Tier 1: Consultation
For independent hikers who want expert advice to plan a successful trip.
Price: $95; consultation included with Tiers 2, 3 & 4
Need help planning your hike on the Transcaucasian Trail? Whether you’re eyeing a thru-hike or a shorter section, our team is here to guide you with practical, on-the-ground knowledge and personalized advice.
All of our Trek Support Service tiers begin with an initial consultation. If you want to talk through your ideas with us and plan your trek on your own, want us to plan an all-inclusive private trek for you and your group, or something in between, this is your first step! Keep reading below to book your consultation.
What’s Included:
- A 1-hour Zoom consultation with a member of the TCT team, tailored to your interests and plans.
- A follow-up summary with links to any relevant resources we discussed, which may include:
- TCT CalTopo maps
- TCT trail notes
- GPX files and route ideas
- Travel blogs, packing tips, guidebooks, and more
Want more planning help, personalized advice, and a custom itinerary? Check out Tier 2!
Meet the Team
Instead of booking a general call and waiting for someone to get back to you, we’ve designed the program so you can connect directly with the right expert from the start. Each of our team members brings specific regional and technical knowledge to the table, whether it’s route planning, local logistics, or hiking conditions on a particular part of the trail.
Choose a team member based on your hiking goals and the regions you’re exploring, and book a session with them individually to get the most relevant and informed advice for your trip.
Meagan Neal
Executive Director • Thru-Hiker • Cheese Fanatic
If you’re wondering what the trail is actually like, Meagan’s probably already walked it, mapped it, and/or run it as a fastpacking trip. Since 2018, she’s helped build and design multiple sections of the TCT in Georgia, thru-hiked the entire Armenia route, tested parts of the emerging trail in Azerbaijan, and created some of the Caucasus’ first thru-hiking resources to help you get out on the trail.
Meagan offers no-frills advice on how to pick the right section for you, plan a realistic itinerary, avoid common pitfalls, and get the most out of your hike—whether you’re going for two days or two months. She’s also happy to share cultural travel tips for Georgia (where she’s lived for over 6 years), including where to find the best cheese in the country, which cave monasteries are worth the detour, and where to celebrate your finish with a proper bottle of natural wine.
Ask Meagan About: Thru-hiking strategies, section hike suggestions, cultural travel & food in Georgia and Armenia, and which sections of the TCT are actually runnable.
Elizabeth Yancey
Chief Operating Officer • Logistics Pro • Packing List Mastermind
Elizabeth first came to Georgia in 2011 to teach English—and after a volunteer trail-building stint a decade later, she never really left the mountains behind. Now based in the U.S., she continues to help lead the TCTA’s operations and support new travelers setting out to explore the trail for the first time.
Elizabeth specializes in helping visitors prepare for their first adventure in Georgia: understanding transportation quirks, cultural expectations, what to pack (and what not to), and how to turn potential hurdles into part of the fun. Whether you’re planning a multi-day hike through Svaneti or simply trying to figure out how to get from Tbilisi to the trailhead without losing your mind, Beth can help you start your journey off right—with realistic advice, a sense of humor, and maybe a few extra recommendations for khachapuri along the way.
Ask Elizabeth About: Travel logistics for first-time visitors to Georgia, hiking routes in Svaneti and beyond, cultural tips, and how to make the most of your first days on the ground.
Giorgi (Gio) Jmukhadze
Technical Manager (Georgia) • Trail Builder • Racha Loyalist
Originally from the mountains of Racha, Gio has been with the TCT since 2017—first as a volunteer, and now as the lead on trail design, construction, and logistics for the Georgia section. If you’re hiking any part of the TCT in Svaneti or Racha, there’s a good chance Gio helped scout it, design it, and probably built part of it by hand.
Gio studied sustainable trail building in Seattle with EarthCorps, spent six weeks volunteering on a trail project in Argentina’s Parque Patagonia, and still thinks there’s no better place than his hometown trails near Oni. He specializes in practical, real-world advice about hiking and traveling in Georgia: where the best trails are, how to handle travel logistics in the region, and why Racha deserves way more love than it gets.
Ask Gio About: Hiking and logistics in Svaneti and Racha, Georgian culture, trail conditions, and how to get around like a local.
Rima Beridze
International Program Coordinator (Georgia) • Cultural Navigator • Adventuring with Kids
Raised in Batumi and deeply rooted in Georgia’s traditions, Rima helps travelers navigate the cultural and logistical side of trekking across the Caucasus. With her background managing TCT Georgia’s international programs and communications, she makes sure the right plans, the right people, and the right spirit come together—whether you’re preparing for a solo adventure or traveling with family.
If you need help arranging local transportation, understanding the rhythm of village life, choosing family-friendly options, or preparing for the cultural side of your trek, Rima’s the one to talk to. She brings a warm, practical approach to trip planning—so you can spend less time stressing and more time exploring.
Ask Rima About: Georgian culture and language, trip logistics and planning, cultural etiquette, traveling with young kids, and how to turn a trek into a richer, more connected experience.
Trails For Change (Armenia Team)
Local Experts • Trail Builders • Trip Planning Pros
In Armenia, we partner with Trails For Change, a nonprofit organization based in Yerevan that’s been leading the way in building, maintaining, and promoting the Armenian sections of the Transcaucasian Trail since the very beginning. Their team of hikers, trail builders, and cultural ambassadors knows Armenia’s landscapes and communities inside and out—and they’re here to help you plan a trek that matches your goals and interests.
When you submit a request, Trails For Change will match you with the best member of their team based on your hiking plans, travel style, and timing. Whether you need advice on picking the right section, arranging logistics, understanding local customs, or finding hidden cultural gems along the trail, they’ll help you prepare for an unforgettable experience in Armenia.
Ask the Armenia Team About: Route planning, logistics advice, trail conditions, cultural highlights, local customs, and everything you need to know before hitting the trail.
TCT Azerbaijan Team
Trail Scouts • Cultural Connectors • Route Planning Pros
Our Azerbaijan team is led by Gunay, Nazrin, and Abuzar — passionate hikers, guides, and community builders who are blazing new ground—literally. From scouting remote backcountry routes to navigating village hospitality and government permissions, they’re working to map, mark, and maintain the first long-distance trails of their kind across the country.
Together, they bring a unique mix of on-the-ground expertise, logistical know-how, and cultural knowledge to help hikers experience Azerbaijan’s dramatic mountains, warm communities, and often-overlooked hiking potential. Whether you’re planning a weekend trek or a full traverse of the country, they’ll help you get your route right—and make sure you’re ready for whatever the trail throws at you.
When you reach out, you will be matched with the best member of the team for your plans and timeline. From route recommendations to cultural etiquette to those tricky permission requirements, they’ve got the insight you need for an unforgettable trip.
Ask the Azerbaijan Team About: Route planning, logistics and permits, cultural tips, gear advice, solo hiking, and what to do when the citrus is in season.
