Region 3: MTKVARI VALLEY
19. Arid rocks at Kvernaki
Coordinates: 41 o58’ N, 44o15’ E
Altitude: 600– 900 m. a.s.l.
 Mediterranean, reasonably dry. Summers are warm to hot, winters mild. Annual precipitation below 600 mm (30 mm in January, 40 mm in April, 50 mm in July, 40 mm in October). 20– 30 days with heavy rains per year. About 20 days with snow cover. Mean temperature: January /2, April/10, July/23, October/14. Mean maximum temperature (July) /36 o C.
 This area is a ridge of sandstone rocks on the banks of the river Mtkvari, near the town Gori, with an architectural cave complex from pre– Christian times (ancient city of Uplistsikhe – “ God’ s Castle“ ). It is a spectacular area, where historical and wildlife attractions can be experienced simultaneously. The landscape is arid and Mediterranean with an isolated sandstone massif. Two small villages (Uplistsikhe and Kvakhvreli) are adjacent to the area. One– day excursions are recommended.
 Common birds are hoopoe, European bee– eater, rose– coloured starling, black– headed bunting, blue rock– thrush, rock nuthatch, Eurasian nightjar, rock dove and several species of shrikes, larks, wheatears and owls.
 Uplistsikhe cave complex has the most numerous population of Caucasian agama in Georgia and is the best site for watching this lizard. Outside the cave complex one can observe rapid fringe– toed lizard, found only in two Georgian sites. Other common reptiles are European glass lizard, striped lizard, middle lizard, Portschinski’ s rock lizard. This is an important area for two species of hamsters: Brandt’ s hamster and small hamster. An attraction in the early spring is the very decorative Georgian iris. A number of plants typical for dry Mediterranean– like landscapes are common, especially Christ thorn, hawthorn, wild pomegranate, celtis, wild pear, and fig.
 The area has a famous cave city called Uplistsikhe, built in the second millenium B.C., which functioned as an important cultural center of the Iberian kingdom (current eastern Georgia). The town of Gori, not far from the area, is the birthplace of the former Soviet dictator, Joseph Stalin. You can visit his home and a small museum with artifacts from his life.
  April through June, September.
 Buses and minibuses depart several times every day from Didube bus station, heading to Gori. Travel by car from Tbilisi takes slightly more than an hour each way. There is a small fee to enter the cave complex.
 Lodging in the area is not necessary (although accommodation in Gori is possible, as well as renting a room in a village house in Kvakhvreli or Uplistsikhe). The easiest way is to make a one– day visit from Tbilisi. Many restaurants and cafés can be found along the way.
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