Horseback Riding Tour 5–6 Hours in the Kazbegi Region

It is SkyAtlantida's longest riding format: a full mountain day on the trails of the Kazbegi region with a gentle climb, wide valleys and the greatest number of viewpoints. It is chosen by couples, photographers, slow-travel fans and anyone for whom the mountains are the main event of the day rather than a quick stop.

Plan on 5–6 hours on the route plus 30 minutes for the meeting, getting to know your horse and the briefing. You start over gentle terrain, then wider panoramas open up gradually; along the way the guide makes stops where you can dismount, stretch, drink and eat — how many and where depends on the day. The final section and the finishing point depend on weather and season — they are confirmed in advance and refined on the spot.

The start is Kobi in summer or Arsha in winter, then mountain trails with a gentle climb, open valleys and high-mountain views of Kazbegi. The safety briefing page refers to this format as the long route toward the Truso Valley, but the final layout and finishing point are not fixed in advance: the provider sets them according to weather, trail conditions and season.

Technical experience is not required: the pace is calm with no galloping, and the horse is matched to your level. What matters more is being ready to spend most of the day in the saddle and to handle hours of load on your back and legs. If it is your very first time on a horse, it is more honest to start with 45 minutes or 3–4 hours — this route does not forgive 'let me just try and see'.

Moderately fit: you should be able to walk comfortably for several hours and have no knee, hip or lower-back issues. Fatigue accumulates — the fifth hour feels noticeably harder than the second. After a long day in the saddle most people feel their inner thighs and lower back for 1–3 days: stretching before and after, dismounting at stops, a correct seat and anti-chafing cream all reduce it. Plan an easy programme for the next day.

Breaks are essential on a long route — for rest, water, snacks and photos; dismount and remount only on the guide's instruction and with their help, and if you tire earlier, say so and the pace will be adjusted. There is no infrastructure on the trail: a toilet at the start point before departure and 'nature stops' along the way. Mobile signal can drop in the valleys — warn your family and save the confirmation offline; SkyAtlantida is reachable from 09:00 to 21:00.

A 1–1.5 litre bottle per person (there is spring water along the route — included, you can refill), a proper snack (sandwiches, nuts, fruit, bars), sunscreen and a hat, a light waterproof jacket, a warm layer even in summer, a power bank, your phone in a zipped pocket and a small backpack that sits snugly. There are no shops or cafés on the route — everything you need must be with you.

Food is not included and is not sold on the route, so bring snacks; spring water along the route is available and included; the guide gives time to eat at stops. If you would like to arrange lunch boxes in advance or a meal after the ride, mention it at booking and we will check what is possible on your date.

Operating hours are 08:00–20:00 from 1 May to 30 October (last ride at 19:00) and 10:00–18:00 from 1 November to 30 April (last ride at 17:00). For 5–6 hours we recommend the earliest possible start — it leaves a margin of daylight and weather, and afternoon visibility in the mountains often worsens. With the drive, the meeting and the ride itself it is nearly a full day: do not plan other activities or a tight evening transfer.

In one mountain day you can get sun, wind, rain and a sharp drop in temperature — dress in layers and keep your jacket in the backpack. The guide may shorten the route, change the order of stops or the finishing point; there is no compensation for a route shortened by weather. If it is unsafe before the start — free reschedule or a deposit refund minus bank fees (5–10 working days).

Available year-round. It is a long ride in the mountains, so please dress for the weather: in the cold season — warm layers, a hat, gloves, waterproof outerwear and sturdy closed shoes; in summer — sun protection, a light jacket and water. We want you to enjoy every hour of the ride. In winter the base is Arsha, hours are 10:00–18:00 (last ride at 17:00) and the trail and pace depend on snow, so the layout may be shorter; insulated boots, gloves and a hat are needed. The provider makes the go/no-go decision on the day.

From 4 to 75 — on their own horse (minors with parental permission); children aged 2–3 — in a carrier backpack with the rider, 199 GEL, under the responsibility of the rider. Weight limit — up to 110 kg; it is a safety requirement, so message us in advance if you are close to it. Parents or guardians are responsible for children; if a child behaves unsafely for themselves or the group, the instructor may remove them from the activity with the full payment retained.

