Highlander travel: tourism

Showing posts with label tourism. Show all posts

Friday, February 11, 2011

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Mtskheta excursion

Half day excursion in Mtskheta

Mtskheta – ancient capital of east Georgia, from IV century BC. After moving political center to Tbilisi, Mtskheta remained as spiritual center of the country. Once more it became political center – in X – IX centuries, while Tbilisi was still occupied by Arabs and known as Tbilisi emirate. Currently it is little town in 20 km from Tbilisi.

Here are prechristianity archaeological and Christianity architectural monuments, which are recognized by UNESCO as world heritage sites.

Tbilisi tour

Tbilisi

Tbilisi – capital and the biggest city of Georgia, with long and dramatic history. Founded as fortress between major towns Mtskheta and Rustavi in IV century, became capital in beginning of VI century. Was ruined and rebuilt many times. Many legends are connected to the city's past days. Tbilisi has seen many different rulers during it's history, Georgians and foreigner conquerors. Tbilisi located on crossroads of cultures used to be the center of south Caucasus in XIX century, and has mixed up both, eastern and western cultures.

Kakheti tour

Kakheti tours are published on my site. check out:
3 day tour in Kakheti, one day tour and wine tour.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Mestia, Hatsvali today

Today I again went up on Hatsvali, to check how is snow there.

So, weather was sunny and freezing. View from Zuruldi mountain was just perfect - Ushba, Chatini, Tetnuldi, Banguriani, Laila, between great Caucasus and Svaneti ranges!

Snow depth on Hatsvali (lover station of roperoad) was up to 10 sm, on Zuruldi (upper station) 30-40 sm.

So we need some more snow! Locals said that it will be heavy snow after 25 January.

I will update regarding weather situation.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Snow in Mestia!!!

Today in Mestia is snowing!!!
Tomorrow will be also snowing!!!
Later I'll put photos of snow in Mestia!!!

Don't miss hottest offer of this winter ski tours in Mestia!!!

We are ready to welcome guests!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Georgian national tourism agency

Here are listed all what offers tourism department of Georgia in Svaneti, and the same what can offer I for you.

Museums

Museum of history and ethnography of Mestia
Working hours: 11-18
Working days: everyday except Monday
Ticket price: 6 GEL
Guide: 10 GEL

Margiani ancient house
Working hours: 11-18
Working days: everyday
Ticket price: 3 GEL

Mikhael Khergiani's museum
Working hours: 11-17
Working days: everyday except Monday

Museum of ethnography in Ushguli
Working hours: 11-18
Working days: everyday
Ticket price: 5 GEL

Mevlud Charkeseliani's museum in Ushguli
Working hours: 11-18
Working days: everyday
Ticket price: 3 GEL

Activities:

Svan "supra"

Kubdari: baked meet in pasta with spices.
Chvishdari: baked corn with cheese
Lemziri: ritual Khachapuri
Tashmijabi: boiled potatoes with cheese.
Sulguni with mint - fresh svanish cheese "Sulguni" with mint.

Svanish "Supra" and folk musik

(by Svaneti tourism center or by LILE first touroperator in Svaneti)
Folk evening with or without Svan "supra"
Event may take place in Guesthouse, Hotel, Margiani's ethnographic house, Betkili, or in Latali elder's home.

Adventures

by Svaneti tourism center

Ski tour

Mestia - Koruldi - Mestia

Mestia, bottom of mountain Banguriani - Mestia

Mestia - Tsvirmi - Mestia (two day tour, overnight in Tsvirmi)

Mestia - Jabeshi - Mestia (two day tour, overnight in Jabeshi)

Ski tour - para glider

Koruldi lakes - Mestia
Banguriani mountain bottom - Mestia
Lake Lensi - Mestia or Lenjeri

Golden fleece

Learn and try out ancient method of gold finding by golden fleece, which was used more then 3000 years.
By LILE first touroperator in Svaneti

Monday, January 10, 2011

Winter season was opened in Mestia

Ссылка:

Winter season in Svaneti is opened! so welcome to Svaneti!!!

NY times recommends Georgia as travel destination

Republic of Georgia
A rustic ski wonderland on the verge of discovery.

Ski buffs don’t usually think of Soviet Georgia when planning their next backcountry outing. But some ambitious plans in the Caucasus are trying to change that fast. Tucked between the Black and Caspian seas and smattered with mountains, Georgia has the kind of terrain adventurous skiers yearn for: peaks reaching 16,000 feet, deep valleys and largely untouched slopes. Known best for spectacular off-piste and heli-skiing, Bakuriani and Gudauri — each a short drive from Tbilisi — saw 30,000 visitors in 2009 and are expanding fast.

And now, in efforts spearheaded by the Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili, the ski-resort bug is spreading even further. In Mestia, the first groomed slopes of a new resort opened in December. Also earmarked as a winter hot spot is Goderdzi pass, which can have snow coverage six months a year.

Full article

Monday, December 27, 2010

Winter trips in Svaneti

This is update of Winter in Svaneti post.
So, only skiing for 7 days will cost 550 GEL per person in case of group of 4, because money for transfers will be divided between tourists. Here is included flights Tbilisi - Mestia - Tbilisi, accommodation in guesthouse with 3 meals per day and transfers - from airport to guesthouse, and every day from guesthouse to cable and back.

