Tusheti Nature Reserve and National Park is managed by Tusheti Protected Areas Administration, which is located in Akhmeta municipality, village lower Alvani, and summer administration in Tusheti, village Omalo.

National Park is located in the administrative building of protected areas, with integrated HOTEL ROOMSfor visitors, cafeteria and visitor center with exhibition and conference hall, interpretation and information boards. Visitors can plan various types of tour for Tusheti sights and gain information on existing services.

Visitors on Tusheti PAs can have different tourist services such as: HOTEL SERVICES, hiring guides, horses. Equipment rental is also possible. Tusheti PAs has 11 functioning tourist routes, giving visitors the opportunity to observe and become part of unique historical-cultural and natural landscapes of Tusheti. Tusheti touristic season lasts for couple of months – from June to October.

Batsara-Babaneuri Protected Areas is located in Kakheti, on territory of Akhmeta municipality. It was created in 2003 and includes Batsara-Babaneuri Nature Reserve and Ilto Managed Reserve.

Batsara State Nature Reserve was first created in 1935. Batsara Nature Reserve is located in Pankisi gorge; namely, in river Batsara gorge at the right tributary of river Alazani. The nature reserve is located at an altitude of 700-2,000 meters above sea level. In the middle part of Batsara gorge there are remains of tertiary relict dendroflora, almost 270 ha stands of yew forests. Such size of yew stand cannot be found anywhere in the world.

Babanauri Nature Reserve was established relatively late, in 1961. Nature reserve is located in eastern part of the Caucasus Mountain, near village lower Alvani, Babaneuri and Laliskure. Area is located at an altitude of 380-1,100 m. The purpose of creation was to protect up to 240 ha Zelkova stands, which is part of the Red List of Georgia.

Ilto Managed Reserve includes the parts of the head of Ilto valley, which extends up to 900-2000 meters. It borders Batsara Nature Reserve to the east. The purpose of establishment is to protect and restore precious wood species and characteristic fauna. Such birds as buzzard, hawk, sparrow-hawk, eagle and even bearded vulture rarely occur in the managed reserve; and the mammal species like hedgehogs, martens, rabbits, badgers, jackals, foxes, wolves, wild boar, bear, deer, lynx and chamois. The otter is rather rare.

Batsara-Babanerui Nature Reserve allows visit for educational, non-manipulative scientific research and monitoring purposes.

Ilto Managed Reserve gives possibility to arrange botanical, educational and adventurous eco-tours.

Lagodekhi Protected Areas – one of the world’s best-preserved, primitive area with diversity of natural landscapes – is located in Lagodekhi, in the extreme north-eastern part of the southern slopes of the Caucasus and extends at an altitude of 590-3500 m.

Lagodekhi Protected Areas includes Lagodekhi Nature Reserve (19749 ha) and Managed Reserve (4702 ha). The latter creates optimal conditions for understanding of nature through infrastructure developmen related to education and recreation works. At present there are five breathtaking, safe and informative tourist trails in managed reserve of Lagodekhi Protected Areas, namely: Grouse waterfall, Ninoskhevi waterfall, Machi castle, Black Rock Lake and knowledge of nature trail.

Central entrance of Lagodekhi Protected Areas is integrated into administrative and visitors complexes. Exposition and exhibition halls are arranged in administrative building, where visitors have opportunity to become familiar with the specifics of Lagodekhi protected areas, existing tariffs, safety rules and to choose desirable route from existing tourist trails with appropriate services.

Signagi, the heart of Kiziqi which is the most picturesque corner of Kakheti, is lying on the South-Eastern slopes of Tsiv-Gombori range. The townlet is overlooking Alazani Valley from the height. Its elevation from the Valley is 400 m. The name of the town derives from Turkic word and means ‘shelter’, or, according to other historical sources, ‘invincible’. Like Telavi, the townlet was considered the king’s estate. The foremost geographic location gave Signagi a strategic importance. It was crossed by trade routes arising from Tbilisi, Hereti and Telavi. That is why the townlet was shaped up as a venue of craftsmen
and merchants. After the fall of Hornabuji, Signagi became the center of Kiziqi and important town. In 1762 king Erekle II turned it into a royal residence and surrounded it with a wall surviving up to the present nearly unchanged. The wall encompasses an area of roughly 40 ha and is the largest fortified structure in Georgia. In 2005-2008 with the support of the Ministry of Culture and the President of Georgia, Signagi underwent a fundamental rehabilitation
program. Infrastructure was changed, the wall was revived and streets renovated, buildings were given back historical, century-old appearance. Today the sights of the town include several museums, namely, Museum of Archeology and Ethnology which houses a unique collection of a self-educated artist, Niko Pirosmanishvili. In the fall, a wine festival is usually held in Signagi where wineries and alcohol-producing companies of Georgia present their products – wines of kvevri (clay vats), wines produced in European-style and Georgian farmers (so called ‘peasants’) domestic wines. Festival also hosts specimens of popular handicrafts – felt, quilt, rugs, carpets, flutes and panduri (three-stringed national lute).

