National Parks & Protected Areas

Borjomi - Kharagauli NP Lagodekhi PA Vashlovani PA Mtirala NP Kolkheti NP

National parks are generally created in order to protect relatively large, natural ecosystems of exceptional beauty that are of national and international importance and to conserve the existing biodiversity. In addition, the national park plays an important role in the development of eco-tourism, particularly in the promotion of the natural and cultural heritage of Georgia at the international level.
Currently Georgia has 10 National Parks with a total area of 349327.1 ha.

These are:
– Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park
– Kolkheti National Park
– Tusheti National Park
– Vashlovani National Park
– Mtirala National Park
– Algeti National Park
– Kazbegi National Park
– Tbilisi National Park
– Javakheti National Park
– Machakhela National Park
– Pshav-Khevsureti National Park

In this section we describe most popular and main National Parks & Protected Areas of Georgia

Borjomi – Kharagauli NP

Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park is located in central part of Georgia and creates eastern part of lesser Caucasus Mountains. The total area amounts to 85,083 ha, which is more than 1% of the territory of Georgia. Borjomi-Kharagauli Protected Areas includes 6 districts – Borjomi, Kharagauli, Akhaltsikhe, Adigeni, Khashuri and Baghdati. Administrative and visitors centers of the national park are located in Borjomi and Kharagauli. The park administration manages 4 various types of protected areas – Borjomi Nature Reserve, Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, Nedzvi Managed Reserve and Goderdzi fossil forest Natural Monument.

Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park tourist route network allows hiking for one or several days. Tourist route network is up to 400-2,642 meters. Paths are marked and well-arranged. Tourist shelters, picnic spots and camping sites are arranged along the routes. Sites for setting up a fire are also allocated. National park offers hiking, horse riding, biking, snowshoes, cultural and educational tours. The routes function throughout the year.

The National Park visitors’ center will help in organizing guide, horse or a local transport.

Trails & Activities

Tourist route network of the park offers a wide variety of one or several days tours and includes 12 marked and comfortable trails. The territory is famous for spruce, pine, fir-tree and mixed coniferous forests and offers hiking, horse riding, biking, snowshoes, cultural and educational tours.

Notice: While visiting horse riding trail it is necessary to register at Visitor Centers of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park: Borjomi or Kharagauli.

More details on trails here.

Services & Fees

You can hire: Tent – 10 GEL; Sleeping bag – 5 GEL; Camping mat – 3 GEL; Bicycle – 35 GEL; Snowshoes – 15 GEL; Lockers – 2/3 GEL; Camp site per person – 5 GEL;

Horse hire, 1 day – 50 GEL; Contact person: Nugzar Aitsuradze; Tel: 577 10 18 28

Horse hiring in Likani: 1 day – 60 Gel; Contact person: Jemal Ghonghadze; Tel: 591 81 90 39

Accommodation: Tourist shelter – 15 GEL per person; Marelisi hotel – 25 GEL per person; Hotel near the Visitor Center (8 persons), Borjomi – Contact person: Giorgi Okruashvili; Tel: +995 596084848; Atskuri camp (70 persons), in the Atskuri entrance of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park; Contact person: Nikoloz Sarjveladze; Tel: +995 599 75 75 57

How to Get There
Before visiting Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park it is recommended to check-in at visitor centre. Registration is required not only to define visitor statistics but also to ensure the safety of visitors, because in this case the administration is aware of presence of a group of visitors. In addition visitor can observe the exhibition hall for free, get visitor service and hire necessary tourist equipment.
Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park has two Visitor Centers – one in Borjomi, and another one in Kharagauli. Borjomi Visitor Center is located in Borjomi, Meskheti st. N23;
Kharagauli Visitor Center is located in Kharagauli borough, Solomon King st. N17.
Distance: Tbilisi to Borjomi – 160km (2 hr by car); Tbilisi to Kharagauli borough – 180 km (3hr by car)
Coordinates: X- 320420 Y – 4627554
Public transport: Minibuses from Didube Bus Terminal to Borjomi leave every day, every hour (8 Gel, 2 hr); Minibuses from Didube Bus Terminal to Kharagauli leave every day, twice a day (10 Gel, 3 hr and 30 min); Trains from Central Railway Station to Borjomi leave every day (2 Gel, 4 hr and 30 min); Trains from Central Railway Station to Kharagauli leave every day. (3 Gel, 3 hr and 30 min)

Contact Info:
Official website & more details:
Levan Tabunidze, Director of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park Administration
Tel.: 577 10 18 95; E-mail: ltabunidze@apa.gov.ge
Gaga Mumladze, Visitors Service Specialist
Tel.: 577 64 04 80; E-mail: gaga_mumladze@yahoo.com
Natia Andghuladze, Ecotourism Specialist, Central Office
Tel: 577 90 72 72, Email: info@apa.gov.ge

Lagodekhi PA

Established in 1912 Lagodekhi Protected Areas is one of the world’s best-preserved, primitive area with diversity of natural landscapes – is located in Lagodekhi, in the extreme north-eastern part of the southern slopes of the Caucasus and extends at an altitude of 590-3500 m.