Regarding skis rent there is still no information, but at least it will be organized, I just will need to know in front. It might cost 35-40 GEL per day.

Cable this year is free.
At bottom of cable is cafe.

Available excursions:
1. Mestia: ethnographic museum, historical district Lanchvali, ancient house and tower of Margiani family (XII-XIX centuries), historical district Lagami, museum of mountain climber Mikheil Khergiani and church of transfiguration with ancient frescoes (IX century). Mineral water springs. Cost of excursion 60 GEL is divided between tourists. Museums enterances 16 lari per person.

2. Ushguli: Highest inhabitant village in Europe on latitude 2200m, in bottom of highest mountain in Georgia - Shkhara (5068m) road from Mestia takes up to 3 hours. In this remote village is saved ancient Svan architecture and livestyle. Tour includes walk in villages of Ushguli community, ethnographic museum, lunch and visiting Lamaria church.
Cost of tour 260 GEL (divided between tourists) plus per person 5 lari - ethnographic museum, 10 lari museum of holy icons, 10 lari lunch.

3. Lenjeri and Latali: medieval church of archangel in Lenjeri, medieval churches of Savior and Jonah the prophet, museum of mountain climber and photographer Guram Tikanadze, old streets in village and mill, walk to village Lakhujdi, climbing to svan tower and visit Parjiani family ancient house ruins. Walk or ride to mountain to visit church Tangili. Cost of tour 140 GEL (divided between tourists) plus per person 5 lari -Tikanadze museum, 10 lari lunch, horses 15 lari per hour.

4. Adishi: Remote highland almost abandoned village, which also saved ancient spirit even best then Ushguli. In bottom of mountain Tetnuldi (5021m). Walk in village, visit towers, medieval churches, lunch. Cost of tour 210 GEL (divided between tourists) plus lunch 10 GEL.

There is also possibility to make traditional svan 'supra', with traditional dishes, toasts, folk songs, legends. Cost depends on quantity of tourists.

Friday, December 24, 2010

3 day tour in Vardzia

Day 1
Transportation from Tbilisi via Manglisi, Tsalka and Ninotsminda to guesthouse in Vardzia. On the road visit Paravani and Sagamo lakes, Poka monastery and Khertvisi castle. Diner and sleep at guesthouse Tirebi.

Day 2
Visit Tmogvi fortress, Vardzia and Upper Vardzia. In case of having more time also upper Tmogvi former village. Meals and sleep in guesthouse.

Day 3:
Visit Vanis kvabebi caves, Saro village, return to Tbilisi via Borjomi. Optional visit Borjomi park.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Ski trails in Mestia

Information about ski trails in Mestia, svaneti is here:

Quantity of cable: 1
Quantity of trails: 2
Difficulty of trails: difficult, sport style.
Length of cable: 1400m
Length of trail 1: 2600 m
Length of trail 2: 1800m
Highest point of trails: 2450 m
Lowest point of trails:1800 m
Road from Mestia to beginning of cable: 6 km. new road.
In bottom of cable is cafe.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Christmas tour to Svaneti

Upper Svaneti travel agency

In winter Svaneti is fabulously beautiful. You can celebrate Christmas near the sky, near the God, in ancient church Jesse Christ of XII century.

Tour includes:

6 January (17.00)– arrival to Svaneti, placing in guesthouse.

6-7 January (23.00 – 6.00) – Solemn liturgy

7 January (6.00-8.00) – Festal meal

7 January (8.00-12.00) – Procession in traditional costumes on village Latali with a dancing and songs.

7 January (after 13.00) – free time, rest.

8 January (9.00-12.00) – acquainting with traditional gold mining.

8 January – trip to the Mestia on horse sledge's.

9 January – car travel to Ushguli.

10 January – departure

The program - 85 USD (at group in 5 persons), if one person - 315 USD

Residing with a food - 90 USD

Transfer (a jeep) - Tbilisi-Latali-Tbilisi - 390 USD (at group 5 persons)

Total: 253 USD (if the group is 5 people)

Original address
http://upper-svaneti.blogspot.com/2010/11/christmas-tour-to-svaneti.html

Winter in Svaneti!

Ski season is coming!
This year in Svaneti, Mestia first ski trails will be opened on mountain Hatsvali.
Svaneti offers the most impressive landscapes in Caucasus, in combination with local archaic traditions and live style will make your winter holidays unforgettable!
Highlander travel offers 9 day tour to Svaneti with will include:
Transportation from Tbilisi to Mestia (by car or plain)
Skiing itself
Excursion in Mestia - historical district Lanchvali and Lagami, National museum, traditional svan house of Margiani family, church of Transfiguration with original medieval frescoes.
Excursion in villages Lenjeri and Latali - visiting medieval churches with impressive frescoes, Svan towers and master of traditional handcraft.
Excursion in highest permanently inhabitant village in Europe - Ushguli.
Last evening traditional feast in a house of elders, stories, legends, performance Latali choir (6-7 songs with dancing).