1. The wall of Signagi was erected without foundation, with cobble stone, sand and limestone. There are stone steps arranged in several spots to embark on it. The wall has two levels. In the upper-level walls there are direct and lowered down firing ports placed in sequence. There are 23 2- and 3-story towers built in the wall with the diameter of 3-3,5 m and height of 4-5 m. The towers bear the names of Kiziqi villages. During foreign invasions each tower was a shelter to the villagers of relevant name.
2. The nunnery of St. Nino and Episcopal center of Bodbe (Kiziqi) Eparchy is 2 km away from Signagi. The monastery was built in IV c. on the tomb of St. Nino who baptized Georgia. Bodbe is home to active monastic life. Near the spring of water which emerged, as the locals believe, due to prayers of St. Nino, there is ablution site and a small church. The spring is assigned miraculous therapeutic properties and every day it is visited by crowds of people.

St. Nino Convent and Bodbe (Qiziki) Eparchy Episcopacy center is located in 2 km from Signaghi. Cathedral was constructed in IV century AD, on the tomb of St. Nino who introduced Christianity in Georgia. Bodbe Episcopacy was founded in V century by Vakhtang Gorgasali. In VIII-IX centuries the cathedral was remade into a three-nave basilica. The Georgian king Demetre I (1125-1156) played an important role in decoration of the monastery. Bodbe monastery was renovated many times by the Georgian kings. From the end of XV century Bishop of Bodbe was the commander of Kakheti kingdom military and administrative entity. In XVIII century Bodbe also supervised David Gareji monasteries. In the 20-ies of the XIX century Father superior of the monastery, Ioane Makashvili, fundamentally repaired the church, decorated it with paintings and made iconostasis. In 1837 Bodbe monastery was shut down. In 1889 by Decree of the Russian emperor, Alexander III, Bodbe Convent was opened (here served Mother Superior Famar – Tamar Marjanishvili). Here also was arranged boarding school of noble ladies. In 1924 the Bolsheviks closed the monastery. In 1991 the monastery life was restored in Bodbe. One of the biggest shrines of the monastery is miraculous icon of Mother Mary of Iveria.
Large enough shops of icon painting and needle work are functioning under the monastery. Nunns are engaged in the activity of knowledge expansion, prepare new religious service books according to manuscripts.
In the end of 90-ies around the spring of water which emerged under the influence of prayers of St. Nino was constructed tub of water for ritual bath and a small church named after her parents – St. Zabulon and St. Sosana (architect Teimuraz Beridze). A lot of people every day visit this place.

Ikalto monastery complex is located in 8 km from Telavi to the North. Monastery was founded in VI century by Holy Father from Assyria, Zenon Ikaltoeli. Arsen Ikaltoeli who arrived from Gelati Academy at the beginning of XII century founded here a center of education – Academy. Monastery complex nowadays consists of 3 churches: main church of Transfiguration of the Saviour, or ’Deity’ (VIII-IX centuries) which was constructed on the site of an old church with the tombs of Zenon Ikaltoeli; small Trinity Church with a dome (V century), and one-nave church of All Saints (XII-XIII centuries). Undeviating building of Ikalto Academy has been constructed with cobblestone on the edge of XII-XIII centuries. The first level is a general hall (25m x 9m), the second level consists of . In the ruins of the Academy there are some remnants of scientific and educational articles: basis of cathedra, typical windows with shelves. Like Gelati, in Ikalto Academy education was conducted under Trivium-Quadrivium system. Blacksmith’s work, ceramics, viticulture and wine production were also taught. On the territory of the Monastery there are ruins of a dining hall, likewise there are distinct stone remnants of winepress tub and many clay vats.

