This is an exciting, once a year opportunity to take part in the autumn horse drive where you will be herding approximately 50 horses 250km from their summer pastures in the Tusheti mountains to their winter grazing in the Vashlovani National Park. Before you begin this epic trail, you will have a chance to ride and get to know your horse. It is up to us to keep the herd together as we drive them down the mountains, but you will have plenty of time to admire the stunning views as we ride. On Day 5 the horses rest and we get to explore some of the local villages and monasteries as well as enjoy a late lunch and some wine tasting at a small family winery. Once we are down the mountain section of the trail we ride through vineyards and open plains, this section of the ride is completed mainly at trot and canter, therefore you will need to be confident at all gaits and have a good level of riding fitness as we expect to cover up to 50km per day. On your final day we will join the old Tbilisi city tour before departing for the airport.
This riding holiday offers a mixture of lodge nights and camping, allowing you the luxury of a hot shower and a comfortable nights sleep on nights 1, 2 (at a guesthouse in Omalo), 4, 5 (guesthouse in Alvani, shared bathrooms) and back at the hotel in Tbilisi on night 9.
Meals on the trail will be simple but filling while meals at the guesthouses will be more varied.
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Day 1
After meeting in Tbilisi you are transferred by car to the Mountains of Tusheti, Omalo. After travelling 190km through the mountain roads you will reach the cosy guesthouse in Omalo where you will be welcomed, enjoy a hearty meal and spend the night.
Day 2
After a good breakfast you will be introduced to your horse and spend the day riding through the mountain terrain. This is the perfect opportunity to make sure every rider is confident on their new horse partner at a walk, trot, and canter before leaving for the horse drive. During your ride you will visit one of the valley’s villages and cover approximately 26km before returning to the same guest house in Omalo.
Days 3
Today you begin the horse drive, the first task is to gather the scattered herd and prepare them for the drive, it can take a bit of effort to keep them together and head to the lowland. Once on the dirt road, we lead them from both in front aw well as follow behind, to prevent them from becoming scattered.
The first day can be quite unpredictable and we will decide where to camp according to the weather conditions and the cattle traffic on the road. We expect to cover around 23km on day 3.
Day 4
In the morning, after breakfast we pack up camp, saddle the horses and gather the herd. Today we herd them towards the lowlands of Kakheti. By the end of day 4 we will have arrived in the village of Alvani where Tush families stay in wintertime, while their livestock go to Vashlovani National Park. Here we will stay overnight at the local guesthouse and have dinner. We expect to cover around 82km on day 4.
Day 5
Today the horses get a rest before they head to Vashlovani, so we will also get to experience a lazy day in Alvani, exploring some of historical and cultural sites of the region. We will visit the Alaverdi monastery have a late lunch and experience wine tasting at the small family winery, before returning to the guesthouse.
Day 6
After a tasty typical Georgian breakfast, we will once again saddle up and head out to the plains to round up the horses, where they have spent the night. We will be heading south for today's adventure. Lunch will be picnic style to help us refuel after a morning exploring the beauty of the vineyards and lowland villages. We aim to cover 55km at mostly trot and canter before setting up camp for the night near Persimmon plantations.
Day 7
After breakfast you will spend another day crossing the Kakheti plains, riding at mostly trot and canter between vineyards and villages, covering approximately 55km. In the afternoon, we’ll arrive at the campsite near Dedoplistskaro where we will make camp for the night.
Day 8
After a hearty breakfast we will pack up the camp, gather and saddle the horses and head out. Today you will ride through some of the most beautiful golden fields covering approximately 50km before eventually arriving at the ranch in the late afternoon where the horses will stay for the winter. There will be a little relaxation time and preparation for a farewell dinner with lots of stories and songs before a good night’s rest in your tents.
Day 9
After a late but hearty breakfast, you will say goodbye to the team and horses and depart for Tbilisi where you should arrive at the hotel around 04:00-5:00pm. Here you can enjoy a comfortable bed and a hot shower.
Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
There are between 30-50 horses in the herd and the majority of these horses can be ridden. This makes it possible to change horses as we travel down the mountains, if needed. The horses are a local breed, Tushetian horses. The horses are calm, exceptionally strong and very clever, and well used to the mountain terran.
The tack used, is traditional Causasian saddles with a leather cusion for added comfort, great for the long hours in the saddle. Stirups are similar to english iron stirups. If you would like to see a picture of it, please visit the ride gallery.