Lagodekhi Protected Areas includes Lagodekhi Nature Reserve (19749 ha) and Managed Reserve (4702 ha).

Central entrance of Lagodekhi Protected Areas is integrated into administrative and visitors complexes. Exposition and exhibition halls are arranged in administrative building, where visitors have opportunity to become familiar with the specifics of Lagodekhi protected areas, existing tariffs, safety rules and to choose desirable route from existing tourist trails with appropriate services.

Trails & Activities

Lagodekhi Protected Areas can offer various complexity and different length routes for tourists. 5 marked and well-organized trails offer a wide variety of hiking, educational, horse riding and cultural tours on rich wild landscape of Lagodekhi Protected Areas. 600 meter nature interpretation path is arranged in the Administration yard especially for children.

Five breathtaking, safe and informative tourist trails are: Grouse waterfall, Ninoskhevi waterfall, Machi castle, Black Rock Lake and “Knowledge of nature” trail.

You can enjoy tours whole year round, tourist route “Black Rock Lake”: June-October

Notice: While visiting Machi fortress trail and Black Rock Lake trail, for registration it is necessary to hold the copy of your identification document with you.

More details on trails here.

Services & Fees

You can hire: Tent – 10GEL; Backpack – 5GEL; Sleeping bag – 5GEL; Camping mat -3GEL; Conference hall (50 persons): 150GEL; Horse service – 50GEL; Picnic area, 1 picnic table –15GEL; Camp site, per person – 5GEL.

Accommodation: Tourist shelter – 15 GEL per person.

How to Get There
Lagodekhi Protected Areas it is recommended to check-in in visitor center. Registration is required not only to define visitor statistics but also to ensure the safety of visitors, because in this case the administration is aware of presence of a group of visitors. In addition visitor can observe the exhibition hall for free, get visitor service and hire necessary tourist equipment.
Lagodekhi Protected Areas Visitor Center is located in Lagodekhi district, Vashlovani st. 17.
Distance: From Tbilisi to Lagodekhi 170 km (2.5 hr by car).
Coordinates: X – 606496 Y – 4633030
Public transport: Public transports (8 GEL) and private taxis (10 GEL) from metro Isani territory leave every day (2.5 hr)
Except the central entrance of the visitor center, the entrance is possible from the following entries (Please note that ranger stations are arranged along the mentioned entries which only control the entrance and exit of visitors and you will not be able to check-in or hire necessary tourist equipment there.): Village Gurgeniani – 15 km away from visitor center; Village Matsimi – 5 km away from visitor center.

Contact Info
Official website & more details:
Natia Shalvashvili, Head of Administrative Service
Tel.: 577 10 18 90, E-mail: tshalvashvili@gmail.com
Natia Andghuladze, Ecotourism Specialist, Central Office
Tel: 577 90 72 72; E-mail: info@apa.gov.ge

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Vashlovani PA

Established in 1935 Vashlovani Protected Areas is located in the extreme eastern part of the Dedoplistskaro district. It includes Vashlovani Nature Reserve, National Park and 3 Natural Monuments – Eagle Gorge, Takhti-Tepa Mud Volcanoes and Kaklisyure Alazani floodplain forest. Its area includes Pantishara-Vashlovani massive, whose height is up to 300-600 meters above sea level. The name Vashlovani is derived from the natural similarity and disposition of pistachio and apple trees that leaves the association of the fruit garden. It total area amounts to 35053,7 ha.

Administrative and visitors center of the national park is located in Dedoplistskaro. Exhibition and presentation hall is designed in administrative building, where visitors have the opportunity to become familiar with the specifics of protected areas, existing tariffs, and safety rules and choose the desired travel route.

Trails & Activities

Vashlovani Protected Areas tourist trail network gives the possibility of hiking for one or several days. Paths are marked and well-arranged. Bungalows, picnic spots and camping sites are arranged along the routes. Sites for setting up a fire are also allocated. National park offers hiking, geological, biking, photo, cultural and educational tours.

Please note that it is necessary to check-in in Visitors center before visiting the national park. Please have an identity card with you.

