Monday, February 7, 2011

Georgian Association of Guides(GAG)


-საქართველოს გიდების ასოციაცია
-Georgian Association of Guides

About Georgian association of guides
Georgian association of guides is a neutral, non-partisan and non-lobbyist, non-profitable organization  aimed at promotion and support of tourist guides profession, state politics to rise professionalism of guides; Forming publicly active and socially responsible tourist business; Researching issues corresponding to tourism; Popularizing profession of a guide in the country and abroad.

The association represents the national union of tourist guides and is a member of the World Federation of Tourist Guides Associations.

The association creates and develops educational programs for people interested in guide’s work and people who are already occupied in tourism or who want to start working this field.

The association spreads information about guides work’s main and actual aspects on national, regional and international levels.

For developing guides’ skills the association regularly executes special programs, hosts guides’ forums and makes tourism researches.

The association actively collaborates with national and foreign tourist organizations and foreign experts interested in this field.


            The activities of the Association:
-          National and international forums of tourist guides.
-          Round tables and discussions about tourist guides and in general about actual issues of tourism.
-          Research and analytical programs: inviting foreign experts as consultants for providing programs to rise professionalism of guides.
-          Monitoring main aspects about preparation and work of guides.
-          Collaboration with educational institutions in regions and not only in regions, also collaboration with national and international organizations.

       Current projects:
       The association is currently working on following programs:
-          Device of exchanging information and experience for guides – “tourism Media-library”
-          Training program for local guides for work in Georgian regions.
-          Publication of vade-mecum about 12 regions of Georgia.
-          Providing Informational exchange mechanism – e-library for guides.
-          Preparing international training programs for guides.


Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Khevsureti Tour

                                                                                                                                                  
Tour duration – 4 days. During these four days you will be able to visit: Chargali – museum of great Georgian poet – Vaja Pshavela, Museum of Khevsureti (Korsha), Shatili, Mutso, Ardoti, Abudelauri Lakes (Roshka) and many other amazing things,that will always stay in your memory.
During the tour you will be served by a professional guide, which will be glad to narrate you about every historical monument as well as every single district or object you visit or pass by. Guide will answer on every single question. During the tour you will enjoy every single minute. In addition, you will be able to enjoy the local cuisine, purchase suvenires.



Tour Schedule:

Day 1:  Arrival, Accommodation in Tbilisi

Day 2:  Tbilisi – Pshavi – Korsha – Gudani
 Departure from Tbilisi to Pshavi at 9 o’clock, in Pshavi we will see the house (museum), where born Vaja Pshavela (great Georgian poet), lunch near the “Vajas Tskaro” – mineral water. Then we will depart to Korsha – Southern Khevsureti, where we will visit the Museum of Khevsureti. Here we should be able to see Khevsurian national garments and meny other things, that are the expression of Khevsurian soul and life. After this we will go direct to Gudani, one of the largest village of southern Khevsureti. (Overnight in guesthouse and supper).

Day 3:  Gudani – Ardoti – Mutso – Shatili – Gudani
 After the breakfast we will depart to northern Khevsureti in passing by “Datvidjvris Pass”. Our first destination is Ardoti, 1800 meters above sea level. In this village is situated XIX century church, tower of “Zviadaurebi” and the Cross of the Virgin Mariami (lunch). After this we will go to Mutso. Mutso is  a small village in Georgia. One of the former strongholds of the historic Georgian province of Khevsureti (now part of Mtskheta-Mtianeti region), it is located on a rocky mountain (1880 m) on the right bank of the Andakistskali river. Our next destination is Shatili. Shatili is a historic highland village in Georgia, near the border with Chechnya. It is located on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus mountains, in the historical Georgian province of Upper Khevsureti, which is now part of the modern-day region of Mtskheta-Mtianeti. After sightseeing of Shatili we will go back to Gudani, supper with national cuisine and overnight in guesthouse.
             

Day 4:  Gudani – Roshka – Abudelauri lakes – Tbilisi
After the breakfast we will depart to the village Roshka, one of the highest village of Khevsureti 2000 meters above sea level, have a little rest and go to Abudelauri Lakes. At the bottom of Chaukhi rocks there is three beautiful lakes. They come from glacier of Chaukhi. This is mystical place to go. From village Roshka you should spend couple hours of walking to get there. There is legend how Iakhsar- mystical hero defeated giants and from tears of defeated giants, those asked pardon to Kopala,  Abudelauri lakes appeared Lakhsar  rushed into Lake Abudelauri after the “devi and killed him there with a whip. The “devi” shed so much blood that Iakhsar was trapped in the water for three years. The Khevsuretians became sad. They could not help their deity who had saved them. Finally, after three years, a sorcerer advised them to sacrifice a ram from the village of Blo, which had four ears and four horns. The devi's blood subsided, and Lakhsar could get out of the lake. They are Green, Blue and White lakes next to each others. They differ by color - first one is green, next one is blue, and last one - more difficult to reach, highest one that comes directly from  glacier - white. It makes impression, what in this short distance make lakes so different from each others.
After this we will  go back to Tbilisi, overnight/departure.









