English
Set out on 8-day horseback riding expedition, which brings you to Udabno – a semi-desert region in Georgia. Place is known for its stark, beautiful landscapes and the ancient David Gareja monastery complex. Its unique ecosystem supports drought-resistant vegetation and adapted wildlife, offering a distinctive blend of natural beauty and historical significance.
This horseback riding adventure takes you through Udabno to the Iori River area, with five nights of camping in the great outdoors, under the stars. Support vehicles will take care of logistics. While luxuries are sparse, with water primarily for drinking and minimal washing, the experience is richly rewarding. Each night, taste fresh, carefully prepared cuisine, bringing comfort and joy to your adventure in this mesmerizing landscape.
You will take a journey through multi-colored canyons to expansive plains. Explore hidden paths, ancient monasteries and cave dwellings, encounter diverse wildlife such as turtles, birds of prey, and foxes. Ride Tush horses – a local breed from the Caucasus Mountains – through diverse terrains, including deserts, eroded reddish mountains, and vast plateaus. Visit ghostly Soviet collective farms and dive in the ever-changing scenery each day. This adventure largely avoids touristic trails, providing an authentic and immersive experience in the region’s natural beauty and historical significance.
Tbilisi International Airport
8 days Georgia which includes 6 riding days.
Arrival in Tbilisi
Everybody flight has to arrive before the evening.
Transfer to your hotel 3/4* located in the very old city.
Meet at 6pm in the lobby of the hotel. Introduction and explanation of the rides. We have a diner together.
=> it is better to arrive one day before or during the night before. Riders could enjoy Tbilisi.
In that case you need an additional night.
Departure at 9:00 am at your hotel in Tbilissi.
We drive to the horse place. Around one hour drive.
Preparation of the horse.
We take our horses and tackle them. We start our ride at around 12/13h in direction of the border with Azerbaidjan. We discover the first landscapes which bring us slowly in to the semi desert area. We enter in a secluded zone, a different planet. We set up the camp close to a former water reservoir which offers surprising landscapes.
Ride : 5-6 hours
Accommodation : Camp
Trot/gallop a few
After breakfast, we prepare our horses.
We go forward in a beautiful valley ride through some old soviet farms. Then we ride up on a ridge which offer incredible landscapes over the area and discover very ancient city on our way. We ride down and see some beautiful reddish rocks erosion. Later on we reach an abandoned cave dweller city. We visit and go on the ridge above (on foot). Then we visit the beautiful monastery of Natlismtsemeli from the 6th century and its huge 11th century church carved in the rock. We go on and set up the camp.
Ride : 6-7 hours
Foot : 1H (no compulsory)
Accommodation : Camp
Trot/gallop a few
Today we ride to the very well known David Gareja monastery.
The complex was founded in the 6th century by David (St. David Garejeli), one of the thirteen Assyrian monks who arrived in the country at the same time. His disciples Dodo and Luciane expanded the original lavra and founded two other monasteries known as Dodo’s Rka (literally, “the horn of Dodo”) and Natlismtsemeli (“the Baptist »).
From the late 11th to the early 13th centuries, the economic and cultural development of David Gareja
reached its highest phase, reflecting the general prosperity of the medieval kingdom of Georgia. The monastery suffered a lengthy period of decline and devastation first by the Mongol army (1265) and the Safavid attack of 1615, when the monks were massacred. Some restorations have been undertaken by different kings.
After the violent Bolshevik takeover of Georgia in 1921, the monastery was closed down and remained
uninhabited. Then from 1991 some monks came again into the monastery.
We park our horse and visit the site.
Then we explore riding the valley which is a labyrinth of eroded coloured mountains.
Hidden old cities are everywhere here. We visit some of them.
Depending on the time we ride forwards to the crest giving outstanding views all over the desert.
We ride across the very long and endless plain which gives you a feeling of immensity.
We camp.
Ride : 6/7 hours
Foot : 30mn / 1h
Accommodation : Camp
Trot/gallop a few
Then we suddenly ride down into some eroded valleys that you could not imagine 1 minute ahead.
After having ridden across there we ride up and stay on the ridge for a long time. From that point we can admire the snowcapped Great Caucasus Mountains, the great depression of Vaschlovani desert.
We visit amazing abandoned monasteries with old frescoes.
By the end of this long day we reach the oasis of this trip.
We camp into the IORI rivers ecosystem full of trees and birds.
Ride : 7/8 hours
Foot : some small walks
Accommodation : Camp
Trot/gallop a few
We ride in arable valleys, discover the lonely soviet oil pump.
We enjoy the beautiful landscapes on the Great Caucasus Mountains.
We ride through the old soviet ghost village UDABNO.
We continue in a long and green valley surrounded by canyons.
Ride : 7/8 hours
Foot : some small walks
Accommodation : Camp
Trot/gallop a few
Our last riding day brings us through hills offering beautiful views on the Gombori range.
We cross our last but impressive canyons and reach the salty lakes.
We reach the farm around 4pm.
Then we farewell our horses and are driven back to Tbilisi.
We have a last diner together.
Ride : 5 hours
Foot : some small walks
Accommodation : Hotel 3/4 *
Trot/gallop a few
Transfer to the airport.
Services:
1. Full board.
2. Equestrian material.
3. Tents, tableware.
4. Accommodation in tent during the trek and in a hotel 3/4* (2 nights) in Tbilissi. The hotel is located
in the very old center of the town, a breakfast is included. The accommodation for this hotel will be
in double room (2 persons per room). For people who are willing to have a single room, there is an
extra charge (40 euros/night), only possible in Tbilisi.
6. Table wine/tchatcha during the trek until the stocks are out.
7. 2 diners in restaurant in Tbilisi (except alcoholic drinks) .
8. Car transfers in some private cars (Mercedes mini bus and 4WD).
10. Guides/cooker.
11. Car logistic
From your side :
1. Airline ticket.
2. Full insurances.
3. Sleeping bags and floor mattress.
4. Alcooholic beverage in restaurant.
5. All entry fees during your free time.
6. Tips.
7. Personal medicine.
8. Hut and glasses and sun cream.
9. Hard hats.
10.Raining clothes (PANTS AND JACKET), warm jacket.
11. Small flash light or torch.
12.Small knife.
Sales terms in case of trip cancelation 2024:
For all booking 20% of the trip amount have to be paid.
Between 60 days and 30 days : 30% of the total trip amount have to be paid.
Between 29 days and 10 days : 50% of the total trip amount have to be paid.
Between 9 days and the departure day : 100% of the total trip amount have to be paid.
NOTE
=> The itinerary may change according to the mountains and weather conditions and at this season it occurs quite often that we have to modify the itinerary because of the pathway/weather/consequences
of the winter).
=> Arrive one day earlier as the first evening we have a meeting about the trails conditions and organisation. So all the riders have to be in Tbilisi by the evening.
Remarks:
1. The luggage will be carried in some precarious conditions. We are also not responsible for some damages which can occur.
2. During the trek we have to be self sufficient as we are in a desert and secluded area.
3. We are cooking every day, typical Georgian food specialities.
4. During the trek, some small parts have to be walked.
5. We will go in a very secluded area. You have to take out an insurance to cover any accident, medical assistance.
6. We reserve the right to modify the itinerary if we judge for any reasons that the way is not safe enough. This decision will be taken by the main guide and should not be contradicted or discussed.
7. During the trail we galop, canter and trot but be aware that they are not race horses.
Advises :
Extend your stay in Georgia and definitely at least one more day in Tbilisi.
If you would like extend longer your trip, we will be pleased to help you organising any other excursion.