The largest waterfall in Georgia. Waterfalls in Georgia. Excursions in Mountain Adjara

Makhuntseti waterfall is perhaps one of most popular places in Adjara. It's all due to its convenient location - .

Makhuntseti is called the highest waterfall of the region. Water flows in a beautiful cascade in a stone bowl from a height of about 30 m.

A 30-meter beautiful waterfall, visible and audible long before it was completely discovered by tourists.

Different periods of the year have their own impact on the grandeur and power of the waterfall. In spring it will delight you with its power and width of its jets. In summer, it can appear as a modest stream of water, although quite noisy. Undeniable plus visiting the waterfall in the warm season is its refreshing coolness.

During the season near Makhuntseti there are quite crowded. Tourists are not averse to cooling off on hot summer days, even despite the invigorating coolness of the water. Many believe that by swimming in the bowl of the waterfall they will regain youth and strength of soul and body. During our first stay, there were only three men willing to cheer up.

On the way to Makhuntseti, all tourists, without exception, pass by stalls with various local sweets: honey, churchkhela, marshmallow, jam. From experience I can say that the prices for these “delicacies” they do not differ from their cost in . Therefore, if you have a desire to enjoy the same churchkhela, you can safely take it on the spot. And if you get hungry, he will come to the rescue small cafe, located nearby.

Despite the fact that Makhuntseti waterfall is not the most impressive in the city, we believe that it is still worth a visit. Ways get to him quite a bit of. All you need is desire, good mood and a camera.

Map with route: from Batumi to the waterfall

Since we went to the Makhuntseti waterfall as part of, with a visit to another mountain waterfall - and Gvar, and an observation deck, the route was indicated on the map accordingly.

Thanks to the mapped points, namely the bus station and the waterfall itself, you can easily find your way on the road.

How to get there? Various options for traveling to the waterfall

It’s not difficult to get to Makhuntseti waterfall from don't have transport(yours or). All you have to do is come to the bus station and find the desired minibus, preferably at number 77. This is the only bus on which you can disassemble name of the village Keda, located on the way further. Usually he stands on the right, the most remote parts of the bus station.

Most likely, people drive past the waterfall and other minibuses, but without outside help you will not be able to find out which ones exactly (all inscriptions regarding the direction of movement are indicated in Georgian).

To be honest, the old Batumi bus station is not the most pleasant place for tourist walks around the city. But the cheapest option to get to the waterfall is by bus.

The bus follows along Chavchavadze street usually already clogged, so you shouldn’t count on being able to get hooked along the way. At best you you have to stand.

Duration of the trip- approximately 40 minutes. It's best to just ask the driver to stop. near Makhuntseti waterfall or . Next you will have to cross the road and walk a little, literally 3 minutes. It's hard to get lost here: right next to the road there is a special pointer and tourists walking in the same direction.

Fare in a minibus is 1.5 GEL GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
1.5 lari = 0.5 euro;
1.5 lari = 0.57 dollars;
1.5 lari = 37.83 rubles;
1.5 lari = 15.96 hryvnia;
1.5 lari = 1.28 Belarusian rubles.
. True, sometimes drivers profit from inexperienced tourists and call a different price - 2 lari GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
2 lari = 0.66 euro;
2 lari = 0.76 dollars;
2 lari = 50.44 rubles;
2 lari = 21.28 hryvnia;
2 lari = 1.7 Belarusian rubles.
Course and prices may not be accurate.. Anyway, trip to the waterfall by minibus is economical option. But at the same time, apart from the waterfall and the Queen Tamara Bridge across the road, you won’t see anything else.

Might be useful: Where is the Batumi bus station located, schedule, fares.

sit down preferably on the right side, if in addition to the road you want to see beautiful mountain landscapes and rivers outside the window.

The roads in Georgia can be called ideal. There are no holes on the road surface, the asphalt is of high quality, and in most cases the drivers are cultured.

You can (or go on your own) and see, in addition to the Makhuntseti waterfall, lots of great places located in the vicinity of Batumi without being tied to the regular bus schedule. The roads in Georgia are quite good, but local drivers are not very attentive to traffic rules, often violating them. True, even despite this, driving around Georgia is quite comfortable, you quickly get used to the surrounding horsemen, practically without noticing them (I had my own experience of renting a car in Georgia). A huge plus is the fact that dangerous There are no serpentines here. The duration of the route does not exceed a total of 30 minutes.

