Transhumance Trekking Expedition Caucasus

from

£2,100

We will go to the Tusheti region when it is autumn. Only a few people stay behind for the winter in the mountains. This place has a unique atmosphere with vibrant colours and lights of the season. After a horseback trip in the heart of the Tusheti National Park, which offers outstanding sceneries and beautiful secluded villages, we will gather the horses and ride down to the valley during the next two days. Though the conditions of the transhumance are hard, it remains a unique experience. The ride takes place once a year only and is limited to 5 riders

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Style Type
- Culture
- Discovery
- Expedition
- Georgia
- Trekking
Expedition
Level Strenuous
5/8
Group Size Small Group
5

All about the Transhumance Trekking Expedition Caucasus.

We go to the Tusheti region when it is already time to go down from the mountain. The rich colors and lights of autumn give a special atmosphere to the mountains. Soon only a few persons will stay there for the winter time. After a horseback trip in the heart of the Tusheti National Park offering outstanding sceneries and beautiful secluded villages we gather the horses and ride down to the valley during 2 days. Though the conditions of the transhumance are hard, (please have a look to the details), it remains an unique experience. This ride takes place once a year and is limited to 5 riders.

We will go to the Tusheti region when it is autumn and only few people stay behind for the winter in the mountains that have a special atmosphere with the rich colours and lights of the season. After a horseback trip in the heart of the Tusheti National Park, which offers outstanding sceneries and beautiful secluded villages, we will gather the horses and ride down to the valley during the next 2 days. Though the conditions of the transhumance are hard, (please through the details), it remains a unique experience. The ride takes place once a year only and is limited to 5 riders.

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Day 1 Arrive -Tbilisi
Arrival in Tbilisi
Transfer to hotel
Day 2 Tbilisi-Kakheti-Laliskhuri
We will meet at 10.30 am at your hotel in Tbilissi.
Then, we will drive to the Kakheti region, where you will have an overview of the Georgian heritage (history, wine, religion, landscapes).
We will first visit Shuamta, which is composed of 2 places: “old Shuamta” that has 3 churches dating back to the the 6-7th century and “new Shuamta” that is a church and nunnery built in the 16th century. The frescoes here are quite well-preserved.
Then we drive to Telavi, the main city in Kakheti.
We will have about 40-60 minutes to stroll around and visit the colourful local market, the fortress of the last king of Kakheti, Erekle II and the little streets.
After a quick lunch (picnic), we will go to Tsinandali, a village known for the estate and its historic winery of the 19th-century aristocratic poet, linguist and winemaker A l e x a n d e r Chavchavadze (1786–1846). We will visit the beautiful house and garden that were built in 1835.
We will finish our visit with Gremi, which was the capital of Kakheti in the 16th and 17th centuries. Founded by Levan of Kakheti, it functioned as a lively trading town on the Silk Road and the royal residence until it was razed to the ground by the armies of Shah Abbas I of Persia in 1615. The town never regained its past prosperity and the kings of Kakheti transferred their capital to Telavi in the mid-17th century.
Then we wil go to Laliskhuri, a small village located at the foot of the Caucasian Mountains where we will be welcomed by a Tush family for dinner and the night. We will also prepare for the expedition here.
Accommodation: guesthouse
Day 3 Laliskhuri-Tusheti
After breakfast, we go with a 4WD to the Tusheti region.
The path had been built after the Second World War and carved in the rocks.
We drive over the ‘Abano’ Pass which lies at 2926m high.
The pass marks the border between the Tusheti and the Kakheti regions and offers some splendid panorama over them.
We reach Omalo, the main village of the Tusheti, located in the heart of the Tusheti National Park at 2000 m high. We visit the fortress and overnight in a guesthouse.
Day 4 Omalo-Shenako-Diklo-Omalo
We will start by walking down through the winter village of Omalo. We will walk further on to the river before riding up to the village of Shenako, where we will discover one of the rare churches located in Tusheti. Our next stop will be the village of Diklo, which is the last Tush village.
We will then ride back to Omalo and stay overnight there.
Around 6-8 hours ride
Some possibilities of trot / gallop
Around 1-1.5 hours on foot
Accommodation: guesthouse
Day 5 Omalo-Gogrulta
We will ride with packhorses to Gogrulta, which is located at the top of a small summit that offers some spectacular views. Accommodation is very typical and has stayed as it was before. So, it won’t be comfortable, but very authentic.
Paganism was prevalent in the Caucasus Region until the middle of the 20th century. Many altars remain in Tusheti and some of their divinities like Otchopintre (god of nature) or Elia (god of weather) are still honoured. Before the construction of the road, the Tush were confined to the region, but started to move out later.
Around 6 hours ride
Trot/gallop not possible.
Around 40 minutes on foot
Accommodation: typical house
Day 6 - 7 Gogrulta
From Gogrulta there are a lot of riding possibilities. Depending on the weather conditions we might ride over passes, crests or in the valley to Gometsari.
Around 6-8 hours ride
Trot / gallop will depend on the route
Around 1-1.5 hours on foot
Accommodation: typical house
Day 8 to Day 10 Riding
Transhumance (depending on weather; if it’s on days 9 and 10, we will ride on day 7 in Tusheti)
TRANSHUMANCE CONDITIONS:
You can only carry a sleeping bag with you on the horse. You will not get your luggage before Laliskhuri. There won’t be any hot meals in the evening. We will sleep where it is possible.
The First Day
We will start the transhumance from Gogrulta and ride over the crest or through Omalo, depending on the conditions.
Around 5-13 hours ride, depending on the way
Trot / gallop, depending on our way.
Based on the way we take, we might be on foot for about 2 hours
Accommodation: tent or house, depending on our way
The Second Day
It can be a very long day; it is also possible that we might arrive at night.
We will start quite earlyWe will have dinner with the local people
Around 5-13 hours ride, depending on the way
Trot / gallop will depend on our way
Depending on the way we take, we might be on foot for about 2 hours.
Accommodation: guesthouse
Day 10 Laliskhuri - Tbilisi
We drive back to Tbilissi.
We arrive in Tbilisi in the beginning of the afternoon.
Free afternoon in Tbilisi.
Then we have dinner in a restaurant.
Hotel 3/4*
Day 11 Tbilsi
This will be a spare day, in case we need more time for the transhumance.
But if we manage to be on time, we will visit some old Soviet places in Tbilisi and Mskheta. The latter was the capital of the Georgian kingdom in the 4th century and has a beautiful cathedral in the Djvari monastery. Then we will have dinner in a restaurant and stay in a ¾-star hotel for the night.
Day 12 Back Home!
Transfer to the airport

