email: [email protected]
whatsapp: +995 593 250 111
Vashlovani National Park is one of the most beautiful, remote, and hottest places in Georgia, Caucasus. It is located in the southeastern part of the country, bordering Azerbaijan. The park has a lot to offer to nature lovers. Vashlovani National Park weather is dry, and in the summertime, very hot. The best season to visit is spring, particularly April and May. The second half of September, October, and the first half of November are also very pleasant.
Horses grazing grass near Mijniskure
Vashlovani National Park Georgia is located close to the town of Dedoplistskaro, so those wishing to visit can stay overnight at one of the guesthouses there. Not far from Dedoplistskaro is Sighnaghi, a small, cozy town with beautiful views. Sighnaghi offers better accommodation options than Dedoplistskaro, so it's often better to stay in Sighnaghi and head to the park from there. In this case, the drive will be longer, but Sighnaghi is worth staying in due to its high-quality hotels, restaurants, and wineries.
Very remote part of the park
A Vashlovani National Park tour can be done in one, two, or three days. Because accommodation inside the park is not very comfortable and not everyone enjoys camping, most people prefer to visit for a long day trip. However, some prefer to stay for one or two nights. Inside the park, it is possible to stay in one of the cottages in the so-called Visitor's Village, which is about a two-hour drive from Dedoplistskaro, or at Mijniskure, the most remote part of the park. The time to reach Mijniskure depends on the route you choose.
Vashlovani National Park camping opportunities include the option to set up your own tent at one of the two mentioned sites, with access to a toilet, water, and shower provided by the park administration. Alternatively, you can stay in a cottage managed by the Vashlovani National Park administration. There are also numerous scenic locations in the park where you can camp without access to facilities (no water, shower, or toilet), and in that case, you don’t need to pay anything.
Your tour should start with a visit to the Vashlovani Visitor Center in Dedoplistskaro. There, you can get Vashlovani National Park map and pay the entrance fee: 5 GEL per person and 5 GEL per car (for example, four people in one car pay 25 GEL total). Camping costs 5 GEL per tent, paid at the same location. If you'd like to stay in a cottage either in Mijniskure or the Visitor’s Village, the fee is around 50 GEL per cottage and also payable here.
It’s very important to note that Vashlovani National Park permit is required to visit certain parts of the park. This must be obtained in advance from the border police station in Dedoplistskaro. You can email passport copies to the park administration one or two days in advance, and they will help arrange the permit. However, you still need to pick it up yourself from the border police station before entering those areas. Moreover, the passport is necesssary as well.
Former Soviet air base
Abandoned airstrip
The best way to start the tour—whether for a day or two days (one night)—is via the Shiraki Valley. This vast plain is used by farmers to grow wheat, corn, etc. It’s a beautiful area and also home to a former Soviet air base. You can still visit the base with its abandoned airstrip and hangars, which are now used for storing grain. You’ll also find remnants of an old fighter jet and other military-related buildings.
On the way to Pantishara gorge
After visiting the airfield, continue toward the village of Kasristskali, and from there to Pantishara Gorge. This gorge is known for containing several-million-year-old seashells embedded in the rocks, as the area was once covered by water. A particularly interesting site in the gorge is called the Swallows’ City, where hundreds of nests hang on the cliff face. Unfortunately, baby birds sometimes fall and are preyed on by viper snakes waiting below. Be very careful around vipers, as they are highly venomous.
Samukhe valley
From Pantishara Gorge, the road continues to the Samukhe Valley, a large valley on the border with Azerbaijan and home to the Caucasian gazelles. If you drive slowly and quietly, you might spot them—but they are very shy and quick to run away if disturbed.
Mijniskure
Next, the road leads to Mijniskure. This part of the journey requires good driving skills. First, you'll ascend from Samukhe Valley up to the main road, then descend to Mijniskure. The final stretch is narrow and needs extra caution. If it’s a rainy day, do not attempt the descent, as getting back may be difficult or even impossible the same day.
Azerbaijani territory to the righ side of the river
The road back to Dedoplistskaro follows the Alazani River upstream. In some places, the road becomes very narrow and runs close to the river, so the driver should be cautious. However, the views of the river, the gorge, dry mountains, and the vast valleys of Azerbaijan are absolutely stunning and worth the drive.
Area close to Mijniskure
Vashlovani National Park is home to numerous animals, birds and endemic plants. In case you would like to explore the park with us through our exclusive Georgia tour package you can contact us via email: [email protected] or whatsapp: +995 593 250 111.
