Tusheti - Vashlovani Transhumance

Difficulty

Challenging

Comfort

Basic

Basic+

Midscale

Weight limit

Group size

5-10 tourists,
over 18 y.o.

🐎 Our Tushetian Migration – A Living Tradition

As a Tushetian, I grew up in the mountains where migration is not just an event but a way of life. For generations, our families have moved our horse herds between the lowland winter pastures and the high alpine meadows of Tusheti, following the seasons and the same mountain paths that our ancestors traveled.

Migration represents more than just a journey; it embodies respect for nature, responsibility for the herd, and a profound connection among people, animals, and the mountains. We ride valleys, rivers, and high passes. The mountains challenge your strength while also providing peace and clarity.

During migration, we embrace a simple lifestyle — long hours on horseback, communal meals outdoors, and nights spent beneath a vast sky filled with stars. There’s no hurry, only purpose and tradition.

Migration signifies freedom, strength, patience, and a deep love for our land.

Elene G. is the provider and guide of this trip

The provider speaks: English

My name is Elene, and I am the founder and owner of our adventure travel company specializing in horse riding and jeep tours in Tusheti and Vashlovani National Park. I have over 10 years of experience in tourism, and together with my husband—who has more than 15 years of experience in guiding and outdoor adventure—we have built a company focused on authentic, high-quality travel experiences. As a local from Tusheti and Vashlovani National Park, I deeply understand the culture, traditions, and landscapes of these regions. Our mission is to share the real spirit of the mountains and wilderness with our guests through safe, professional, and unforgettable adventures.

View Elene `s tours

Tour highlights

Ride From Vineyards to Highlands

Experience two dramatically different ecosystems in one expedition

Medieval Towers of Tusheti

Discover the ancient stone defense towers of Omalo, including the iconic Keselo Fortress

Cross the Legendary Abano Pass

Ride across one of the highest drivable mountain passes in the Caucasus

Route details

Your adventure begins early in Tbilisi. After meeting your guides, we drive through the scenic Kakheti wine region and ascend the legendary Abano Pass (2,945 m) — a thrilling journey into the remote highlands of Tusheti National Park.

Arrive in Omalo, the heart of Tusheti, where you’ll check into a cozy family guesthouse. After lunch, explore Keselo Castle Towers and visit the Omalo Visitor Center.

Evening dinner features local Tushetian dishes and homemade wine.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Family guesthouse in Omalo

Difficulty

Challenging

Does not require specific skills, but one must be in a good physical shape

Tour provider's comments

🐎 Difficulty Level – Experienced Riders Only This tour is designed for experienced and confident riders.

Participants must:

Be comfortable riding at walk, trot, and canter in open terrain
Have previous experience with multi-day riding tours
Be physically fit and able to spend 5–8 hours per day in the saddle
Feel confident riding on mountain trails, uneven terrain, river crossings, and steep ascents/descents

The Tushetian landscape is wild and untouched. Trails can be narrow, rocky, and exposed in certain areas. Weather conditions may change quickly, and riding days can be long and physically demanding.

This is not a beginner or leisure riding experience. It is a real mountain adventure that requires balance, stamina, and confidence in the saddle.

However, for experienced riders, it offers one of the most rewarding horseback journeys in the Caucasus — combining breathtaking scenery, authentic culture, and true freedom on horseback.

Accommodation

Comfort

Basic

Basic+

Midscale

Tent

5 nights

Guest House

2 nights

Hotel

1 night

Very comfortable and well equipped.

Tickets to group meeting place

Group meeting place

Tbilisi

Calculate tour price with tickets from your city

Partnered with

Weather during the tour

Weather conditions along the route

You will get a weather forecast for this tour’s route based on

the forecasts for this season
the statistics from previous years’ trips

Conditions

Included

transportation: Tbilisi to Vashlovani and back from Tusheti to Tbilisi we start at 7 o’clock in the morning and back around 8-10 o’clock in the evening
complete equipment: Tents, sleeping bags, and mattresses
protective helmets
horses and experienced riding companions professional horsemans
guide
full three-course meals, including various food and drinks (traditional Georgian food-not typical camp food)
1 night in the hotel in Kakheti with breakfast and dinner
last-2night stay in a hotel in Tusheti
camp shower
support car available during the trip.

Extras

flights
travel insurance
tips and personal expenses.

It's important to know

Packing list:

✅Comfortable Riding Pants (jeans or breeches, avoid thick seams)
✅ Long-Sleeve Shirts (for sun & wind protection)
✅ Warm Layers (fleece or down jacket for chilly nights and for Tusheti)
✅ Waterproof Jacket & Pants (for rain and wind)
✅ Riding Gloves (for grip and hand protection)
✅ Comfortable Riding Boots (sturdy with a small heel)
✅ Camp Shoes or Sandals (for resting after riding)
✅ Sun Hat or Cap (for hot days)
✅ Sunglasses (with UV protection)
✅ Buff or Scarf (for dust, wind, and sun protection)
✅ Comfortable Socks (several pairs, including warm ones)
✅ Sleepwear & Extra Clothes (for relaxing at camp)

Personal Hygiene & Health

✅ Toothbrush & Toothpaste
✅ Soap & Shampoo
✅ Wet Wipes & Hand Sanitizer
✅ Sunscreen & Lip Balm (high SPF)
✅ Bug Spray (for mosquitos & flies)
✅ Towel & Washcloth (quick-dry preferred)
✅ Personal Medications (any necessary prescriptions)
✅ Painkillers & Blister Plasters

Important Notice – Tushetian Horse Migration Experience

This journey is not a typical commercial horse-riding tour. It is our Tushetian way of life – a centuries-old tradition of moving with our herds through the mountains. By joining us, you are taking part in our culture, our lifestyle, and our heritage, not a tourist attraction.

Who this tour is for

This experience is only for experienced riders.
You will ride together with us and our herd of 80+ horses.
Migration is challenging, sometimes unpredictable, and requires both physical and mental endurance.

About our horses
Our horses are semi-wild and live freely in the mountains most of their lives.
They are calm, clever, and sure-footed mountain horses you can trust completely.

Still, riding them in migration conditions is very different from regular horseback riding.

Your responsibility

Migration is not for everyone – it is demanding and requires full focus.
You must take responsibility for yourself during the ride and remain careful, especially at the start and finish of each day.
Our horsemen will be with you at all times, but you must follow our rules, methods, and instructions, even if they may seem unusual to you.

Our way of life

We do things the Tushetian way – with our own traditions, methods, and rules that have guided our people and horses for centuries.
By joining us, you agree to respect and follow these ways, as part of the herd.

This is not a holiday ride – it is real migration, lived the way our ancestors did. If you are ready for the challenge, the reward is to truly become part of our Tushetian tradition.

• Reservation & Payment – A 40% deposit is required to secure your booking. The remaining balance must be paid before the trip starts.

• Non-Refundable Deposit – The deposit is non-refundable, as we make arrangements and prepare horses specifically for each rider.

• Travel Insurance – All participants must have travel insurance that covers horseback riding and adventure activities.

• Respect for Nature & Environment – We are traveling through protected landscapes. Riders must follow Leave No Trace principles, respect wildlife, and avoid disturbing the natural surroundings.

• Respect for Local Culture – This journey takes you through remote areas where traditions are deeply rooted. Please be mindful and respectful of the local communities and their customs.