Transhumance on horseback or driving the herd of horses

In Tusheti, about 10% of the population is pastoral and lives to the rhythm of transhumance. The semi-nomads come and go each year from the wintering places located in the semi-desert part of southern Georgia and more precisely in Kakheti near the Azerbaijani border to the summer pastures in Tusheti, the most secluded mountainous region of the Greater Caucasus. The shepherds and their flock of sheep, horses and dogs walk up to the mountains in May and come down in October. Less common, there is also a cattle transhumance taking place a bit later in June once the track is cleared from snow.

Spring equestrian transhumance from winter to summer pastures

During the winter, the horses are located an hour drive of Tbilisi at the gateway of the semi desert. In May, it’s time to bring the herd back to the summer pastures. This first part of the transhumance on horseback takes us through three ecosystems, from the semi-desert to the foot of the Greater Caucasus, passing over the Gombori Mountain range at 2000m high and the wine-growing plains of Kakheti region. This route offers extraordinary sceneries overlooking both semi desert Udabno and the Greater Caucasus. At the foot of the Caucasus Mountains we wait for the right moment to cross the most delicate part of this great equestrian expedition, the Abano pass which lies at almost 3000m high. We ride on the track cut into the cliffs along the magnificent canyon. Then, depending on the year, we still meet huge quantity of snow and drive the herd of horses on snowfields or snowy slopes together with the shepherds and their sheep. We enter the Tusheti région just waking up from its hibernation: the nature is exploding, the colours are bright, the torrents are fiery, the fauna is hyperactive, everything is gushing out. We ride on horseback through the beautiful mountain enclave and discover an authentic Tusheti that is still isolated from the rest of Georgia.

Winter transhumance and horseback riding from the mountain pastures to the semi-desert Udabno

As winter approaches we wait for the last moments to gather the horses scattered in the National Park and drive them to the plains. The Tusheti region is covered by yellow reddish beeches and birches forest. We ride with some parades of sheep and cattle escorted by shepherds and their dogs surrounded by snow-caped summits within a nature which is slowly falling asleep. The atmosphere is quiet and the warm colours make you
Once the horses are gathered we ride during two days to the lowlands. On daily program unforeseen events, incredible meetings, a life that would be impossible for you to live within two weeks of travelling. This transhumance is exhausting for the horses as well who deserve a good rest. We drive them afterwards to the winter pastures at the entrance of the fabulous Udabno desert with its multicoloured rock formations and monasteries dating back the 6th century.