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GEORGIA : HORSE RIDING ADVENTURE IN THE CAUCASUS AREA...

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

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

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

* 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.

- 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

- 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 Claire for any enquiry !

PRATICAL INFORMATIONS

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
Please check with your local ambassy.

Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.

We recommand to be update of usual vaccination, and especially tetanus..

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