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Truso Travertines Natural Monument

IUCN category III (natural monument or feature)

Truso Travertines are located in Truso Valley, Khevi region, Kazbegi Municipality, in the north eastern part of Georgia. Between the Greater Caucasus and Khokhi mountain ranges, the calcareous sinter stretched from the Truso Pass to the village Kobi.

When you travel along the Georgian Military highway, you can see the signboard and make a turn to the Kobi village. Follow this gavel road and after few minutes’ drive you will reach Truso Canyon. Drive through the narrow single pass on the Tergi riverside, which ends at Abano bubbling mineral lake. Trusso Valley opens widely here. Colorful depository and shelved mineral springs make the lunar surface.

This is a valley of the river Tergi with the length of 25 kilometers, on the altitude 2093-2200 m. Rich with mineral waters, limestone formed when carbonate minerals precipitate out of ambient temperature water. Travertine in some places is covered with a thin layer of transparent water on the white surface of the slopes where intensive development process is still ongoing. The area is a part of Kazbegi Protected Areas, covered by sub alpine and alpine meadows. Nowadays, almost every village of the Truso Valley is abandoned.

The nearest settlement is 2 km away from here and is populated in summer only. Historical name of the area is Dvaleti. Abano mineral lake, ruins of XVII-XVIII c ZakaGori Fortress, Trusso Nunnery, and XIX c basilica - the Church of the Assumption are located in the Truso Valley.

Keterisi, and next village Abano of Kazbegi Municipality, are reachable by gravel road, from the Village Kobi - 30 minutes’ drive, 12 km from the natural monument. Village Keterisi - Truso Travertines - 2 km, 10 minutes.

The driving distance from Tbilisi to the village Kobi is 138 km (3 hours);

Stepantsminda Borough - Truso Travertines Natural Monument - 32 km, 20 km of which is paved, 12 km - dirt road. It takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to cover the trip.

Gudauri - Kobi road is called Georgian Military Highway, it runs through Jvari Pass, driving distance is 15.2km (30 min) and you can cover this distance by car in about 22 minutes. There is another option: Gudauri - Kobi ropeway through Kobi Pass 7 minutes. Take this 10-seat gondola. Try once – fantastic experience! Start at an altitude of 2700 m. Vertical drop - 300 m., cable way lengths - 1560 m.

Book 4-day private tour Khevi Mountains or check the dates for small group tour Kazbegi Trekking.