1 Day Horse Riding Adventure in Borjomi Mountains

Quiet trails reward patient riders. This full-day trip from Tbilisi takes you into Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, where you spend about 4 to 5 hours on horseback among forests, valleys, and mountain terrain. I like the small group size, limited to five people, and the personal care shown by guide Soso and driver Gocha. The main drawback is that the rough ground limits galloping, so this is more of a steady mountain ride than a fast horse adventure.

I also like that the trip works for beginners. One rider had only ridden a few times, while another had never ridden before, yet both described the day as smooth and rewarding. You should still expect a long time in the saddle, some basic communication challenges in English, and a day built around scenery and quiet rather than a packed schedule.

Key points about the Borjomi horseback trip

• About 4 to 5 hours in the saddle: This is a serious half-day ride, not a short photo stop with a horse.
• Small groups of up to five: The limited group size allows a calmer pace and more direct help from the guide.
• Beginners are welcome: The activity is suitable for all riding levels, including people with little or no experience.
• Likani is the starting point: A private car takes you from Tbilisi to Likani, where you meet the horses and riding team.
• Borjomi-Kharagauli offers changing scenery: Expect dense forest, open mountain views, valleys, and varied ground.
• Galloping is limited: The terrain favors walking and controlled riding, with the scenery taking center stage.

Why this ride works for a day outside Tbilisi

Tbilisi has plenty of history, food, and city energy, but Georgia rewards you when you leave the capital. This trip gives you a full day in the Borjomi mountains without requiring you to arrange several separate pieces of transport, guides, and equipment.

The draw is not a single famous viewpoint. It is the steady change in setting as you move through Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. The park covers a large area in the Lesser Caucasus, with mountain ground, wooded stretches, and valleys. From horseback, you travel at a pace that lets you notice the shape of the trail and the feel of the surrounding country.

I think the strongest appeal is the sense of quiet and separation. The park’s size helps the ride feel removed from city life. You are not being hurried from one attraction to another. You are spending much of the day with the horses, the guide, and the terrain.

The trip also has an appealing human side. Gocha, the driver, and Soso, the horse handler, have been praised for their punctuality, kindness, and love of Georgian culture and horses. Their English is limited, but their effort to communicate is part of the experience. If you need a highly polished English-speaking tour, keep that in mind. If you value warmth and patience, the personal welcome may matter more than perfect conversation.

Leaving Tbilisi for Likani

The day begins with pickup at your hotel in Tbilisi. A private car takes you toward Likani, a short journey before the riding begins. This arrangement is useful because you do not need to find your own way to the horse meeting point or organize a separate return.

The transport is part of the value of the $155 price. You are paying for a private vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, and the riding experience itself. Food and drinks are not included, so you need to plan for those separately. The supplied details do not specify a meal stop, so do not treat this as a food-focused day.

Morning departure is important. The ride lasts much of the day, and your time on horseback is expected to reach four or five hours. You will want to begin with a sensible breakfast and be ready for a long period outdoors. Since the exact start time depends on availability, check the schedule before booking.

When you reach Likani, you meet the horses and the riding team. The change from car to saddle is a clear transition: the road journey gets you to the park area, then the pace slows to that of the animals. That slower pace is exactly what makes the setting feel peaceful, but it also means you should not expect a quick transfer from one viewpoint to the next.

Meeting the horses and starting the ride

This tour is designed for all riding levels, which makes the first part especially important. If you are a beginner, you can expect the guide to help you get settled and understand the basics before the group moves farther into the park.

The experience is a good fit for someone who has ridden only a few times. It also suits a first-time rider who wants more than a short arena session. One first-time participant described the ride as smooth, while another person with limited experience said the trip pushed them slightly outside their comfort zone in a positive way.

That said, a beginner-friendly tour is not the same as a completely effortless one. Four to five hours on a horse is a long sitting period, especially if this is your first ride. The terrain may also feel more demanding than a flat riding field. You should be comfortable with a slow, steady outdoor activity and ready to listen closely to the guide.

The guide’s care for the horses is another point in the tour’s favor. Soso is described as someone who clearly loves and looks after the animals. That matters because a good horse-riding day depends on more than scenery. Calm horses, a patient handler, and sensible pacing make a large difference to how confident you feel.

Into Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park

Once the ride moves into the park, the setting becomes the main event. Borjomi-Kharagauli includes dense forest, mountain ground, valleys, and open areas with broad views. You are not simply following one type of trail for hours. The changing terrain gives the ride visual variety.

The forest sections should feel enclosed and quiet, with the horses setting a natural rhythm. Open stretches allow wider views across the mountains. One of the most praised parts of the experience is reaching higher ground and seeing the country from above. Those views are especially rewarding because you arrive there under your own pace, rather than stepping out of a car at a viewpoint.

The park is also known for rare animal and plant species. That does not mean you are guaranteed to see wildlife. You might spot something unusual, but the real value is being in a protected area with varied plant life and a broad natural setting. Keep your expectations realistic: this is a horseback journey through nature, not a dedicated wildlife-watching excursion.

The word adventure fits, but only if you understand the kind of adventure involved. The tour does not promise speed. Galloping is limited by the ground, so most of your time is likely to be spent at a controlled pace. Riders looking for fast runs may find the outing too gentle. Riders who want time to enjoy the mountains will probably appreciate that limit.

