Horseback riding in Georgia: Tusheti, Kazbegi and the high Caucasus
Last reviewed: 2026-05-18Is horseback riding good in Georgia?
Yes — Georgia is one of the best horseback destinations in the Caucasus, with multi-day rides through Tusheti's untouched valleys, day rides from Kazbegi into the Sno and Truso valleys, and English-speaking outfitters in both Mestia and Stepantsminda. Expect €60–€100 per day, July–September peak.
A country that still thinks on horseback
In most of Europe, a guided trail ride is a curated afternoon in a managed estate. In the Georgian Caucasus it is something different. Horses remain working animals in Tusheti, Khevsureti and the higher valleys of Svaneti — they carry hay to summer pastures, transport supplies over passes where no road runs, and are ridden daily by shepherds who learned to mount before they learned to drive. The trails you follow were cut by transhumance over centuries. The horses are descended from the small, tough Tushuri and Mingrelian breeds bred for these specific altitudes and angles.
Riding here means using an animal that knows the terrain better than you do. A Tushuri horse navigating a narrow ridge trail at 2,400 metres, loose stones underfoot, does not need steering — it chooses the line automatically. The rider’s job is not to interfere.
This creates a type of travel experience that goes beyond recreation. You are crossing mountain terrain in a way that Georgian shepherds have done for a thousand years, using the same routes, the same animals, and roughly the same equipment. The scenery is extraordinary. The cultural contact, if you stay in village guesthouses rather than tented camps, is genuine.
Tusheti: the classic riding region
Tusheti is where serious riding begins in Georgia. The high plateau is accessible only via the Abano Pass — one of the most notorious unpaved mountain roads in the Caucasus — and only between mid-June and early October when snow permits. The villages of Omalo, Dartlo, Shenako, Parsma and Girevi cluster on ridges at 1,700–2,200 metres, surrounded by alpine meadows and the Caucasus watershed.
What the rides look like
The classic Tusheti riding circuit starts in Omalo and loops through Dartlo, Parsma, and Girevi before returning. This takes four to six days and covers 60–90 km of trails. The terrain is generally moderate — ridge paths, river crossings, occasional short steep sections — and the altitude rarely goes above 2,800 m. No prior riding experience is required.
Day excursions from Omalo to Chontio or Diklo are also available for visitors arriving by jeep who want a half-day in the saddle. These cost 150–250 GEL per person including guide and horse.
Logistics and guesthouses
Accommodation is in village guesthouses — simple, warm, serving the classic mountain meal of bean soup, cornbread and grilled meat. Most guesthouse owners in Omalo and Dartlo can connect you with local horse owners and guides. This is often cheaper than booking through a Tbilisi agency (250–400 GEL/day versus 500–700 GEL/day) and more culturally direct.
The Tbilisi-based agencies are worth using if you want everything pre-arranged: transport from Tbilisi, confirmed English-speaking guide, guesthouses booked. For experienced independent travellers, arriving in Omalo and negotiating directly is efficient and rewarding.
GetYourGuideTusheti 3-Day Jeep Tour from Tbilisifrom €340Check availability →Kazbegi and the Sno Valley: the most accessible option
Stepantsminda (Kazbegi), three hours north of Tbilisi on the Georgian Military Highway, is the most practical entry point for a first Georgian riding experience. Multiple stables in and around town offer day rides into the Sno Valley, up toward the Gergeti Trinity Church, and along the lower slopes of Kazbegi mountain itself.
Day rides from Stepantsminda
The Sno Valley ride is the standard option: three to five hours in the saddle through open alpine meadows, with views back to the Gergeti glacier and Kazbegi peak. No technical difficulty. Cost is typically 150–250 GEL per person including guide. Local stables at the edge of town, visible from the main road, operate on a first-come basis; book through your guesthouse the previous evening for priority.
The Truso Valley, 15 km east of Stepantsminda, is a more dramatic option — a high glacial valley with mineral springs, ruined villages, and the Zakagori fortress ruins visible from horseback. This is better as a long half-day or full day.
Multi-day from Kazbegi
A two-day trek into the Juta valley and the Chaukhi amphitheatre — crossing the high ground between Kazbegi and Juta — is the best multi-day option in the region. Overnighting at a guesthouse in Juta, the return covers different terrain. Total cost through a local operator: 400–600 GEL per person.
GetYourGuideHorse Riding in Kazbegi / Sno Valleyfrom €85Check availability →Svaneti: the photogenic riding country
Svaneti’s medieval stone towers, glaciers and alpine villages make it the most visually dramatic riding region in Georgia. Rides from Mestia to Ushguli follow the valley at the base of the Main Caucasus Ridge, with the permanently snow-covered peaks of Shkhara and Ushba as a constant backdrop.
