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GEORGIA : HORSE RIDING ADVENTURE IN THE CAUCASUS AREA...
Itinerary - Extensions - Horses and required riding level
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking
Georgia, which is part of the old ISSR
and lies east of the Black Sea, south of the Caucasus , bordering Turkey
and Azerbaidjan on its southern border, is as unspoilt and beautiful as
its history is fascinating and colourful. Unfenced alpine meadows, ancient
forests and magical, abandoned monasteries overgrown with wild flowers
are only accessible by horse or on foot. Georgia is the land of the Golden Fleece, a crossroads between east and west invaded throughout history by races such as the Greeks, the Romans, the Turks, the Mongols and the Russians. A blend of cultures, it also boasts many remarkable archaeological sites that are seldom visited by foreign tourists. Starting with the night in the capital Tbilisi, these rides follow a circular route to the south west, taking you deep into the hills, through high pasture, past summer encampments of shepherds and small rural villages. They are for those with a sense of adventure who are prepared to forgot many everyday luxuries, but a visit to this enthralling country is a must for anyone who enjoys exploring off the beaten track. |
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ITINERARY
Day 1 : Flight
Arrive at Tbilisi airport (depending on your flight). You will
be met and driven to our hotel in Tbilisi.
Dinner in the hotel or nearby local restaurant (not included).
Night in the hotel.
Day 2 : Tbilisi
Visit of Tbilisi.
Llunch and dinner not included. Night in the hotel.
Day 3
Breakfast in the hotel. Meeting around 9 to be driven about
2 hour to the village of Orbeti to meet the horses and guides
and prepare for the journey. Mount up and set off riding, heading
first throught lowland and foothills forested with oak and hornbeam.
Continue through valleys of wildflowers and open meadows,crossing
the river Algeti then heading towards the small town of Tetri
Tskharo (White Spring). Stop for a picnic lunch by the river
Algeti and in the afternoon ride on, up into the hills to Gudarekhi
Monastery . This wonderful 12th century monastery, with its
beautiful multi colored stone bell tower, is now uninhabited.
The main church still stands, surrounded by many ruins, and
there is a wonderful mythical feel to this fairy-tale place.
Camp is set up in the walnut groves surrounding the monastery
so there is plenty of time to explore before dinner and night
in camp.
Day 4
After the breakfast in camp, we then leave Gudarekhi Monastery
riding up through ancient beech forest to open grassland where
sheperds bring their sheep to graze in the summer. You may
be lucky enough to meet the herds of sheep and catlle, with
the drovers mounted on local ponies or donkeys and with a
few pack animals carrying their supplyies for the summer.
The cow bells and the singing drovers are often heard across
the valleys. Stop for a packed lunch in the woods in the Bediani
area, then in the afternoon we continue throught beech forests
and meadows of wild flowers until you come to the village
of Ivanavoka. The night is spent camping next to Bediani Lake.
Day 5 :
Set off from Ivanavoka riding througth forests and pasture,
passing several villages before stopping for lunch near the
village Dumanisi. After lunch, ride on climbing steeply uphill
until the landcape opens out with wonderful view of the Southern
Caucasian Mountains. Ride down from this ridge, throught woods
and crossing meadows of wild herbs until, across the valley,
the tower of the 12th century Pitareti Monastery complex appears
through the trees. Cross the small river and ride on to the
monastery where camp is set up. This monastery is again uninhabited
and surrounded by ruins. There are excellent carvings on the
esatern facade and on the interior walls many of the frescoes
remain intact. There may be an option in the late afternoon
to visit a 7th century fort, restored in the 17th century, with
secret tunnel - and for the brave there is a chance to wash
in Khrami moutain river!
Dinner and night in camp with an impressive view of the monastery
complex.
Day 6 :
Breakfast and we leave Pitareti, crossing the Khrami river,
riding along forest tracks and across open pastures, stopping
for a picnic lunch on the hillside before descending towards
the Azerbyjanian village of Darbasi and other smaller villages.
Camp is set up in the forest close to Darbasi.
Day 7 :
Set off ridding through the forest and across vast meadows
cowered with cowslips and primrose in early spring, daisies
in late spring and summer. There is some agriculture too in
this area, fields of wheat, beans and maize, peppered with
red poppies. In the distance a fort and church are visible,
set on a volcanic plateau at the junction between two rivers,almost
an island and an ideal vantage point. This is the site of
Patara Dmanisi, once one of the most important Georgian fortresses.
Ride down the ancient stone road to the bottom of the gorge,
stopping for lunch under ancient walnut trees by the river
Mashavera. In the afternoon you will have the opportunity
to explore Patara Dmanisi, an archeological site and its world
renowned scientists. There is a medieval fortified town and
6th century three-nave basilica. Close by, the oldest remains
of Homo Erectus so far discovered on Earth, were recently
uncovered. They are estimated to be 1.7 millions years old,
a good deal older than those found in Africa! The remains
of Homo Sapiens (about 200,000 years old), Paleolithic artefacts,
and woollu rhinoceros remains have also been found here.
A traditional Georgian supper and the night spent in Dmanisi
archaeological guest house with a stunning view of this important
site.
