Pantishara Canyon

In the Dedoplistskaroy district, on the final section of the Iori Plateau, between the Iori andAlazani there is a nature conservation area Vashlovani, which is represented by a national park, a nature reserve and three natural monuments. Under the influence of natural factors, different, radically different landscapes have been formed in a small area over time. These are deserts, semi-deserts, steppe zones, arid woodlands and deciduous forest. The territory covers the Pantashira-Vashlovansky massif, whose height ranges from 300 to 600 m above sea level. In this wonderful area, you can walk along several tourist routes. One of these routes starts from the town of Dedoplistskaro and heads south-east towards the security stationVashlovani, from where the road leads to the Pantishari Valley. This valley is distinguished by its geological originality and biodiversity.

The valley is a deep and magnificent canyon, carved by a small gorge in the limestone rocks. The processes of weathering and leveling of the surface are actively taking place in the canyon. This gives the canyon a unique look. On both sides of the valley, high-rise cliffs similar to fortifications overhang. Swallows have found their home on the rocks. The rocks are covered with swallow nests, so these places are called the City of Swallows. In early spring, sparrows inhabit swallow nests, and swallows returning from warm countries have to win back their "city".

To the south, the valley gradually widens, and a spacious array of bedlands opens up ahead, which is called "Alesili". From here, the route heads towards the tributary of the Pantishari – the "Bear Gorge". The territory of the "Bear Gorge" in ancient times was the seabed. On the bare slopes, it is easy to notice the shells of marine mollusks, whose age is at least 2 million years. There are also fossilized bones of the southern elephant, the largest of which reaches 87 cm and well shows the gigantic size of a mammal that lived millions of years ago.