Georgia - Vashlovani National Park Trail

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Due to the early start time we recommend arriving the day before, a few hotels near to the meeting point are listed below in the extra notes. Tbilisi is a beautiful city with a mix of historical and modern architecture and well worth a visit. A half day city tour is included at the end of the trip.

Day 1
Tbilisi – Kasristskali: The adventure starts with a pick-up from the hotel in Tbilisi for the 130km transfer by car to to Dedoplistskaro (2½hrs). After registering at the Visitors’ Centre of Vashlovani National Park, meet the horses. Following lunch, the group have the chance to explore a local bazaar before heading back to the park. Overnight in tents at a local ranch (10km, 2hrs riding)

Day 2
Kasristskali – Shavi Mta: Today's ride lead towards Shavi Mta, the highest point of Vashlovani, renowned for its unique flora, and fauna. Traverse the hilly landscapes and wide-open wheat fields while the route ascends, ultimately culminating at the summit of Vashlovani – Shavi Mta, where the group can enjoy unparalleled views of Greater Caucasus mountain range to the north. Camp near the rangers’ station.(32km 6hrs riding)

Day 3
Shavi Mta – Mijniskure: after breakfast and an invigorating 2-hour morning ride over hills, descend into the canyon and follow the route towards Takhistskali at the Alazani embankment. Here the group will need to complete registration with the Georgian border police, followed by a brief lunch break. The journey then continues to Mijniskure, following the riverbank downstream. Conclude the day's ride in Mijniskure to cosy bungalows for a comfortable overnight stay. (42km 6-7hrs riding)

Day 4
Mijniskure – Bughamoedani - Samukhi: Wake the sunrise and head to a scenic viewpoint for have a leisurely, late breakfast. Afterward, begin our ride toward Bughamoedani, taking a relatively short 3hr journey through a winding canyon. Navigate the unique Usaxelo Badlands before reaching a viewpoint that gives a view of the route. Once reaching the Lekistskali checkpoint the group will inform the border police, so ensuring to stay within Georgian territory. From there it is 30 minute trip to the lunch stop at Bughamoedani. After lunch, continue for another 2 hours, heading to a shepherd’s hut in Samukhi Valley at the very southern edge of Georgia to enjoy the evening watching the sheep and lambs. (35km, 5hrs)

Day 5
Samukhi – Vashlovana viewpoint campsite: Set a course westward towards the Samukhi valley, known for its semi-desert terrain, vegetation and status as the driest plain in Georgia. This expanse, known as Palin, serves as winter pasture for Tush shepherds. Along our journey the route passes farms, sheep herds, and the renowned Caucasian shepherd dogs that will likely chase the group while barking. Notably, these dogs pose no threat to our horses and are not a cause for concern. This is also the habitat for Gazelles, which were once extinct during Soviet times, but have since been reintroduced by the National Park administration. While exploring, there is the opportunity to catch a glimpse of these lovely creatures in the distance. Overnight in tents. (46km, 6-7hrs)

Day 6
Vashlovana viewpoint campsite – Farm campsite – Kasristskali: After breakfast, ride out through another beautiful valley, passing through Juniper and Pistachio woods on our way to the remote village of Kasristskali. This village, nestled among vast wheat fields, offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s past. Say goodbye to the horses and spend the night in Kasristskali, overnighting at a local homestay to experience the warm hospitality of the area. (20km, 4hrs

Day 7
Kasristskali - Tbilisi: Transfer back to Tbilisi after breakfast, stopping at a winery on-route for a local wine tasting. Arrive in Tbilisi around 1:00 pm. After arrival finish the adventure with a half-day tour of the old city before departing for the airport.

Due to the early start time we recommend arriving the day before, a few hotels near to the meeting point are listed below. Tbilisi is a beautiful city with a mix of historical and modern architecture and well worth a visit. Some suggested hotels within a short walk of the Big Bicycle Monument:
Zemeli Boutique Hotel
Hotel British House
Boutique Hotel Day Inn

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.

The horses are a local breed, Tushetian horses, and are calm, exceptionally strong, very clever and can travel long distances with limited access to water.