Hard hats are a must and while there are some available onsite, it is recommended you bring your own where possible. We will start in the mountains and ride down to the semi-desert area. While every day will be different the landscapes are sure to be breathtaking. The lower sections of the ride are ridden mainly at trot and canter and we cover a total of 250km across the 6 days of riding.
For this ride you will need a sense of adventure and good general fitness. You must be confident at walk trot and canter in open spaces and have a good seat. Some of the days cover large distances and at mainly trot and canter, so riding fitness is essential. Days can be up to 6 and 8 hours riding.
We will participate in catching and grooming our horses (saddling optional) as well as helping to pitch our own tents on camping nights and help with food preparation.
The weight limit for this ride is 220 lb/100 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
During the trail we will stay in two simple guesthouses, with 2-3 people sharing a bedroom. The guesthouse in Omalo has rooms with a private bathroom, while the guest house in Alvani offers rooms with a shared bathroom. The trip has 4 guesthouse nights, and 4 tent nights these involve camping in the wilderness on the trail in 2-3 man tents. They are provided along with foam mats, but you will need to bring your own sleeping bag. We ride light during the day and our larger luggage is transported by cars to the overnight locations.
Food will be simple but tasty when camping, meals in the guesthouses will be more varied.
Vegetarian or other dietary requirements can be accommodated with advanced notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. If Visa’s are required the requirements can change from year to year depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate on request.
General information:
As a British National you may enter Georgia for up to 90 days without a visa. You may extend your stay in Georgia beyond 90 days by applying for a temporary or permanent residence permit from the Civil Registration Agency of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia.
The British embassy in Tblisi can be found at GMT Plaza, 4 Freedom Square, Tbilisi, 0105.
Telephone + 995 32 274747 (Main Embassy Switchboard) or + 995 32 274775 (Visa/Consular Enquiries)
Their website is www.britishembassy.gov.uk/georgia.
This area experiences a humid sub-tropical climate with maximum temperatures of 26 degrees C in July and August. The climate is dry with just 378mm per year.
In October temperatures vary between 16 and 20 degrees and the average rainfall is 33mm Humidity is usually around 73%. The first section of the ride is at altitude so temperatures will feel cooler.
Medical facilities in Tbilisi are available but can be expensive. Outside of Tbilisi, medical facilities are limited. There continues to be outbreaks of rabies in Georgia. Tap water should be avoided. Bottled water is widely available.
You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. NHS Direct (0845 46 47) can provide you with advice on the vaccination requirements for Georgia.
Unfortunately is it very difficult to to cater for gluten free or lactose intolerant diets on this horse drive but we can cater for vegetarian diets.
Non-prescription medicines containing codeine are illegal in Georgia. If you intend to travel with prescription medicine, you must carry a doctor’s prescription and ideally the original packaging. For further advice on restricted medicines please consult the government website. www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/georgia
220V 50Hz; two pin plugs are utilized
There will be opportunities to charge phones/ cameras at the guesthouse on the route but not on the tent nights so it is advisable to bring bring batteries / power banks.
Best to bring layers of clothing as we will be moving from the cool mountains to warm semi-desert over the course of the ride.
Sleeping bag for below 0 degrees
Riding Helmet & ridding gloves
Sunglasses and good sun protection
Warm waterproof jacket for up in the mountains
Short sleeve tops
Re-useable water bottle
Footwear - comfortable hiking boots and chaps are recommended.
Toiletries
10 days / 9 nights / 6 riding days on set date.
2023: 17 October - 25 October
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | £ | |
| 2023 | 9d/8n | 6 | double pp | 1,615 |
| 2023 | 9d/8n | 6 | Small Group Supplement 3-5 pax | 529 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | € | |
| 2023 | 9d/8n | 6 | double pp | 1,799 |
| 2023 | 9d/8n | 6 | Small Group Supplement 3-5 pax | 589 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | US $ | |
| 2023 | 9d/8n | 6 | double pp | 1,999 |
| 2023 | 9d/8n | 6 | Small Group Supplement 3-5 pax | 655 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | SEK | |
| 2023 | 9d/8n | 6 | double pp | 20,865 |
| 2023 | 9d/8n | 6 | Small Group Supplement 3-5 pax | 6,819 |
The Causcasus Mountains harbour some 6400 species of higher plants, 1600 of which are endemic to the region. Its wildlife includes Persian leopards, brown bears, wolves, bison, marals, golden eagles and hooded crows. At night, you'll hear the howling wolves in the mountains. In the lower areas of the ride, there will be vineyards and extensive grass plains. Here you may see otters, rare wild goats, deer, roe, wild boars, and countless species of bird.
Tbilisi is the nearest town.
