Region 1: SOUTHEAST
3. Caves and badlands of Davit-Gareji
Coordinates: 41o25’N, 45o25’E
Altitude: 400-878 m. a.s.l.
 Dry, Mediterranean-like, soft winter, hot summer. Annual precipitation below 400 mm (<20 mm in January, <20 mm in April, <40 mm in July, <30 mm in October) 20-30 days with heavy rains per year. 10-20 days with snow cover. Mean temperature: January/0, April/12, July/23, October/13. Mean maximum temperature (July) 37 o C.
 This is one of the most spectacular sites in Georgia, where historical and wildlife attractions are located side-by-side and can be watched at the same time. Mediterranean-type arid badland landscape with multi-colored clay hills covered with shrub and steppe- like vegetation, the site of one of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world. The site is located in a scarcely populated region southeast of Tbilisi, west of the river Iori valley. The area harbors a mixture of animal and plant species typical for east-Mediterranean and Central Asian landscapes. Most remarkable are vultures and various species of reptiles.
No substantial settlements around the site. A one-day excursion is possible, although we recommend a longer visit.
 Key bird species are breeding colonies of Eurasian griffon and Egyptian vultures, breeding imperial eagles, chukar (March through April), roller, hoopoe, blue rock thrush; large aggregations of bee-eaters, rose-coloured starling (May-June), and rock dove. Other attractions for birdwatchers are long-legged buzzard, common kestrel, cinereous vulture, Eurasian sparrowhawk, short-toed snake eagle, and saker falcon. Passerines: calandra lark, crag martin, rufous-tailed scrub robin, isabelline wheatear, finsch’s wheatear, pied wheatear, willow warbler, orphean warbler, lesser whitethroat, rock nuthatch, lesser grey shrike, woodchat shrike, Spanish sparrow, rock sparrow, black-headed bunting, ortolan bunting. Dozens of other species are seen occasionally.
  The site has a high diversity and density of reptiles, including Levantine viper, Mediterranean tortoise, European glass lizard, Caucasian agama, striped lizard, and rapid fringe-toed lizard. Occasionally found species are long-legged skink, four-striped racer, collared eirenis, cat snake, lizard snake and some others. The area has a breeding site of Syrian spadefoot toad. Huge tadpoles of this species may be observed in May and June. Many green toads and lake frogs. Mammals to be seen are wolf, fox, badger, rock marten, gerbils and Brandt’s hamsters. A number of plants typical for dry Mediterranean-like landscapes are common: Most common are red juniper, wild pomegranate, berberis, celtis, wild pear, fig, smoke tree, Christ thorn. A very special attraction is the Georgian iris, a small plant with very nice flowers, which can be seen in April-early May. A local endemic distaff species, Salvia gareji, is thought to be introduced by monks from the Jerusalem area in the early medieval time.
beeeater
 The area has a famous cave complex created by Christian monks in the 5th century. Currently, there is a functioning orthodox monastery. In addition to ancient Christian frescos, which can be seen in some caves of the complex, there are primitive rock drawings of wild animals made by medieval monks on the cave walls. Moreover, not far from the complex there is a famous location of hypparion fauna, where in the 1950s a jaw of an ancient ape, Udabnopithecus, was found.
  April through early June (nesting vultures, displaying chukars, larks, wheatears, shrikes, buntings, turtles, glass lizards, Levantine vipers).
 No public transport available. Travel by car from Tbilisi takes around 3 hours one way (better to use a four-wheel drive). Two routes are possible: through Rustavi, south of Tbilisi and village Jandari, or through a district center, Sagarejo. Most attractions can be reached by foot. Some distant parts of the complex are reachable by car.
 No entrance regulations exist. A local seismic station functions as an improvised bed-and-breakfast hotel. No restaurants or cafés in the area. If you are housed in the seismic station, food is provided locally.
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