Macahel Şavşat Karagöl Tour

Bugünkü programımızda Gorgit Yaylası var. 

Sabah Maral’ın eşsiz manzarasına karşı kahvaltınızı yaptıktan sonra enerjimizi toplayıp aracımızla yürüyüşe başlangıç noktasına gidiyoruz. Yol üzerinde Gürcü Köyleri, yaşlı Anıt Ormanları göreceğiz. En son nokta Gorgit Yaylası.

Gorgit Yaylası

Kahvaltısı ardından 1 saatlik araç yolculuğu ile Gorgit Yaylası yürüyüşümüzün başlayacağı noktaya varıyoruz. Yürüyüşümüz az kullanılan araç yolundan olacak 2 saat kadar sürecek. Yürüyüşün sonunda Gorgit Yaylası’na varıyoruz. 

Burası 1700 metre yükseklikte Karçal Dağı’na bakan ve halen yaşayan bir yayla, önünde çok geniş bir çimenlik alan ve bu alanın ortasında kocaman bir ağaç var. Tam gölgesinde uzanıp yorgunluk atılacak bir yer.  Bu yüzden yayla içerisinde serbest zaman verip dinlenebiliriz veya Gorgit Şelalesi’ne doğru bir yürüyüş yapılabiliriz. Bu yürüyüşün ardından aynı yoldan dönüşe geçiyoruz ve öğle yemeği yiyeceğimiz eve varıyoruz. (Hava ve grup iyiyse mangal da yapılabiliriz.)

Kayalar Köyü - İremit Köyü Yürüyüşü · İremit Camii

Öğle yemeğinin ardından aracımızla Kayalar Köyü’ne geçiyoruz. Buradan yine orman içi yoldan 1.5 saat sürecek keyifli manzaralarla dolu bir yürüyüş bizi bekliyor olacak. İremit Köyü’nde bitecek yürüyüşün ardından bölgenin en eski camisini ziyaret edeceğiz. İremit Camii şu anda bulunduğu konuma başka bir yerden 1853 yılında taşınmış. Yapılış tarihi tam olarak bilinmiyor ama Camili Köyü'ndeki Ahşap Camii'den önce yapıldığı kesin. Ahşap üzerine el ile işlenmiş ve kök boyalarla renklendirilmiş desenlerle kaplı bu camide fotoğraflarımızı çektikten sonra otelimize dönüyoruz.

After breakfast, we leave Macahel and set out for Şavşat. Our route will follow the green road along the foothills of the Karçal Mountains. Our first stop will be Naçaridev Lake, located at an altitude of 2,650 meters. We will get off the vehicle and reach the lake with a five-minute walk. A lake means a swimming break. After a one-hour rest here, we head to Lekoban Yaylası. After our meal, our next stop will be Maden Village (Bazgiret). With its houses built in the local architectural style, it’s perfect for photographs. We’ll take an easy walk down from the upper part of the village and get some good shots. Afterwards, we’ll arrive at downtown Şavşat. After doing some shopping for provisions, fruits, etc. for the following days, we will reach our hotel after a thirty-minute drive.

After having breakfast in the morning, our first stop will be the Tibeti Church. 

Tibeti Church

They tried hard to demolish this church, but except for its roof, the front part still stands tall and strong. After taking some photos of the church, we head to Balıklı Lake. 

Şirata Lakes & Balıklı Lake

At first, our walk may feel a bit steep, but don't worry, it won't last long. :) As we climb along the foothills of Mount Arsiyan, the views on both sides are magnificent. From time to time, we follow the traces of old wooden carts that have nearly disappeared, leading us along a path to the smallest and first of the Şirata Lakes. The color of the lake, which changes according to the season, is reminiscent of the water from strained yogurt, which is why it has this name, and swimming is allowed. (In Georgian). Just ahead, the second and larger lake is called Büyük Şirata, whose water level drops considerably in July and August. If we're lucky, we might spot ruddy shelducks, which take advantage of the pristine environment. Continuing our walk downhill, we reach Balık Lake again. After a short photo break here, we head to Pona for a fantastic lunch, run by Fevzi Abi and Nazire Abla. After enjoying lunch at tables above the stream, we set off towards Şavşat Karagöl.

Sahara National Park - Şavşat Karagöl & Fairy Chimneys

After a walk around the lake, we’ll allow a bit of free time. Those who wish can rent boats and enjoy the lake. After leaving Karagöl, we return to our hotel.
On our way to the hotel, we will take you somewhere quite different. But for now, that will be our little secret. :)

After dinner at the hotel, those who wish can visit the viewing terrace again.

Today, after breakfast, we head to Aşağı Koyunlu Village for the program's longest hike. The ‘Tamara Chambers’, known to belong to the famous Queen Tamara who ruled the Kingdom of Georgia during its ‘Golden Age’ from 1184 to 1213, and the nearby ‘Suatılan Waterfall’ will brighten our day. The trail leading here starts within the forest. After gradually ascending for about an hour, the path levels out. Here, you'll find yourself surrounded by scenery reminiscent of the Swiss Alps, with the vast panoramas of Şavşat villages stretching before you.

After resting here for a while, we walk another hour along a trail bordered by a deep valley and mountain slopes to reach the monastery called Tamara Chambers. From here, you can see the Suatılan Waterfall. Flowing from a height of 60 meters, the waterfall receives few visitors due to the length of the hike—just as it should stay. From the ruins of the monastery, it's a 15-minute walk to get close to the waterfall. You can swim in the small waterfalls here. We'll take our lunch break here.

Afterwards, we'll return along the same path back to our hotel. Depending on the remaining time, we may explore the villages of Şavşat.

It's time to head back. After breakfast, we leave Şavşat. But our places to visit are not over yet. First, we’ll go to Yukarı Koyunlu Village, where we’ll start from Rutav Lake and take a scenic walk to Aşağı Koyunlu Village with photographic views along the way. Then, we’ll stop for a photo break at the Yavuzköy Observation Deck on our route. 

Afterwards, our journey towards the airport will begin. But our places to explore haven't finished yet. The next stops will be a bit spontaneous: Kamilet Valley, Çağlayan Valley, or Hemşin Valley—we’ll visit one of them. Who knows, maybe we’ll have time to reach Fırtına Valley. We’ll steer towards wherever we enjoy the most.  At 7:00 PM, we’ll bid you farewell at Rize Airport. Until we meet again on another trip...