Horse Riding Tour in Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) — Riding to Gergeti
A horse riding tour in Stepantsminda shows the Kazbegi mountains from a different angle — not through a car window but from the saddle, across an alpine valley beneath the 5,000-metre Mount Kazbek. The ride on calm local horses heads toward the foot of the Holy Trinity church at Gergeti, through meadows and mountain streams. No riding experience is needed — the horses are gentle and an instructor is with you.
Price
from ₾240
Duration
11–12 hours
Group
up to 7 people
Departure
07:30
Language
English
Format
Private tour
Written by Timur, private tours in Tbilisi since 2015 · 460+ tours · rating 4.9/5
Why choose this tour
Private car from Tbilisi along the scenic Georgian Military Road
A horse ride through the Gergeti valley beneath Mount Kazbek
Calm local horses and an instructor — no experience required
Views of the famous Holy Trinity church at Gergeti from the saddle
Stops at Ananuri fortress and the Gudauri viewpoint on the way
Group up to 7 people — flexible pace, jeep option if you prefer not to ride
In short: Horse Riding Tour in Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) — from ₾240 per person. Small group, private guide from Sakhva Travel, direct booking with no agency fees.
Riding the Gergeti Valley
The heart of the tour is the ride through the valley near Stepantsminda. The horses are local and calm, used to visitors, so no experience is required: before setting off the instructor shows you the basics and then you simply enjoy the scenery.
The route follows alpine meadows and mountain streams toward the foot of the Gergeti church — somewhere a car cannot bring you this close or this beautifully.
Mount Kazbek and the Trinity Church
The Holy Trinity church at Gergeti (14th century) stands on a hill at 2,170 metres, with the snow-capped Kazbek (5,054 m) rising behind it. It is one of Georgia's most iconic views.
On horseback you approach this view gradually, and the mountain seems to grow in front of you — a very different feeling from arriving by jeep.
The Georgian Military Road
The journey to Kazbegi is a sight in itself: Ananuri fortress above its turquoise reservoir, the switchbacks of Gudauri and the colourful Friendship of Nations arch with its panorama of the gorge.
We stop at the best viewpoints, so the road becomes part of the tour rather than just a transfer.
Timur's insider tip
Ride the Gergeti valley precisely for the slow approach to Kazbek: the mountain reveals itself gradually until it fills the whole horizon — you do not get that from a car. Set off early: by midday Kazbek often disappears into cloud, so I schedule the ride before lunch for the best chance of a clear summit. If you would rather not ride, we drive up to the Gergeti church by jeep and you enjoy the same views without the saddle.
Detailed itinerary
This is a combined tour: a transfer along the Georgian Military Road with viewpoint stops, plus a horse ride in Stepantsminda. The drive takes about three hours each way, so we leave in the morning.
The riding section is tailored to the group: beginners get a gentle walk through the valley with an instructor, while confident riders can have a more active route. If you prefer not to ride, we arrange a jeep up to Gergeti instead.
07:30Departure from Tbilisi — hotel pickup, north on the Georgian Military Road
09:00Ananuri fortress — stop at the fortress on the Zhinvali reservoir
10:30Gudauri viewpoint — panorama of the switchbacks and the Friendship of Nations arch
12:00Stepantsminda — arrival in Kazbegi, getting ready to ride
12:30Horse ride — through the valley toward the foot of the Gergeti church, views of Kazbek
14:00Lunch — Khevi home cooking in Stepantsminda (₾25–35, not included)
15:00Return drive — back along the Military Road
~19:30Arrival — drop-off at your hotel
Included
Private transfer from Tbilisi and back
Personal guide (English)
Stops at Ananuri and the Gudauri viewpoint
Accompaniment to the horse ride
Views of Kazbek and Gergeti
Bottled water
Not included
Meals and drinks
Horse hire and instructor (paid on site)
Personal shopping and souvenirs
Prefer the classic Kazbegi day trip with the church but without riding?
The tour starts from your hotel in Tbilisi — Timur picks you up in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. Groups are a maximum of 7 people. The riding section suits all levels, and a jeep alternative to Gergeti is available. Payment is in Georgian Lari (₾). Booking is through WhatsApp.
When to book
Horse rides run roughly May to October, weather permitting. Book a few days ahead in high season. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before; in poor weather we switch to the jeep option or reschedule.
What to bring
Long trousers and closed shoes for riding
A warm jacket — it is colder and windier near Kazbek
Sunscreen and sunglasses for the high-altitude sun
Camera — the ride toward Kazbek is unforgettable
Best time to visit
May to October for the horse rides, when the valley is clear. Mornings give the best chance of a cloud-free Mount Kazbek.
Book the Stepantsminda Horse Riding Tour
Private tour from ₾240 · Up to 7 people · Timur answers within 1 hour
No. The horses are local and calm, used to visitors. Before you set off the instructor gives a short briefing and accompanies the group along the route.
What if I do not want to get on a horse?
Then we arrange a jeep up to the Gergeti church and you enjoy the same views of Kazbek without riding. The programme is flexible.
When are the horse rides available?
Roughly May to October, depending on weather and the state of the valley. There are no rides in winter.
I don’t like group tours, so I was very glad to find out that SakhvaTravel can put together an individual trip. They picked a route to our wishes, suggested beautiful spots and organised everything without any fuss. Georgia is in our hearts now, we will definitely come back. (translated from Russian)
Regina — Google, September 2026
★★★★★
Saba, our guide and driver, was wonderful. He was on time, knowledgeable, and provided a memorable day for us.
Ralph Grunewald — Google, September 2026
★★★★★
I want to single out the organisation. Everything was explained in detail before the trip, questions were answered quickly, and they stayed in touch during the journey too. That matters a lot to me, because I don’t like holidays where I have to sort out a hundred organisational issues myself. With SakhvaTravel everything went smoothly. (translated from Russian)