Multi-day expeditions from Mestia into the Khaldechala or Adishi valleys take three to five days and require reasonable physical fitness — these are long days in the saddle on demanding terrain. Local outfitters in Mestia charge 400–600 GEL per person per day including horse, guide and meals; this reflects the higher cost of operating in Svaneti compared to Tusheti.
The season runs mid-May to mid-October. July and August are busy; September is the best month — stable weather, fewer riders on the trails, autumn colours just beginning.
What to expect physically
Multi-day Georgian riding is not technically demanding. The horses are sure-footed and the guides keep a comfortable walking pace. What is demanding is the cumulative effect of six to eight hours in the saddle at altitude for several consecutive days.
Saddle soreness is universal among first-timers by day two. Padded cycling shorts worn under normal trousers reduce this significantly. Georgian saddles — traditional wooden frames with leather — are not designed for softness.
Altitude is a minor factor. Most rides stay below 2,800 m. Hydrate more than feels necessary and take the first afternoon easy.
Riding experience — complete beginners are accepted on all routes. If you have ridden before, you will spend more time at walk (and occasional trot) rather than sitting entirely passive. The horses manage the technical decisions; you manage your position in the saddle.
Gear checklist
- Riding or hiking boots with a heel (standard trainers are unsafe in stirrups)
- Long trousers — denim or riding tights; avoid shorts
- Warm layers and a windproof shell — mountain temperatures drop sharply after mid-afternoon
- Waterproof jacket — afternoon thunderstorms are a daily summer fixture in the Caucasus
- Sun protection for face and neck
- Helmet (better outfitters provide; bring your own for certainty)
- Basic first aid: antiseptic, blister pads, and a chamois cream for saddle soreness
The outfitter provides horse, saddle, saddlebags, guide, accommodation and meals on multi-day trips. Pack horses or a support vehicle carry tent and food on wilderness routes.
Prices in summary
| Route type | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Day ride from Kazbegi or Mestia | 150–250 GEL per person |
| 2-day Kazbegi/Juta trek | 400–600 GEL per person |
| 5-day Tusheti circuit (village booking) | 250–400 GEL/day per person |
| 5-day Tusheti circuit (Tbilisi agency) | 500–700 GEL/day per person |
| Svaneti multi-day (Mestia outfitter) | 400–600 GEL/day per person |
Prices include horse, guide, guesthouse accommodation and meals unless stated otherwise.
How to book
For the Kazbegi region, the most reliable advance booking option is through an established GetYourGuide operator running a verified Sno Valley day ride:
GetYourGuideCaucasus Multi-Activity Adventurefrom €140Check availability →For Tusheti, the most practical approach is to contact a Tbilisi-based adventure operator before arrival — the logistics of reaching Omalo (jeep hire, Abano Pass road condition checks) require advance planning. Wild Georgia Horse Riding, Caucasus Trekking, and Adventure Georgia all run Tusheti programmes with English-speaking guides.
For Svaneti, Mestia outfitters can be booked on arrival but confirming a week ahead in peak July–August avoids disappointment.
When to go
- Tusheti: mid-June to early October. Peak season July–September
- Kazbegi: May to October. Most reliable July–September
- Svaneti: mid-May to mid-October. Best in September
- Khevsureti (for experienced travellers): June to September
- Javakheti plateau (open steppe, crater lakes): May to October
September is the single best month: weather stable, trails less busy, horses in their best summer condition, guesthouses still open.
What to know before you go
Weight limit: Most Caucasus horses carry up to 100 kg comfortably. Heavier riders should confirm with the specific outfitter — some have larger horses available.
Solo women: Georgia is safe for solo women travellers, including on horse treks. Female guides are not the norm but can be requested through Tbilisi agencies.
Insurance: Standard travel insurance covers riding at a walking pace. If you plan to canter or gallop in open terrain, confirm your policy covers equestrian activity specifically.
Tipping: Guides work long days in difficult terrain. 50–100 GEL per person per day is appropriate for a guide who communicates well and keeps the trek running smoothly.
Language: In Tusheti and Khevsureti, most village-based guides speak Georgian and basic Russian but limited English. Tbilisi agency guides are English-speaking. In Mestia and Stepantsminda, English is increasingly common.
Horse trekking is the closest thing Georgia offers to time travel. The pace is different. The terrain is different. The way arrival in a remote village feels, coming in over a ridge on horseback, is simply unlike arriving by jeep. If you have one extended outdoor day available on a Georgia trip, this is one of the strongest uses of it.
Related guides
- Best hikes in Georgia — the walking alternative across the same regions
- Georgian Military Highway — the route to Kazbegi and conditions
- Jeep tours in Georgia — vehicle-based access to the same remote areas
- Tusheti tours guide — full logistics for reaching the region
- Adventure itinerary — horse trekking in a multi-activity framework
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