Svaneti Horseback Riding Week in Georgia

After breakfast we’ll head for Martvili Canyons, that are named after the nearby town of Martvili to enjoy the scenery, its waterfalls and take a boat trip in the river canyon that was formed over time by the Abasha River and feature a beautiful green and blue colors. We’ll continue to the village Becho – the village right at the foot of mount Ushba. Overnight in Becho at a local guest house.

After a nourishing breakfast, you will saddle the horses. A short introduction brings you into contact with the horses and off we go to Sdugra waterfalls. The path passes mineral water springs, beautiful meadows, and then ascends slowly through the beautiful pine forests. Lunch at the waterfall. After having spent some time there we saddle up again and head back to the village. Overnight in Becho.

• Total distance – 28km

• Difficulty – medium

This part of the tour is very spectacular. Here we ride from Becho to Mestia via Guli pass from where you’ll have magnificent views of villages of Becho community with the double-peaked Mount Ushba to the North and Mulakhi community with the background of the snowy Tetnuldy massif to the east and the Egrisi ridge to the South. After a couple of hours of descent, we’ll head for Koruldi Lakes to have lunch there.

• Total distance – 30km

• Difficulty – hard

Early morning we start riding from Mestia Towards Mulakhi valley. During the day we’ll be passing via the Svanetian villages, outstanding for their impressive defensive towers. After lunch in Jabeshi we’ll ascend to the ski resort of Tetnuldi and descend to the village of Adishi.

Most of the ride is on the footpath.

• Total distance – 30km

• Difficulty – medium

From Adishi we ride towards the majestic Chkhutnieri pass (2,720 m) with stunning views on Ladraadi glacier which locals also refer to as the Adishi glacier. This glacier takes shape on the south slopes of the Tetnuldi-Adishi mountain range and descends to 2,400 meters. Near the glacier (2,390 m) we cross the river and follow the path on the slopes covered with evergreen rhododendron shrubs. This descent from the pass is steep, so we will need to dismount from our horses and walk down. From the Chkhutnieri pass, we get a good view of the Adishis Tchala river valley as well as on the other side of the pass Khaldes Tchala river valley. Lunch in Khalde at a local guest house. After lunch, we’ll continue towards Iprali and Ushguli. Ushguli is one of the most beautiful places in Svaneti and has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Ushguli is actually the joint name of four small villages which are located around 2200 meters above sea level at the foot of Shkhara peak which is the highest point in Georgia (5200m). Overnight in Ushguli.

• Total distance – 31km

• Difficulty – hard

The plan for today is to ride to the foot of Mt Shkhara to have a look at the Shkhara Glacier, which is the source of the Enguri River. Mount Shkhara is the highest point of the central watershed ridge of the Caucasus. It is located in its central section, in the 12 km length rock massive, which is called the Bezengi wall. The height of the highest peak reaches 5201 meters and according to its height, it is the second peak in the whole Caucasus after Mount Elbrus and is also considered the highest point of Georgia.

• Total distance – 19km

• Difficulty – easy

From Ushguli we’ll ride to Mami Pass via Latphari pass (28075m). Almost all the peaks of the Main Caucasus are visible to the North, and a face of smooth schist rocks of the Svaneti Ridge is seen to the West. We’ll pass several alpine lakes and ride to Mami pass where we farewell to our horses and continue by 4WD car to the town of Lentekhi. Overnight in Lentekhi at a local guest house.

• Total distance – 24km

• Difficulty – hard

After late breakfast, we head for Prometheus Cave – one of Georgia’s natural wonders providing visitors with breathtaking examples of stalactites, stalagmites, curtains, petrified waterfalls, cave pearls, underground rivers, and lakes. After the excursion in the cave, the transfer continues to Kutaisi. End of the program flight home, Transfer to the airport.