A Two-Week Itinerary to Georgia for Nature Lovers

Tusheti is one of the most charming regions of Georgia, where foreigners rarely travel. And the reason for it might be the long and narrow off-road serpentine road over the Abano pass which gets dangerous in several parts during the ride, or they don’t usually have enough time to travel that far.

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Tusheti National Park is one of the most ecologically pure regions of the country and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. Its implacable beauty and medieval defensive towers dominate each village of the area and will leave you speechless.

The best way to visit Tusheti is by a jeep tour. They will drive you from Tbilisi all the way to the most remote village of Tusheti bordering Khevsureti region. However, if you have more time to spend here, you can hike around those communities too.

Located at 1,1100-1,448-meters above the sea level, Dashbashi Canyon is distinguished by its rarity and biodiversity. Formed by the river Khrami through Dashbash volcanic plateau, the ecosystem here is rare, while flora on the steep hills of the canyon and gorgeous waterfalls create different micro-landscapes.

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From Dashbashi Canyon continue your trip towards the volcanic lake Paravani, located at the altitude of 2,073-meters above sea level. Paravani is considered to be one of the biggest lakes in the country, covering more than 37-square km.

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The mountains behind the lake create the gorgeous landscape you don’t want to miss. The lake is even more beautiful in winter, as it freezes completely and ice thickness reaches 73 cm.

The main reason to come to Abastumani is to visit the Astrophysical Observatory. It’s located on Mount Kanobili and serves the country since 1932. The observatory is surrounded by coniferous forest, with no air pollution and stable weather.

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You can tour the observatory every day from 11 am till 3 am. The tour includes an informational class, a chance to observe the very first 40 cm refracting telescope of the observatory, and a visit to the museum. If the sky is clear, you can even look at the stars from the telescope. We suggest, you call the observatory in advance and ask for the weather conditions.

Borjom-Kharagauli National Park is one of the biggest national parks in the country. The park is located in the Lesser Caucasus and features beautiful landscapes, and gorgeous scenery along it’s 11 different, well-marked trails. There are tourist shelters, camping sites and picnic spots for the visitors. You can set up a fire at certain places as well.

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Located not far from Kutaisi, the main attraction of Sataplia Nature Reserve are 120-million-year-old dinosaur footprints and a nicely lit 300-meters long cave. The whole area is tucked into a subtropical forest and has several panoramic viewpoints.

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Prometheus Cave (or Promete in short) is another natural wonder of the country, providing breathtaking examples of stalagmites, stalactites, petrified waterfalls, underground rivers and lakes to name a few. A 1,060-meter walking path takes you through the six halls of the cave.

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After completing the trail, you can take a boat trip on the river Kumi and exit the cave this way. The boat trip is optional and costs an extra fee, however, the price is not that high. Otherwise, you can quickly exit the cave on foot.

Martvili Canyon, located in Samegrelo region of Georgia, is one of the most beautiful nature spots you should see. Here, you will walk in the gorgeous scenery of emerald-green river Abasha on a boat trip and waterfalls. A 700-meter long stone-paved route starts from the visitor center and continues through the Dadiani historical trail. The area has two bridges, three viewpoints and a 30-step stair created by large limestone boulders.

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Okatse Canyon, located about 40 minutes drive from the Martvili, is another marvel of the country you should not miss. With a two to three-hour pedestrian trail, you pass through Dadiani ancient forest, a 780-meters long hanging path and finish at a viewpoint.

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