2019 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

Hiker’s Journey to the Caucasus LODGE-BASED HIKING IN THE REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA

HIGHLIGHTS • Set out for dramatic day hikes in the Tusheti and Kazbegi mountains • Enjoy a warm Georgian welcome, evenings filled with folk songs and dances • Savor traditional Georgian feasts, including lamb roasts and wild trout • Sample wines in Georgia’s ancient wine regions • Hikes by day, lodge overnights—no camping! DETAILS • 11-day trip begins and ends in Tbilisi • 5 nights hotels, 5 nights guesthouses with shared facilities • All meals included except 2 lunches

Hike amid ancient stone-built villages, meet the welcoming Georgian mountain people, and discover a land lost in time. PHOTO: KOSMENKO DMYTRO

Our adventure with Trip Leader supreme Eka Tchvritidze brings us to a realm where, in Eka’s words, “the mountains meet heaven.” In wild, unspoiled Tusheti National Park, a mountain Shangri-La in northeastern Georgia, our lodge to lodge hikes bring us to stone-built villages and steep alpine valleys knee-deep

DATES Jun 17-27, 2019

Jul 8-18 Sep 2-12

TRIP COST $4395 (7-12 members) $4695 (4-6 members) Single supplement: $480

JOE LEVY

Days 3-7 Hiking in Tusheti National Park In Georgia’s Tusheti Mountains, we hike among hamlets of slate-roofed houses where medieval watchtowers still stand. Our Trip Leader grew up here in the village of Shenako, which has a UNESCO “living museum” status, and her extended family still lives here—we’ll get a warm welcome. Our highest hike is over Nakaicho Pass (9,500'), which connects the breathtaking Tusheti, Pirikity, and Gometsari valleys. The Tusheti area is largely untouched by the 21st century, and our accommodations are simple guesthouses that offer Tushetian supras —traditional Georgian feasts (get ready to drink wine out of goat horns, sing, and dance!). Days 8-11 Wine Tasting in Kakheti / Hikes in the Kazbegi Mountains We head to the Kakheti wine region, where we’ll taste the wares of one of the world’s oldest wine-growing regions. In the mountainous Kazbegi region, we hike through woodlands to 14th century Gergeti Trinity Church (7,119'), with Mt. Kazbek (16,680'), a spectacular snow-capped volcano, as the backdrop. Depart on Day 11 via Tbilisi.

in wildflowers. Our overnights are in family-run guesthouses where feasting and hospitality are a way of life—we’ll be welcomed with songs, poems, and hearty toasts! In the wine region of Kakheti, we taste the best Georgian vintages, and finish with hikes in the green foothills of the Caucasus below

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 5 hiking days on ungroomed mountain trails, 4-7 hours a day, 2 walking days, van support altitudes between 7,000-9,500 feet, some long drives

“A truly beautiful adventure! So unique and such an incredible opportunity to explore this beautiful and little-known country along with its delicious food and warm and welcoming people. One of our very favorite trips.” Cathy S., Charlotte NC

WOLFGANG KAEHLER GALYNA ANDRUSHKO

Mt. Kazbek, where an ancient way of life is preserved. This is an amazing journey and experience of the thriving traditions, people, and landscapes of the Caucasus. Days 1-2 Tbilisi Our walking tour in ancient Tbilisi includes the 4th century Narikala Fortress overlooking Tbilisi’s Old Town, and Rustaveli Avenue, the city’s popular promenade.

FOR MORE DETAILS ON OUR EUROPEAN TRIPS, VISIT WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM/TRIPS/EUROPE 84