July 25, 2008
Anna Rekhviashvili, Georgia Today

An ‘adventure tour’ was launched on July 20 by the Agency of Protected Areas to promote the development of Georgia’s tourist industry in the region and facilitate collaboration between interested investors, tour operators, media, international organizations, and other potential supporters.

Lagodekhi Protected Areas cover 24,452 ha in the north-eastern part of Georgia along the border with Russia and Azerbaijan. From a historical perspective, this was the first nature reserve in Georgia, founded in 1912 with the support of the famous scientist Lugvig Mlokosevic.

The uniqueness of the area is defined by its precious flora and fauna. The reserve is home to many endangered plants and animals, most of them included in Red Data book of Georgia. The place is also notable for its numerous rivers, waterfalls, sulfurous springs, high mountains, ice-lakes, and historical monuments.

The Lagodekhi Protected Areas offer a unique tourist experience in Georgia that has been growing in popularity in recent years. Giorgi Shonvadze, the head of the Agency of Protected Areas, believes that “a complete infrastructure for tourists already exists in the region, and this is why the area is being visited by so many more tourists this year than in the past.” Today the park is equipped with many tourist amenities and includes guesthouses, information centers, picnic and camping places, and many trails for hiking and horse riding.

Lagodekhi Protected Areas was visited on July 20 by the ambassadors of France, Latvia and Israel, representatives of various international organizations, tour operators, and representatives of the media. The adventure tour began in the exhibition center where guests where shown a film about Lagodekhi Protected Areas and were given maps to familiarize themselves with the tourist routes in the area.

Afterwards, guests were free to visit the ancient natural forests and enjoy the many small springs and fast rivers that carve through the beautiful landscape. Finally the tour concluded with a view of the stunning 40-meter high Gurgeniani waterfall. Enjoying the beauty of the scenery the Ambassador of France Eric Fournier commented, “I have two years experience of mountain climbing, but the beauty of this place is even more than I expected. This place is like heaven on earth.”