Blog Archive: September 2021
Takhti-Tepha Mud Volcanoes in Georgia
Takhti-Tepha mud volcanoes, sometimes also referred to as Vashlovani mud volcanoes is a landform created by the eruption of mud, slurries, water, and gases in the proximity of Takhti-Tepha mountain range.
I had heard about this beautiful place many times before, but first visited at the start of June 2021, during the Vashlovani Trip
This mud volcano is located on the plane, south of Dali water reservoir, at 620 m above sea level in Dedoplistsqaro Municipality, Georgia, and incorporated in Vashlovani Protected Areas.
Mud craters, along with small open vents are constantly active, erupting mud, oil, and gas.
The length of the pedestrian path across the Takhti-Tepha Natural Monument is 0.5…
Paravani lake
Paravani lake is a volcanic lake in Georgia, located in Javakheti Plateau between Abul-Samsari and Javakheti Ranges in the Samthske Javakheti region, some 2h 30 minutes drive (around 130 km) from Tbilisi.
In the shores of Paravani lake, there is located famous Phoka monastery
Paravani Lake is located 2,073 m (6,801 ft) above sea level and has a surface area of 37.5 km2 (14.5 sq mi) and a drainage basin of 234 km2 (90 sq mi).
Its maximum and average depths are 3.3 m (11 ft) and 2.2 m (7 ft 3 in) respectively. The volume of the lake is 91,000,000 m3 (3.2×109 cu ft). The water level is low during October and November and is high during May and June.
The lake is frozen during wintertime and…
Hotel Newport Kutaisi Review
Built in 1914, former courthouse building has transformed itself into a modern 4-star hotel, located in the heart of Kutaisi.
Featuring a bar and a terrace, Newport Hotel Kutaisi is located in Kutaisi, 400 m from Colchis Fountain and 1.5 km from Bagrati Cathedral.
We booked this 4-star hotel for one night stay at the start of September 2021 and paid GEL 267 (USD 85 / EUR 72). Our stay was quite good, except the rooms seemed bit tiny.
Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk, and room service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel has newspapers and a fax machine and a photocopier that guests can use.
Turns out a few…
Dalis Mta Water Reservoir
Dalis Mta water reservoir is a man made reservoir built on Iori river, at the distance of 30 km to the south of Dedoplistskaro, in the vicinity of Chachuna Managed Reserve.
We first discovered it during a Vashlovani trip in the Summer of 2021, we actually stayed overnight next to this water reservoir at the Hotel Dalis Mta
Very spectacular place. I would say - one of the most interesting I have recently seen.
The mountain at the coast of the water reservoir is called “Dalis Mta”. The total water volume is 140,0 million m3. Hundreds of thousands of larvae are placed there annually.
The following fish species are spread: Grass Carp, Barbels, Common Carp, Silver Carp,…
Valka Bus Station
Valka bus station is centrally located in Valka and offers quite convenient intercity connections to Riga, Valmiera, Rūjiena, and Smiltene.The bus station in Valka was opened to the public in 1965. There is cafe Walk across the square.
Saghamo Lake
Saghamo Lake is a lake of Samtskhe-Javakheti, southeastern Georgia, just south of Gamdzani. It covers an area of 458 hectares. It is located north of Madatapa Lake and Biketi Lake. The village of Saghamo lies on its eastern bank.
We made a brief stop here, during our Javakheti trip in early June 2021
Saghamo lake is located on the east part of Javakheti volcanic mountains, in the Paravani river basin, at an altitude of 1996 meters.
The watershed of the lake is located in the east part of the Samsari range and at the west part of Javakheti range slopes.
The south and south-western shores of the lake, built with andesites are downhill and collapsed. From the north side of the lake is a…
Okatse Canyon and hanging cliff trail with a platform
Okatse Canyon is another breathtaking landmark in beautiful Georgia. The main tourist attraction at Okatse canyon probably is the 780 m long hanging cliff trail with the 20m long platform at the trail end, hanging above the canyon and providing panoramic views. The canyon is located some 50km west of Kutaisi, Georgia.
I first visited Okatse canyon at the start of September 2021, during a weekend trip to Kutaisi and the area, see: Kutaisi Trip / Tskaltubo, Okatste canyon, Kinchkha waterfall, Martvili
We arrived to the main entry by our own car, and from there hired a local driver for GEL 80 to take us to the start of the trail (its possible to walk by foot and free too). Also…
Borjomi and Akhaltsikhe trip
A quick day trip (with an overnight stay) to Borjomi and Akhaltsikhe in beautiful Georgia
In this drone video footage - Saint George Church and Monastery (sometimes referred just as that lovely women monastery up there somewhere in Borjomi), Atskuri fortress, the gem of Samtskhe Javakheti region - Safara monastery; and of course Rabati complex (there is a nice hotel actually located inside the complex).