The tack used is traditional Causasian saddles with a leather cushion for added comfort, great for the long hours in the saddle. Stirrups are similar to English iron stirrups. If you would like to see a picture of it, please visit the ride gallery. If you would like to use your own stirrups please bring the leathers as well as their stirrup leathers are too wide for UK stirrup irons. The ride covers approximately 190km across the 6 days of riding so a good levels of fitness is required. Saddle bags are provided but a clip on water bottle would be useful.

Hard hats are recommended, please bring your own if you wish to wear one.

For this ride you will need a sense of adventure and good general fitness. You will need to be confident at walk trot and canter in open spaces.
You will participate helping to pitch your own tents on camping nights and as you become more familiar with the tack you are welcome to assist with tacking up and untacking the horses if you wish.
Minimum riding age 16yrs. Maximum weight 100kgs.

The weight limit for this ride is 220 lb/100 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

Accommodation is a combination of homestays in shared rooms and bathrooms, camping in 2-man tents with basic facilities and shepherd huts.

The food is simple, but tasty when camping. Breakfast can include, porridge, pancakes and sweet rice dishes, dinners include BBQ meat, soup, bread and salads, Lunches on the trail are often quite late in the day, so eat plenty for breakfast! They include boiled eggs, cucumber and tomatoes, cheese, meats, bread and traditional Georgian potato or cheese breads. There is often a supply of Georgian cookies, these make a great snack during the late morning, be sure to grab some for your saddle bag.

Vegetarian and some diets can be accommodated, but unfortunately not vegan and lactose intolerant diets.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

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.

In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/georgia

In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Georgia.html

In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/georgia

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restriction

This area experiences a semi desert climate with maximum temperatures of The climate is dry with just 378mm per year.
In June/ July temperatures can reach 40 degrees C.

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

No electricity on camp nights so it is advisable to bring bring batteries / power banks. Phone signal and 4G is good in most locations during off peak seasons.

Pack as you usually would for a holiday, for e.g. sunglasses, toiletries, medication, casual clothes, and then these are your Horse Riding holiday essentials. If you are unsure, please speak with your Travel Consultant:

ESSENTIALS FOR ALL RIDING HOLIDAYS

- Strongly recommend a riding helmet – complying with current EU & British standards. You will need to bring your own if you wish to wear one.
- Riding boots designed for riding and walking
- Riding gloves
- Half Chaps
- At least 2 pairs of riding trousers – jodhpur’s/breeches are best for anything, except western riding (Jeans)
- Waterproof/ Windpoof jacket
- Best to bring lots of layers of clothing, evenings will be cooler
- Long and short sleeved shirts
- Clip on water bottle
- Mobile phone
- Inflatable sleeping mat recommended (foam mats can be supplied)
- Sleeping bag suitable for freezing temperatures. (3 or 4 season)
- Torch/headtorch for use in the camp is very useful.
- A small supply of sweets for a sugar boost during the long riding hours.
- Powerpack for charging phones
- Eco friend wet wipes / biodegradable soap / hand sanitiser

Provided by the host
- Tents and camping equipment (apart from sleep bags and mats
- Saddlebags are provided but you may not have a saddle bag on your horse, so we suggest bringing a clip on water bottle/ bum bag or a small clip on saddle bag to ensure you have constant access to water/ tissues/ sweets etc.

7 days / 6 nights / 6 riding days with set departures. Other dates available on request for groups of 3+.

2025: 24 - 30 March; 13 - 19 April; 11 - 17 May
Other dates on request (Mar - May and Oct - Dec) for groups of 3+

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For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback visit www.thelongridersguild.com 

Also a fantastic place to acquire your equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com

Special features include the occurrence of wild pistachio trees, peonies and various types of orchids in addition to some endemic plant species. The fauna includes 25 species of reptiles, including species such as Macrovipera lebetina and Eryx jaculus. Among more than 100 native bird species are the imperial eagle, black vulture, pheasant and the rare black stork. The 46 mammal species include golden jackals, red foxes, wolves, Eurasian lynxes, brown bears, jungle cats and porcupines.

Tbilisi is the Capital city and holds much history, it is well worth a visit.
Your guide has extensive knowledge of the history of Georgia and the local area including the wildlife and is happy to share this knowledge with her guests.