This adventurous trail takes you through the heart of the Tusheti National Park, a pristine, remote region tucked in the Caucus mountains in northeastern Georgia. This is the most isolated region of Georgia – to the north and east are the closed borders of Chechen-Daghestani and to the west, behind the mountains are the isolated regions of Pshavi and Khevsureti. To the south, Tusheti is bordered by a 3000 meters high ridge of the Greater Caucasus. The only lifeline connecting Tusheti with the rest of the country is the treacherous Abano pass. It is unpaved and very bumpy – which is also a primary reason why Tusheti is relatively untouched my tourism.
Semi-nomadic shepherds bring their livestock to the high pastures during the summer and you will briefly share in the life of the Tush people and learn about their culture and traditions.
Feeling as though you are riding on top of the world as you travel along high mountain paths, you will take in spectacular vistas each day before dropping down into flower-filled meadows where we will stay in a mix of small guest houses and also camp beside mountain streams.
Our guide is a true horseman and a trained professional rider of the Tusheti region who is devoted to his horses. Born in Alvani, Kakheti region, he divides his time between Tusheti in summer and Vashlovani in winter, just like the generations of Tushs before him. His herd of over 5o Tusheti mountain horses live naturally in a herd and are beautifully taken care of and trained with natural horsemanship methods.
Departure & Return Location
Tibilisi, Georgia
Date and Rates
August 16 - 23, 2025
2 transfer days , 6 days riding
€ 1,656 based on 8- 10 riders
5 riders minimum. Small group supplement applies.
Price Includes
- acccommodation in guesthouses and meals, drinks extra
- 2 nights in hotels in Tbilisi NOT included
- horses and guiding
- entrance fees
- tents and water proof bag
- all transportation and transfers
You will be embarking on a true adventure in a very remote and mountainous region of the world. Please be fit, have a good attitude and please don’t be afraid of heights.
The horses are strong Tush mountain horses that are tough and are familiar with the terrain since birth. This makes for a very experienced companion. Due to their breed and living conditions they are incredibly relaxed and easy to ride and handle. The pace of the ride is not fast but there are opportunities for canters should the trail allow it. Soso your guide and his horses live a
semi-nomadic life, like all Tushs. From June until September they are in Tusheti and from
October until May in the steppe-like landscape of Vashlovani National Park
This ride consists of 6 riding days. On 5 nights we overnight in very simple guesthouses (shared rooms; shared bathrooms, sometimes without bathroom – loo will be outside) and 3 nights in shared tents (2p). The first and last night will be in Tbilisi in a hotel.
The luggage is transported by car and horses. Packing list will be provided.
Georgian and specifically Tush meals will be offered each day.
The itinerary may need to be changed short notice if the weather conditions or other factors dictate this and will be decided by our guides.
- mountain trekking with horses in the magnificent Tush Region of Georgia
- discovery of the Georgian cultural heritage
- Discovery of the Tush way of live, their old manners and customs, the amazing landscapes and legends
- ride hardy and sure-footed Georgian mountain horses
Day 1 Arrival in Tbilis
Arrival in Tbilisi and transfer to the hotel. The airport transfer to your hotel (not included); arrivals often take place in
the early morning hours (4/5 am). Basically all hotels offer (free) airport transfer. If not,
we can also arrange transfer for 65 GEL/car/one-way with our driver.
We recommend to fully charge all electronic equipment in Tbilisi and purchase a Magticom simcard for easy internet access while being on the trail. After a rest you will have time to wander around in Tbilisi and check out the main sights (Old town, Mtatsminda, old fortress, Sioni Church, Gorgasali statute etc.) all close to your hotel. Tbilisi is a highlight itself. Especially the old town will captivate you with old wooden balconies, some in candy colors, some fading into their still unknown destiny but the city is brimming with bars, restaurants, Italian yards, giving a southern flair to it all. This all is combined with old Soviet brutalist buildings. Seeing Tbilisi will make you understand, why Georgia was called the Italy of the USSSR in the former Soviet union time. After a rest you will have time to wander around in Tbilisi and check out the main sights (Old town, Mtatsminda, old fortress, Sioni Church, Gorgasali statute etc.). We recommend to book a hotel in Old town or Abanotubani.
Day 2 Tbilisi to Khaketi to Omalo
Today after breakfast you will leave Tbilisi traveling on the Kachetian highway. You will cross Gombori Pass and right before arriving in Kvemo Alvani, you will have a short visit to the beautiful Alaverdi Monastery surrounded by vineyards and with the Tusheti mountains in the background. While parts of the monastery date back to 6th century, the present day cathedral was built in the 11th century and is the focus of the annual religious celebration Alaverdoba, a very important festive day for locals. Situated in the heart of the world’s oldest wine region, the monks also make their own wine. After lunch in a family guesthouse in Kvemo Alvani, the adventure part starts: Driving up the 75 km from Pshaveli to Omalo/Tusheti on Tusheti road will start to appreciate how remote Tusheti isfrom civilization. 3.5 hurs offroad with fantastic views on the upper part and on Abano pass. Accessible only from June till October this road remains closed and covered with snow for the rest of the year. Arriving in Omalo, the main village in Tusheti (but still with no ATMs, banks etc) you will have time to visit the Keselo Fortress, get settled in your guesthouse and have your first dinner in Tusheti. We ask all guest to leave any products made from pork in Kacheti and not bring them to Tusheti as it is considered bad luck.