Monday, January 24, 2011

Travel Blogg - Svaneti


Svaneti or Svanetia (Suania in ancient sources) is a historic province in Georgia, in the northwestern part of the country. It is inhabited by the Svans, an ethnic subgroup of the Georgians.



The historic region of Upper Svaneti in Georgia.


Geography


Surrounded by 3,000–5,000 meter peaks, Svaneti is the highest inhabited area in the Caucasus. Four of the 10 highest peaks of the Caucasus are located in the region. The highest mountain in Georgia, Mount Shkhara at 5,201 meters (17,059 feet), is located in the province. Prominent peaks include Tetnuldi (4,974m./16,319ft.), Shota Rustaveli (4,960m./16,273ft.), Mt. Ushba (4,710m./15,453ft.), Ailama (4,525m./14,842ft.), as well as Lalveri, Latsga and others.
The historic region of Lower Svaneti in Georgia.
Situated on the southern slopes of the central Greater Caucasus, Svaneti extends over the upper valleys of the Rioni, Enguri and Tskhenistskali. Geographically and historically, the province has been divided into two parts—Upper Svaneti (Zemo Svaneti; the present day Mestia Raioni) and Lower Svaneti (Kvemo Svaneti; the present day Lentekhi Raioni)—centering on the valleys of the upper reaches of the two rivers Enguri and Cxenis-c’q’ali, respectively. They are distributed between the present-day regions of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti respectively. Historical Svaneti also included the Kodori Gorge in the adjoining rebel province of Abkhazia, and part 

Visiting Martvili – the Place where King David the Builder grew up

Martvili looks and feels like a paradise not only because of its beautiful nature and amazing sites but also because of its inhabitants, who welcome guests in a tradition of warmth and hospitality. Martvili district is truly one of the greatest places in Georgia combining unique natural environment with historical monuments. History here starts from the period of Sumerian hieroglyphs and the place is rich in medieval period churches and castles, set among lush forests, centuries old vineyards and peaceful river banks. 

Briefly about natural and historical sites to visit in Martvili district: 

A visit to Martvili begins with the Martvili Monastery of VII c - Chkondidi Cathedral. Revered as the gem of Georgian masonry, this cathedral rests on the roots of the old oak tree (Chkoni in Megrelian language means oak). Greatness of this place for Georgians is defined by the fact that the King David IV (1089-1125), known as the Builder, received his education here. Since the accomplishment of his training by Giorgi Chkondideli (the head if Georgian church of that time) young David was sworn to be King as his father King Giorgi II stepped down. The next is Salkhino - the summer residence of Dadianis (governors of the Samegrelo region) with XVII century church of Virgin Mary, XIX c wine cellar and local sort of vine - Ojaleshi. The residence is now turned into a monastery and run by monks. Also not be missed is the archaic site Oniore, a rock formation featuring Sumerian hieroglyph engravings. From natural sites one should be particularly mentioned - Oputskhoe - a picturesque bathing place in a cluster of miniature waterfalls. This place served as a bathing area for the Dadianis. 

The quickest way to see most of Martvili is a 2 day trip: Starting from Tbilisi early morning and arriving in Martvili in 3.5 hours. The site-seeing starts from Martvili Monastery and continues to Salkhino, summer residence of Dadianis. The next place is Martvili centre - local Museum of artifacts that can be visited before or after an authentic lunch in one of the local haunts in town. The trip continues to Oputshoe - the bathing place of Dadianis, continued with tracking through natural areas along the rivers of Tsachkhura, Tekhura and Abasha. First day ends in a village guesthouse with local homemade food for dinner. This is easily and safely accommodated by your Georgian Association of Guides accredited tour operator. The second day starts with the trip to Tamakoni, an ancient fortress area. The fortress ruins date of IX c AD. Next, even older town fortifications of Abedati, which date from no early than I c AD, then on to the village of Veditkari. The village is known for its old church ruins circa XII c. The trip finishes in the village of Didi Chkoni where a new church of St. Nicolas is being built at this time. 

Tourism Development Centre Newkaz




Tourism Development Center

5 Janashia Street, Tbilisi 0179, Georgia
Tel/fax:+99532 233756


About Newkaz
Newkaz was established in 2005 year in Tbilisi. It is a tourism development center, direction of newkaz’s ativity is towards the yang people,who are interested in tourism sphere and future guides. Its aim is  to form healthy touristic surroundings and promote the development of consumer potential of  domestic tourism with different cultural – educational  programs. The center promotes to introduce the modern methods in tourism sphere, popularization of guide profession with preparation and emploiment qualified guides.

Training Programs:

·            Training of local/regional guides;
·            Somelies profession study;
·            Training in communication;
·            Training course in travel services management;
·            educational outing for guides.

Newkaz maintenances:

·            Organization of individual and group tours in Georgia;
·        Tours in Tao-Klardjeti;
·            Organization of special tours;
·            Organization individual tours for business groups;
·            Tours/excursions for schools(lyceums, colleges);
·            Wine tours;
·            Organization of cultural tours;
·            Organization of ethnographic tours;
·            Organization of exstrem tours.

You will be served by local experienced guides

Our guides speak:
Russian,English,French,Spanish,Italian, German,Japaness, Jewish, Persian languages.