Tbilisi: Kakheti Horse Riding, Wine Tasting, and Cooking …

Horses, caves, and khinkali in one day. I love how this Kakheti trip stitches together horse riding with real Georgian food skills, not just sightseeing. What makes it interesting is the flow, you ride first for the big views, then you go underground at the Kvareli Wine Cave and end with dinner made by you.

I’m also a fan of how hands-on the Georgian cooking part is. You don’t just watch, you learn bread in a Tone, shape and fill khachapuri, dip churchkhela, grill mtsvadi, and wrap khinkali, then you sit down and eat the result.

One possible drawback to plan around: it’s a full day with a 2-hour ride, and it’s not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.

Key highlights to know before you go

• A 2-hour horseback ride through Kakheti from Qedeli, with views toward Sighnaghi, the Alazani Valley, and the Caucasus Mountains
• Bodbe Monastery and ancient churches show up along the riding route, so culture is part of the ride, not a separate chore
• Kvareli Wine Cave is 7.7 km long, a tunnel-shaped cellar that’s used for major wine storage
• Wine tasting plus chacha, with tasting and learning about the wine-making process
• Cooking masterclass that goes step by step, from Tone bread to khachapuri, churchkhela, mtsvadi, and khinkali

A Kakheti day from Tbilisi that stays fun, not rushed

This is a classic “one-day, big taste of the region” format. You start with pickup from your hotel in Tbilisi and travel out to Kakheti, where the day is structured around three different kinds of activity: moving (horseback), tasting (wine cave), and making (Georgian cooking).

I like this order because it matches your energy. Horses first means you’re fresh for the physical part. Then the wine cave and cooking happen after, when your day can shift into calmer, indoor hands-on learning and eating.

It’s a private group, so the pace feels more flexible than a crowded group tour. And the fact that the guide and instructor work in English helps a lot if you want to understand what you’re seeing and cooking, not just follow along with silence.

Horseback from Qedeli: views, churches, and real Kakheti terrain

The day begins when you meet your guide and your horse in Qedeli. The ride itself lasts about 2 hours, and it’s designed so people with different comfort levels can join. The horses are trained Caucasian horses, and the guides are local and experienced, which matters for confidence on uneven ground.

What you get out of the ride is not just movement, it’s scenery with context. You’re traveling through hills and valleys on picturesque trails, and the route offers views toward Sighnaghi, the Alazani Valley, and the Caucasus Mountains. That mix of valley, town, and mountain views is one of Kakheti’s signature ways of looking at the region.

I also like that the ride isn’t only about scenery. Along the way you pass half-abandoned villages and ancient churches. Those stops give the ride texture, you can connect what you see outside the car to older Georgian life patterns, even if you’re moving at a steady horseback pace.

Practical tip: wear closed, comfortable shoes. You’ll want solid footing for getting on and off, and you’ll be glad you brought something you can walk in afterward.

Bodbe Monastery and old churches: culture built into the route

Bodbe Monastery is one of the recognized names tied to this riding experience. Instead of treating it like a separate excursion, the day folds it into the horseback route, which makes the cultural stop feel like part of the landscape story.

Even if you only have a short window there, it’s the kind of place that rewards a slower pause. When you see monasteries and church structures from a moving route, they feel more grounded in their surroundings, not plopped into a photo spot.

This is also where the “all skill levels” claim makes sense in practice. If you’re not a confident rider, you still get the benefit of the planned route and guided stops. The point is not to test your riding ability, it’s to let you experience Kakheti from a different angle.

Kvareli Wine Cave: tasting in a 7.7 km underground world

After the ride, the day shifts to wine, and it does so in a big way. The Kvareli Wine Cave visit is tied to a major Georgian wine storage site, kept in a tunnel-shaped cellar that is 7.7 km long.

You’re not just walking a corridor for the novelty. The experience is built around learning and tasting. You’ll try different Georgian wines and also Georgian chacha, and you’ll participate in a tasting experience that includes discussion of the wine-making process.

I love cave tastings for one simple reason: they change how you pay attention. Wine stops being just a drink and becomes part of a bigger system, from storage conditions to how Georgian winemaking traditions translate into flavor.

One practical thing to plan for is your timing and pace. After horseback, you might still feel a bit warm or tired, so take your time during transitions. You’re spending real time tasting, and you’ll enjoy it more if you don’t rush through the learning part.

Georgian cooking masterclass: bread, khachapuri, churchkhela, mtsvadi, khinkali

This is the part that turns the day from scenic to personal. The cooking masterclass is structured as multiple mini skills, and you get to practice each one. It’s taught with English instruction, which helps if you want to understand what you’re doing and why.

Here’s what’s included in the hands-on learning:

• Baking bread in a Tone
• Baking khachapuri
• Dipping churchkhela
• Grilling mtsvadi
• Wrapping khinkali

Each item is a recognizable Georgian food theme, but the value is in the technique. For example, khachapuri is one thing when you order it in a restaurant, and another when you shape it yourself. Same with khinkali wrapping, it’s the kind of skill that makes you understand the shape and texture more than you would from a plate alone.

If you’re the type who loves food but gets tired of tours where you only watch, this part is for you. You’re actively involved, and it gives you something real to remember later, a practical memory of how Georgian food is made.

