Lagodekhi State Reserve

Lagodekhi state reserve, which is one of the best preserved in the world, with its primitive and diverse natural landscapes, is located in Lagodekhi, in the extreme north-eastern part of the slopes of the southern Caucasus at an altitude of 350-3500 m.

Total area of Lagodekhi protected territories cover and include Lagodekhi State Reserve (19749 ha) and Lagodekhi Strict Nature Reserve (4702 ha). The development of infrastructure, related to education and recreational activities, supports to advance the understanding and perception of nature among visitors.

Nowadays, the strict reserve of Lagodekhi protected areas contains five picturesque, safe and informative tourist routes, such as: Grouse Waterfall, Ninoskhevi Waterfall, Machi Fortress, Black Rock Lake and Nature Interpretation Path.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Lagodekhi State Reserve
• Exploring wildlife of Lagodekhi state reserve
• Rocho waterfall (optional)
• Tasting Georgian dishes and wine
• Ninoskhevi waterfall
• Village Matsimi
• Machi fortress
• Kvareli
• Nekresi
• Tbilisi walking tour

TOUR DETAILS:

• Category: outdoor activities
• Available: late spring-mid fall
• Age: 16-65
• Duration: 8 days
• Route length: 69 km
• Group size: optional

ITINERARY:

DAY 1: ARRIVAL – MEETING AT THE AIRPORT AND TRANSFER TO THE HOTEL

DAY 2: LAGODEKHI STATE RESERVE

After the breakfast, the group will meet the guide. Following the inspection of hiking equipments, the group will drive to Lagodekhi. You will go through a registration at the park administration and will go along the extremely beautiful and interesting path, which boasts for amazing panoramic views of Alazani Valley and Caucasus Mountain. On the way, guests will have a lunch. Overnight will be in the tourists’ shelter or tent, where you will have a dinner and needed relaxation.

Tour details:

By minivan – 180 km (3 hours)
Trekking – 12 km (5-6 hours)
Altitude difference – 550 m-1936 m

DAY 3: EXPLORING WILDLIFE OF LAGODEKHI STATE RESERVE

Breakfast (07:00-08:00)

On this day, we will continue our trip to Kochalo ridge. In an hour, we will go up to the upper alpine zone of the forest, from where, travelers will have the possibility to observe rare hoofed animals, such as: deer, chamois, ibex, as well as birds, such as grouse, Caucasian Snowcock, bearded vulture and various species of eagles. From ”Demidovi Ruins”, visitors can see, above mentioned beautiful animals and feel the real wildness. They can also visit the glacial era picturesque small lakes and marshlands, embroidered by the magic of nature. In 30 minutes, in front of us opens spectacular Black Rock Lake, which is a natural border with the Russian Federation. We will have dinner nearby lake and come back to tourists’ shelter, where we will have supper and well-deserved rest.

Tour details:

Trekking – 24 km (7-8 hours)
Altitude difference – 1936 m-2650 m-2490 m-2650 m-1936 m

DAY 4: ROCHO WATERFALL (OPTIONAL) – TASTING GEORGIAN DISHES AND WINE

Breakfast (07:00-08:00)

On this day, you will go back to the administrative center. In case of desire, you will visit attractive Rocho waterfall, or will relax in Lagodekhi, in the guesthouse, where you will have dinner. In the evening you will be able to try well-known and tasty Georgian dishes and superb Georgian wine.

Tour details:

By minivan – 12 km (1-1.30 minutes)
Trekking – 12 km (3-4 hours)
Altitude difference – 1936 m-550 m

DAY 5: VILLAGE GURGENIANI – NINOSKHEVI WATERFALL

Breakfast (08:00-09:00)

After the breakfast, you will go to village Gurgeniani information center, from where, a pathway goes along the river Ninoskhevi. The noise of the river, small waterfalls, huge boulders, pleasant breeze wandering in the valley, will make your trip a very funny and adventurous. A few more steps and magical view of 40m Ninoskhevi Waterfall (one of the most beautiful in Georgia) is in front of you. On the way, we will have lunch and return to Lagodekhi. In the evening, you will have dinner and rest in a guesthouse.

Tour details:

By minivan – 16 km (20 minutes)
Trekking – 9 km (4-5 hours)
Altitude difference – 600 m-890 m-600 m

DAY 6: VILLAGE MATSIMI – MACHI FORTRESS

Breakfast (08:00-09:00)

On this day, you will go to village Matsimi information center. Guests will take the path, which goes along river “Dark Gorge”. On the way we see hornbeam groves, stones covered by mosses.  Experiencing a real fairytale, we go through beech groves and cross the river “Dark Gorge”, from where a narrow path takes us to centuries old Machi fortress, built by our ancestors. On the way, you will have dinner. In the evening you return to Lagodekhi, have dinner and overnight in a guesthouse.

Tour details:

By minivan – 14 km (30 minutes)
Trekking – 10.5 km (3-4 hours)
Altitude difference – 430 m-740 m-430 m

DAY 7: KVARELI – NEKRESI MONASTERY – GREMI FORTRESS – TBILISI

Breakfast (08:00-09:00)

On this day, you return to Tbilisi. On the way, in Kvareli you will have a small excursion, dinner and wine tasting in corporation Kindzmarauli wine cellar.You will also visit beautiful Nekresi monastery (IV century) and wonderful Gremi fortress city (XVI century).

In the afternoon you will go to Tbilisi. Dinner and overnight will be in Tbilisi.

Tour details:

By minivan – 180 km (3 hours)

DAY 8: TBILISI WALKING TOUR – FAREWELL DINNER – TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT

Breakfast (09:00-10:00)

After the breakfast, you will have Tbilisi walking tour. After the tour, travelers will have dinner and a walk to the dry bridge, where one can buy antiques, handmade items and souvenirs. In the evening you will have a farewell supper and transfer to the airport.

Tour details:

Walking – 4 km (2-3 hours)

TOUR PARTICIPANTS SHOULD BRING:

• Personal medicines
• Water proof shoes
• Sandals or trainers
• Warm jacket and raincoat
• Warm hat
• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Personal hygiene items
• Backpack

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• Pick-up and transfer to the airport
• Transportation by comfortable vehicle
• Certified guide service
• 7 overnights (2 nights in the hotel, 3 – in the guesthouse, 2 – in the tourists’ shelter or tent/p.s. in case of tents, all necessary equipment will be provided)
• Meals included for the duration of the tour
• Wine tasting
• Farewell dinner at the restaurant

TOUR PRICE: