It is often discussed which part of Georgia is better with its nature or climate. Meanwhile, the only fact is definitely true that every region has its own characteristics and outstanding features.
Adjara has everything in it, from seaside to highlands.
Let us introduce to you three special pieces of nature from the mountainous Adjara region.
Kintrishi National Park. Photo Credit: National Parks of Georgia
Kintrishi National Park
Kintrishi Protected Areas include the Kintrishi Strict Nature Reserve and Kintrishi National Park.
Kintrishi National Park is a protected area in Kobuleti Municipality, Adjara, located in Kintrishi River valley. The park was established in 2007 with the purpose to preserve unique local flora and fauna.
The climate is usually very humid as surrounding mountain systems hold air coming from the sea.
Situated on 2500 meters above sea level, the park offers its visitors two different difficulty level trails, 1 day long pedestrian route including historical site Tamari Arch Bridge and 2 day long Utkhovari and Lake Tbikeli route. The last one can be completed by horse ride as an option.
Mtirala National Park. Photo Credit: National Parks of Georgia
Mtirala National Park
Mtirala National Park is a protected area in Adjara, Western Georgia. Previously known as Tsiskara Reserve, it is situated between the Black Sea and the Adjara Mountains. The park is considered as one of the most humid places in the whole Eastern Europe. Frequent rains and constant fog are the reason for its name Mtirala that means “Crybaby” in Georgian. Such a climate created relevant living conditions for very diverse habitats and species. Fauna includes the brown bear, roe deer, wild boar, booted eagle, eagle owl, golden oriole, Caucasian salamander, Caucasian toad, Eurasian marsh frog and Caucasian viper.
The park is a perfect place to have a picnic as it has special zones for camping and picnic with bon-fire. At the end of the 9 km long trail path there is a Tsablnari Waterfall with a height of 28 meters.
Batumi Botanical Garden. Photo Credit: National Parks of Georgia
Batumi Botanical Garden
Batumi Botanical Garden is located 9 km away from Batumi, between Mtsvane Kontskhi (Green Cape) and Chakvi. It has a 1 km long seashore and elevates to 220 meters above sea level. The garden is amazingly unique as it includes 9 floristic, completely different climatic and landscape zones on the same territory. Imagine, you can find yourself wandering through humid subtropics of the Caucasus, Australia, New Zealand, the Himalayas, Eastern Asia, North America, South America, Mexico and the Mediterranean without teleport ability. And as an honorable mention, an additional side dish would be a Japanese Garden in the middle of the garden’s main route.
The foundation of Batumi Botanical Park dates back to 1912 when Andrei Krasnov, a Professor, Geographer, Botanical and Traveler from Kharkov University and Georgian agronomist-decorator Iason Gordeziani collaborated on cultivation and decoration of the area. Since then, the garden significantly developed and nowadays proudly stands in the list as one of the most prominent and rich Botanical Gardens in the world.
More than 5000 species of plants, amazing horizon views of the sea above garden mountains make sure your day will be packed with the best visual aesthetics of the perfect sub-tropical nature.
Batumi Botanical Garden. Photo Credit: Visitbatumi.com
Machakhela Valley
Machakhela Valley is located 19 km south from Batumi. Valley preserved its historical sightseeings. Visitors can hike, cycle or ride a horse, while enjoying sites like Tskhemlara bridge, Kokoleti bridge, Chkheri bridge, Chkhutuneti Castle and Machakhela Ethnographic Museum.
Historically, Machakhela Valley was known for its rich blacksmith workshops, where firearms and cold weapons were forged along with household and agricultural tools. The “Machakhela” rifle is considered to be the first Georgian firearm and it was first manufactured in this valley in the 18th century. One of the gun-making workbenches is kept in the Adjara State Museum.
The valley is also famous for honey and its special production technology.
