Horseback Riding Tour Vashlovani

Flight to Georgia. Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Overnight in Tbilisi

9.00 am we pick you up at the hotel
Drive east from Tbilisi to the wine region of Kakheti and south via Dedoplistskaro to the hilly landscapes of the black earth soils of Shiraki. In Soviet times, only the Kremlin in Moscow was supplied with wheat flour from this Georgian region. At the last village before the Eldari / Kasris Tskhali National Park, the hills begin to get higher and instead of farming, pastoralism is almost exclusively practiced from here. After a delicious snack with a peasant family, you will go to the Tush Sosso ranch, where you will receive your Tushetian horse. In the afternoon you go on a first long horseback ride in the area around the ranch. There are no limits to the gallop. Overnight at a local homestay. Daily stage: 15 km Breakfast, snack, dinner

After breakfast, ride past the scattered ranches and farms towards “Shavi Mta” ​​Black Mountain, which here at 854 meters is the highest peak in the hills of the National Park and from which there are very beautiful views of the long-stretched chain of the Greater Caucasus and far as far as Azerbaijan. The mountain stands out from the other hills because of its dark color and this is how it got its name. There are locations of the rare and beautiful Caucasian paenoia Paeonia tenuifolia ( https://goo.gl/e6snWU ) that blooms in March and April. From here you ride down into ancient forests of walnut trees that gave the name to “Kaklis Kure”. Here the meanders of the Alasani river form the border with Azerbaijan. There are 16 species of freshwater fish in the river, including zander, barbel and catfish. Ospreys, black storks and egrets nest in the huge trees and bitterns in the reeds. Overnight in Shavi Mta, tented camp. Daily stage 28-30 km Breakfast, snack, dinner

Today you ride through the most fascinating landscape of the park. It looks like a jagged lunar landscape with eroded sandstone cliffs covered by fragrant juniper and yew forests. The only way is a dried-up river that meanders through an enchanted fairytale forest. After a few kilometers reeds suddenly grow and it gets wetter. The landscape opens up in front of you and you feel transported into the panoramas of Monument Valley in Utah. Here, again on the Alasani, is the Mijnis Kure ranger station. It is managed by 2 rangers who carry out their duties of monitoring the national park. They are usually here for 2 weeks and then have 2 weeks free at home in Dedoplistkaro, where they can pursue their own business. In Mijnis Kure there are 5 national park bungalows where you will stay overnight. Overnight at Mijnis Kure. Daily stage 32 km Breakfast, snack, dinner

Today we ride from Mijnis Kure through the southern mountains towards ranger station Bugas Moedani.
On the way we visit a shepherd’s camp and can taste delicious shish kebab and get to know the many animals.
In the afternoon we let the horses rest and in the late afternoon we can, if you wish, organize a horse race in the wide area, for which we give special, local prizes. Overnight Buga Moidani in tent camp. Daily stage 20 km Breakfast, snack, dinner

Today is the longest ride of the journey through the Samukhi plains at around 35 km past many shepherd camps. Here in the borderland with Azerbaijan we understand why the Georgians became very good horsemen in defensive battles against the Romans, Persians, Mongolians, Tatars, Turks, North Caucasians and Russians. The horse has been the Georgian’s friend and helper in good and bad times. Horses are considered smarter than dogs in Georgia and are not eaten here out of respect. On the way there are encounters with many horses, sheep and other animals of the shepherds. The bird life of the steppe is fascinating here. You can see flocks of cheeky rose starlings, steppe and imperial eagles, bee-eaters, hooded buntings, European rollers, as well as black vultures, griffon vultures and Egyptian vultures. With a bit of luck we can also see the shy gazelles that were released back into the wild in Vashlovani about 10 years ago as a gift from Azerbaijan. Overnight at ranger camp Vashlovana Day stage 35 km Breakfast, snack, dinner

Morning horseback ride to Tush Sosso ranch, then transfer Vashlovana – Dedoplistskaro – Tbilisi. Arrive around 5 p.m. Free time in Tbilisi. Overnight in Tbilisi.
Daily stage 10 km Breakfast, snack

Transfer to the airport, departure from Georgia or individual extension of your stay