Abukhalo Rock in Dzama Gorge: Fortified Caves and 20 m Waterfall

The Dzama River originates on the northern slope of the Trialet Range, at an altitude of 2,140 meters above sea level. On the way it merges with several rivers and near Kareli, on the right side, joins the Kura. Despite the fact that the valley is quite high above sea level, for many centuries it has been densely inhabited.

Many cultural monuments have survived in the valley: the architectural complex of Kozifa (Gugomi) consisting of five churches (Tkemlovani river valley); a convent and towers in Ortubani; the oldest churches and monasteries of Gverdzineti; the monastery complex and the Sarkineti monastery carved in a rock near the settlement Elbakiani; the monastery in Kveda Shuan (1800 m above sea level) and others.

Among these monuments, the complex carved in the Abukhalo rock deserves special attention. The Abuhalo rock massif itself is a unique natural formation.

The complex, dated XII-XIII centuries, is a defensive building, where the population took shelter during the enemy invasions. The complex consists of 8 caves of different sizes which are connected with each other by hollows and passages. Some of the caves have plastered and whitewashed walls, and those facing the hollow have loopholes. You can get there only from the east and west sides.

At the edge of the Abukhalo-Kareli highway, at the distance of 1 kilometer from the Abukhalo massif, there is a beautiful 16-meter waterfall on the Abukhalo River. A second, 20-meter waterfall is located 3 kilometers to the west of the complex, on the right tributary of the Abukhalo River. A hiking trail ascends from the valley to Mount Bardzimjvari (2,255 m), which offers a magnificent panorama of the landscapes of Shida Kartli.