Vashlovani Protected Areas
Duration of the tour: 1 Day
Route: Tbilisi, Dedoplistskaro, Vashlovani Protected Areas, Tbilisi
Transportation: Nissan Pathfinder (4WD)
Distance: 450 km
Sights:
Pantishara- Bear
Canyon: The swallows Town, Alesilebi, Petrified Flora and Fauna.
Short description:
Vashlovani Protected Areas is located in
the extreme eastern part of the Dedoflistskaro district. It includes Vashlovani
Nature Reserve, National Park and 3 Natural Monuments – Eagle Gorge, Takhti-Tepa Mud Volcanoes and
Kakliskure 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.
Tour description:
Distance
from Tbilisi To Dedoplistskaro is 130 km (approximately 2 hours by car). 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, and safety rules. The Route begins from Dedoplistskaro. The modern image of the preserved territories of Vashlovani dry
gorges were developed in quaternary, 1-2 million years ago in
the Neozoic era. The analysis of geological strata showed that in different
periods Vashlovani had been a sea botton. It is confirmed by the
sea fauna discovered in rock lines. Furthermore the relief forms built of
marine sediments sharply differ from the forms built of continental
sediments.The relief developed on the continental
sediments represented by smothered hillrocks and plain surfaces. On the marine
sediments, that are less resistant to eroision, is developed the ’’badland’’
relief –the world of naturallabyrinths. Here are reliefs such as
”pseudokarst’’ in friable rocks at the bottom of the ridges (negative
underground forms - funnels, wells, hollows) columnar and
fortress like forms on the abrupt vertical southern
slopes af the ridges without vegetation and built of easily decomposable clay
and sandstones, erosive residues. One ofthe wonders of Pantishari Canyon ia a
“town” of swallows (Delichon urbica), built on a negastive wall of the rock in
the middle of Pantishari Canyon. It includes several thousands of nests.
This so-called town was built by the swallows and it shows the manner of their
colonian life. In early spring this town is occupied by spallows.
Later, the swallows, returning from warm countries, are furiously fighting to
get back their town. As a rule, the fight is ended with driving the spallows out
. The swallows are building their nests with a mixture of grass, mud and their
own saliva, that hardens after drying out and sometimes maintains its strength even
for several years. Such colonies of swallows are not observed in any other
corner of Georgia.
The route runs through the Pantishara Valley. After seeing
the beautiful landscapes and rock massifs – the so called “Alesilebi” or sharp walls,
visitors can view a completely different ecosystem and its inhabitants.
Vashlovani Protected Areas tourist trail network gives the
possibility of hiking for one or several days. Paths are marked and
well-arranged. Bungalows and camping sites are arranged along the routes. Sites
for setting up a fire are also allocated.
After all, we shall return to Tbilisi.
Tour includes:
You
will be given off-road 4WD Nissan Pathfinder for driving
Driver service if needed (for service, please email: sales@agg.travel)
Ensuring
with fuel during the tour
Entrance
fee
Local guide
English
and Russian speaking tour instructor with one car
Lunch
Water
Tour does not include:
Flight
booking and tickets
Hotel
in Tbilisi
Travel
insurance
Services
not described in the tour
Additional information:
4x4
car is required
Wear clothing meant for the outdoors, e.g. durable pants,
boots, etc.
Not
recommended for pregnant women
One
car can seat 5 persons at most, including the driver for your comfortable
movement
Not
recommended for those who have serious health problems
Not
recommended for children aged 2 and younger
Have
a warm jacket with you
Instructor
will drive his own car
Necessary requirement:
Please
have an identity card (passport) with you
Active
B category driving license
Driver’s
age is defined above 21 in accordance with the insurance
Visitors
are not allowed:
To carry guns
Take
domestic animals with you
To touch plants, rocks or fossils
To catch, chase, or injure fauna species
Vandalism
Cause
any damage to historical monuments, collect remnants, undertake excavation
without special permit
To make hasty movements in low visibility conditions (fog,
bushes, high grass), to shout and/or make loud noise
To build fires (except for the designates camp fire areas)
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