What four to five hours on horseback feels like

The length of the ride gives you more contact with the park than a short trail outing. You have time to move beyond the starting area and experience several types of ground. You also have time for the quiet to settle in, which is a major part of the attraction.

But the duration should influence your decision. If you are not used to riding, your legs and seat may feel tired by the end. The tour is suitable for beginners, yet suitability does not remove the physical reality of sitting on a horse for half a day.

Wear practical clothing that allows movement and suits outdoor conditions. The provided details do not list a clothing requirement, so I would avoid treating any particular item as mandatory. Still, comfortable clothes and sensible footwear are the reasonable choice for a long ride through mountain terrain.

Because food and drinks are excluded, bring or arrange what you need according to the operator’s instructions. The supplied information does not confirm where or when you can eat, so it is wise to ask before departure rather than assume lunch is provided.

The ride’s calm pace can also help first-time riders. You have less pressure to control a fast-moving horse, and the guide can focus on keeping the group together. If your goal is to learn advanced riding skills, this is not the right setting. If your goal is to enjoy a real mountain ride without needing expert ability, it makes much more sense.

The guide, driver, and small-group feel

A group capped at five people is one of the practical strengths of this outing. A small party is easier to manage on horseback, especially when riders have different levels of experience. It also gives you more room to ask questions or receive help.

The team’s attitude has made a strong impression. Gocha is described as punctual, friendly, and eager to share Georgian culture and history. Soso is praised for his care of the horses and his patient guidance. These details give the tour a more personal character than a large commercial ride.

You should know that communication in English can be limited. English and Russian are available, but the driver and guide may not speak much English in practice. Several people found that kindness, gestures, and a shared interest in Georgia and horses filled the gap. That may work well for you if you are flexible. If you need lengthy explanations about every part of the route, ask about the language situation before you reserve.

The limited group size also supports the feeling of seclusion. You are not moving with a large line of riders. In a quiet mountain setting, that makes a noticeable difference.

The return to Tbilisi

After the riding portion, the car takes you back to Tbilisi. The return is straightforward, with hotel drop-off included. By this point, you may be tired from the hours in the saddle, so having private transport is more comfortable than arranging public connections after the ride.

The return drive also gives the day a clean shape. You leave the city in the morning, spend the central part of the day in the park, and return without changing hotels or carrying luggage. For someone using Tbilisi as a base, that is a practical way to see the Borjomi mountains.

Do not expect a late-night expedition or a multi-day wilderness stay. This is a one-day outing with a defined transfer, riding period, and return. Its value comes from the quality of that one day, not from a long list of stops.

Is $155 a fair price?

At $155 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Georgian countryside. The price makes more sense when you count the private car, hotel pickup and drop-off, a small group, the guide, the horse, and four to five hours in the park.

You are also buying convenience. Without this arrangement, you would need to reach Likani, find a horse-riding provider, organize a return, and handle the timing yourself. The private transport removes much of that work.

The value is strongest for people who want a full outdoor day and would otherwise need to arrange several services. It is weaker for anyone who wants only a short ride, a fast gallop, or a low-cost transfer to Borjomi. Since lunch and drinks are not included, add those costs when setting your budget.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and the option to reserve without paying immediately make the booking less rigid. Still, the essential question is not flexibility. It is whether four to five hours on horseback in a quiet mountain setting sounds like a good use of your day.

Who should book this horseback adventure?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time riders who want a supported outdoor experience
• Riders with basic experience who prefer mountain scenery to speed
• Couples or small groups looking for a peaceful day outside Tbilisi
• People who value personal guides and local connection
• Nature lovers who enjoy forests, valleys, and mountain views
• Anyone happy to spend several hours at a walking or controlled riding pace

I would be more cautious if you want frequent galloping, a detailed English-language talk throughout the day, or a short and easy activity. The terrain limits speed, and communication may require patience.

The tour also suits people who are comfortable with uncertainty in a natural setting. The park is large and varied, but the exact feel of the ride can change with the season and trail conditions. Late-season rides can still be beautiful, as one October participant found, but you should expect the experience to depend partly on the time of year.

Final call: should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a slow, personal horse ride through the Borjomi mountains, with private transport and a small group. The strongest reasons are the peaceful setting, beginner-friendly approach, kind staff, and long time in the park. The care shown by Gocha and Soso adds something that a standard riding session often lacks.

Skip it if your idea of a horse adventure means racing across open ground. Galloping is limited, the ride lasts several hours, and English communication may be basic. For the right person, though, the slower pace is not a flaw. It is what lets you notice the forests, views, horses, and silence.

FAQ

Where does the horse riding trip begin?

The tour includes pickup from Tbilisi, followed by private transport to Likani, where you meet the horses and the riding team.

How long do I spend on horseback?

You spend approximately 4 to 5 hours on horseback during the visit to Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The activity is described as suitable for riders of all skill levels, including people with very limited or no previous riding experience.

Can I gallop during the ride?

Galloping possibilities are limited because of the terrain. The experience is mainly a controlled ride through the park.

What is included in the $155 price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, private transportation by car, and the horse riding tour.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the activity price.

What languages are available?

The listed tour languages are English and Russian. Communication in English may be limited with the driver and guide.

How many people can join the group?

The group is limited to five participants.