Region 6: JAVAKHETI
26. Vardzia caves
Coordinates: 41 o22’ N, 43o15’ E
Altitude: 1,500– 1,700 m. a.s.l.
 Continental, reasonably dry climate. Winters are cold, summers warm. Annual precipitation below 500 mm (< 20 mm in January, < 40 mm in April, < 40 mm in July, < 40 mm in October). Over 40 days with heavy rains per year. Around 50 days with snow cover. Mean temperature: January/– 3, April/2, July/14, October/8. Mean maximum temperature (July) /32 o C.
 Vardzia is a famous cave complex in southern Georgia, in the upper part of the river Mtkvari (Kura) valley, close to the border with Turkey. A cave town of Byzantine (Cappadocian) style, it was built in XIII century during the reign of Georgia’ s most famous queen, Tamar. High cliffs with man– made caves along the river Mtkvari make an impressive sight. The landscape is dry and bushy at elevations of over 1500 m. The site is located in a scarcely populated region. It is a dry area with a continental climate. The area has a number of typical east– Mediterranean species. Most remarkable are vultures and several species of reptiles. Taking into account the long trip from Tbilisi, the minimum time required to visit the site (if not combined with other sites) is two days.
 Griffon, Egyptian and bearded vultures, golden eagle, sort– toed snake eagle, and long– legged buzzard are a common sight. Other birds of prey are Levant sparrowhawk and peregrine falcon. In surroundings of the area, chukars are relatively common. Other birds are crag martin, black– eared wheatear, blue rock thrush, orphean warbler, lesser whitethroat, rock nuthatch, lesser grey shrike, rose– coloured starling, rock sparrow, black– headed and ortolan buntings and other songbirds typical for semiarid landscapes. European bee– eater and hoopoe are other common birds of the area.
 Common species of reptiles are Caucasian agama, middle lizard, Georgian rock lizard, and modest racer. Occasionally found Transcaucasian racer, Mediterranean tortoise, and European glass lizard. This is only area in Georgia where Radde’ s rock lizard is found. Wolf and fox are relatively common.
 The area’ s most important attraction is the Vardzia cave complex of XIII century AD.
 June– September.
  Travel by car from Tbilisi takes 5– 6 hours one way. Regular minibus traffic connects Didube bus station in Tbilisi with Akhaltsikhe, the closest substantial town en route to Vardzia. An alternative possibility is to travel by minibus from Tbilisi to Akhalkalaki (from the same bus station) to Khertvisi. There are at least two large settlements named Akhalkalaki (“ Newtown“ ) in Georgia, so take a minibus traveling to “ Javakhetian Akhalkalaki“ .
 There is a cheap hotel in the area of the village Khertvisi, at the entrance of the Vardzia canyon. We recommend lodging in more comfortable hotels in Akhaltsikhe, Akhalkalaki (ca. 2 hours travel to Vardzia) or Borjomi (ca. 3 hours), with a one– day excursion to the site. A small café is located en route to the area, before turning left from the road Akhaltsikhe– Akhalkalaki. There is a small entrance fee for the cave complex. However, the gates are sometimes locked, and key– holder should be looked for in the nearby village Nakalakevi.
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