If you want to discover the true spirit of Georgia then sticking to just the urban areas won’t do. Yes, Tbilisi is eclectic and one-of-a-kind and Batumi is boisterous and fun, and Telavi has some great wine. But it’s the vast green meadows and towering rocks and small villages dotted throughout nigh-wild mountainous terrain where you will find Georgia at its most honest. And to up the ante and experience the country as Georgians used to in centuries past, you should do it from the saddle of a horse.
Even locals who’ve switched to modern transportation admit once they try: there’s a profound connection formed when exploring land with a horse. The experience opens eyes to many local intricacies that fall flat when explaining with just words. At CaucasTours, we’ve meticulously planned various horse riding tours in Georgia to make this kind of experience accessible to all types of visitors. The options include journeys through the tricky mountainous terrain, across the wine-rich Kakhetian valleys and the unique trails of a National Park.
This is your invitation to explore the real Georgia, from a perspective few ever see.
Why Try a Horse Riding Tour in Georgia?
Let’s make one thing clear from the get-go—if you’re a fan of a standard type of vacation, be it lounging by the poolside or painting the town red at night or even exploring the city on foot at a brisk pace—horseback riding in Georgia is not for you. It is the very definition of adventure tourism and requires a traveler be ready that it will put them under a certain strain and deal with some discomfort at times. But the trade-off is so worth it! Participating in a tour like this, you’ll get to see and experience the country through a lens that not only international visitors, but even most locals often miss out on.
And, it’s worth mentioning that horseriding has a practical aspect to it, as well—you’ll find yourself in some of the most remote and wild locations, like the historic ruins in Svaneti and remote villages of Tusheti, places you wouldn’t be able to reach via car, because the roads are simply not fit to bear one.
Beyond the sheer reach, these tours offer a chance to learn more deeply about local culture. You get to meet local families that still follow old traditions and witness what has stood the test of time (it also means you’ll experience legendary Georgian hospitality and the many flavors of regional cuisines that may not always be found in the urban areas). It's also a fantastic way to disengage with the fast-paced lifestyle the cities often demand of us even when vacationing and mentally relax as you leave the stress of daily life behind and connect to the wilderness. And you don’t need to be a pro or even particularly physically fit for it—the options vary, with some of the tours specifically aimed at complete beginners. Anyone can embark on an unforgettable exploration of Georgian nature on horseback—you just need to find the option that fits you. That said, make sure that the tour operator you connect with has your back: provides all the necessary training on horseback and safety gear, explains the proper technique of handling the horse, and puts you in the hands of the experienced local guide that has rock solid grip on the terrain they’ll be leading a group through.
What Kind of Horse Riding Tours Does CaucasTours Offer?
CaucasTours’s team put together a wide range of horse riding adventures, with each one designed to show you a different side of Georgia’s vibrant character. Only have a weekend to spare? We’ve got you! Have a couple of weeks free and want to fully get lost in the wild? We have several absolutely magical options you can choose from, some including multiple regions.
Weekend Escapes for a Taste of Adventure
If you’re short on time, our weekend tours offer a perfect, concentrated dose of equestrian adventure. The Weekend Horseback Riding Trip to Vashlovani National Park is a fantastic choice for beginners and the “savanna” serves as a great introduction to Georgia’s biodiversity. In just two days, you’ll ride out from a farm surrounded by vast grain fields, explore the semi-desert, take in incredible views of the Alazani River and be right back to the rest of your itinerary. And if you find yourself wanting to see more of the National Park? We have several other, longer options lasting 4 to 9 days.
For an experience that puts more of a focus on local culture along with nature, check out the Weekend Horse Riding in Pankisi Valley. This option will let you explore the homeland of the Tush and Kist (local ethnic minority) peoples. You’ll visit the local vineyards, explore the deep forests and ancient fortresses, learn about some of the most unique traditions, and have your fill of local delicious cuisine in the country.
Longer Journeys for Intrepid Explorers
For more seasoned riders looking to fully immerse themselves, we offer several multi-day treks into Georgia's most iconic and remote regions.
- Horseback Riding to the Unknown Trails of Svaneti: Svaneti is among the more commercialized regions of Georgia, but a monumental part of it still remains non-touristy. And, if you’re looking into mountain tours by horse, this is a great one to venture off the beaten path. It starts in the historic Chuberi valley, crosses Utviri mountain pass and rides along ancient Svanetian villages with the famous defensive towers.
- Horse Riding Loop through Tusheti: Arguably the most comprehensive Tusheti horse riding tour currently available, it covers four distinct valleys, includes the challenging 2,950-meter Nakaicho Pass, as well as historic villages like Dartlo and Omalo.
- Riding Through Kakheti: An 8-day journey through Georgia's wine heartland is a more leisurely option, ideal for those who want to delve into Georgian culture (and have a taste of the famous natural wines). Aside from the vineyards of the Alazani River valley, you’ll visit many a panoramic view (like the one along the Tsiv-Gombori ridge) and historic sites like the Gremi royal citadel.
- Majestic Mountain Trails: Those who want the ultimate horse trekking Georgian challenge should check out this 12-day epic that rolls the Tusheti, Kazbegi and Khevsureti horse riding tours into one incredible journey.
Agro Tours: A Hands-On Cultural Experience
Possibly the most unique yet authentic adventure in Georgia you can go on, our agro tours allow international travelers to not only get a little peak into local culture, but actually participate in a centuries-old tradition: the seasonal horse drives. These are not your typical tours; these are working journeys that locals make seasonally—and you get to become part of their lives for a little bit, get to experience what it really is like, living in the Georgian mountains.
The horse drive happens twice a year: once in spring, and once in fall. The Annual Spring Horse Drive to Tusheti happens in late May-early June. It lasts for 9 days, during which you get to help the locals drive a herd of about 50 horses from their winter pastures in the lowlands up to their summer pastures high in the mountains of Tusheti.
The Autumn Horse Ride to the Winter Pasture of Vashlovani NP typically happens in late October. The herd makes a 250-kilometer journey back down from the mountains, crossing the formidable Abano Pass and descending into the semi-deserts for the winter.
To reiterate, these are NOT your regular run of the mill touristy activities. These are deeply cultural tours by horse specifically for fit, experienced, and flexible riders that are eager to challenge themselves. The daily schedule is dictated by the needs of the herd and often involve long hours spent on horseback during the day and can sometimes even necessitate night riding. But the reward is worth it if you’re the type of adventurer that looks for unique experiences: it’s an unforgettable opportunity to participate in a living tradition. If you’re looking to spend active holidays in Georgia and love horse riding, it doesn’t get more challenging nor more rewarding than this.
Why Choose CaucasTours?
When booking a Caucastours horse riding tour, what you see (or, rather, what you're promised) is what you get—we're obsessed with three things: doing good for our community, keeping you safe, and giving you an authentic Georgian experience. Our goals are simple—give you the best experience adventuring in our country and to do some additional good while we’re at it and put money directly into the hands of the local communities we partner with. Also, if being eco-friendly is important to you (or just makes you feel good as an added bonus), you’ll love that the Leave No Trace principle is a cornerstone of our work ethic. We make sure to always pack in everything we pack out, giving wildlife its space and consideration to the locals and our fellow travelers.
As for your safety? For us, there’s nothing more important. That’s why we have a strict policy when choosing our guides. They grew up in the region they’re leading tours around, and they can read the mountain trails and the sky better than any weather app. So if we’ve convinced you to book a tour—for a weekend, a week or more—do check out what horse riding tours we offer on the website and get in touch.