Read our separate article.

Another option to see the Makhuntseti waterfall is to rent a car with a Russian-speaking driver. As in the previous case, in addition to the waterfall, you can explore several more interesting places along the route. The car will cost from 60 lari GEORGIAN GEL RATE:
60 lari = 19.86 euros;
60 lari = 22.8 dollars;
60 lari = 1513.2 rubles;
60 lari = 638.4 hryvnia;
60 lari = 51 Belarusian rubles.
Course and prices may not be accurate.. So you avoid some inconvenience, ensuring your comfort and guarantee of fast and timely delivery back to your hotel or apartment.

Splashes of crystal clear and cold water, stunning mountain landscapes and an unforgettable aura - all this is the Makhuntseti waterfall, located 30 km from Batumi, in the mountainous Adjara region. It is believed that bathing in such “natural” souls has a healing and rejuvenating effect. Therefore, visiting this place: combining business with pleasure!

To see this creation of nature with your own eyes, you need to follow the road along the mountain river Acharistskali. In addition, you can look at the stone arched bridge Makhuntseti, crossing a mountain river. It was approximately built in the 12th century during the reign of Queen Tamara.

When you get to the Makhuntseti waterfall, you will find yourself among untouched nature and will be able to enjoy an amazing sight: icy mountain water falls menacingly from a twenty-meter height. At different times of the year, the waterfall will greet you in different ways: in the spring - with an impenetrable wall of water, in the summer - with a fountain of spray, illuminated by the rays of the sun. Under the waterfall there is a huge stone bowl, created by nature itself for taking healing baths. Not far from the waterfall there is an outdoor cafe where you can try real masterpieces of Georgian cuisine.

Photo review about the Makhuntseti waterfall, the arched bridge from the time of Queen Tamara and the aqueduct – popular attractions of Adjara that are visited during a holiday in Batumi.

Makhuntseti on the map

Makhuntseti Waterfall

Makhuntseti waterfall is located in Adjara, 30 km from Batumi. It is on a mountain just 100 meters from the highway leading from the village of Keda.

GPS: 41.574983, 41.858329

The height of the waterfall is 30 meters. This is one of the highest waterfalls in Adjara.

The water is clean and cold. Bring a swimsuit if you're visiting in the summer. Admission is free, parking is 1 GEL, a café is open during the season.

At the entrance, emotional women sell jam, honey, and churchkhela.

Tamara Arch Bridge

coordinates: 41.572129, 41.860037

500 meters from the waterfall on the other side of the highway there is an arched bridge from the time of Queen Tamara.

There are 25 such arched bridges in Adjara, but the bridge in Makhuntseti is the most visited, although not the widest or highest of all.

Height above the river 6 meters, width – 2.5m, length – 29 meters, dates back to the 11th-13th centuries.

In summer, people swim in the river near the bridge. There are two sandy beaches. The café is open during the season. In autumn and early spring the cafe is closed and there is not a single person on the bridge.

There are higher arched bridges in the national park, in, along the Trans-Ajar highway. You can only get there by car, so if you don’t have a car and want to see at least one of the bridges, go to Makhuntseti.

Aqueduct

GPS: 41.572427, 41.867636

The aqueduct is located 1 km from the Tamara Bridge above the road. The structure is massive – impossible to miss. It was built during Soviet times.

Climb up an inconspicuous iron ladder. Entrance only with a guide. Without a guide, at least look at the aqueduct from the road.

From above you are stunned by how beautiful Adjara is from above.

What else to see in Adjara

On the way to Makhuntseti waterfall you can make a couple of stops:

▫ Adjarian wine house

▫ The confluence of two rivers and a waterfall - let’s see how the color of the water changes in the place where brown Chorokh and blue Adzharistskali meet, gps: 41.542444, 41.719349

Along the way, see fortresses and a waterfall Merisi, in Khulo take a ride on cable car through the gorge (5 GEL, open 8.00-20.00, arrive no later than 19.30).

A trip for the whole day, possible in a passenger car. There will be a separate post about these attractions of Adjara.

How to get to Makhuntseti

By car. By car we got from Makhuntseti in 30 minutes, from the center 40 minutes due to traffic jams. There is only one road in the south of Adjara, it is difficult to get lost.

