Discover the heritage of & on the Black Sea! ARMENIA & the REPUBLIC of GEORGIA May 25-June 10, 2021

Nestled in the Caucasus Mountains east of visit the pagan Temple of Garni, and ancient the Black Sea are the charming and fascinating monasteries. We will see extraordinary mountain countries of Armenia and Georgia. peaks, monasteries perched on mountain tops, Armenia is one of the oldest countries in the ancient cities and villages, and enjoy dinner in a world, with an historical record since 3,500 B.C., family home for a rich cultural experience. and was one of the earliest countries to develop With leadership by a written language and Christianity. It is nestled in excellent local guides the highlands surrounding the Biblical mountains and botanical experts, of Ararat, and has many unique species of plants. you will have a Georgia edges the eastern shore of the Black memorable and Sea, at the crossroads of Asia and Eastern fascinating adventure! Europe. Christianity was adopted in the 4th We invite you to join us! century and this common belief helped unify Best Regards, the country. The Kingdom of Georgia reached its Golden Age during the reign of King David IV and Queen Tamar in the 12th and early 13th centuries. Both countries achieved independence in 1991. Margaret M. Betchart Our journey will take us on adventures to President, Betchart spectacular natural areas, botanic gardens, to Expeditions Inc. ARMENIA & GEORGIA