You can enjoy tours whole year around, active season lasts from May to November

The best period for birdwatching: spring (April) and autumn (October, November)

The best period for sport fishing: April-July

Blooming period of endemic plants (Georgian iris, Eichlertulip, Steppe Peony): April – second half of May

Ripening period of mastic tree fruit and color changing of leaves of Eurasian Smoketree: September-November

Notice: While visiting boundary territories – Mijniskure, Takhti-Tepa and Kaklis Kure it is necessary to register at Visitor Center of Vashlovani Protected Areas (5 Baratashvili street, Dedoplistskaro) and hold the copy of your identification document with you.

Notice: Visiting these territories is possible only by off road vehicle.

There are 7 tourist trails at Vashlovani National Park. Please see more details on trails here.

Services & Fees

You can hire or plan: Tent – 10GEL; Sleeping bag – 5GEL; Camping mat – 3GEL; Backpack – 5GEL; Binocular – 1GEL; Conference hall (35 persons) – 130GEL; Camp site, per person – 5GEL; Safari tour: „visitor center – Khornabuji – St. Elias Mountain” – 60GEL (10 persons); Safari tour: „visitor center – Takhti-Tepa Natural Monument“- 160 GEL (10 persons); Safari tour „visitor center – Vashlovani – Patishara – Datvis Khevi“- 175 GEL (10 persons); Safari tour „visitor center – Kakliskure – Shavi Mta“- 200 GEL (10 persons); Sport fishing – 5 GEL;

Entrance fee for the following trails: Takhti-Tepa, Mijniskure and Shavi Mta-Kakliskure – 5GEL.

Accommodation: Single room at visitor center, Dedoplistskaro – 30GEL; Double room at visitor center, Dedoplistskaro – 35GEL; Double room at visitor center (Lux), Dedoplistskaro – 50GEL; Double at Bungalow, Vashlovani – 40GEL; Triple at Bungalow, Mijniskure – 50GEL.

How to Get There
Vashlovani Protected Areas visitor center is located at 5 Baratashvili St., in Dedoplistskaro.
Coordinates: X – 592183 Y – 4590704
Distance: From Tbilisi to Dedoplistskaro – 130km (2 hr by car)
Travel by public transport: Minibus from Ortachala station leaves every day, every hour (5 Gel, 2 hr); Minibus from metro Isani territory leaves everyday (6-8 Gel, 1 hr and 30 min).

Contact Info
Official website & more details:
Nino Seturidze, Visitor Service specialist
Tel: 577 10 18 49; E-mail: nseturidze13@gmail.com
Natia Andghuladze, Ecotourism Specialist, Central Office
Tel: 577 90 72 72; Email: info@apa.gov.ge

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Mtirala NP

Established in 2007, Mtirala National Park is located in south-western part of Caucasus, Lesser Caucasus, in particular extreme western part of Achara-Imereti range, on Kobuleti-Chaqvi range, near Black Sea. Its total area is 15698.8 ha. Mtirala NP is located between Municipalities of Kobuleti, Khelvachauri and Qeda. The Administrative building is located in Chaqvi, while visitors center in village Chaqvistavi, which is 15 km away from administrative center. There are exhibition and presentation halls in visitors center where visitors have the opportunity to become familiar with the specifics of the National Park, services, tariffs and chose the desired option.

Trails & Activities

Tourist trails of Mtirala NP are one or two-days. Trails are marked and well-arranged. Picnic and camping places are arranged, fire spots are allocated, as well as tourist shelter 9 km away from the beginning of the trail. National park offers hiking, horsing, scientific eco-tours. Visitors can use with extreme and entertaining service Zip-Line and can slide on 200m rope extended from one tree to another.

The best season for visit is spring, summer and early autumn. Visitors center of national park will help you to organize guide, hose and local transport.

Tourist season lasts from May to October

The best period for bird watching: from the second half of August – to October

Blooming period of endemic plants, pontic rhododendron and rhododendron ungerni: April-June, Woronow snowdrop: from March- till the first half of April.

Zip-line: May-October

There are only two tourist trails in Mtirala National Park. These trails have been built with the support of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

You will find more details about trails in Mtirala here.

It must be mentioned that the upper section of the park and its forest is amazingly beautiful and magical. Although the trail to tourist shelter is very steep and takes at least 3 hours to climb in a very humid environment it’s 100% worth the effort.

The night in the shelter will be guaranteed magical.

