Tour: Tsalka, Dashbashi, Kldekari fortress

Canyons of Tsalka or Dashbashi canyons is one of the most impressive natural monuments of Georgia, green and beautiful all year long. Located 110km from Tbilisi and 2km from small town of Tsalka, in village Dashbashi, Dashbashi Canyon Natural Monument is a canyon carved by Ktsia (Khrami) River in the stream bed cut through the volcanogenic rocks of Dashbash volcanic plateau, distinguished by its rarity and biodiversity. It is located at 1,110-1,448 m above sea level. The vegetation cover of the surrounding ecosystem is rather sparse, whereas the plants on the steep slopes of the canyon and astounding waterfalls create absolutely different micro-landscape, with characteristic micro-climate, specific fauna etc.  It is nice and chilly in summer (but beware of hogweeds this season), it is also exotically green and warmer than Tsalka and Dashbashi village areas in winter, beautiful with its dozens of frozen waterfalls which you will find even more if you follow the canyon up from the main tourist site.

Another Important site in Tsalka is ruins of medieval Kldekari fortress which was the center of resistance for Kldekari principals against Georgian kings. Kldekari literally means stone gate and it actually defends historical route between Lower and Inner Kartli regions which cuts Rocky Trialeti range and makes a natural pass – stone gate. From the fortress you can observe June’s all green or newly snowed plateau of Tsalka in winter with some frozen lakes, Algeti national park forests in the fall, also Gori and inner Kartli ridges and plains. If you are interested to explore Tsalka more, you can  visit cyclopean fortresses for example one in Avranlo village or ancient Menhir (idol) of Tejisi. Besides, if you are a hiker, you can follow the Sabolia gorge to Rkoni Monastery (Inner Kartli) from Kldekari fortress when water levels are lower.