Ecological tourism in Georgia: we are going to the best national parks and reserves of Georgia

Tbilisi Park It is located on the lands of the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region, on the Saguramo-Ialno ridge, between the Iori and Kura rivers. On the territory of the park there is a magical, beautiful Sabadur forest.

90% of the park is forests, many rivers, gorges and lakes. Visitors to the park will see Colchis boxwood, Pontic oak, rough elm and other vegetation. In places there are corners of pristine nature, you can feel like a real pioneer.

In addition to the wonderful nature, you can see ancient temples here, for example, Jvari and Martkopsky monastery. Preserved ancient fortresses and ruins of settlements.

Hiking, horseback riding and cycling routes of varying difficulty — from 10 to 44 km. The Zedazeni – Didveli – Mamkoda trail is marked, it has places for bonfires and picnics, two tent camps.

The easiest track is "Big Panorama". Its length is 10 km . The walking tour starts in the village of Gldani, passes along forest trails and an asphalt road. Near the starting point of the route is The Moscow Monastery of St. George, along the way, you will meet a spring and Rkinis Jvari — an iron cross on the top of the mountain.

The park administration is located in the village of Saguramo. The journey from Tbilisi will take about one hour.

Kazbegi National Park is located on the slopes of the Caucasian Ridge on the territory of the administrative region of Mtskheta-Mtianeti.

Its main part is alpine meadows, inaccessible cliffs and snow—capped mountain peaks.

This is an ideal habitat for chamois, East Caucasian tours, snow cocks and Caucasian capercaillie. In the meadows you can see rhododendron, sea buckthorn, thyme and other herbs.

Tourists in Kazbegi Park are offered hiking, horseback riding and cycling tracks. The most visited places of the park — Mount Kazbek and the Gergeti Trinity Church.

The visitor center is located in the village of Stepantsminda (Kazbegi). The distance to Tbilisi is 150 km. You need to get here along the most beautiful Georgian Military Road.

The Mtskheta-Mtianeti region is rich in natural attractions. In addition to the Tbilisi and Kazbegi parks , there is also Pshav-Khevsureti National Park. It was created with the participation of the World Wide Fund for Nature in the municipality of Dusheti in 2014.

The unique nature of the park, Khevsurian terraces, ancient villages and towers attract many tourists. Bears, wolves, jackals, tours and other animals are found in the forests of the park.

The region is famous for its traditions and special national cuisine, which makes it one of the most popular among eco-tourists.

The most visited route in the park — to Lake Tania. There are also high-altitude fortress villages Mutso, Shatili, Ardoti.

Kakheti is often called the pearl of Georgia, it is located in the east of the country. Here, in the municipality of Dedoplistskaro, the Vashlovani National Park, founded in 1935 , but by the middle of the 20th century . he was eliminated.

The fields were used for farmland and pastures, and great damage was done to nature. Therefore, in 1957, the boundaries of the protected area were restored. And in 2003, adjacent territories with natural monuments were added to the protected zone. So formed Vashlovani National Park. The main goal is to preserve rare species of animals and plants.

The park has a unique landscape. On its expanses there are fields, desert, ravines. Here you can also see the rocks of Alesilebi, mud volcanoes. Local mountains are compared to the surface of Mars. The heat and dried grass create the impression of traveling in Africa.

About 660 species of plants grow in the protected zone, gazelles, brown bears, foxes, wolves, wild boars, and many birds are found. The forest with incense trees looks like apple orchards. The name Vashlovani is also connected with this.

There are 3 natural monuments on the territory of the park: Artsivis Heoba — Eagle Gorge, from the observation decks of which you can watch the flights of vultures;

• Kaklis Kure is a peninsula formed by the Alazani River;
• mud volcanoes of Takhtitepa.

There are also beautiful canyons, karst caves, gorges and lakes.

Those who are interested in historical and architectural monuments also have something to see:

• город-крепость Хорнабуджи (5 в.);
• Tezbiteli Temple (6th century);
• ruins of the monastery on the Black Mountain (4th-5th century).

Before visiting the park, you need to register at the Visitor Center and get a pass. The address of the Center: Dedoplistskaro, Baratashvili Street, 5.

Entrance is paid — 5 lari (115 rub. or $1.5).

Rental of tourist accessories costs 3-10 lari (70-230 rubles. or 0.9–2.9$).

Safari tour — 60-200 lari (1380-4600 rubles).

In the eastern part of Georgia is Tusheti Park, founded in 2003. By area, it is one of the largest in the country. It also includes a nature and landscape reserve.

The basis of Tusheti forests are coniferous trees, which have a beneficial effect on health. In total, there are more than 100 species of plants, among them — black birch and Radde birch, listed in the Red Book of Georgia. Deer, wolves, bears, lynxes and other wild animals live in the forests.

On the territory of the national park there are beautiful the village of Dartlo and Shenako. Shots of the famous movie "Mimino" were shot in these places. The towers of the medieval fortress of Keselo have been preserved near the village of Omalo. Here, in Tusheti, is the village of Bochorna, the highest mountain in the country — 2345 meters above sea level.

From June to September, the park welcomes tourists, 11 routes of varying length and complexity have been prepared for them. You can go hiking for one or several days. In winter, access is limited.

The administrative office is located in the village of Omalo.

In the central part of the country is Borjomi-Kharagauli Park, formed in 1995 . It includes the lands of three regions: Javakheti, Imereti and Shida Kartli.

Borjomi-Kharagauli is the first park in Georgia that meets international standards. Now it is one of the largest parks in Europe, the total area of protected areas is 107,083 hectares. Height differences above sea level — from 800 to 2200 m.

