Autumn Tusheti Transhumance

Meeting point at 9.30 am at your hotel in Tbilissi.

We drive to the Kakheti region. This region has many places of interest. I selected some of them to have an overview of the Georgian heritage (history, wine, religion and landscapes).

We start with “the new” Shumta: a church and a nunnery which has been built in the 16th century. The inside frescoes are quite well preserved. 

Then we drive to Telavi, the main city in Kakheti. 40 mn - 1 hour free time to stroll around. We will see the colorful local market, fortress of the last king of Kakheti, Erekle II and the little streets.

After a quick lunch (picnic), we go to Tsinandali, a village known for the estate and its historic winery which once belonged to the 19th-century aristocratic poet, linguist and wine maker Alexander Chavchavadze. We visit the beautiful house and the garden built in 1835.

We finish our tour visiting with Alaverdi Cathedral. Built on a pagan worship dedicated to the moon, this cathedral was re-built in the 11th century. This was the highest cathedral during the Soviet Union period and since the Samba construction in Tbilisi. 

Then we go to Laliskhuri, a small village located at the foot of the Caucasian Mountains where you are welcomed by a Tush family for the diner and the night. There we will be preparing for the expedition.

Riding: No riding

Overnight: guesthouse in Laliskhuri

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 2926 m high. The pass marks the border between the Tusheti and the Kakheti regions and offers some splendid panorama over them. 

We reach Gogrulta at the end of the day. 

Riding: 1 hour, trot/gallop is not possible

Walking: 40 min

Overnight: traditional house (no bathrooms, no electricity, no running water)

Gogrulta is located at the top of a small summit which offers some spectacular views. Accommodation is very typical and has stayed as it was before. It means absolutely no comfort but very authentic. 

The paganism in the Caucasus Region was still present until the middle of the 20th century. Many altars remains in Tusheti and some of their divinities like Otchopintre (god of nature) or Elia (god of weather) are still honoured. Almost of the Tush people were living there all the year until this period. They started to leave Tusheti after the construction of the road. 

The accommodation conditions are quite hard up there. But it remains magical! From Gogrulta there are a lot of riding possibilities. 

Depending on the weather conditions we ride over passes, crest or in the valley to Gometsari sleeping in Gogrulta.

Riding: 6-8 hours, trot/gallop possibility is depending on our way

Walking: 1-2,5 hours (depending on the ride)

Overnight: typical house

Today we explore the Gogrulta surroundings.

Riding: 6-8 hours, trot/gallop possibility is depending on our way

Walking: 1-2,5 hours (depending on the ride)

Overnight: typical house

We leave Gogrulta with the packhorses. 

We ride through Iliurta and along the Gometsari valley.

Riding through Djarboseli and reaching to Koklata. We see many defensive towers and pagan place on our way. 

The transhumance has already started. 

Riding: 6 hours, trot/gallop is not possible

Walking: 40 min

Overnight: typical house

We ride up to a 3000m high pass an we go on further on the crest. 
The panoramas are incredible giving us the possibility to overlook the Great Caucasus Chain. 
An amazing and long round trip offering at the start of the winter beautiful sceneries. 
We go back on foot (slope down) to Koklata and crossing some rivers. 

Walking: 1,5 hours

Riding: 8 hours

We gather the horses if there are some in Koklata and we drive them to Omalo.

We ride up to the last village of Tusheti before the border zone. 

Riding through Shenako, one of the few village where you could see a church. You will learn the way of life of the Tush people in the region. We visit it and ride further to the last village Diklo. 

Then we may go to the very old fortress. We ride back to Omalo and overnight there in a guesthouse. If the guesthouse is closed we will stay in a very simple hut. Please note that in this case there will be no shower, electricity or WC. 

Riding: 6-8 hours, a little trot/gallop is possible

Walking: 1-1,5 hour

Overnight: guesthouse (if closed, then a hut)

Transhumance from Tusheti to Argoxi (depending on the weather, if 9-10 days are not good, we will leave on Day 8 from Tusheti).

We start the transhumance from Gogrulta. The path we take depends on the conditions: either over the crest or through Omalo.

Riding: 5-13 hours (depending on the way), trot/gallop possibility is depending on the way

Walking: 0-2 hours

Overnight: tents or house (depending on the way)

Today can be a very long day. It is also possible to arrive at night. 

We start quite early. 

Upon arrival after the hard day you will enjoy the shower in Laliskhuri.

We have dinner with the local people. 

Riding: 5-13 hours (depending on the way), trot/gallop possibility is depending on the way

Walking: 0-2 hours

Overnight: guesthouse

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. 

Riding: No riding

Overnight: hotel ¾*

If the weather is not good enough, we will drive the horses down one day earlier. In that case we will either ride in Kakheti or go to Tbilisi, it depends on the conditions (It has never happened till now but there is always a first time! Everything is possible).

You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home, which is likely to depart in the early hours. Transfers are included provided your flight departs before 8 pm. 

Riding: No riding