The excitement of riding in Svaneti is in just one word: authentic. You ride the trails the locals ride when they tend to the cattle or go hunting, the horses are the same ones that work in the households and even the gear is just what the owner uses when he is off hunting or after his herd. How much closer to the real thing can you get?
You don’t need to be an experienced rider to do these tours. Actually, it’s a good opportunity to try riding! In the mountains the trails are not suited for gallop, so the tours are mostly walking-pace ones. In places you may have to dismount and lead the horse (especially downhill on slippery bits), but generally local horses know how to choose the best route.
Please note that we are NOT providing safety helmets or any special tourist gear.
Horse tours
You can do either multi-day riding itineraries of 3 days and longer, or include a day or two of riding in your trekking or jeep tour, we are quite flexible with this. Most of the horse rides are conveniently done as 1-day radial tours from Mestia as your base, but some are a bit too far for this and it is better to do them as part of a multi-day riding/trekking itinerary with overnights outside Mestia.
Prices
Group of 2-3 riders, price range depends on the routes:
3-day riding itinerary: 505 – 620 EUR per person
5-day riding itinerary: 850 – 1035 EUR per person
7-day riding itinerary: 1200 – 1450 EUR per person
10 % DISCOUNT for groups of 4 and more riders
Includes:
- 3/5/7 overnights in guest houses (double room, private bathroom where available)
- breakfast and dinner daily
- all transport on the itinerary (drop off and pick up)
- daily horse rent
- daily guiding
Transfer to and from Svaneti NOT included. Information on Transfers.
Bali Range
Duration: 3-4 hours riding
Start from: Mestia (drop-off and pick-up included)
Trail from: Latali
The trail starts in central Latali and goes up over Bali Range, the border between feudal Svaneti ruled by Dadeshkeliani family, and eastern Free Svaneti that has never known feudal rule. Great views of Latali, the Svaneti Range, Mt.Laila and glorious Ushba.
Mkheri
Duration: all day (5-6 hrs riding)
Start from: Mestia (drop-off and pick-up included)
Trail from: Latali
Archangel’s church of Mkheri is a tiny stone building located at 2500 m above sea level in an alpine meadow overlooking Latali – and half of Svaneti. The panorama is wonderful, but the climb up is not an easy one. The horseback version makes it faster and more fun.
Tanghili church
Duration: 3 hours
Start from: Mestia (drop-off and pick-up included)
Trail from: Latali
While this tiny church is definitely worth a visit, it is located on the top of a steep hill and requires some physical effort to reach. Take a horseback ride to enjoy the scenery of the Enguri valley and admire this…
Chizhdi pass
Duration: all day (6-7 hrs riding)
Start from: Mestia (drop-off and pick-up included)
Trail from: Tskhumari
Choose this tour in fair weather, and you will be rewarded with a stunning panorama of the Great Caucasus from Peak Stavler and Elbrus to Mt. Tetnuldi and the Bezengi wall from 2700 m…
Utviri Pass
Duration: all day (6-7 hrs riding)
Start from: Nakra
Trail from: Nakra
One of the most beautiful locations in Svaneti, some 50 km from Mestia, so it makes sense to stay overnight in Nakra and either do some more horse-riding and trekking or take a jeep-tour to Lakitanali plateau.
Meziri
Duration: 4 hours riding
Start from: Mestia (drop-off and pick-up included)
Trail from: Mazeri
Meziri is an alpine meadow over Mazeri, with a lake, a 10th century church devoted to the Archangel Michael and a spectacular view of Ushba and the Svaneti Range…
Becho waterfalls
Duration: 4 hours riding
Start from: Mestia (drop-off and pick-up included)
Trail from: Mazeri
The horses will take you to the foot of Becho waterfalls – the place where you best feel the energy of the biggest waterfall system in Georgia. If you are staying in Mazeri and…
Kvishi
Duration: all day (7-8 hrs riding)
Start from: Mazeri
Trail from: Mazeri
This tour takes you to another waterfall system that flows from under the impressive Dolra glacier on Dolratau to form the Dolra river. A small green lake is waiting for you there, as well as a view of Baki and Nakra…
Lakhiri
Duration: 4-5 hours riding
Start from: Mestia (drop-off and pick-up included)
Trail from: Zhamushi
This tour will take you through two lovely villages off the beaten tourist track: Zhamushi and Lakhiri. Amazing architecture of 10th-12th centuries, authentic village life, and a visit to Archangel’s church of Lakhiri…
Lakitanali plateau
Duration: all day (6-7 hrs riding)
Start from: Nakra
Trail from: Nakra
A long and very scenic trail from the valley of Nakra (50 km from Mestia) with amazing views of all Nakra valley, summits Shtavler, Kvarmash and the Svaneti range, and – in good weather – his majesty Elbrus.
Guli
Duration: 5 hours riding
Start from: Mestia
Trail from: Mazeri
Archangel’s church of Guli is located right over Mazeri, it used to be part of a small settlement, and you can still see the ruins of big Svan manors nearby. From the church the trail goes towards Guli pass…
Lemel
Duration: all day (5-7 hrs riding)
Start from: Mestia
Trail from: Becho
One of the loveliest panoramic horse-riding trails in Svaneti. This trail allows you to get as close to Ushba as possible without actually climbing. The path starts at river Guli…
Shkhara glacier
Duration: 4-5 hours
Start from: Ushguli
If you are staying overnight in Ushguli, it’s a good idea to take a horseback ride to Shkhara glacier. You ride out of Ushguli past Lamaria monastery to the north-east and follow Enguri river upstream…
multi-day routes
It is possible to do a 6-day itinerary from Etseri to Ushguli with overnights in different villages every day. This itinerary can be shortened to:
2-day route Etseri-Mazeri-Mestia (you can add a radial ride from Mazeri to Becho waterfalls as day 3)
4-day route Mestia-Tsvirmi/Zhabeshi-Adishi-Iphrali-Ushguli (you can add a radial ride to Adishi glacier from Adishi and an extra day in Ushguli to ride to Shkhara glacier).
These multi-day itineraries are for riders with some experience who are used to spending 5-6 hours in the saddle each day. Contact us if you would like to do a multi-day horse-riding itinerary in Svaneti.
