caucasus trekking company

HOW TO REACH CTC

Omalo is located about 300 km from Tbilissi.From the airport, you can reach Tbilissi by
taxi, and then take a marschroutka (small Russian bus) at the Tbilissi main station until
Telavi or Lalisruri (count around 3h00). To Telavi, several departures/day. To Lalisruri,
one per day around 2 pm.Telavi is the main town of the Kakheti area and is located
roughly 100km from Omalo. From Telavi, you could find a four wheel drive which will
bring you to Omalo. (Count 4h00). The way up to Omalo is impracticable during the night;
for this reason the departure takes place only on the morning or in the beginning of the
afternoon. From Telavi, you can reach Lalisruri as well. The marschroutka are near the
central market. Several departures within a day. You can also take a Taxi.

SECURITY

Trips in the both regions the Abkhazia and the South Ossetia are strongly to avoid. These
two areas are not under the government’s control anymore. Travelling alone in Svanetia is
also not recommended. It is better to visit this area with a guide.The other parts of Georgia
as well as Tbilissi (capital of Georgia) are safe. Usual crimes (thefts) occur in Georgia and
particularly in Tbilissi.

HEALTH

1- Bird flue.

Some cases have been registered.
For precaution please read some instructions given by your doctor or relating institute.

2- Rabies :

There are some stray dogs which can be infected by the rabies. Some measures have
been taken to vaccinate those which have not been infected and to neutralise those infected.
However it is recommended to follow these instructions : For a long stay : A rabies vaccine is
recommended. In case of bite or contact with a suspicious animal, you must consult a doctor as quick
as possible. For a short stay : The vaccine is only recommended in case of stay in some secluded
places, trekking etc..and in case of contact with some animals for professional reasons fro example.

3- Hygiene precaution :

Drink filtered or boiled water, especially in Tbilissi. Take some precaution against gastric
problems. (For food no validity dates control as well as for the cold chain). Pay attention
to your vaccinations : diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatitis A et B

The above tips have been only given for your general information and could be changed at any time.

For more accurate advises, consult your doctor and / or a reliable institute which can give you precise
and deeper information. (In French : http://www.cimed.org/bienvenue.asp ).

Anyway, advised by a doctor is highly recommended.
Bring your medicines in case of a permanent treatment.

Useful contacts

Consult your embassy in Georgia, they can provide you a list of doctors.

Doctors speaking french and recommended by the embassy :

Mme Nathalie Tchkoisseli, pédiatre francophone 37, rue Iosseliani, Tbilissi/Tél : 337.556 ou 899.116.017

Mme Maria Gogoberichvili, généraliste francophone: 18, rue de Tachkent, Tbilissi/ Tél : 382.562 ou 893.313.205

A more detailed list could be provided by your embassy.

AIRLINES
COMPANIES

*Companies*	*Air Baltic:*	*Lufthansa*
Information	From Latvia, low cost company.Via Riga, 3 time a week.To go : Tu-Th-Su; Back : M-W-FAbout : 350 Euros (Round trip).	German Company, regular arilines. Via Munich, 3 fois/semianeTo go : Tu-Th-Su; Back : M-W-FAbout : 600 Euros (Round trip).
Internet links	http://www.airbaltic.com/public/index.html	http://portal.lufthansa.com/online/portal/LH_COM
*Companies*	*Airzena, Georgian Airlines*	*Turkish Airlines*
Information	Georgian airlines, regular airlinesDirect flight from Amsterdam, Paris, Vienna, Frankfurt, Kiev, Tel-Aviv. About 600-700 euros (Round trip).	Turkish Company, regular airlinesVia Istambul, daily flight.About 650 Euros (Round trip)Istanbul- Tbilissi ca.369,- USD Telaviv-Tbilissi via Istambul ca. 700 Euros
Internet links	http://www.airzena.com	http://www.turkishairlines.com
*Companies*	*Austrian Airlines*	*British Airways*
Information	Austrian Company, regular airlines Via Vienna, 4 time a week.To go : M-W-F-SuAround 700 euros (Round trip)	English Company, regular airlinesDirect flight, 3 time a week.To go : Tu-F-Su ; Back : M-W-SaAbout 700,- Euro or 480 Pounds (Round trip)
Internet links	http://www.aua.com	http://www.britishairways.com
*Companies*	*KLM*
Information	Netherland company, regular airlines.
Internet links	http://www.klm.comréservation 0900 2635556

MONEY

Georgian money is the Lari or GEL. The rate change is roughly :
                  1 euro    = 2,34 Gel
                  1 dollar   = 1,76 Gel
                  1 pound = 3,46 Gel

To get the current rate : money change rate

Bring Dollar or Euro. Pounds are not so easy to change.

LANGUAGE

The official and spoken language is the Georgian.
Some of Georgians speak Russian.
Few people speak English except in Tbilissi.
Out of Tbilissi, it is very difficult to communicate…but you can try to spring in the Georgian grammar.

Georgian language

CLIMATE

TBILISSI

Max Temp.

7°

8°

13°

17°

24°

28°

31°

30°

26°

20°

14°

9°

Min Temp.

-1°

0°

3°

8°

12°

16°

19°

18°

15°

9°

5°

1°

Sun

Rain

These datas are extracted from « Guide du voyageur », Saisons et Climats de Jean-Noël Darde.

In Tusheti the days are fine, the night colder (normal at 2000m high). Last summer (2006) it was quite hot,
dry and sometimes windy. Rainfalls in summer are not common but like everywhere it can happen.

TIME SHIFT

Tbilissi = GMT + 4h00

ADMINISTRATION
VISA

Entry / Stay

From June 2005, the European countries members, American, Japanese, Israeli and Canadian
are exempt from visa for a maximum stay of 90 days. For longer stay, a visa is required. It can
be done in any Georgian Embassy.

For more information, consult the embassy directly.

Georgian Embassy in London, United Kingdom

Embassy of Georgia in London, England (UK)
4 Russell Gardens
London W14 8EZ
United Kingdom

City: London
Phone: (+44) (207) 603 77 99
Fax: (+44) (207) 603 66 82
Email: geoemb@dircon.co.uk
Office Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 1000-1300

GUIDE BOOk

Lonely planet

Le petit futé (french)

Cinematography
History
Culture

Mahuzier

You want to know more about Georgia, its history, culture etc…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_%28country%29

MORE INFO

You can find all the foreign embassy addresses in Tbilissi hereunder :
http://www.georgiaemb.org/AGforeign.asp

In case of emergency in Georgia, Police 24/24 hours, 7 days a week : 022 (languages : Georgian,
Russian and theoretically English).
Ambulance services : 03
Rescue Service : 01

The mobile net covers almost the Georgian territory. It is recommended to take one’s own mobile
phone and to let your phone number at your embassy. Some cards “Mono” are available in any
mobile representative shops, you can be called and can phone almost everywhere.

The foreign Minister can not be responsible for any incidents which can occur
during a trip.The information given in this Internet Site are only advices and can
be subject to some modifications. For some accurate and complete information,
consult the relating administration, organisation or institute.CTC is not
responsible for any modification of the contents of the Internet Site. Furthermore,
no area in the world is safe from terrorism.