The Georgian architectural cluster is located in the Telavi region, in the forestland within 7 km distance. It consists of 2 parts: Old Shuamta and New Shuamta. The monastery received its name from its location – it is surrounded from three sides by mountains and has been constructed on the ravine between mountains.

Alaverdi monastery and Episcopacy cathedral is located near the hamlet of Alaverdi in Akhmeta region, 20 km from Telavi. Alaverdi Monastery was founded in VI century by St. Father Joseph Alaverdeli who arrived from Assyria (his tomb is the most important deity of the cathedral). Today‘s cathedral was built on the site of the church of St. George in the beginning of XI century on the Decree of the king of Rahns and Kakhs, Kvirike III (1010-1037), and after that it became the center of Episcopacy. The Father Superior of the monastery simultaneously was Archbishop of Alaverdi and carried the title of Amba Alaverdeli (or the Superior Bishop).

From XVI century Amba Alaverdeli is the main church official in Kakheti and is raised to the degree of Metropolitan. Alaverdi is the word of Arabic origin and means Bestowed by the God. This meaning was associated with fertility and harvest, therefore in those nations with primarily arable farming economy, this name is preserved for several populated settlements.

Alaverdy cathedral is the tallest construction (51 meters) among the Medieval Georgian architectural monuments. It is a cross-type, three arch construction. There are three entrances from three sides. Big space of the cathedral interior (42 m x 26 m) is illuminated by a light from 16 windows in the neck of the dome. Alaverdi has a relatively austere decoration with carving and ornaments generally typical for Kakheti religious monuments. The cathedral is built of cobblestone with internal part covered with pumice stone. The Alaverdi cathedral roof is constructed with glazed blue tiles. There are many instriptions of the walls of the cathedral.

The monastery is surrounded with a fence (XVII century) within which there is a three-level chamber – the residence of a Bishop; brick palace (constructed in 1615 by the potentate of Kakheti, Peiqar-Khan), bath, wine cellar, cells for monks.

Alaverdi has experienced many damages due to hostile invasions and earthquakes. In mid-XVII century Persians remade the Cathedral into a fortress. Its full restoration was made by the kings of Kakheti, Alexander I (1476-1511) and Erekle II (1744-1798). They rehabilitated neck of its dome and renovated the destroyed walls with bricks. Alaverdi was the burial site (XI century, XV-XVIII centuries) of the kings of Kakheti.

In XIX century by Decree of the Synod of the Russian Church Alaverdi like other Georgian churches was whitened with lime. Only in 1966 as a result of a restoration the rich fresco painting of the period of the cathedral foundation (XI c.) and later periods (XV-XVII cc.) was revealed.

Alaverdi cathedral was one of the important centers of Georgian literacy. Here was rewritten one of the oldest Georgian manuscripts – Alaverdi Gospels (1054) which today is kept at the National Center of Manuscripts. On September 27, the day of the Holiday of Universal Exaltation of the Cross, is celebrated the Day of Alaverdi – Alaverdoba. This is a time-honored tradition and is linked to the harvest and stockpiling of agricultural produce and is conducted for the sake of the founder of the cathedral, Joseph Alaverdeli. The worshippers during Alaverdoba come here from various regions to spend the whole night. From its inception, in old times, the holiday lasted three weeks.

Medieval fortified town of Gremi, the residence of the kings of Kakheti (1466-1614), is located to the East, 20 km from Telavi and 16 km from Kvareli, 480 meters above the sea level. Gremi used to be not only political but also economic and cultural center of Kakheti. The literacy activity was very active here. It was on the path of caravan ways. As a result of Iranian Shah Abbas I invasion in Kakheti, Gremi was ransacked.

Fortified town area was 50 ha and it consisted of three major parts: Complex of All Angels, Royal Residence and Merchants neighborhood.

