Region 2: GREATER CAUCASUS
7. Lagodekhi Nature Reserve
Coordinates: 41oN, 46o15’ E
Altitude: 400 to over 3,000 m. a.s.l.
 Humid subtropical, moderate at high altitudes. Winters are relatively soft but snowy, summers are warm. Annual precipitation 1,000– 1,800 mm (50– 100 mm in January, 100– 160 mm in April, 100– 160 mm in July, 100– 160 mm in October). Over 40 days with heavy rains per year. 30– 80 days with snow cover. Mean temperature: January/ 0 to minus 4, April/6– 11, July/20– 23, October/10– 13. Mean maximum temperature (July)/28– 34 o C at different altitudes.
 Lagodekhi Reserve is the oldest nature reserve in the Caucasus region, established in 1912 on the southern side of the Greater Caucasus ridge in eastern Georgia. The area covers a wide range of elevations and landscapes, from primary deciduous mountain forest dominated by Chestnut and Oriental Beach, to spectacular alpine lakes and tundra. This is an isolated plot of the west– Caucasian type humid mountain landscape in the eastern Caucasus. Since there are no automobile roads in the mountainous part of the reserve, we recommend planning your trip for at least 5– 6 days.
 In the forest belt of the reserve, a common set of forest bird species can be watched, among them four species of owls, seven species of woodpeckers, goshawk, peregrine falcon, wood pigeon, stock dove, white– throated dipper, various warblers and other songbirds. In subalpine and alpine areas, an important attraction is a community of large raptors: golden eagle, griffon vulture, and lammergeier (breaded vulture). Special attraction of the subalpine belt of the reserve includes abundant populations of endemic birds: Caucasian black grouse, Caucasian snowcock, and Caucasian chiffchaff. Spectacular displaying behavior of the grouse and the snowcock can be best seen in May and early June.
  Large mammals can be observed more easily in Lagodekhi reserve than in most of the other wildlife watching sites of the Caucasus. Important attractions are indigenous East Caucasian tur as well as chamois, red deer, and brown bear, which can be watched near and above the timberline. Other mammals include roe deer, wild boar, wolf, lynx, wildcat, wood and rock martens, badger, and Caucasian squirrel. One can occasionally meet endemic Caucasian mole, Pontic wood mouse, Shelkownikow’ s water shrew, and Promethe’ s vole. At small mountain brooks, one can observe endemic amphibians: Caucasian mud– diver and Caucasian toad. Interesting reptiles are endemic Caucasian lizard, Artwin wood lizard, Aesculapian snake, in subalpines – endemic Lotiev’ s adder. The area is covered by mostly deciduous forest with beach, ash, and chestnut, the understory is represented largely by cherry laurel, butcher’ s broom, and holy. Two narrow endemic peony species are found: Peonia mlokosiewitschi and Peonia lagodekhiana.
 There are no architectural attractions in the reserve, but a number of architectural sights can be seen in the Alazani valley, en route from Tbilisi to Lagodekhi.
 From late May through September.
  Lagodekhi is reachable from Tbilisi by bus or minibus (departure every day from the Isani bus station). Travel by car takes 3 hours. Entering the site by car is prohibited. Wildlife attractions are reachable by foot or on horseback that one can rent in from the administration of the reserve.
 Entering the area is only possible with a permit obtained from the park administration. Accommodation is possible in the town Lagodekhi or in a guesthouse of the reserve. Within the reserve, lodging is possible in a meteorological station at the upper part of the forest belt, or in a tent. In Lagodekhi, there are few restaurants or cafés; while traveling to the uplands of the reserve one should have food supplies. Horseback riding is possible. The administration provides tourists with paid service, such as lodging, guides, horses, etc.
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