ITINERARY Days 1/2 Boston to Armenia Day 4 Botanic Garden, Armenia Depart Boston’s Logan International Airport for Academy of Sciences Armenia (with one stop en route) arriving the next This morning, we will visit Yerevan Botanical evening. Transfer to your hotel (4 nights). Garden of the Armenian National Academy of Day 3 Yerevan, Armenia - Garni Temple Sciences, which is responsible for plant collections Today, we’ll explore the wonderful Garni in Armenia. It includes 200 species of endemic or Temple, the last existing Hellenistic temple in rare plants and provides a location for the study Armenia and the UNESCO World Heritage Geghard of ecological interactions of species in a relatively monastery built in the IV-XIII centuries. See tree natural environment. Also visit the Institute of plantations left from Soviet times and stop by Hydroponics to learn about their work with soil-less Charents arch, one of the Important Plant Areas cultivation of plants and development of (IPA) of Armenia, to enjoy a fascinating view of technologies for their growth. biblical Ararat Mountain and the foothills of Ararat Arrive at the Museum of Nature where we will Valley. We will drive through villages rich in fruit learn about the natural heritage of Armenia, its gardens. Stop for lunch at a private house in geography, geology, and biodiversity and cap this Garni. Enjoy delicious homemade dishes and off with a visit to a brandy factory! have a walk in the garden. Learn about Day 5 Ancient foods and Manuscripts “Armenia—a bread country,” the wild cereals & Mt. Aragatz found here and local bread cooking traditions Today we will head north for exploration of the that have survived until our days. slopes of Mount Aragatz (4,095 m), an Important Plant Area of Armenia (IPA), and the highest mountain in Day 7 Hermon & Herher Sanctuary the country. We will stop at different altitudes, Today we will enjoy the amazing landscape including at Amberd Fortress, and in the alpine zone of , with a focus on the area near snowline. We will look for intriguing steppe and near the beautiful small village of Herher. This meadow plants, including endemics of Aragatz. In Important Plant Area is far from the main road and the afternoon return to Yerevan to visit the central has a remarkable diversity of habitats and plants. food market, and the “Matenadaran” Museum and Our target will be the wild sanctuary of Herher Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts, with one which are known for huge genetic diversity of wild of the world’s richest depositories of medieval pears (the trees should be in bloom) including a few manuscripts and books. local endemics,including iris and tulips. Lunch in a Day 6 Ararat Valley & private home. Then return to Hermon. Noravank Monastery Day 8 Selim Pass - Artanish Peninsula - We will depart for Khor Virap – a monastery Dilijan Town and pilgrimage site, located in Ararat Valley just a This morning, we will cross Selim Pass and see few kilometers from the biblical Ararat Mountain the medieval Caravansarai from the ancient Silk in Turkey. The site is linked with the name of Road. Arrive at Sevan Lake, the largest high Gregori the Illuminator and history of adoption of mountain freshwater lake in the Caucasus and Christianity one of the largest in the world. Drive along the NE in Armenia. shore of Sevan Lake towards the Artanish At Surenavan Peninsula, one of the most interesting sites of village “Sevan” National Park. Also visit Sevan Botanical we will Garden, the high mountain branch of Yerevan observe Botanical Garden. Have a picnic lunch then visit storks on the SE shore of Sevan, another IPA of Armenia. their nests, Explore gorges on the peninsula, then overnight which are in Dilijan town (2 nights). common to Day 9 Pambak Mountains & Dillijan this area and College & Molokan villages enjoy the Today, we will visit one of the most beautiful Aravat Valley. sites of Sevan Lake basin - the meadow flora of the We will also eastern extremity of the Pambak Mountains. After see the XIII- lunch in a private home in Dilijan, visit one of the XIV century most ambitious educational projects in Armenia, Noravank UWC Dilijan college http://uwedilijan.org./about- monastery us/uwc-dilijan/mission-and-values. complex. We will also stop by one of the Molokan 19th Hotel in century Russian villages. Village Day 10 Dilijan - & Hermon (2 town to Tibilisi, Georgia nights). We will drive north via Vanadzor and Stepanavan town. The route is very lush and picturesque,with a stop at Lori fortress. Day 13 Kazbegi Mountain Lunch in Alaverdi town. We will then depart for & Sameba Monastery , Georgia. Explore the remarkable and long This will be a spectacular day as we drive in sight history of Tbilisi, including periods under Persian of 5,033m Kazbegi Mountain in the Caucasus and and Russian rule, as we stroll cobblestone streets have an excursion near Sameba Monastery, which in Old Town. See Eastern Orthodox churches, is situated on a mountain top at 2,200 m. Explore in ornate art nouveau buildings, and Soviet 4 WD minibuses to cross the pass to the southern Modernist structures. Rising above all are the slope of the Caucasus Mountain Range for stunning reconstructed 4th-century fortress, Narikala, and views and look at the flora and ecology of the area. the iconic statue of the Mother of Georgia. Tbilisi Day 14 Borjomi - Kutaisi-Bakuriani Hotel (4 nights). Alpine Botanical Garden Day 11 National Botanic Garden of We will depart for Borjomi,which is famous Georgia & Ancient Capital for its mineral waters, and visit the Museum. Then of Mtskheta continue to the Bakuriani Alpine Botanical Garden We will head for the National Botanical Garden of which features Caucasian plants, including 125 Georgia this morning, situated in the Tsavkisis- species of trees and shrubs. The garden is situated Tskali Gorge of the Sololaki Range. Have an at 1,650 m and specializes in high mountain flora introduction to the ecology and flora of the of the Caucasus and conservation of rare, Caucasus by the Director of the Institute of Botany, endangered, and endemic plants of Georgia. Also and explore the garden. This is the leading enjoy a shish kebab dinner en route to Kutaisi city, research and conservation organization in capital of the legendary Kolkhida area, well known Georgia. It was first established as a royal botanical in Greek mythology (1 night). garden in the 17th Century. Nearby are remnants Day 15 Kutaisi of ancient water pipelines, Queen Tamar’s bridge, This morning, we will explore Kutaisi, once and Narikala Fortress. the capital of several historic kingdoms, and since We will explore the ancient capital of Mtskheta this afternoon, which shows the superb artistic and cultural achievements by this ancient kingdom of the Caucasus. Day 12 Kakhetia, Alavan River Valley & Lagodekhi National Park We will venture today along the Wine Road and Georgian Military Road to Kakhetia and the Alazan River valley, center of the Georgian wine industry. Continue to the Lagodekhi National Park and Nature Reserve on the southern slopes of the Caucasus where we will explore trails and learn about the protected area. Dinner this evening at the private home of a Georgian farmer and wine maker. Learn about making Georgian bread, vodka and candles, and enjoy traditional songs. & SIGMTHE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHA XI&ACSSOCIETY Expeditions #1612 ___ assign a roommate ESERVATIONS R 5435 ______Age______Georgia, May 25- I/we want to explore Armenia & Georgia, May 25- Please Mail To: Please Mail To: AAAS Travels, Sigma Xi & ACS Expeditions. Xi & ACS Sigma AAAS Travels, Cupertino, CA 95014- 17050 Montebello Road 17050 Armenia & Georgia 2021 Name(s) ______Age______Address ______State City Zip ______Phone: ______Home (______) ______Email Address Work ______(______) Membership (please circle): AAAS Accommodations Preference: Sigma Xi ___ Twin ACS ___ Single ___ Nonsmoker Planetary Society ______Date ______Signature ___ Smoker Share: Twin ___ with a friend or Signature ______Date ______Yes! Betchart Expeditions Betchart Expeditions offered by the 2021, June 10, Inc., Please reserve a _____ space(s). As a deposit, I/we enclose per person) payable to check for $______($1,000 Account. Betchart Expeditions Inc. Trust Betchart Expeditions Inc. CST# 2036304-40 CST# on the Black Sea & Home ESPONSIBILITY R

