Taiga Adventure Travel 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

KutaisiKutaisi 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

SvanetiaFollowing 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 9th-12th 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 9th-to 12th century watchtowers (UNESCO World Heritage sites)

•Traditional Svan musical and dance performance

Svaneti

Mtirala National ParkNext 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 TravelEmail: Ryan.Roccio@gmail.com

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!