Vashlovani Protected Areas is located in the extreme eastern part of Georgia- Dedoflistskaro district. It includes Nature Reserve and most importantly mud volcanoes by which neighboring Azerbaijan is most known for. 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.
There are several jeep routes which can be discussed with tour company and/or national park administration. The area is winter dwelling of Tushetian shephards so it is great idea to visit them especially in February when lambs are born. Also, to follow Tushetians from Omalo to here in Autumn or back towards Tusheti in late spring it is great experience. Riding with Tushetian horsemen across endless steppes of Vashlovani is always perfect experience. You can always enjoy beautiful landscapes of the national park, see mud vulcanoes which is typical for Azerbaijan, besides you could hike (winter or early spring is better for hikes, otherwise horse riding is better idea) a bit to some hills from where you could see Mingachevir Reservoir. Its located not far from Mijnis Kure which is itself very very beautiful spot to overnight near Alazani river which serves as natural boundary between Georgia and Azerbaijan. You could also enjoy visiting Alesilebi canyon and its viewpoints and watch birds. In Pantishara area you could see fossilized bones of southern elephant, also bare sea clams which proves existence of sea there. Not just bones Vashlovani area has already significant population of gazzeles which you could watch and take photos. Panthera was also noticed in the national park but not sure about it.
The best time to visit – Early April, November.
Best by: Horse riding or Jeep tour;
Night stay: Mijnis Kure is preffered location; cottages are basic but worth to stay in order to explore the area.
How to get:
- From Tbilisi to Dedoplistskaro – 130km (2 hr by car)
- from Dedoplistskaro to Takhti Tepa mud vulcanoes site: 51km (by car preferably 4wd)
Useful Information:
- You need to bring your ID and register in Dedoplistskaro as mud vulcanoes site is located after the border police checkpoint.
- Trip is possible at any season. Beware of high temperature in summer.
- gps track can be downloaded from our wikiloc page (please follow us at wikiloc).
- Please see the website of protected areas for more info
- On the way to the Mud volcanoes you can visit Dali reservoir. You can see the photos here.
Photos of other trails of Vashlovani NP:
For the GPS track of Vashlovani national park takhti-tepa volcanoes please see:
For the GPS track of Mijniskure please see:
For the map of the area please see (https://www.goingthewholehogg.com/vashlovani-and-david-gareja-4×4-georgia-road-trip-itinerary/):
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