3 Days Vashlovani Trip

Drive from Dedoplistskaro to one of the most spectacular routes in Georgia. The first 1.5 hours go through the vast Shiraki Plain , then you reach the Alessilebi Mountains , the “Sharp Cliffs” that run through the area from east to west. Here the land suddenly falls like a heavy curtain more than 70 meters down. The play of light and shadow on the wrinkled rocks is breathtaking.

Drive to the border post and then into the Vashlovani National Park . From here, the route runs mostly along the dry riverbed, which varies in comfort depending on the time of year. Short hike to the Usachelo Plateau with a small viewing platform, from where you have the most beautiful view of the Alessilebi Mountains , with the wrinkled sea of ​​rocks stretching to the horizon.

The journey continues through deeply cut river canyons, which are so narrow in places that it is difficult to thread your way through, to Midjniskure, the outermost post and today’s overnight accommodation on the Alassani River, the border with Azerbaijan. On the edge of a sparse forest of pistachios and junipers, where the nightingale can be heard in May and June, there are several simply furnished bungalows, a small oasis in the desert. You can go fishing, take short walks and enjoy the impressive landscape. The rare chukar chicken and bee-eaters are native here. Dinner must be prepared together on site.

Overnight stay in Midjniskure in a bungalow

Drive along the Alessilebi mountain range, the so-called “Sharp Cliffs”. In the early morning you can see the almost extinct goiter gazelle (lat. Gazella subgutturosa ) . The route is once again magnificent in terms of scenery, the up to 70 meter high, wrinkled sandstone cliffs form a constantly changing play of colors and shapes.

We continue into the Pantischara Gorge , whose steep walls rise vertically on both sides like a fortress. The entire area was a sea in prehistoric times. In the limestone sediments you can find numerous fossilized mussels, fossils and marine plants, and from later times even well-preserved fossils of elephant bones have been found here. With a bit of luck you can see wild boar and wolf tracks in the soft ground. Snake eagles and Egyptian vultures circle in the sky.

Return journey through the wide Shiraki plain to Dedoplistskaro.

Overnight stay in Dedoplistskaro

Early in the morning, drive to the nearby Eagle Gorge , a hotspot for breeding birds of prey. Over 60 species of birds live here. Climb along the beautifully laid out hiking trail to the viewing platform at the end of the gorge, from where you can watch the circling birds of prey. Griffon vultures and black storks breed in the rocks opposite. From here, you also have a wonderful view of the wide Alazani Valley and the snow-capped peaks of the Caucasus.

Continue west to the Chachuna Reserve on the Iori River, one of the most famous bird sanctuaries in the Caucasus. There are 82 species of birds here, ten of which are on the Red List. With a bit of luck you will see bearded vultures and imperial eagles circling.

The semi-desert landscape has a special flora and fauna. One special plant is the wild pistachio trees, which form their own ecosystem due to their umbrella-like structure, acting as a protective shield for the plants below.

Continue past the Dali reservoir to the Tachti Tepas mud volcanoes , a truly extraordinary natural monument. They are located on a small plateau, covered by a whitish layer of clay. There are about 25 active mini-volcanoes, which are believed to be around 2 million years old and still bubble quietly, steam and spit out small amounts of mud and oil with a smacking sound. The substances are proven to be gas and oil, which are harmless to health.

Picnic and leisurely return to Tbilisi.