tourhq

Explore the world with tourHQ

tourhq
Explore One Of The Wildest Places In Europe: 6-Day Horseback Riding Tour Of Tusheti From Tbilisi
  • Tour Category

    Private Tour

  • Tour Types

    Horse Riding, Nature, Sightseeing

  • Duration

    6 Days

  • Activity Level

    Medium

  • Language

    English

Description

Saddle up for a six-day equestrian adventure in Tusheti National Park! Explore ancient villages, historic fortresses, and dramatic mountain passes on horseback. Discover hidden gems and soak in breathtaking scenery - all on the back of a trusty steed.

Highlights
  • Explore ancient fortresses and picturesque villages like Shenako and Diklo
  • Trek through stunning landscapes from Diklo to Dartlo
  • Challenge yourself with a panoramic trek to Jvarboseli
  • Discover Europe's highest inhabited village, Bochorna
  • Day 1: Pick Up From Tbilisi expand_more
    • 07:00 AM: On the first day, you will arrive in Tusheti from Tbilisi through the Abano pass. You will have time to rest and take photos.
    • You will arrive at your guesthouse around 2:00 PM and have lunch. This will be your first day in Tusheti and mostly a day of rest.
    • So, after lunch, we will visit the visitor center. We must walk 15 minutes from the guesthouse to the visitor center.
  • Day 2: From Omalo To village Shenako And Diklo expand_more
    • Breakfast: at 9:00 AM. Start at 11:00 AM. Our first day of the horseback tour starts from the village of Omalo. 
    • We will visit the village of Shenako and the 19th-century cross-type church. In Diklo, we will explore the village and Old Diklo, including the fortress. The only access to this structure, fused with the rock and situated on a steep slope, is via a narrow path on the south side. Once a fortress and residence, very little of its old glory remains due to time and enemies. However, remnants such as walls, towers, and the fractured fence indicate it was a well-built and formidable structure. Its strategic location, guarding the gorge, made Diklo the most outlying village. The fortress, nearly impregnable due to its steep slopes, played a crucial role in guarding the gorge, facilitating communication with Dagestan, albeit sometimes contentious.
    • Around 2:00 PM, we will have lunch in Diklo at our guesthouse. 
    • After lunch and a brief respite, we will visit the Old Diklo fortress. 
    • Please ensure you have your passport as Old Diklo is a border area with Russia, requiring passes from border guards.

    Overnight accommodation and dinner will be provided in the village of Diklo at the guesthouse.

    Distance:

    From Omalo to Diklo: 13 km

    From Diklo to Old Diklo and back: 3 km

    Total distance: 16 km (4-5 hours)

    Difficulty of the day: Medium

  • Day 3: From Diklo To Dartlo expand_more
    • Breakfast: at 9:00 AM. Start at 11:00 AM.
    • From the village of Diklo, the route to Chigo ascends along a trail. 
    • Half of the trail traverses through woods, and from the mountain's peak, before descending to Chigo, there is a breathtaking view of Omalo.
    • From Chigo to the village of Dartlo, known for its unique architecture, the path follows the left bank of the Pirikita Alazani river.

    Lunch: We will have lunch boxes and enjoy our meal in the woods.
    Overnight accommodation and dinner will be provided in the village of Dartlo at the guesthouse.
    Distance: From Diklo to Dartlo: approximately 14 km (5-6 hours)

    Difficulty of the day: Medium

  • Day 4: From Dartlo To Jvarboseli, Nakaicho Pass expand_more
    • Breakfast: at 9:00 AM. Start at 11:00 AM.
    • From Dartlo the road goes along the Pirikita Alazani. From Parsma to Nakaecho pass(2900 m above the sea level).
    • From Nakaecho pass the path drops down to village Dadikurta, which is one of the highest settlements in Tusheti at 2350 meters above sea level. It is followed by the village Verkhovani, from where the road goes to Tsovata. The back road passes through the village Verkhovani, where the highest tower in Tusheti is located (17 m). Then is the village Jvarboseli, from which an amazing view of the rest of the following villages can be seen- Vedziskhevi, Koklata, and Alisgori.

    Lunch - we will have lunch boxes and have lunch near the trail.

    Overnight and dinner in the village of Jvarboseli in the guesthouse.

    From Diklo to Dartlo - around 17km (6 - 7 hours).

    Difficulty of the day - Hard.

  • Day 5: From Jvarboseli To Omalo expand_more
    • Breakfast: at 9:00 AM. Start at 11:00 AM.
    • From village Jvarboseli to Omalo the road goes along Gometsari gorge. On the road, we will have an amazing view of village Dochu and village Gogrulta, and visit village Bochorna - the highest inhabited village in Europe (2345m). There is living a man - Dr Irakli.
    • The road to the village of Bochorna is slowly moving down in the direction of Que-Omalo.
    • This is a long way but easy.

    Lunch - we will have lunch boxes and have lunch near the road.

    Overnight and dinner in the village of Omalo in the guesthouse.

    From Diklo to Dartlo - around 22km (5 - 6 hours).

    Difficulty of the day - Medium.

  • Day 6: Upper Omalo And Back To Tbilisi expand_more
    • Breakfast: at 9:00 AM. Start at 11:00 AM.
    • On the last day, we will visit Upper Omalo and return to Tbilisi.

    Lunch - we will have lunch boxes and lunch at Abano pass.

What's Included
  • Transportation 4x4 vehicle
  • Accommodation
  • Horse
  • Horse's caretaker
  • Luggage transfer
  • Helmet
  • English language Tusheti guide
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner
What's Excluded
  • Travel insurance (you will need your travel insurance)
  • Snacks and alcoholic beverages
  • International flying tickets
  • Single room supplement
What to bring
  • Sunglasses 
  • Sunscreen
  • Cap
  • Raincoat
  • Hiking Shoes
  • Hiking sticks
  • Water bottle
Know before you go
  • According to the Tushetian tradition, it is forbidden to make pork meat or any dish prepared with pork.
  • There are several places in Tusheti where women are not allowed (ask locals when in doubt ).
  • There is no ATM and currency exchange but guesthouses can often arrange for payment of services.
  • There is no pharmacy and access to emergency medicine is often limited. ( always bring essential medications )
  • There is only one hospital in   Lower Omalo Omalo with one ambulance and critical transport can be arranged by the military via helicopter. 
  • There are no petrol or car repair services in Tusheti if you decide to go with your car be prepared.
  • There is no supermarket in Tusheti. There are only a few small shops. Before you go to Tusheti, it is better to ask your host what you can buy in the nearest store.
  • If you have food allergies or restrictions there are not enough food options (if you stay in a hotel or guesthouse tell your host before you go).
  • If you are a hiker be prepared before you will go, you cannot resupply at each village.
  • If you bring a water purifier it is advisable to carry spare filters, sometimes, on rainy days the water is full of particulates.
  • You will need summer clothes and warm clothes also. Weather is changeable and nights are cold - always carry layers. 
  •  Guesthouses have water heaters/solar panels as well as wood stoves. Some hotels only have solar panels and if the weather changes there may not be hot water. 
  • Georgia’s mobile signal coverage is limited in Tusheti and only reaches about 40% of the 52 villages in the region. 
  • Shepherd dogs guard the flock of sheep, the shepherd's shelter, and the cattle. So if you do not cross their territory they are not aggressive and only swarm to warn you, but if you cross their territory they get very defensive. Avoid walking on their territory as much as possible. If you have no other choice and have to go through their territory show the dog that you are not afraid of him -just defend yourself and always get advice from locals about how to manage the animal encounters.
Meeting Point

Tbilisi, Georgia

Cancellation Policy

For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -

Refund of 80% of the tour price.
Price Details
Persons
1 To 10 USD 1235 Per Person

This is a private tour

Starting From

Fromss

see details
USD 1235 / person