Complex of All Angels was isolated by a fence. It had a stone-paved secret exit toward river Intsobi. In the eastern citadel of Gremi is located the church of All Angels having the form of a cross with a dome (built in 1565 by Kakheti king Levan, painting finished in 1577). On the western wall of the interior of the cathedral, church wardens’ portraits are represented. The fence of the Cathedral equipped with gun emplacements was at the same time a reinforcement which was rehabilitated by Erekle II. In the Royal residence there were Royal Palaces, a building with a fountain, eight-angle tower, brick royal bath supplied with water through an aqueduct linked with river Lopoti. The whole town was crossed by ceramic pipes of running water. Merchants’ neighborhood compiles an indoor market (kulbaks) and a hotel (karvasla). The market was a fenced territory paved with stone with four rows of arched shops (dukani) (overall 30 shops). Each dukani (area 10 sq.m.) consisted of a room and a veranda open to the courtyard where goods for sale were stocked. Some dukani had a basement. The kulbaks from the East were attached to the corridor-type hotel of 80 meters long (it had 16 rooms each from both sides). In 80-ies of the XX century a local history museum was opened here. On December 12, 1999 religious life was revived in Gremi.

Historical township of Nekresi was located in Kakheti, near the hamlet of Shilda in today’s Kvareli region, on the mountain slope. The township was founded by the king of Kartli, Parnajom (II c. BC). In IV century king Mirdat built here a church where Assyrian st. Father Abibos Nekreseli settled in the VI century and Episcopacy Cathedra was founded. From Nekresi the political and cultural influence of the Kartli Kingdom spread to Hereti, mountainous regions of eastern Caucasus and Dagestan.

The Nekresi complex encompasses several monuments the oldest of which is Small Basilica of the second half of IV century (size: 4,6 x 3,8m, one of the first Christian constructions in Georgia). Big three-church Basilica was constructed in the name of Assumption of the Virgin Mary in VII century and was painted in XVI century (in the western part of the southern wall there are portraits of king Levan and his spouse Tinatin under the auspices of whom the paintings were made). And the dome church derides from VIII-IX centuries. From the two-level palace of Nekresi Bishop there are only ruins left. The tower was added to the Palace in XVI century. On the territory of the monastery have also survived remnants of living and farming buildings. Archeological excavations in Nekresi have discovered character signs which in the opinion of the part of scholars are ancient Georgian inscriptions. Nekresi is surrounded by stone fence which used to have entrance from south-west.

Nekresi observes the procedure distinct from all Orthodox churches. Only in this church they slaughter a hog. This tradition stems from one occasion. Nekresi fortress was assulted and surrounded by the Lezghins. When the Georgians felt that difficulties are unbearable, they resorted to a sly prank: they slaughtered all swines available in the fortress, spilled the blood over the fence and dropped the meat. Muslim Lezghins lifted the siege and returned back. So was spared the fortress and the monastery from plunder. After that every November 7 the celebration called Nekresoba is held.

Historical fortified town of Kvetara in Kakheti is located in Akhmeta region, on the bank of river Ilto. Kvetara was one of the centers of the principality (later kingdom) of Kakheti. Kartlis Tskhovreba mentions it from mid-XI century, however according to Vakhushti Bagrationi, it should have been founded in almost VIII century. The archeological research proves that this version is true. Kvetara is surrounded by a solid fence constructed from cobblestone and broken stone the walls of which are reinforced by round and square towers. There is an Acropolis on the highest point of the south-east of the fortress in which there used to be a palace and a church. The cross-type church belongs to the first half of X century. It seems to have been a royal court church. The cathedral is unpretentious, without any decorations and ornaments and is roofed with blue tiles.

To the south-east from Tbilisi, within 60-70 km distance, in the semi-desert of historical Kakheti, in the rocky mountains of Gareji lies one of the outstanding monastery centers founded in VI century by Holy Father David Garejeli who came from Assyria. At first he settled in the natural cave with his desciple Lukiane, which later became a noted monastery under the name of David’s Lavra and a center of Gareji monastery complex.