Excursions in Mountain Adjara

By minibus. From the old bus station of Batumi (Mayakovsky St., 1) there is a minibus to the village Sneakers No. 77

On the way by minibus 40 minutes. Price 1.5-2 GEL one way

How to find a minibus at the station? The minibus is located in the far right corner of the Batumi bus station. Driving along Chavchavadze Street. Theoretically, it is not necessary to go to the station, but it is better to leave the station, because the transport is packed to capacity. If you catch at stops along Chavchavadze Street, there is a chance of driving while standing.

There are other minibuses going towards Makhuntseti, but the signs on the signs are in Georgian and there are no numbers. Ask at the station. Only Keda written in Latin and with a number.

Where to get off? Get off the minibus near the arched bridge, then cross the road on foot and go left to the waterfall for 5 minutes. Just tell the driver to stop in Makhuntseti near the bridge.

Minibus No. 77 to the village of Keda goes through Makhuntseti

We get out near the sign to the bridge

Review of the first trip to Makhuntseti waterfall

I’ve been to Makhuntseti twenty times since then, but the first trip is my favorite. Yes, below the thoughts of a naive person, harmful and understanding little at that moment, but the hand does not rise to remove it.

That day I planned to walk through the mountains of Adjara on my own, and on the way, stop by Makhuntseti. I quickly found a bus to Keda.

– Bad luck to you, – the driver says and clicks his tongue
-What is this? It's a normal bus.
- Big. Old. Bad luck!

After 10 minutes I understood what was meant. The larger the bus, the more it will fit. The more you fit in, the more stops there are to cram in everything that fits.

– What is the price? – The driver looks intently from under his eyebrows. Pause.
– 2 lari

I can see in my eyes that there are not two. Well, OK. I sit down. I am waiting. I’m looking at the map, and the guy from the next row is looking at me.

– Waterfall? – nods and smiles. – Can I sit next to you?

Well it begins. There are 8 empty seats around, my bag is on the seat next to it. Here the compassionate driver came to the rescue. I don’t have time to get my bearings when the bag and glasses end up in the driver’s hands in the aisle, and a satisfied person materializes in the next seat:

– I live in Makhuntseti! I'll tell you where to get off.
“Thank you, I know where to get off,” I look out the window. I don't want to talk at all
- Where are you from? - here we go again
-Can I listen to music?

Why did I even decide to go somewhere alone? At least for a few hours, feel like a traveler again. Oh, what bliss this is! Again the minibus takes you to a new place.

Alien sounds and smells... The sounds are loud and harsh, and the smells are strange. Probably from the belongings of a toothless grandfather, carrying bales of laundry to his mountain village...

In theory, the road to Makhuntseti from the Batumi bus station should take 40 minutes. The vehicle in which I happened to find myself traveled for 2 hours and 25 minutes and managed to make 34 stops (I counted).

It took a long time to leave the station. It seems that even the traffic jams of Indian Mumbai were overcome faster than getting out of the center of Batumi on an old bus.

First we stopped in the village to pick up a mattress at the request of a toothless grandfather. Then a guy in a white sweater wanted to buy lavash, but not ordinary, but special, which is why the bus made an additional detour of 4 km.

Then we found ourselves at a construction site. The driver left. I smoked with the men and laughed. Came back 10 minutes later. Let's move on. Another construction site where no one is building anything. They sit on bricks. They smoke. I drove and smoked with them. They loaded gray bags onto the bus.

Construction in Adjara

Well, then distribute the spoils to the villages. This is what service means in Georgian! For one and a half lari, the request of each passenger was satisfied. Everyone except me, because my only desire was to quickly get to Makhuntseti.

Passengers did not even think about being indignant because of the stops along the way. They sit and laugh to themselves. It's as if time doesn't matter to these people. And I'm always in a hurry. Run, do, faster, faster...

Finally the bus arrived in Makhuntseti. They dropped us off at the bridge. There, local residents sell honey, jam and churchkhela from teetering tables. Another toothless grandpa is wondering why I’m alone and where everyone is. Who are these mysterious "everyone"?

No one on the bridge

I'm blown away by the beauty of the mountains

That day I was haunted by a feeling of discomfort. There are days when it’s okay to travel alone in Georgia, but in some areas it’s better to go with someone, otherwise they won’t understand. Adjara, outside the resorts, is one of these regions.