Due to high humidity it is always foggy and sounds and feels like always raining. In reality, when you look up you will mostly see the clear sky and realize that the rain in fact is nothing but the drops coming from the trees. Probably that’s the very reason why this place is call Mtirala National Park – Mtirala means crybaby in Georgian 🙂

Services & Fees

You can hire: Zip-line – 15GEL; Tent – 10GEL; Backpack – 5GEL; Sleeping bag – 5GEL; Conference hall (50 persons) – 100GEL; 1 Picnic table (5 persons) – 15GEL; Camp site, per person – 5GEL; Horse rental, 1 day – 50GEL;

Accommodation: Tourist shelter price, per person – 15GEL; Pupils, professional colleges and university students – 10GEL; Double room at visitor center, village Chakvistavi – 50 GEL; Pupils, professional colleges and university students – 30GEL.

How to Get There
Mtirala National Park Administration is located in Chaqvi borough, Megeneishvili N13. Narrow ground road l5 km away the administration leads us to visitor center, which is located in village Chaqvistavi.
Coordinates: X – 738085 Y – 4618178
Distance: From Tbilisi to Chaqvi 350 km (5–6 hr by car); From Batumi to Chaqvi 10 km (15 min by car); From Chaqvi to visitor center 15 km (45 min by car).
Travel by public transport: Minibus from Didube and Vagzali bus terminal to Batumi leaves every day (20 Gel, 6 hr); Train from Tbilisi Central Railway Station leaves every day (18/25 Gel); Minibus from Batumi Central Station to Chaqvi leaves every day, every 15 minutes (0,70 Gel, 20 min); Minibus from Kobuleti to Batumi leaves every day (1.50 Gel, 25 min);
From Chakvi to Visitors center inside the park, one can take a taxi for the price of 25-30GEL. Local minibuses go only 2 times a week.

Contact Info
Official website & more details:
Teona Gvianidze, Visitor Service Specialist
Tel: 577 10 18 89, E-mail: teogvianidze@gmail.com
Natia Andghuladze, Ecotourism Specialist, Central Office
Tel: 577 90 72 72; E-mail: info@apa.gov.ge

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Kolkheti NP

Established in 1998, Kolkheti National Park is located in western Georgia. It includes east coast line of Black Sea and Lake Paliastomi basin. National Park is created in order to protect and maintain Kolkheti wetland ecosystems of International importance. Districts of the national park are located on 5 administrative regions – Zugdidi, Khobi, Senaki, Abasha and Lanchkuti and are part of two historic parts of Georgia – Samegrelo and Guria.

Kolkheti National Park Administration offers boat tours on Lake Paliastomi and river Pichori gorge, as well as sport fishing, bird watching and eco-educational tours. Tours are carried out throughout the year Visitors’ center of the national park will help you organize a tour.

Trails & Activities

Kolkheti National Park offers a wide variety of boating tours, bird watching and eco educational tours. You can enjoy tours whole year round. The best period for bird watching: early spring and late autumn

Notice: For visitor safety tours are not arranged in bad weather

More information on trails and tours you can find here.

Services & Fees

You can hire or plan: Tent – 10GEL; Conference hall (50 persons) – 160GEL; Picnic area, 1 picnic table – 15GEL; Camp site, Anaklia (Churia district) – 5GEL; Tour by kayak, Okros Tba (Golden lake), 1 seat /1 hr – 10 Gel, 2 seats /1 hr -15 Gel; Tour by motorboat „Paliastomi‐ Pichori“, 1‐3 persons, 2 hr -70 Gel; Tour by pontoon „Paliastomi‐ Pichori“, 1-16 persons/3hr -185 Gel; Tour by pontoon „Lake Paliastomi“, 1-16 persons/3hr – 100Gel; Tour by kayak (Pontoon+kayak) Gorge of riv. Pichori, 1-4 persons/4 hr – 345 Gel; 1- 8 persons/4 hr – 425 Gel; Rowing boat, Okros Tba (Golden lake) or Anaklia, 1-3 persons/1 hr – 20 Gel; Binocular – 10GEL; Tour by motorboat, riv. Churia, 1-3 persons/2 h – 60GEL.

Accommodation: Double room at visitor center, Poti: 50GEL; Double room at visitor center, Poti: 25GEL; Tourist shelter, Anaklia: per person – 15 Gel; Pupils, professional colleges and university students: 10GEL.

How to Get There
Kolkheti National Park Administration and Visitor Center is located at 222 Guria St., Poti, Maltakva District.
Coordinates: X – 722952 Y – 4665569
Distance: From Tbilisi to Poti 330 km (5 hr by car/by train); From Batumi to Poti – 70 km (1 hr by car).
Travel by public transport: Minibus leaves from Tbilisi bus terminal every day, every 2-3 hr (15 Gel, 5 hr); Train leaves from Tbilisi Central Railway Station every day (20 Gel, 5 hr);

Contact Info
Official website

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