One small consideration: this section is hands-on. Wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting a little messy, and keep your water bottle handy for breaks.

The dinner you make: eating Georgian dishes with new context

The day ends with a traditional Georgian dinner made from the dishes you’ve prepared. This is where the earlier work pays off. When you taste what you shaped, you notice details you might miss otherwise, like the balance of flavors that come from the dough, the filling, and the final cooking steps.

I like that the dinner is not separate from the class. It’s the natural finish line, the point where you can slow down and enjoy. You’ll be able to compare your own effort to what you expected, and you get to appreciate the craft without needing to be a chef.

Food and drink beyond what’s mentioned in the day are not included, so if you’re someone who likes extra drinks with meals, plan on paying for those separately.

Price and value: what $235 per person really buys

At about $235 per person for a full day, you’re paying for a bundled experience that would be hard to replicate at the same quality level on your own. The value comes from four big components that are included:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tbilisi
• Private transportation
• Horse riding tour
• Wine tasting plus Georgian food masterclass and dinner

The horseback part has built-in costs that are easy to underestimate, trained horses, local guiding, and a planned route with stops. The wine cave time has its own specialist access and tasting format. Then the cooking masterclass adds multiple teaching moments, not just a single demo.

To me, the strongest “value” argument is not that it’s cheap. It’s that it’s efficient. You get multiple Georgian experiences tightly grouped into one day, and you don’t waste time coordinating ingredients, timing, and transfers across separate vendors.

It also helps that it’s a private group. That typically means you’re less likely to feel like you’re being rushed or squeezed between strangers while you’re trying to learn hands-on food skills.

What to bring for a comfy ride and a great wine and cooking day

This day asks you to move, then taste, then cook. Pack accordingly so you’re not fighting discomfort while you’re trying to enjoy Kakheti.

Bring:

• Comfortable shoes
• A hat
• A camera
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Comfortable clothes

Also, be smart about how you dress for the horseback part. You’ll want clothing that works for sitting and moving on trails, not something stiff or too light. And if you’re carrying a bag, keep it simple so you can focus during transitions between the ride, the wine cave, and the cooking rooms.

If you fall into the “not suitable” category, listen to that advice. Pregnant women and people with back problems are not a good fit for horseback.

English-led guidance and a private pace that makes learning easier

The instruction is in English, which is a real quality boost for this kind of tour. With wine tastings, the ability to understand what you’re learning adds meaning to the flavors. With cooking, English instruction keeps the steps clear, especially for skills like Tone bread and khinkali wrapping.

Private group format also changes the vibe. Instead of blending into a mass schedule, you can ask questions during tasting and while learning techniques, without feeling like you’re holding up a big crowd.

For people who want one day that feels structured but not mechanical, this setup hits a nice balance.

Should you book Kakheti horseback, wine tasting, and Georgian cooking?

If you want a day that mixes physical scenery with real cultural skills, I think this is a strong choice. The horseback ride gives you Kakheti from horseback, with views toward Sighnaghi, the Alazani Valley, and the Caucasus Mountains. The Kvareli Wine Cave adds a serious wine setting, with a 7.7 km tunnel-shaped cellar and tastings that include chacha. Then the cooking masterclass turns everything into something you actively do, from bread in a Tone to khinkali wrapping, followed by dinner made from your own work.

You should skip or look for another option if horseback riding is a no-go for you, especially if you’re pregnant or have back problems. And be honest about your comfort level sitting for 2 hours.

One extra note that people seem to love is the quality of the day’s support, including the standout helpfulness of drivers like Dima, who makes the transitions feel smooth and informative. In a tour with multiple stops, that kind of calm competence matters.

FAQ

How long is the horseback riding portion?

The horseback riding portion is about 2 hours.

Where does the horse tour start?

The ride starts from the village of Qedeli.

What is included in the wine tasting?

You’ll do wine tasting at the Kvareli Wine Cave, and you’ll also try Georgian chacha.

What makes the Kvareli Wine Cave special?

The Kvareli Wine Cave is described as the largest storage of Georgian wines kept in a 7.7 km long tunnel-shaped wine cellar.

What cooking skills are taught during the masterclass?

You participate in hands-on Georgian cooking lessons that include baking bread in a Tone, baking khachapuri, dipping churchkhela, grilling mtsvadi, and wrapping khinkali.

Is the group private?

Yes, it’s a private group.

Is there English instruction?

Yes, the instructor is listed as English.

What is included in the price?

Pickup and drop-off, private transportation, the horse riding tour, wine tasting, and the Georgian food masterclass and dinner are included.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a hat, a camera, sunscreen, water, and comfortable clothes.

Who is this tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems.

FAQ

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is there a reserve now and pay later option?

Yes, there is a reserve now & pay later option where you can book your spot and pay nothing today.

Final call: who this trip fits best

Book this Kakheti experience if you want one day that combines horseback views, a major Georgian wine setting at the 7.7 km Kvareli Wine Cave, and a hands-on cooking class that ends in the dinner you made. If you need a low-impact day or you cannot do horseback riding, don’t force it. Choose something gentler instead, and save your energy for the wine tasting and Georgian food in a format that fits your body.