Betchart Expeditions Inc. and AAAS, act only as agents for the Sigma Xi, and ACS the USA on day 17. Arrive home same day. Arrive home same day. the USA on day 17. traditional Georgian cuisine. Take return flights to return flights to traditional Georgian cuisine. Take garden in the former USSR). Farewell dinner with dinner with garden in the former USSR). Farewell Botanical Garden (the largest subtropical botanical Botanical Garden (the largest subtropical botanical a special visit to the Batumi Waterfall, and Batumi and Batumi a special visit to the Batumi Waterfall, sandy beaches on the Black Sea! We will also have will also have We sandy beaches on the Black Sea! explore Batumi including Europe Square and its Square and its explore Batumi including Europe overlooking the seaside city of will Batumi! We the Argo Cable Car to the mountain top top the Argo Cable Car to the mountain Days 16/17 Days 16/17 Batumi, Seaside City A splendid view will await us today as we take and Batumi. Batumi Hotel (2 nights). chained to Khvamli Mountain. Depart for the coast for the coast chained to Khvamli Mountain. Depart fire from the gods, for which he was punished and punished and fire from the gods, for which he was learn about the legend of Prometheus, who stole who stole learn about the legend of Prometheus, afternoon we will explore Prometheus Cave, and Cave, and afternoon we will explore Prometheus shrubs from floristic regions worldwide. In the In the shrubs from floristic regions worldwide. river and has hundreds of species of trees and of trees and river and has hundreds of species Museum. The Kutaisi Botanic Garden is along the is along the Museum. The Kutaisi Botanic Garden House, Bagrati Cathedral, and the Kutaisi Historical Kutaisi Historical House, Bagrati Cathedral, and the have an orientation to the city, including the Opera Opera including the have an orientation to the city, 2012 the administrative capital of Georgia. We will will capital of Georgia. We the administrative 2012 ©2020 Betchart Expeditions Inc. All rights reserved. Map by April Milne. Photos courtesy of Wikipedia Commons, Georgia & Armenia contacts. passenger with respect to trans portation and hotels, and exercise every care possible. passenger with respect to trans loss, accident, or irregularity in damage, delay, can assume no liability for injury, We connection with the services of any airplane, ship, motorcoach, or any other convey- cannot accept any We ance used in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other quarantine, acts of God, terrorism, or other war, strike, services, sickness, weather, causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the reserve We as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. passenger, stitute another leader of similar expertise or to cancel any tour prior to the right to sub departure in which case the entire payment will be refunded with no further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any No refund will be made for the unused portion of any person as a member of the tour. avoid penalties. The price of ments are made in sufficient time to tour unless arrange the program is based on current tariffs and rates, and is subject to change. Any tariff, exchange rate, or fuel increases will be passed on to participants. Baggage is carried at that the air ticket when issued shall It is understood the owner’s risk entirely. constitute the sole contract between the passenger and the airline concerned. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance. AAAS Travels ACS & Sigma Xi Expeditions BETCHART EXPEDITIONS Inc. 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435

FIRST CLASS

Discover Armenia & Georgia! May 25 - June 10, 2021

such as alcoholic bever ages; laundry, phone calls, COSTS & CONDITIONS bottled water, snacks, passport, or personal insurance. Air Fares: For air flight information, please contact Trip Fee: $4,995 per person twin share, plus air fare Taunya, (800) 252-4910. Air Fares are Subject to Change of approximately $1,595 including tax from Boston to until Ticketed. Armenia, with return from Georgia. Accommodations: Are in first class or country What to Expect: This expedition is planned for the style hotels which reflect the charm and heritage of travel enthuasist who would enjoy exploring the Armenia and Georgia, and are well situated for fascinating natural and cultural heritage of the nations of visiting sites. We encourage singles to register on a Armenia and Georgia in the Caucasus Mountains. See “twin share” basis. Limited singles are available for a extraordinary mountain peaks, monasteries perched supplement of $895. on mountain tops, ancient cities and villages, museums Reservations, Deposits & Payments: with ancient manuscripts, and botanic gardens, and Please mail a deposit of $1,000 per person to: enjoy dinner in family homes for a rich cultural experience. Leadership by excellent local guides and Armenia & Georgia 2021 experts will provide an exceptional experience. Betchart Expeditions Inc. Travel by motorcoach, with daily outings on foot of 17050 Montebello Road 1 to 2 miles at a leisurely pace suitable for exploring Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 natural areas, ancient cities, and footpaths. Exploration Final payment is due 60 days before departure. requires some walking up and downhill. Please be Questions: Please call Taunya DeYoung at prepared to actively explore on foot. This expedition is Betchart Expeditions Inc. a tremendous experience for travelers with an appetite Phone: (800) 252-4910 for adventure and discovery, who relish the or (408) 252-4910 opportunity to discover the cultural and natural Fax: (408) 252-1444 heritage of these two fascinating countries. Email: [email protected] Expedition Fee Includes: Land transport; group Look on the Web: www.betchartexpeditions.com airport transfers; accommodations in first class and country style hotels which reflect the heritage of the Cancellations & Refunds: Caucasus; meals from breakfast on Day 3 to breakfast The initial deposit is refund able up to 60 days on Day 17; tips to drivers and local guides; before departure, less a handling fee of $100 per group entrance fees; leadership and administration. person. There is no refund for any cancellation after the 60 day period unless your space can be resold; Expedition Fee Does Not Include: International then a $100 per person handling fee applies. No air fare (quoted separately); independent airport refunds are made for unused services. transfers; gratuity to expedition leader; personal items