Day 8 :
Breakfast in the guesthouse and ride from Patara Dmanisi over hills
and through forests carpetes with wild orchids. Lunch near the small
village of Ucangori, continuing through the woods to the Azeri shepherds
summer pastures. Camp may be set up close to the shepherds’ family
tents.
Day 9 :
Breakfast and ride on from the sheperds camp towards the village of
Georgiashvili. Riding through woods then accacia spinneys humming
with bees and low woodland until the landscape opens out. Cross the
Khrami river where we might stop for a swim and lunch. Ride on and
cross the River Algeti, then climb into the hills, crossing plains
of wheat until reaching the village of Georgiashvili. The night is
spent in there at a guest house. A farewell party with a Georgian
"supra" or feast, sampling local cuisine and wine and enjoying
the famous Georgian hospitality.
Day 10 :
Set off from Georgiashvili riding throught woodland and
stopping for lunch in an open place amongst the ruins of the
village of Zirbiti. After lunch ride on to Orbeti village where
you leave the horses and meet the car that will drive you back
to Tbilisi. There will be a chance to visit a local spa in Tbilisi
where you can enjoy a relaxing soak in sulphur baths with an
eastern massage - a higly recommended optional extra!
Own arrangements for dinner and night at the hotel in Tbilisi
or transfer for your flight.
Day 11 : Tbilisi
Breakfast and transfer to the airport.
This itinerary is indicative, your guide, who perfectly knows this area, may change itinerary for weather or group safety reasons.
EXTEND YOUR TRIP
Consult us for any enquiry.
HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL
Horses
The horses used for these rides are locally bred thoroughbreds, crossed with Arabs and Akhal Tekhi. They are generally between about 14.2 and 16hh, are responsive and forward going to ride but also adaptable and well suited to the terrain.
Tack
Russian military saddles are used with some western saddles also available although tack is quite basic as little is readily available in Georgia. Saddle bags are provided. The horses are mostly ridden in snaffle bits.
Required riding abilities
The 10 night trips include 9 days riding and there is generally between
5 and 7 hours in the saddle each day, with breaks to rest and for lunch,
although riding time does vary, particularly as the routes are fairly
new and little used.
We ask rider a participation to brush their horse and saddle - unsaddle.
The rides are at a moderate pace overall with good opportunities for trots and canters most days although this is limited by the terrain. They are aimed at reasonably experienced and confident riders. The horses are sensible and well schooled but they have a generally lively temperament, so they suit capable, confident, relaxed and sensitive riders.
YOUR GUIDES
The team that supervises these trail rides is composed of local specialists who perfectly know the country, the horses, the culture and traditions.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation for the first and last night is in a hotel of about a 3*
international standard in the capital Tbilisi. On other nights accommodation
is in camps which are quite basic although they are often set up in quite
stunning settings. Small two man dome tents are used and you sleep on
mats with sleeping bags. There are no shower facilities and only minimal
hot water when camping (some water can be heated for you on the fire).
Loos are out in the open air! Some guesthouses are also used during the
ride all of which tend to be traditional Georgian houses and fairly basic.
Guesthouses usually have outside loos and shared showers which may be
a short walk from the bedrooms.
DATES AND RATES
| Trails 2008 | ||
| June 20 to 30 |
available* |
|
| July 04 to 14 |
available* |
|
| Aug. 29 to Sept. 08 |
available* |
|
| September 12 to 22 |
available* |
|
| October 03 to 13 |
available* |
|
| October 17 to 27 |
|
available* |
* Minimum 4 riders to confirm a departure date.
Smaller groups on request and with small group supplement (340 €/pp for 2 riders, 120 €/pp for 3 riders).
Other departures can be planned at others dates with a minimum of 4 riders.
- single room supplement if requested (only in Tbilissi for the first
and last nights) : 120 €
Single room not available for the nights in tent en guesthouse during
the ride.
Flights to Tbilisi
Please contact us.
| Extra stay |
| Extra night in Tbilisi (rate per person in double room with breakfast) | 120 € |
RATE INCLUDING
- the trail ride as it is described, on full board basis except meals
in Tbilisi
- drinks : tea, coffee, water, milk, juice, local wine, local brandy.
- the financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval
RATE NOT INCLUDING
- flights to Tbilisi,
- transfers from and to airport (to be paid directly 50 £ per person)
- meals in Tbilisi on day 1 and 11
- Museum and entry fees,
- sightseeing costs,
- any other service,
- tips,
- extra drinks,
- visa if needed,
- optional insurance : contact us for further details.
BOOKING - INFORMATION
Contact Anne, the specialist of this destination !
PRATICAL INFORMATIONS
COUNTRY
Georgia - Caucasus area.
LENGTH
11 days / 10 nights / 8 days on horsebackDepending on your flight time.
LANGUAGE
English, Russian, and Georgian.
GROUP SIZE
From 4 to 8 riders.
ACCESS
Arrival in Tbilisi airport.
CLIMATE
From may to october the weather is warm. From 15 to 30°C in july and august during the day. Night can be a little be cold in middle season.
Formalities
Check with your local embassy according to your nationality.
Vaccines-Health
No specific vaccination, we recommend you to be up to date concerning
your usual vaccinations, in particular for the tetanus vaccine.
Remember that a repatriation travel insurrance is compulsory.
REFERENCE :
CH132_georgia