From 4 to 75 — on their own horse (minors with parental permission); children aged 2–3 — in a carrier backpack with the rider, 199 GEL, under the responsibility of the rider. Parents or guardians are responsible for children; if a child behaves unsafely for themselves or the group, the instructor may remove them from the activity with the full payment retained.

Three layers: base layer, fleece, wind- and waterproof jacket; long sturdy trousers without thick inner seams; closed shoes with a small heel or trekking boots; gloves (hands on the reins get tired and windburnt), a cap or buff for the sun, sunglasses. In winter — insulated boots, a warm jacket and a hat; gear can be arranged in advance via the ski school and rental page.

Current prices by format are in the "Formats & prices" block above. Deposit: 150 GEL / 50 EUR per horse. It secures the booking and is part of the price; the balance is paid on site. In bad weather or a safety cancellation — a free reschedule, or a refund minus bank fees and services already provided (5–10 business days). No-show or guest-initiated cancellation — the deposit is not refunded.

Included: SkyAtlantida organisation and coordination, advance confirmation of time and meeting point, route logistics, a prepared horse, briefing and accompaniment throughout the route by the independent provider, spring water along the route. Not included: transfer to Arsha/Kobi (per car: from Gudauri and from Stepantsminda 179/199/249 GEL, from Tbilisi 299/349/399 GEL there and back; waiting — 80 GEL per hour), food, insurance, professional photo/video (+149 GEL per horse on request), personal expenses and any service not confirmed at booking.

The earlier the better: a 5–6 hour tour means arranging horses, a guide and full-day logistics, so 'for tomorrow' requests are harder to confirm. Message WhatsApp +995 597 035 421 or Telegram @SkyAtlantida_AI_Manager_bot with the date, number of riders, names, each rider's weight and experience, children's ages and whether you need a transfer; after the 150 GEL / 50 EUR per-horse deposit we send the confirmation with the point and time. We reply daily 09:00–21:00 (GMT+4).

In bad weather or unsafe conditions — free reschedule or a deposit refund minus bank fees and any services already rendered within 5–10 working days. Cancellation at your request follows the terms and refund policy; tell us as early as possible, which matters especially for the long format. Being more than 15 minutes late may cost the slot — horses and a guide booked for a whole day are hard to rebook.

Stables: summer (16 May–9 October) — Kobi, winter (10 October–15 May) — Arsha; map links are above. For the long route the start point and time depend on season, road and weather and can change up to the last day, so come only to the point confirmed on WhatsApp, 30 minutes before the start. Transfer is not included — a private one can be arranged on request, priced separately.

The best shots are at stops and viewpoints, which this route has the most of; while moving keep your phone in a zipped pocket and never drop the reins for a selfie. Bring a power bank: 5–6 hours of shooting and navigation drain a phone. Professional photo/video is available on request at +149 GEL per horse.

Pregnant guests and anyone with spine, knee or hip problems, cardiovascular conditions or recent surgery or injury — consult a doctor first and let us know. Riding under the influence is excluded. Over 70 — we recommend checking with your doctor; the final admission decision is made by the provider on the day.

Insurance is not included and is strongly recommended. The policy should explicitly cover horseback riding and be valid in Georgia; for a long route, evacuation cover from remote terrain is useful. Check the exclusions yourself — riding without cover remains your own responsibility.

SkyAtlantida handles bookings on WhatsApp in English and Russian. The local guide's language is confirmed at booking — trail commands are simple and shown by gesture, and we stay reachable during the day.

Yes, if you want the mountains to be the main event of the day: more viewpoints, wide valleys, high-mountain atmosphere and the feeling of a real journey rather than a scheduled activity. No, if it is your first long ride, your day is packed or you have health doubts — then 3–4 hours gives almost the same panoramas with less strain.

A helmet is mandatory and included — we provide it on site before the briefing.

Transfer from your hotel to Arsha/Kobi and back — on request, per car for 1–2 / 3–4 / 5–6 people: from Gudauri and from Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) 179 / 199 / 249 GEL. The car picks you up at the hotel, brings you to the location, waits for the whole ride and returns you to the same point (or elsewhere by arrangement). If pick-up and drop-off points differ, the price is confirmed at booking. From Tbilisi — 299 / 349 / 399 GEL per car, there and back; waiting — 80 GEL per hour. Transfer deposit — 60 GEL / 20 EUR.