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Ride World Wide, Staddon Farm, North Tawton, Devon, EX20 2BX - UK. |
| Europe | Georgia: Tbilisi and the South | ||
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Read clients' testimonials for Georgia Tbilisi and the South |
General Description
Bordered by the Great Caucasus Range, The Black Sea, Russia and Turkey, Georgia's countryside is as unspoilt and beautiful as its history is fascinating and colourful. Alpine meadows, ancient forests and magical, abandoned monasteries overgrown with wild flowers are only accessible by horse or on foot. Georgia is the land of the Golden Fleece, a crossroads between east and west invaded throughout history by races such as the Greeks, the Romans, the Turks, the Mongols and the Russians. A blend of cultures, it also boasts many remarkable archaeological sites that are seldom visited by foreign tourists. Starting with the night in the capital Tbilisi, these rides follow a circular route to the south west, taking you deep into the hills, through high pasture, past summer encampments of shepherds and small rural villages. They are for those with a sense of adventure who are prepared to forgo many everyday luxuries, but a visit to this enthralling country is a must for anyone who enjoys exploring off the beaten track.
10 night itineraries are run from set dates between May and October. Other dates are available on request for groups.
Summary
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Riding: 5-7 hours a day. | ||
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Horses: TB, Akhal Tekhi and Arab crosses. | ||
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Pace: moderate/sometimes slow due to terrain. | ||
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Riding ability: confident intermediate riders and above. | ||
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Weight limit: 85 kg (13st 5lbs). | ||
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Accommodation: hotels, local guest houses and 2* camps. | ||
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Group size: max 8. |
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2008 Dates: |
2nd to 12th May | |
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Season: |
May to October | |
Horses and Riding
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. 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.
Hours: The 10 night trips include 8 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.
Pace and experience required: 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.
Accommodation
Accommodation for the first and last two nights is in a comfortable hotel or guest house in the capital Tblisi. 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.
Rates & Travel
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Rates 2008: |
10 nights - £1370; single supplement - £70 |
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Rates include - 10 nights twin accommodation, all riding, guiding and equipment, all meals except lunches and dinners in Tbilisi, some drinks when riding. | |
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Rates exclude - international flights / travel to Georgia, any visa fees, personal medical insurance (compulsory), extra drinks during the ride, your bar bill and any personal extras at hotels, lunches and dinners in Tbilisi and any tips you may wish to leave. |
Itinerary in Brief (10 nights)
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Day 1 |
Arrive Tbilisi airport. You will be met and driven to a hotel in Tbilisi. Dinner and the night in the hotel. |
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Day 2 |
Breakfast and time for some shopping & sightseeing in Tbilisi old town. Own arrangements for lunch & dinner. Night at a hotel in Tbilisi. |
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Day 3 |
Breakfast and a 2 hour drive to meet the horses. Set off riding through hay meadows full of wild flowers. Camp in walnut groves next to the 12th century Gudarekhi monastery. |
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Day 4 |
Ride up through ancient beech forest to high summer pastures. A picnic lunch in the woods before riding on to Bediani lake where camp is set up. |
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Day 5 |
Set off riding to the village of Dumanisi and then on, climbing steeply across open ridges with views of the southern Caucasus. Ride down from the ridge to Pitareti, another 12th century monastery where camp is set up. |
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Day 6 |
Leave Pitareti, crossing the Khrami river and on over the crest of the hill to the Azerbaijan village of Darbasi. Camp is set up close by. |
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Day 7 |
Set off through vast meadows of wildflowers to the fort of Patara Dmanisi. In the afternoon a chance to visit the fort before dinner and the night in a simple local guesthouse. |
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Day 8 |
Breakfast in the guesthouse, then ride on through woods to the summer pastures of the Azeri shepherds. Camp may be set up close to the shepherds' family tents. |
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Day 9 |
Ride on to the village of Georgiashvili where the night is spent in a simple local guesthouse. |
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Day 10 |
Ride on through woodland, stopping by the ruins of Zirbiti for lunch. After a siesta head on to Orbeti where you leave the horses and meet the cars that will drive you back to Tbilisi. Dinner and night in a hotel. |
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Day 11 |
Breakfast and transfer to the airport. |
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Contact us on 01837-82544 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and answers to questions |
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