The park lands are located in temperate and subtropical natural and climatic zones. These are mainly forests in which there are Imeretian oaks, hornbeams, beeches, yews, elms, etc. Grapes, blackberries, ivy also grow here. On alpine and subalpine meadows — Colchian and Pontic rhododendron. In total, about 1200 species of plants grow here.

Caucasian deer, roe deer, chamois are found on the territory of the park. There are also predators, for example, lynxes and bears. Eight species of animals are listed in the "Red Book" of Georgia. In the protected area you can see golden eagles, vultures, eagles and other representatives of the feathered world. In total, about 215 species of birds nest here.

The park welcomes visitors all year round, only part of the trails are inaccessible in winter due to heavy snowfalls and avalanches. 12 tracks of varying difficulty have been prepared for tourists: hiking, horseback riding, cycling. Some can be overcome in one day, but there are also multi-day tours. The trails are marked, equipped with places for picnics, bonfires and overnight accommodation.

Among the most popular— hiking to Mount Lomismta, or the Nikolai Romanov trail and snowshoeing trails.

In the national park, tourists will see not only picturesque natural landscapes, but also architectural monuments of 8-13 centuries. Among them is the Green Monastery, Rabat Fortress and others .

Addresses of the Visiting Centers of Borjomi-Kharagauli Park:

- Borjomi, Meskhetskaya str., 23;

- Kharagauli, Tsar Solomon str., 17.

Before entering the route, you need to register here.

The mountainous region of Samtskhe-Javakheti is located in the south of the country. On the territories of the municipalities of Ninotsminda and Akhalkalaki , the Javakheti National Park Created in 2011, the highest mountain in the park is Didi—Abuli, located on the Samsara ridge, its height is 3,300 meters.

The protected areas include the reserves of Khandal, Bugdashen, Madatap lakes, Artsakh and Sulda swamps. A large number of birds live on the shores of lakes. Javakheti Park is attractive for fans of birds. By the way, this is the only place in Georgia where flamingos are found.

One of the most interesting lakes— Paravani, the largest in Georgia. In winter, the lake freezes, and in summer, migratory birds nest here.

There are practically no natural forests in the park. One of them — a small subalpine forest — is located on the shore of Lake Kartsakhi. Here you can see the Caucasian mountain ash, white birch, dogwood, raspberry and rosehip bushes.

On the hiking trails of the park, and there are 7 of them in total, towers have been built to observe feathered inhabitants. Amateur fishing is allowed on the lakes.

The Administration of Protected Areas is located at 93 Nalbandian Street, Akhalkalaki, Georgia

In Adjara, on the Mtiral rock massif, there is a national park of the same name. Mt . Mtirala It is considered the wettest place in Georgia, it is called the "crying mountain".

Here visitors will see amazingly beautiful colchis forest, spread out at an altitude of 15 to 1200 m . above sea level. There are 284 species of plants growing in the park, among them rare ones — Medvedev's birch, Pontic oak, Ungern's rhododendron and many others. 95 species of animals live in the forests.

Tourists are offered 2 routes:

To the chestnut forest, 7 km long. The track leads through the forest, along the Chakvistskali River, to the waterfall. There is a picnic area and tents on the trail.

Tsivtskaro — trail to the cold spring, 15 km. The recommended duration is 2 days. The track passes through the forest, along the way there are springs, traces of wild animals.

Entertainment in the park: rope park, zip line, canyoning, crossing the Chakvistskali in a suspended homemade trailer.

The best seasons to visit are spring, summer, and early autumn.

Before going to the park, you need to register at the Visitor Center. It is located in the village of Chakvistavi (15 km. from Chakvi).

Machakhela Park located in the municipality of Khelvachauri, 25 km from Batumi, Adjara. A nature protection zone was established in 2012 to preserve the unique biodiversity of the Colchian forests and their ecosystems. Recreational activities are carried out in the natural environment, ecotourism is developing.

Three hiking trails have been prepared:

• Arkhangelsk;
• Kokoletskaya;
• the trail to the Gemini waterfall.

All of them connect to the highway.

In these places there are rare species of plants, some of which are considered relict, that is, they have been preserved unchanged since ancient times.

In addition to the natural landscapes in the park, tourists will see stone arched bridges, ancient fortresses and wine cellars.

Before entering the route , you must registration in the Visitor Center.

Kintrishi Park It is located in the Kobulet district of Adjara, in the valley of the river of the same name between the Khino mountains and the village of Tskhemvani. The reserve was founded in 1959 to preserve relict forests and their inhabitants. The height difference above sea level ranges from 300 to 2500 meters.

More than 1000 species of plants grow here, roe deer, wild boars, bears and other animals are found. Among the birds nesting here are falcons, eagles, and hawks. There are fish in mountain rivers, especially a lot of trout.

Tourists are offered three hiking routes:

• to Lake Tbikeli;
• Hino Waterfall;
• to the arched bridge of Queen Tamar.

There are places for camping, picnics and bonfires.

Before starting the hike, you need to register at the Visitor Center in the village of Tskhemvani.

The park administration is located at 4 Leselidze Street, Kobuleti, Georgia.

Erusheti is the youngest national park, the law on its creation came into force only on 01.01.2021. It is located in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, near the border with Armenia.

The park's activities will be aimed at preserving the biodiversity of this territory, plants and animals included in the "Red Book" of Georgia, and the development of eco-tourism.

The park will soon start receiving visitors. In the meantime, tourist routes are being developed, trails and bivouacs are being equipped.