Pichori River

The Pichori River originates on the northern slope of the Guria hills at 245 m above sea level and then flows into Lake Paliastomi. In good weather, it is possible to reach the river by boat across the lake. Every turn of the river, which runs through the relict forests, prepares more and more surprises and gives the opportunity to meet rare species of birds.

In the valley of the river Pichori operates Colchis National Park, which preserves the swamp landscapes and landscapes of lowland forests, typical for Colchis.

Natural swamp landscape, which has few analogues on the whole Black Sea coast, gives visitors the feeling of a fascinating oasis, full of life.

The tropical and subtropical landscape, which approximately 10 million years ago stretched across the entire Eurasian continent in a continuous, uninterrupted strip, has been preserved here to this day.

In the river valley there are plants typical of the swampy ecosystem of the far northern lands - tundra and taiga. In the bogs of the Pichori River valley germinate plant species not usual for Colchis - sphagnum (peat moss), round-leaved sundew, northern sedge, Rhododendron ponticum and other alpine plants.

Alder, lapinus, Imereti oak, Colchis ivy, etc. grow in swampy and humid forests. The species composition of algae is also diverse. The most endangered and endangered species are glaucium (yellow dwarf mackerel) and pancratia maritimi.

Along the river in strongly humid places there are such plants as Colchis yellow water lily, water chestnut, and rhamka; and in peat bogs, together with the northern species typical for tundra, there grow royal fern and Imeretian sedge.