Kakheti region

By Baia Dzagnidze

Welcome
Atlas
Travel specialists

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Welcome to Kakheti region

The insider's travel guide to Kakheti region

Kakheti in eastern Georgian is the country’s premier wine-producing area, with plenty of wineries where you can sample a glass of qvevri – named for the large, lemon-shaped terracotta pot buried in the ground that the wine ferments in.

Lagodekhi, the country's oldest national park, is home to stunning Black Rock Lake, a natural border between Georgia and Dagestan in Russia. Here you can see a complete transformation of the ecosystem from dense beech forest to high alpine meadows, with a crystal clear alpine lake at the end.

Vashlovani, on the other hand, offers an entirely different experience. It is located near the Azerbaijan border and boasts surreal landscapes of narrow canyons, savannas with pistachio trees, mud volcanoes, and rugged peaks.

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The Kakheti region atlas

4 picks Places & Experiences You Won't Find Elsewhere

Difficulty: ModerateDuration: Two to three daysStart/end point: Lagodekhi/LagodekhiAccommodation: Huts/cabins This is a well-maintained and waymarked circular trek in Lagodekhi National Park. Agriculture and hunting are forbidden in the national park, making it ideal for observing the country's flora and fauna in their most natural and wild state. There’s a rare chance to spot wildlife, but it might happen. It's an unpopular trail with a few tourists. I loved the tranquillity of the trail and the info boards of local plants and animals residing here. The only drawback is that there are few water spots, so you need to carry plenty. Need to know Before the hike, you must register at the Visitor Center inside the national park and pay camping/cabin fees. Ask for updated information about the trails and springs (some run dry in summer). A tent is not necessary, but you'll need all the other trekking equipment including gas (for the second cabin in the alpine zone), plenty of water, and food. Bring a passport or ID for the border checkpoint. The path is difficult and involves quite a vertical gain, but nothing too challenging. How to get to Lagodekhi From Tbilisi, marshrutkas to Lagodekhi depart from Isani Bus Station hourly. The first one departs at 7:40 am. The journey is about three hours. Marshrutkas from Telavi and Rustavi are also available. How to leave Lagodekhi Marshrutkas to Tbilisi depart from Lagodekhi Bus Station at 45-minute intervals. The first van departs at 6:45 am and the last at 5:30 pm. Several marshrutkas depart to Rustavi and Telavi each day.
Begin your Caucasus trip in Azerbaijan’s cosmopolitan capital of Baku, before exploring the burning flames of Mount Yanar Dag and historic architecture in Sheki. Cross the border into Georgia and spend a couple of days wine-tasting in Kakheti, before treating yourself to a sulphur bath in capital Tbilisi. Next, go rural and explore ruins, fortresses and forests at Akhaltsikhe and Kutaisi. Head into Armenia for hiking at Dilijan National Park, 9th-century monasteries at Tatev and end in arty Yerevan.
Begin in the Land of Fire’s capital Baku, exploring its mix of ancient and super-modern, before travelling to the mountainous town of Sheki. From here, travel to Georgia, beginning in capital Tbilisi. Head east to the Kakheti wine region to sample some of the world’s best natural wine, before crossing into Armenia’s Dilijan National Park for hiking trails and ancient caves. End your trip in capital Yerevan with views over the city from The Cascade park.
Start your trip by exploring Baku’s tree-lined Old City, mixing ancient buildings and modern boutiques, before visiting Mount Yanar Dag to see the constantly burning hillside. Next, travel to Lahij to see master craftsmen at work in a traditional Azerbaijani village, before exploring Sheki Khan’s Palace in Sheki. Next up is Georgia, where you can try natural Georgian wine fermented in terracotta pots in the Kakheti region. Travel to capital Tbilisi for nightlife, world-class cuisine and sulphur baths before exploring Kutaisi’s caves and waterfalls. Cross into Armenia and the town of Dilijan, where you can explore its art and craft scene, before travelling to the high-altitude Lake Sevan. Drive across the Selim Pass to see one of the Silk Road’s ancient lodging hotels, before descending into Tatev to explore its eponymous monastery. End your adventure in Yerevan.