Riding in the Caucasus Mountains

Arrive Istanbul at 04.05 hrs. Connect to TK 378 departing Istanbul at 06.25 hrs, arriving Tbilisi at 09.45hrs. Transfer and check into the centrally located 4* Mercure Hotel in the old town for the morning at leisure.

Enjoy a walking tour of Tbilisi Old Town. Hidden in its labyrinthine streets are monuments, churches, art galleries, museums and theatres, sulphur bath houses and buildings with gaping holes in their facades that have their own stories to tell. Visit Metekhi Church of the Assumption, the Orthodox church which was built by the Georgian King St. Demetrius II in the 13th century. Visit the Georgian Synagogue, a Jewish house which was built with bricks, in an eclectic style, between 1895 and 1903. Continue to Sioni Cathedral, which is one of the most remarkable examples of Georgian medieval architecture, richly decorated with frescoes and icons in gold and dark turquoise colours. This is followed by Anchiskhati Basilica, the oldest church in Tbilisi, dating back to the 6th century. End at Narikala Fortress, dating back to the 4th century, when it was a Persian citadel. The fortress dominates the Old Town skyline. Visit one of the city’s historic sulphur bath houses for which Tbilisi is renowned. The city has an abundance of hot springs, high in sulphurs and other minerals, with a constant temperature of 38C to 40C, and the waters have long been used as a therapeutic aid for a range of ailments including skin conditions and arthritis.

Check out of the hotel (with luggage) and depart to Kakheti (105 kms) and explore what locals call ‘the motherland of wine’, the fertile Alazani Valley with its medieval monasteries and unique wineries. The eastern region of Georgia is surrounded by picturesque mountains and filled with historical sights. Famed for its fine vintages, as well as its great food and spectacular mountain views, the area is recognised as a protected landscape. Visit Bodbe Nunnery (9thc), the place where St. Nino, the 4th century female evangelist of Georgians is buried.

Lunch and wine-tasting at local winery. Explore Sighnaghi fortified town in Kakheti, famous for its wine and carpet making culture. Enjoy breath-taking views of Kizikhi area and unusual Charm of Sighnaghi Royal Town. Take a walk-through narrow street of the town shadowed by the wooden balconies richly decorated with the lace of carved ornaments. Continue to the Tsinandali Family Estate and wine cellar, which once belonged to the 19th century aristocratic poet Alexander Chavchavadze. Check into the 4* Esquisse Design Hotel in Telavi on arrival. Dinner at the hotel.

Check out of the hotel (with luggage) and drive to the North-eastern region of Tusheti, over the Abano Pass at around 3,000 metres. In the Alazani valley, visit the elegant 11th centry Alaverdi Cathedral, founded by the Assyrian monk Joseph Alaverdeli, who settled in a former pagan village and converted people to Christianity. Tusheti is an area of 113,000-hectare that includes Tusheti National Park, the Tusheti Protected Landscape, and the Tusheti Strict Nature Reserve. Lunch at a local restaurant. Check into the Hotel Samzeo where three nights are spent. The hotel is in Omalo Village, with stunning mountain views, Omalo is the central village of the region, and the first you see coming to Tusheti. The most important and impressive historical object in Omalo is the complex of watch towers called Keselo epically set on a high cliff. There is a small ethnographic museum inside one of the towers too. Dinner at the hotel.

Today you will meet your horses and enjoy a ride to Oreti Lake, located 2,650 metres above sea level. Ride through the forest and alpine meadows enjoying impressive views of the Tusheti region, and beautiful wildflowers adorn the meadows. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the ride. You will be riding around 28 kms today, with an elevation of 1670 m up and down. Return to your hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

Today, you will ride to picturesque and remote villages of Shenako and Diklo, both impressive with unique architecture and towers. The only Orthodox church in the region (Sameba church, XIX c.) is in Shenako. Its frescoes have been restored at the beginning of our century. Just next to the church you can see one of above-mentioned sacred places, “nishi”. Here, again, one can witness how paganism and Christianity are intertwined in this wonderful place.

Enjoy a picnic lunch on the ride. The ride will be around 21 kms, with an elevation of 450 m up and down. Check into the Sameo Hotel, in Omalo. Dinner at the hotel.

Ride to Dartlo village across the peaceful valleys of the Tusheti highlands. Dartlo is a fortified village that dates to the 17th century. As well as beautiful reconstructed stone houses and clan towers, Dartlo has several heritage monuments including a traditional Sabcheo court, crypts, a monastery, church ruins, Khati shrines, and petroglyphs. This ride will be around 16 kms, with an elevation of 230m up and down. On arrival into Dartlo, enjoy lunch in a nearby restaurant. Check into your guesthouse. Dinner at the guesthouse.

Full day trekking from one remote village to another, dating back to the 13th century. You will be riding 8 kms with an elevation of 320 metres up and down. Lunch on the way. Check into your guesthouse located in Chesno. Dinner at the guesthouse.

Follow the Pirikita Alazani River to the last populated village Girevi. Ride back to Omalo via Parsma and Dartlo villages. You will be riding around 24 kms, with an elevation of 480 metres up and down. Lunch on the way. On arrival, check into the Samzeo Hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

Transfer back to Tbilisi. En route stop in Alvani, where you will enjoy lunch with a local family. Continue to Tbilisi where you will arrive in the early evening. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant near to the hotel.

Check out of the hotel. Transfer to Tbilisi airport. Suggested flights (not included in the cost of the tour) Turkish Airlines flight TK 379 departs Tbilisi at 10.40 hrs arriving Istanbul at 12.15 hrs connecting to TK 1931 departing Istanbul at 13.50 hrs arriving London Heathrow at 16.00 hrs.