Mysteries of the South Caucasus: Georgia

presents
Mysteries of the South Caucasus:
Georgia
What’s on the table?
A 10-day adventure through the Republic of Georgia. This is the
ultimate cultural experience!
When? January 2015. Specific dates to be set with demand.
Number of travelers capped at 10.
Pricing Schedule
•Minimum number of travelers: 4
•Price: $1850 per person.
•Refer a friend and get $100 off!
•Maximum number of travelers: 10
•Price does not include airfare and
mandatory traveler’s insurance.
Why Georgia?
The Republic of Georgia is located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia in
the heart of the Caucasus. It is surrounded by the Black Sea to the East,
Turkey and Armenia to the South, Azerbaijan to the Southeast, and Russia
to the North. Georgia is famous for its ancient history, delicious cuisine,
incredible natural beauty, hospitable people, and wine!
On this trip you will experience the soul of Georgian culture first hand.
You will travel from ancient cities to remote mountain villages, from the
highest peaks to the subtropical shores of the Black Sea. You will
experience masterpieces of human creation amongst the mind-blowing
natural scenery. Within Georgia lies a truly unique and unforgettable
adventure!
Basic Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Tbilisi International Airport. Pickup from airport and transfer to hotel. Rest and
acclimatization.
Day 2: Tbilisi city tour.
Day 3: Morning departure for Kutaisi. Visit to the Joseph Stalin Museum in Gori. Free-time for
exploration in Kutaisi.
Day 4: Excursion to historical/religious sites in Kutaisi. Visit to Prometheus Cave. Afternoon departure
for the mountainous region of Svanetia.
Day 5: Activities/excursions in Svanetia (a list of activities can be found in the coming slides). Expect
traditional Svan meals, dance, and music.
Day 6: Activities/excursions in Svanetia. Expect traditional Svan meals.
Day 7: Activities/excursions in Svanetia. Expect traditional Svan meals.
Day 8: Morning departure for Mtirala National Park. Sightseeing in Mtirala. Expect home cooked meals
and homemade wine!
Day 9: Departure for Batumi. Arrival at hotel/homestay. Sightseeing.
Day 10: Air/rail transport from Batumi to Tbilisi. Departure from Georgia.
What’s Included?
•Pickup/drop-off at the airport in Georgia.
•In country road travel with reliable private driver.
•The services of an experienced, English speaking guide from the U.S.
•Local tour guides at most sites.
•Accommodations at hotels/hostels/homestays.
•Entry fees to museums or other sites as per the itinerary.
•Cultural events, activities, and excursions as per the itinerary.
•17 meals w/homestay option (14 without homestay option). Some meals are not
provided to allow you to explore Georgian cuisine on your own.
•Personalized pre-departure consultations via Skype or in person.
•Packing list.
•Assistance with airfare arrangements.
*Mandatory traveler's insurance and airfare not included in trip price.
Meet your guide 
You will be guided on your expedition by professional adventurer Ryan Roccio. Ryan served in the United
States Marine Corps from 2005-2009. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2008. After getting out of the Corps,
he went to college, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Russian from Arizona State University and became
somewhat of a hippy. He then attended the Monterey Institute of International Studies where he received
his Master’s degree in International Policy Studies. Ryan speaks fluent Russian and has lived and worked in
Russia and the Republic of Georgia. His personal mission is to help people in the U.S. and former Soviet
countries to overcome their Cold War-era fear of the unknown.
Tbilisi
Your journey will begin in Tbilisi, the much contested capital city of
Georgia. Here you will have the opportunity to explore the cultural
center of the South Caucasus, whose architecture reflects its
tumultuous history. You will also get your first taste of the delicious
and exotic Georgian cuisine.
Tbilisi
Image author: Vladimer Shioshvili
Gori and the Joseph Stalin Museum
On day three, you will depart Tbilisi and make way for Kutaisi, the
legislative capital of Georgia. On the way, you will stop in the
town of Gori to visit the famous Joseph Stalin Museum. The
museum is located at the site of Stalin’s birth, as he was of
course, Georgian. Here you will find fascinating exhibits such as
Stalin’s personal train car. Stalin was so paranoid that he refused
to travel by air.
Gori
Kutaisi
Kutaisi is Georgia’s second largest city and legislative capital. While in the
area, you will be able to visit the incredible Bagrati Cathedral, a UNESCO
World Heritage site. Following the visit to the cathedral, you will travel
just outside the city to Prometheus Cave, a stunning underground
cavern. The incredible beauty of these sites will not disappoint. History
and geology connoisseurs will be delighted.
Kutaisi
Svanetia
Following departure from Kutaisi, you will travel north, passing by the
Jvari Enguri Reservoir. You will climb a winding road, deep into the heart
of the mountains. Your destination is a tiny village in Upper-Svanetia,
speckled with 9
th
-12
th
century watchtowers (UNESCO World Heritage
sites). Here you will be astonished by views of the surrounding snow
capped peaks. It the village below, you will sample delicious local food,
watch traditional dances, and experience Svan culture. In Svanetia, the
possibilities are endless. A list of possible activities and excursions in
Svanetia is included on the next slide. Svanetia is without a doubt, one of
the most astounding places on the face of the Earth.
Svanetia Activities
•Downhill skiing
•Backcountry ski tour
•Off-road auto tour to the village of Ushguli and Adishi Glacier
•Horseback tours
•Guided mountain hike
•Visit to the Museum of History & Ethnography in Mestia
•Tour of 9
th
-to 12
th
century watchtowers (UNESCO World Heritage sites)
•Traditional Svan musical and dance performance
Svaneti
Mtirala National Park
Next you will descend from the mountains and travel south along the
shore of the Black Sea to Mtirala National Park. Mtirala, which means
“crying mountain” in Georgian, is a fitting name for this sub-tropical
jungle in southwestern Georgia. The region had the highest levels of
precipitation in the entire Soviet Union. Here you will visit a typical
Georgian weekend cabin, eat delicious home cooked meals, and
sample homemade wine. You may even have a chance to learn to
cook or try the local specialty- honey vodka. Mtirala has many amazing
hiking trails. Expect snow in the winter months.
Mtirala National Park
Batumi
Your final destination is the coastal resort city of Batumi. The capital of
the Autonomous Republic of Adjara is a popular tourist destination for
Turks, Armenians, Azeris, Ukrainians, Russians, Kazakhs, and many
others. Here you will have the option of staying with a local family for
the ultimate cultural immersion experience. No trip to Batumi would
be complete without trying Adjarian Khachapuri, a criminally delicious
calorie bomb!
To sign up, contact Taiga Adventure Travel
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (479) 283-6713
Check out our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/taigaadventuretravel
We’ll be happy to answer all of your questions.
See you there!