In the course of time the monastery complex expanded, and today it consists of more than 20 historical monument. These monasteries are: Natlismtsemeli, Chichkhituri, Tetri Senakebi, Dodosrqa, Udabno, Davitis Lavra, Mravaltskaro, Tetri Udabno, Shavi Senakebi, Berebis Mta, Tsintskaro, Gansashori, Sabereebi, Berebis Seri, Satorge, Kotsakhura, Bertubani, Mgvime, Kolagiri, Didi Kvabebi, Patara Kvabebi, Veran-Gareja, Pirukugmari. In later Middle Ages monateries were linked with each other by means of lookout and alarm towers which have survived to our time in ruins. The importance of Gareji has especially risen in XII-XIII centuries when David Agmashenebeli transferred the monastery into a royal ownership with a tax-exempt status. The Monastery enjoyed donations from the Royal family of Bagrationi. The wardens of the Monastery were members of the king’s assembly and enjoyed the right to send honorable bounties to the court. In 1424-1745 the monastery was under supervision of Catholicos. However, later it was again transferred to the royal ownership. The monasteries of David Gareji have underwent numerous hostile invasions, but Georgia’s potentates revived ransacked monasteries. David Gareji monasteries have created peculiar monastery and construction tradition and their own school of mural painting. Especially brilliant and impressive is painting of the church of Virgin Mary of the XII-XIIIcc. in the cave monastery Bertubani. Rich collection of manuscripts was kept at David Gareji.

Artsivi (Eagle) Gorge Natural Monument represents an unique complex consisting of two sites. The first one is a limestone rock canyon, while the other is a adjacent forested area, where Khornabuji fortress was built (V c).
The canyon with a picturesque landscape is a home to several birds of prey (eagle, vulture etc.). Looking at the hanging cliffs from the rocky slopes of the gorge, it is possible to observe nests of eagles and other rare/extinct plants, which cannot be seen anywhere else in Georgia.
The length is of the pedestrian route is 1 km, which can be covered in 1 hour.

Telavi is administrative and economic center of Kakheti region. It became a town in VIII-X centuries as the capital of the Kingdom of Rahns and Kakhs. From XII century when David Agmashenebeli annuled the Kingdom of Kakheti and Hereti, Telavi lost its importance and continued development as a small town. From 60-ies of the XVII century Telavi is again the capital of Kakheti Kingdom. From that period to this day Batonis Tsikhe (Master’s Frotress), ’Fortress of Vakhvakhishvili’, ’Korchibashvili Fortress’ and Old Fence have been preserved.

In downtown Telavi is located Batonis Tsikhe (Master’s Frotress) — residence of Kakheti with the area of 3 ha. Its territory embraces: the fence (constructed under the king of Kakheti Erekle II in 1753), Royal Palace (constructed in the 60-ies of XVII century by king Archil; in 1865 women’s college of St. Nino opened in this building and the Palace was remade into a three-level building; today – Telavi museum), bath (in southern part bathing room and boiler are preserved; walls of the bath were painted), and two churches (Small Church and Church of the Court of Erekle II, built in 1758, the latter being simultaneously a defence facility – it has gun emplacements). To the south-west from thr citadel, in tens of meters there is a big abutment (diameter – 14 m). Up to the forties of the XIX century a big 7,5 m length cannon stood on it

For some time Bochorma used to be one the largest fortresses in Kakheti. It is located at the Gombori Pass on the road from Inner Kakheti to the capital. Nowadays the ruins of this once magnificent stronghold are covered by a dense forest of centuries-old trees. Its origin is still unknown. The first reference dates back to the beginning of the 10th century. It seems that it underwent multiple changes in later centuries and reached the age of late feudalism in a sadly damaged state. It is known that in mid 1700s Erekle II restored Bochorma fortress and it is the traces of these works we can see now.
The old and newer walls of the fortress have been designed in a way that they followed the highly sophisticated landscape of the hill, thus making access to the town extremely difficult for the enemy. The entrance was located in the eastern side where the fortress is relatively easily accessible.
The fortress has two main parts. The citadel was built on the hill and served as a residential castle and hub of the stronghold. The now extant ruins include the remains of a formerly two-storey palace inside the citadel, with two halls, archs and fireplaces. The citadel also contained a cylindrical tower that has a good view of the gorges nearby.
The highest point of the fortress is occupied by the King’s Hall connected with the citadel with a 2 m wide inner lane. The palace offers a truly unforgettable view.
Military importance and security of Bochorma Fortress cannot be underestimated. In the mid 18th century, when Kartl-Kakheti Kingdom was frequently invaded by Lezghins, King Erekle II travelled personally to Kakheti to build Choeti Fortress and restore and fortify Bochorma. Historical records of the 18th century indicate that during one of the invasions of the enemy the king himself decided to send Queen Anna from Martkopi to Bochorma and called on the princes and lords to use the fortress as a shelter for their families.
Archaeological evidence indicates that Bochorma Fortress stayed a functioning fortification until the end of the 18thcentury.