I can’t say that Makhuntseti waterfall disappointed me. No, because such a feeling is born out of unjustified expectations, and I had no expectations. Rather, the waterfall was not impressive.

I thought that I could sit on the rocks alone with nature, dream, and look at the water.

It turned out that a well-trodden path leads to Makhuntseti. Then there are gazebos, a platform for contemplation, the waterfall itself and that’s it. There is not enough space. Wild mountain waterfalls are much more interesting.

A narrow path leads to the waterfall

On the way back I bought walnut jam. I got caught with a very vocal and persistent woman. In those days, I was just reading a book about Armenia, “Three Apples Fell from the Sky,” and recalled Armenian delicacies with nostalgia.

They sell jam at the entrance to the waterfall

From the waterfall I walked along the highway to the side

And arched Queen Tamara Bridge- Favorite attractions of Adjara among tourists vacationing in Batumi. There are plenty of other ancient bridges and beautiful waterfalls in Georgia, but the convenient location of the bridge from the reign of Queen Tamara, 30 km from Batumi, made this place very famous, and the fact that some 400 meters from it is the magnificent Makhuntseti waterfall, the height of the jet reaches 20 meters, doomed this place to unconditional popularity.

It is best to come here in the warm season and sunny weather, because... The water level in the Adjaristskali River drops in summer and reveals sandy beaches where you can swim and sunbathe. Next, I will tell you what you can see here, mark the coordinates on the map and tell you how to get here from Batumi.

Arch Bridge of Queen Tamara

This ancient structure, called the bridge named after Queen Tamara, is located on the right side of the road when coming from Batumi - you just need to go down about 10 meters along a non-steep staircase. It got its name thanks to the then ruler - it was by her will and decree that such arched bridges began to be built.

In total, in Adjara there are 25 arched bridges that have survived to this day, but it is the one described that has gained the greatest fame and love among guests of Georgia. The dimensions of the Makhuntseti Bridge allow it to be called the largest among its relatives, but not the highest and widest: 29 m long, 2.5 m wide, 6 m high, and its approximate age is 900 years. The building material was taken from the fragments of nearby rocks, and they were connected together with lime mortar. It seems that the design and materials are simple, but the bridge has survived more than one earthquake and almost a thousand years.

Under the bridge there is a sandy beach where people swim, sunbathe and play volleyball. The bravest ones jump straight down from the bridge. In spring, the water level in the Adzharistskali River rises greatly, the current intensifies, and the time comes for kayakers and rafting.

Behind the bridge there is a small area where the cafe is located. The prices there are reasonable, the gazebos hang right over the water, and there are even tables on a tied floating pier.

All you have to do is wait for the right moment, take your own photo on the bend of the bridge and you can go to the second point of our excursion program.

Crossing the road to the other side and walking 400 meters through the park, after 5 minutes we find ourselves at the foot of the Makhuntseti waterfall. The height of the Makhuntseti waterfall in Adjara remains a mystery, but most sources agree at 20 m, although some locals absolutely seriously claim that it is at least 40.

If for some reason you don’t want to swim in the river near the bridge, then right in the place where the waterfall jets fall there is a natural bowl filled with cold, clean mountain water, where you can refresh yourself after a hot day.

There is also a cafe right there, temptingly exuding the aroma of grilling kebabs, where you can refresh yourself to the sound of falling water. If you don’t eat anything or swim, you won’t need much time to explore the waterfall: take a couple of photos and you can head back.

After enjoying the waterfall and walking back not through the park, but along the asphalt road, on the left hand near the football field, you will see the Makhuntseti Ethnographic Museum, where part of the collection is exhibited outdoors, and part indoors. Entrance to it costs less than $1, the girl guide speaks good Russian, and some of the exhibits look very unusual and unusual, especially the house on stilts for storing vegetables so that bears don’t get in there.

My tourist review

We can say briefly about the famous Queen Tamara Bridge and the popular Makhuntseti waterfall - not very impressive, but time well spent. On the one hand, I kind of want to visit some of the attractions in the vicinity of Batumi, but on the other hand, I don’t quite understand how much publicity this place gets. There is no such feeling that it’s just like, “Ah.” Well, we hung around here and there for 10 minutes, bought a couple of jars of jam from the traders along the road and went back. Those. You won’t wander around there much, you won’t spend a long time looking at the cascading water and the ancient stonework. In July-August, many tourists actively compete with each other for the right to take a photo in the center of the bridge and closer to the waterfall.