Day 3 Omalo - Shenako/Diklo : easy riding day, get used to the horses and riding in Tusheti, 4 - 5 hours approx.,
walking downhills for about 15 minutes
After breakfast Soso and the horses will pick you up at the guesthouse. Today you ride towards Shenako/Diklo – both very beautiful old Tushetian villages. Shenako is located at an altitude of 2070 meters with a number of traditional Georgian buildings and the old church of the Holy Trinity, built in 1843. Right behind this church you will find a shrine with a relic of Tush pagan beliefs, which was subsequently adapted and became intertwined with Christianity. Even today, these shrines play an important role in the life of Tush people. Diklo with its old fortress offers views to the Greater Caucasus Mountain range and is close to the Border of Dagestan. It is an easy riding day today to get used to your horse and the elevation. You will ride partly on the dirt track, cross meadows and will have the opportunity to canter if the path is suitable. We will have a lunchbreak (1h) on the way and dinner; overnight in local guesthouse, about 15 km. of riding on this day.
Day 4 Diklo/Shenako -Dartlo : strenuous day, 6-7 hours, partly walking downhills (up to 1- 1,5 h)
From the villages of Diklo/Shenako you will ride past the village of Chigo to the beautiful fortress village of Dartlo. Today is a very mountainous trail. Let the horses find their way and rely on them. Tush horses are tremendously surefooted, strong and gifted with amazing stamina. Today you will have to lead them about one hour and walk downhills. We stop for a picnic lunch along the way. Leaving for Chigo in the morning you will see how remote most of the villages in Tusheti still are. Chigo was only connected with a small dirt road as of 2017. It is abandoned most of the year and the simple shale stone houses remind one of the past and the hard life of Tush. The village of Dartlo (1850 m) listed as a UNESCO heritage site and known for
its medieval stone towers and houses also features Tusheti’s Alazani river, a waterfall with towers as well as an old church and a pagan place of worship. Local court proceedings (sabcheo) used to be held in Dartlo. Even today one can see 12 stones placed in the semi-circle where law assessors sat and ‘created’ their law. In the middle of a circle, there is one stone for the defendant. The horses will be happy about their place near the river while you will stay and have dinner in a beautiful family guesthouse and have time to explore the village.
You overnight and dinner in local guesthouse in Dartlo.
Day 5 Gogrulta-Pass to Gometsari valley - strenuous day, 6-7 hours, partly walking downhills (1,5 h)
Ride from Dartlo via mountainpass Nakhaicho/Ghele meadow to Jvarboseli/Verchovani villages – very mountainous but also high plateau. Staying overnight in local guesthouse in Jvarboseli. Breakfast, picknicklunch on the way; dinner. Today your horses will show you how skillful and strong they are. We cross Pirikiti mountain range at 2.900m Nakhaicho pass and descend to the old villages of Jvarboseli and Verkhovani. From horseback you will enjoy magnificent views over Tusheti. This place is one of Sosos favorites. On one side you will recognize the villages of Pirikita Alazani valley from birds perspective and on the other Gometsari valley with the villages of Bochorna, Iliurta; Gogrulta. On the way down you will have to partly lead your horse and walk again up to one hour. It’s a strenuous day for horses and people but you will be rewarded arriving in the Gometsari valley with small villages dotted like swallownests into the mountains.
Day 6 Alasanista Valley - 4,5 hours, easier ride
Today is recovery day. Soso will show you the amazing Tsovatavillage with the picturesque Indurta village. It is a shorter and easier day excursion (4,5 hours roundtrip) on horseback to relax your muscles and those of the horses. You will meet shepherds on the way and enjoy their hospitality if you are lucky, cross rivers and see this fairytale valley. Staying overnight in your local guesthouse in Jvarboseli one more night. Breakfast, picnic lunch on the way; dinner.
Day 7 Omalo 6 hours
A relaxed ride back on the dirt track to Omalo, staying overnight in a
guesthouse in Omalo, coming from Gogrulta, walking downhills for about 40 minutes,
crossing the river and riding up to Dochu village.
Starting from either Gogrulta or Jvarbosli you will follow the dirt track, enjoying the views
of many other Tusheti villages passing Bochorna, with 2345 meters the highest inhabited
settlement in the Caucasus. Breakfast, picknicklunch on the way; dinner.
You will be rewarded with views to surrounding villages, Omalo, Keselo Fortress, Iliurta,
Gogrulta and many more.
Day 8 Oreti Lake
Last day in saddle but with beautiful Oreti lake ahead - from Omalo you will first descend to the river and pass Kumelaurta village, where Sosos family is from. The trail goes down to the main road and once you cross the river, you will climb up about 3 hours to Oreti mountain lake (2,650m Alpine zone). On the way you will come across flocks of sheep and shepherds' accommodation. Watch out the dogs on duty, Soso will wizzle them away. The water is very blue, the views over Omalo breathtaking. Bring your swimsuit if you are brave enough to dive into the cold water. (If it’s a dry summer the lake will slowly dry out, but the colors of Tusheti will compensate also in September). Back we ride the same trail passing Sosos homevillage Kumelaurta again, where the horses often graze. You will have to lead your horses downhills for about 45-60 Minutes. We continue to the mainroad that leads us back to Omalo, another relaxed hour of riding and a final gallop before arrival.
Day 9 Farewell Tusheti
Today you say good bye to beautiful Tusheti. You have a last chance to catch a photo of Abanopass. Lunch in Kvemo Alvani and a visit to a local family winery (1 hour). When visiting Kacheti, this is a must as Kacheti is the wine region in Georgia. Drive back to Tbilisi (duration – see above). Arrival in Tbilisi around 7 pm. Breakfast, lunch, winetasting and
transfer back to Tbilisi (included)
Staying overnight in a hotel in Tbilisi (not included)
Day 10 Transfer back to Tbilisi
Free time in Tbilisi; flight back home (individually)
