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Searching for Golden Fleece |
Adventure Tour
(11 days)
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In Greek mythology, the
Argonauts were a band of heroes
who, in the years before the
Trojan War, accompanied Jason to
Colchis in his quest to find the
Golden Fleece. Their name comes
from their ship, the Argo which
in turn was named after its
builder Argus. Thus, "Argonauts"
literally means "Argo sailors".
Medea was the daughter of King
Aeetes of Colchis, Georgia.
Medea's role began after Jason
arrived from Iolcus in Colchis
to claim the Golden Fleece as
his own. In a familiar mythic
motif, Aeetes promised to give
it to him only if he could
perform certain tasks. Jason,
assisted by Medea, took the
fleece and sailed away with her.
She had fallen in love with him.
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Day 1 |
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Arrival in
Tbilisi
Meeting at the airport. Check-in at
the hotel.
Overnight in Tbilisi. |
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Day 2 |
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Tbilisi /
Mtskheta
Start the tour in Old Tbilisi at the
13th century Metekhi Church, and
then walk to the brick-domed Sulphur
Baths. From the Baths head up the
hill to visit the 4th century
Narikala Fortress, which is one of
the oldest fortifications in the
city. Afterwards continue to the
Synagogue, Sioni Cathedral (13th c.)
and Anchiskhati Church (6th c.).
Visit the stunning treasury of the
Georgian State Museum, before
visiting the ancient capital and
religious centre of Georgia,
Mtskheta, (UNESCO Heritage Site), an
ancient capital of the Georgian
Kingdom from the 3rd century BC to
the 5th century AD. Jvari Monastery
(6th c.); Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
built in the 11th century.
Overnight in Tbilisi. |
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Day 3 |
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Tbilisi /
Utsera
Drive to West Georgia, the famous
Land of the Golden Fleece, and
arrive to Racha, one of the most
beautiful mountainous regions of
Georgia. En route visit Samtavisi
Cross-Domed Church (11th c.). Visit
Nicortsminda Cathedral of St.
Nicholas, which is one of the most
important architectural monuments of
the medieval Georgia. Drive to the
Resort of Utsera, famous with its
mineral waters.
Camping Overnight in the Gorge of
Rioni River. |
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Day 4 |
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Rafting day
We’ll enjoy the full day and search
for the adventure in rafting on the
Rioni River.
Camping overnight. |
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Day 5 |
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Rafting /
Kutaisi
Making rafting, we’ll arrive in
Kutaisi, the famous Land of the
Golden Fleece and the second largest
city in Georgia. In the evening we
visit Bagrati Temple (11th c.),
UNESCO Heritage Site. Enjoy our
evening in the Old New Kutaisi.
Overnight at the hotel in Kutaisi. |
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Day 6 |
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Kutaisi /
Martvili / Zugdidi
Gelati Monastery (12th c.), UNESCO
Heritage Site, Motsameta Monastery
Complex (8th-11th c.c.), Sataplia
Cave. Drive to Samegrelo, enjoy the
Abashistskali River Waterfall. Visit
Martvili Church of Virgin (7th-14th
c.c.). Drive to Salkhino, the Summer
residency of Dadiani Family. The
representatives of Dadiani Dynasty
were acquainted with world history
and culture latest technical
achievements. They were tightly
involved in the social events. Wine
tasting at the Ojaleshi Wine Cellar.
Drive to Zugdidi.
Overnight in Zugdidi. |
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Day 7
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Zugdidi /
Enguri Dam / Mestia
Visit Dadiani Palace. The Palace
keeps 41 000 museum objects. Most of
them are unique and invaluable
examples of Georgian and foreign
art. Drive to the direction of
Svaneti. En route we visit Enguri
Dam with the height of 271 meters
(the highest dam of this type in the
world). The Dam makes a
water-storage reservoir in the
picturesque gorges of Samegrelo and
Svaneti mountains. It's time to get
ready for the most exciting part of
the trip, a journey to Svaneti, the
region of the highest mountains and
glaciers and the most abiding
ancient traditions. In Svaneti we
visit Lenjeri Church, a beautiful
building with original paintings
both inside and outside, Church of
Latani.
Overnight in Mestia / Camping overnight. |
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Day 8
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Mestia /
Ushguli
Today program begins with the
Ethnographic Museum of Mestia, St.
George and St. Kvirike Churches.
Drive to the highest permanent
village in Europe - Ushguli (2200
m). En route visit the tower of Love
(12th c.) and Church of Lagurka (9th
c.). Ushguli and generally the whole
Upper Svaneti region is a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. The village is
most famous for its abundance of
watchtowers and this is where you
get the view of the highest mountain
in Georgia - Mt. Shkhara (5201 m /
17064 ft). Back to Mestia.
Overnight at the guesthouse. |
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Day 9
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Mestia /
Poti / Batumi
Today, before driving to Poti, we’ll
visit the 12th century Lamaria
Church and then walk up the hill to
Queen Tamar's Tower. Poti is a port
city, located on the Black Sea
coast. Built near the site of the
ancient Greek colony of Phasis, the
city has become a major port and
industrial center of the 20th
century. Drive to Batumi.
Overnight at the hotel in Batumi. |
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Day 10
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Batumi /
Botanical Garden / Tbilisi
Today we'll enjoy the charming beaches
and the beauty of the Botanical
Garden, but before we’ll visit Gonio
Fortress, the 2nd century AD
well-fortified Roman city in
Colchis.
Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 11
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Departure
Drive to Tbilisi. Free afternoon in
the city. Farewell dinner at the
national restaurant.
Transfer to the airport. |
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Other details available upon request
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Note:
Duration of the tour will be fit to your
flgiht schedule. |
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Airport - Hotel - Airport
Transfer |
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Inland transportation |
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Tour Guide |
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Hotel Accommodation (in the
cities) Double room |
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Guest House Accommodation (in
the villages) |
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Camping
Overnight according to the
program |
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FB Meal: BLD |
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1 bottle of mineral water per person per day |
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Museums Entrance fees |
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Souvenir gift |
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CD with trip photos |
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Leaving party at the National
restaurant |
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Wine tasting |
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Air
fare |
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Single room supplement
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Meals except described |
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Alcoholic beverages |
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Travel insurance
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