Kintrishi National Park

Kintrishi National Park is located in the Kobuleti Municipality, in the Kintrishi River Gorge, between the village of Tskhemvani and the Khino Mountains, at an altitude of 300–2,500 meters above sea level. Kintrishi is 55 kilometers from Batumi and 24 kilometers from the center of Kobuleti. Its total area is 13,514 hectares.

The Kintrishi Protected Areas include a nature reserve established in 1959 and a protected landscape created in 2007. The nature reserve, which was established to protect the Colchian-type flora and fauna of the Tertiary period, is characterized by a very humid climate and a complex, mountainous, and diverse terrain.

In 2019, the Kintrishi Protected Landscape became a national park, where various zones were allocated:

1. Strict nature protection zone;

2. Visitor zone;

3. Traditional use zone.

Access to the Kintrishi Reserve is strictly limited. Visitors are allowed to enter the reserve only for scientific and educational purposes. Movement within the Kintrishi Protected Area is possible only on specially designated trails.

Traditional agricultural activities, recreation, and tourism are allowed in the Kintrishi Protected Landscape. The Kintrishi Reserve is included in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List.

Activities

Visit nearby villages, cultural and historical landmarks, churches, and monasteries, including the 9th-century Khinotsminda Episcopal Cathedral and the 12th-century bridge.

Visitors are allowed to:

• Walk on marked trails;

• Rent a bike;

• Conduct scientific and educational activities with a special permit;

• Use picnic and camping areas;

• Light a bonfire in specially designated areas;

• Take photos, videos, and sketch in the wild;

• Observe birds, animals, and nature;

There are two tourist trails of different difficulty levels in the Kintrishi Protected Area:

The first trail is 1,200 meters long. While hiking along the route, visitors can use the visitor shelter, picnic, and camping sites located on the same trail in the village of Tskhemvani.

The second trail is of medium difficulty and takes two days. The route starts from the Tskhemvani Visitor Shelter and continues to Lake Tbikeli, which is located at an altitude of 1,900–2,000 meters above sea level. The lake is home to the Caucasian newt, which is included in the Red List. The distance of the route to the lake is 16 kilometers.

Services

Accommodation and meals:

Accommodation is available in a tourist shelter as well as in local family hotels. An overnight stay with breakfast costs 50–60 GEL.

All other necessary information related to Kintrishi National Park services can be found on the official website of the protected areas: info@apa.gov.ge

Or call: +995 577 59 21 12