Music by Scott Holmes - Epic Cinematic!
Taken September 25 and 26, 2020 with DJI Mavic Mini.
Kinchkha Waterfall in Georgia
Kinchkha Waterfall is located in Georgia near the village of Kinchkha, some 300km away or 4h 30m drive from Tbilisi / or about 55km 1h20m drive from Kutaisi.
The waterfall is located in the river gorge of Okatse (Satsikvilo) at 843 meters above sea level.
We first visited Kinchkha waterfall at the start of September 2021, despite I had heard about this magnificent place many many times before.
The waterfall is clearly visible from the roadside, but if you want actually get down to it, there is a visitor's center and the entry price was about GEL 18 per adult (foreigners) in 2021
Kinchkha Waterfall has three steps in the chalkstone slopes: the upper step with 25m height drop…
Wooden church near Paravani Lake / Phoka monastery
Poka St.Nino Nunnery - is located at the shore of Paravani lake, Ninotsminda Municipality, South Georgia.
The Little Wooden church is located bit outside the Poka village, on the left side on Tbilisi - Kojori - Tsalka - Ninotsminda road. That' s how we actually found this place. We were heading from Ninotsminda and wanted to make a stop at the famous Phoka nunnery, but at first found this lovely woodend church near the Paravani lake. Just later we learned that the nunnery is actually located inside the village (some 500 meters back on the road), while there is still a men monastery located close to the wooden church (some 200 meters)
The establishment of the monastery is connected to…
Kutaisi Trip / Tskaltubo, Okatste canyon, Kinchkha waterfall, Martvili
UFO-shaped but abandoned spa sanatoriums, hot pools near stalactite caves, waterfalls, and canyons.
Rivers and great cuisine. shortly put another great weekend has been recorded. Tskaltubo, Okatse, Martvili, Kutaisi and more.
Martvili Canyon
Martvili Canyon is a picturesque landmark of water and rocks, located some 50km west of Kutaisi, Georgia.
It is located 5 km from the town of Martvili, and 2 km from the village of Gachedili (which gave the canyon its other name, Gachedili Canyon).
We first visited Martvii Canyon at the start of September 2021 during a weekend trip around this part of Georgia.
The entrance fee per adult as about GEL 18 (for foreigners). At Martvili canyon a boat trip is possible, but during our time here boats were out of service.
700 meters circular hiking trail starts from the visitors' centre and passes through Dadiani's historic walkway.
There are 2 bridges, 3 viewing platforms, and 30-…
Naukšēni Manor
Naukšēni Manor is a two-story manor house located in the Naukšēni Municipality, Naukšēni Parish, in the historical region of Vidzeme, northern Latvia.
We discovered this manor by a chance by traveling Valka - Rūjiena road in the mid July 2021
Built in 1820, it was renovated in 1843 by Friedrich Gottlieb Gläser in Empire style according to the drafts made by its landlord Heinrich Wilhelm von Groth. Additional modifications were made at the end of the 19th century and again in 1938. Between 1920 and 1957 the building functioned as a children's home. It now houses the Naukšēni local history museum.
Phoka Nunnery in Georgia
Phoka – a village in Georgia, In the municipality of Ninotsminda, Samtskhe-Javakheti region, on the shores of Lake Paravani, with an altitude of 2080 meters above sea level.
Distance to Ninotsminda – 28 Km, to Tbilisi – 128 Km.
There are a public school and St. Nino operational monasteries and nunneries in the village. There are a parish school and a medical inspection room as well as a studio of cloisonne enamel for manufacturing icons and holy vessels at the nunnery.
From 1999 by the blessing of the Catholicos-Patriarch of all Georgia Ilia II the day of arrival of St. Nino to Georgia has been being celebrated on each 1st of June. At the Day of Saint Nino, synod eparch,…
Hiking at Birtvisi Canyon
Looking for a fun and scenic day trip from Tbilisi? This past Sunday, we set out on what turned into a surprisingly adventurous and beautiful hike through two of Georgia’s natural gems — Birtvisi Canyon and an attempt at reaching Samshvilde Canyon.We started our morning at the always-impressive Birtvisi Canyon — one of our favorite hiking spots in the region. Just about an hour’s drive from the capital, Birtvisi offers the perfect combination of rocky trails, forest paths, panoramic views, and fascinating fortress ruins hidden among the cliffs. It’s an easy to moderate hike that anyone in decent shape can enjoy, and it never fails to impress with its dramatic scenery.After enjoying the…