EVERYTHING ABOUT GEORGIA

Goderdzi Pass situated at the height of 2366m is a home of newly made Goderdzi Ski resort. The wilderness setting offers the visitor unique experiences, fresh-air and world-class scenery. Pristine forested mountains create a fantastic setting in the winter, summer and, most dramatically, when the autumn colors create an intense display.

More information on Goderdzi resort you can find here .

Distance from Batumi: 109 km

Distance from Tbilisi: 450 km

Altitude: 2000 m

Sites to visit in Nigazeuli: Nigazeuli fortress and wall (VIII AD), mosque and museum (in the village territory).

Nigazeuli Waterfall: height - approximately 20 m; the waterfall is seasonal and flows only in spring. In other seasons it’s mainly dry. The road to waterfall is quite complex so we don't recommend going there. It can be perfectly observed from the village. Below Nigazeuli, at the turn, there is Purtio Bridge and very nice restaurant with picnic and recreational area. It is possible to arrange the hiking and horse-riding tours to Chanchkhalo Fortress.

Activities: Studying animal breeding, traditional practices of poultry and vegetable farming; hiking; camping; rock climbing; skiing and sledding; hunting; fishing; observing-studying traditional knitting and tobacco processing, wine making and vodka distillation processes; preparing traditional local dishes; visiting healing-mineral springs and historic-cultural monuments.

Transportation: Mini Bus "Batumi-Nigazeuli" leaves from Batumi bus station, every day at 15:00, 18:00. Price - 5 GEL. There is no public transport from Tbilisi.

Activities/services: getting acquainted with traditional rules for gardening and horticulture, cattle breeding, aviculture, beekeeping, learning traditional recipes of local dishes, traditional handicraft knitting, embroidery, hiking, learn popular national trades - knitting, embroidery, wine making or vodka distillation (seasonal). Visit of nearby historical monuments, fishing and swimming in the river.

Transportation: Mini Bus "Batumi-Keda" leaves from Batumi bus station every day in every 15 minute. The price: 2 Gel.

There are centuries-old arch bridges in Machakhela Valley, the biggest of them - Tskhemlara Bridge (length - 25 m, width - 2 m); here one can also visit fortresses, churches and monasteries, marani-s (wine cellars) built with the limestone and satsnakheli-s (wine squeezers), dated back to various historic periods. Several legends about Queen Tamar are associated with Machakhela Valley. In the old times, there was number of rich smitheries in the valley. Along with the family and agricultural tools, they were forging colds and firearms. At the junction of Chorokhi and Machakhela Rivers there is a monument of Machakhela gun. In Zemo Chkhutuneti Village, one casn visit is Machakhela Ethnographic Museum. In Machakhela Valley tourists might be interested in famous Machakhela honey and its manufacturing technologies.

Machakhela National Park is located at the administrative border of Khelvachauri and Keda Municipalities, in Machakhela River Valley and is the part of environmental corridor, which links together protected areas of south-west Georgia (Mtirala National Park and Kintrishi Protected Areas) and north-east Turkey (Jamil Biosphere Reserve).

Activities: Become familiar with traditional rules of cattle breeding, poultry raising, vegetable growing and beekeeping, hunting, fishing, traditional ways of cooking local dishes, hiking, camping, horse-racing, and visiting historical and cultural sites In addition, learn about the history of creating gun "Machakhela" as well as the popular national trades of knitting, embroidery, wickerwork with baskets and long baskets, wine making and vodka brewing (seasonal).

Transportation: Mini Buses "Batumi-Zeda Chkhutuneti" leaves from "Boni" bazaar every day at 16:00, 19:00. Price - 2 GEL. "Batumi-Chikuneti" - leaves from Tbilisi square at 11:00, 14:00, and 17:00. Price - 2 GEL.

Mtirala National Park is the most humid spot in the Eastern Europe. The first tourist route in Mtirala National Park starts from the Visitor Center. The path follows the left bank of Chakvistavi River, along which one can encounter the red-listed representatives of Colchic flora and fauna: marten, fox, mountain eagle, hawk, brown bear, thrush, pigeon, Georgian walnut, Colchian hazelnut. Approximately 2 km away from the Visitor's Centre, the picnic place is arranged – plateau surrounded by the sycamores; walking just 400 meters to the south-west from this spot will bring visitors to the 12 meter high waterfall decorated by the boxwood and ivy. Some 1000 meters away from this waterfall, one can see the clear river flowing among the rocks, which soon transforms into the mountain lake full of trout. There are many picnic and tenting places around the lake. The path connecting the Lake with the Visitors' Center will bring the visitors to ruins of the old abandoned settlement. It is possible to arrange water, ethnological, ecological and birdwatching tours to Mtirala Mountain.

Activities: Learn the traditional activities of gardening and vegetable growing, hiking, camping, cooking local dishes, cycling, horse-riding, visiting historical and cultural sites, hunting, fishing, wine making and vodka brewing (seasonal).

Transportation: mini Bus "Batumi-Chakvistavi" leaves from Batumi bus station on Mondays and on Friday at 16:00. Price - 3 GEL.

It is also possible to take a mini bus "Batumi-Kobuleti"/"Batumi-Chakvi" to the center of Chakvi then you can take a taxi (average price 30-40 GEL).

Mini bus "Batumi-Kobuleti"/"Batumi-Chakvi" leaves from Catholics Church (from Baku and Shavsheti str. Cross) every day, in every 30 minute. Price - 1 GEL.

More information about Mtirala National Park you can find on our National Parks page .