Stay at least one more day in Tbilisi.
We can arrange any other excursion in Svaneti or Kazbegi.

Additionally you might want to spend an extra night in Tbilisi … no problem!

1. Full board.

2. Equestrian material.

3. Tents, tableware.

4. Accommodation in a guesthouse in Laliskhuri, in some traditional houses in Omalo and in Gogrulta, in tent on the rest of the trek and in a hotel (2 or 3 nights) in Tbilissi. The hotel is located in the very old center of the town, a breakfast is included. The accommodation for this hotel will be in double room (2 persons per room). For people who are willing to have a single room, there is an extra charge (80 euros/night), only possible in Tbilisi.

5 .Table wine/tchatcha during the trek until the stocks are out.

6. 1/2 dinner in restaurant in Tbilisi (except alcoholic drinks) .

7. Car transfers in some private cars (Mercedes mini bus and 4WD).

8. Guides/cooker.

We reserve the right to modify the itinerary if based on objective assessment we find that the way is not safe enough. This decision will be taken by the main guide and should not be contradicted or disputed.
The horse trek is mostly completed at low speeds due to difference in altitude.

Luggage will be carried by the horses so we recommend to keep it light! Valuable / breakable items please keep to a minimum as there is the risk of them breaking.
At Laliskhuri, we will give you 2 waterproof bags in which you should arrange your stuff. You can leave the rest of your less important luggage there. The weight should also be reasonable, as the horses will be carrying all the stuff.

During the trek, we have to be self-sufficient, as we won’t be able to find provisions after leaving the Kakheti region.
The food we will provide will be typical Georgian and Tush specialties and will be cooked every day. Our food is sourced from local production and is organic.

During the trek, you will have to walk downhill for long stretches.
We will travel through isolated and desolate areas, especially the first part of the trek. Hence, you must have good/tough physical and mental conditions. You must have insurance to cover any accident, medical assistance and rescue tasks in the mountains.
Mountaineering experience is also recommended, as some of the trails could sometimes be difficult.

Please follow the link for the latest health advice

Updated: 7 December 2018

This advice has been reviewed in full with amendments throughout

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to the breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and against all but essential travel to areas immediately adjacent to the Administrative Boundary Lines with Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The British government does not recognise the unilateral declarations of independence made by the de facto authorities in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Consular support is not available in parts of Georgia where we advise against all travel. See Local travel

We recommend you have valid travel insurance before you travel. Foreign nationals have been detained on arrival in Georgia for possession of medicines that would not normally be problematic in the UK or other countries. See Entry requirements

Take care when driving and if possible avoid driving at night. See Road travel

The political situation in Georgia is generally calm, but demonstrations and opposition rallies occasionally take place. Demonstrations are usually policed. Keep well away from all demonstrations.

There is some risk from unexploded ordnance in areas along the Administrative Boundary Lines with South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and near the border with Azerbaijan (Red Bridge area in particular). Areas where unexploded ordnance might be present are not always marked. See Local travel

Terrorist attacks in Georgia can’t be ruled out. See Terrorism

You can contact the emergency services by calling 112.

If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.

Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel.

Visas

British nationals don’t need a visa to enter Georgia for visits of up to 1 year. If you wish to stay for longer, you’ll need to apply for a long term visa. Contact the Embassy of Georgia in London or visit the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for more details on entry requirements.

If you’re living in Georgia you should contact the Justice House or Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia for advice.

Passport validity

Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required.

Travelling with medicines

Georgia has a very strict anti-drugs policy, which can also cover prescription and non-prescription drugs or medicines, otherwise commonly available in the UK and the European Union. For example, non-prescription medicines containing codeine are illegal in Georgia. This can cause serious problems for travellers and in some cases lead to administrative and criminal proceedings. Before travelling, check Georgia’s medication importation regulations on the Ministry of Health website

If you intend to travel with prescription medicine, you must carry a doctor’s prescription and ideally the original packaging. See Health

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