara Gorge. Today's destination is the Vashlovana forestry station, where you will spend the night in a bungalow. Today you will spend around 8 hours (!) at saddle, where the terrain is pleasant to ride.

Day 5: Your next destination is Kasristskali, where there is a legend about the Tushetian shepherds. According to legend, the shepherds came across a stream of clear drinking water here on the edge of the semi-desert one day, which they collected in a barrel. Later, village was founded on the site, whose name means "The river from the barrel". During the Soviet Union, village became an important center for grain, wool and meat from the surrounding area. On your ride today you will also pass some Tushetian shepherd's huts and cross picturesque forests of pistachio and juniper, which are also an important part of the Vaslovani Nature Park. Overnight stay with a local family. Riding time approx. 6 hours (approx. 37 km).

Day 6-7: As you ride southwest, you will see vast fields of grain in the distance. You follow a river in the strictly protected Chachuna Nature Park, known for its unique dry forests with an enormous variety of species. In the late afternoon, you reach a huge reservoir from the Soviet era. However, it was never used to produce electricity. There are some idyllic vacation homes on the edge of the lake where you will spend the next two nights. The following day, you will explore the picturesque and tranquil surroundings of the lake on a day ride. Both days offer an extensive riding experience of approx. 30 km each.

Day 8: You cross the dam with a view over the huge lake and to ride continue towards the Kila-Kupra volcanoes. The vast landscape of untouched wasteland is breathtaking. In the middle of the plain rises a hill surrounded by countless bubbling craters in the marshy countryside, fed by oil and water. A unique natural spectacle! The day ends with some wonderful trotting and cantering sections. Riding time approx. 6 hours (35km). Overnight stay in the camp.

Day 9: You follow the river Lori upstream and reach an area where almond trees and olives have recently been planted, so that you ride through cultivated countryside to ride for a change. After a challenging ride through the extensive plantations, you reach the natural riverbank again after around 7 hours, where you set up camp.

Day 10: At the end of your Riding tour tour, you enter an area of historical significance. You to ride through a semi-desert, past the ruins of a rock monastery adorned with frescoes from the 9th and 10th centuries. The place gives a small insight into the spiritual heritage of Georgia, which is strongly influenced by religion. Later you reach the desert village of Udabno, where the Soviets settled mountain dwellers from Svaneti in the north of Georgia. In the evening, you can enjoy typical dishes from the north, which the locals continue to preserve. Overnight stay with locals. Riding time approx. 6 hours.

Day 11: After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye. You drive through the semi-desert, past the Mravaltskaro lake, picturesque hills and steep slopes with sparse vegetation. The rocky landscape is known as the "Colorful Mountains" and on a clear day the sediment-streaked rocks are reflected in the blue water of the lake - a wonderful panorama! In the late afternoon you reach Tbilisi, where your journey ends. Return flight in the evening or extra night.

Accomodation
You will stay overnight in vacation homes, with locals and in tents (3 times). There are no hotels or guesthouses in the nature parks. Accommodation is in double and multi-bed rooms with shared bathrooms.

Saddle & Tack: Local saddles and bridles

Experience: The pace is moderate and the terrain mostly easy, but on some days there are also trot and canter sections, so the ride is only suitable for advanced riders. Long riding days of up to 8 hours require a very good level of fitness!

Horses: Local mountain horses, tough and enduring, they can master any terrain. Height around 1.45m.

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