Considering the easy transport accessibility and close distance from Batumi, it is still worth coming here, at least for show. I think that people who have flown to Georgia for the first time will find these places more interesting and exciting, but those who have already traveled around the country and seen everything have slightly changed their scale of assessing the local nature.

At the same time, I would recommend going to the Gonio fortress and Sarpi beach on this day, and for travelers by car with high clearance, there is a direct road to the village of Khulo, where truly unrealistic views of the natural beauty of mountainous Adjara open up.

Makhuntseti is inhabited by very hospitable and friendly Georgians, not paying attention to the registration in the passport, they are ready to happily invite new friends to their impromptu table in the yard, tell them many interesting things and even personally take them on an excursion again. This suggests that the Georgian flavor is alive here and all the good things that you heard and read about them before the trip.

Helpful information

Coordinates for Navitel: N 41°34"17", E 41°51"38"
GPS coordinates for YandexMaps and Google Maps: 41.571473, 41.860567
The entrance is free.
Opening hours: 24 hours a day.

How to get there and get to the waterfall and bridge

From Batumi to the Makhuntseti waterfall, a minibus runs from the bus station to the village of Keda at number 77. The fare is 1.5 lari ($0.7), travel time is 40 minutes. To fully enjoy the views of the beauty of mountainous Adjara, it is better to sit on the side of the bus opposite the driver. Other minibuses are also suitable for travel, but they have no numbers and it is impossible to choose the right one without outside help. Minibuses are located in the far corner of the right wing of the Batumi bus station. Before departure, ask the driver to stop near the bridge in Makhuntseti, be aware that there will be traders sitting near the road with jars of jam and honey, near which there will be many cars parked.

By car, it takes 20 minutes to get to Makhuntseti along the Batumi-Akhaltsikhe highway - it is the only one leading in this direction, it doesn’t turn anywhere, so it’s difficult to get lost.

Makhuntseti Waterfall and the Queen Tamara Arch Bridge are two attractions that are located about 30 km from Batumi. You can get to them in different ways. Taxi prices vary, I managed to negotiate for 60 GEL. If you take minibus No. 77 (Batumi-Keda), it will cost much less - 1.5 GEL one way; but the trip may take a long time. Plus, on the way back you will have to catch a passing minibus, and if you are late for the last one, it will be a good adventure :)

In general, of course, there is nothing wrong with traveling by minibus. Initially, I myself wanted to go by minibus, but thanks to a lucky coincidence, I met the taxi driver Suliko - a cool guy! Usually his Mercedes is parked somewhere near the intersection of Griboyedov Street and Rustaveli Avenue.

We chatted with him all the way. About Batumi, about Georgia, about Belarus, about people, about life, about politics, about cars and traffic rules...

Periodically looked out the window. Beautiful, breathtaking!

It’s worth a trip to the waterfall, if only for the views along the way. Look at nature and real Georgia.

We quietly reached our first destination - Makhuntseti Waterfall. There is paid parking for cars here. Cost 1 lari.

Entrance to the territory is free. At the entrance there is an active trade in honey. I'm not a fan of honey, but if you like it, I think it's worth taking a closer look at the variety of jars.

The waterfall is visible from afar.

A reminder for tourists and more.

The height of the waterfall is about 30 meters. You can swim in the bowl.

There are rocks around the waterfall. It's very fresh here. It's a nice place to be on a hot summer day.

I have repeatedly come across information that Makhuntseti waterfall is “the very best”. For example, the highest in Adjara. The only thing I definitely agree with is that Makhuntseti waterfall is the most publicized:) But that doesn’t make it any less interesting.

There is some cafe nearby.

I wasn't hungry, but I would have come in anyway. The gazebos look cozy. It smells like barbecue. Mmm…

About 500 meters from the waterfall there is a stone arched bridge.

The bridge was built across the Adzharistskali River and dates back to approximately the 12th-13th centuries. At this time, Queen Tamara was reigning, hence the name - Queen Tamara's Bridge. According to another version, Queen Tamara directly gave the order for the construction of such arched bridges. Today, more than two dozen of them have survived in Adjara.