Travertines
White and orange rock.
Nino19682210 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Alexkom000 — CC BY 4.0 · Martin Cígler — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Tadeáš Gregor — CC BY-SA 4.0 · David Osipov — CC BY 4.0 · Paata vardanashvili — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Tadeáš Gregor — CC BY-SA 4.0 · G.N. — CC BY-SA 3.0
A high mountain valley between the Greater Caucasus and Khokh ranges, south-west of Stepantsminda, where the Terek river rises, and part of Kazbegi National Park. Green pastures stretch between high mountains and the river winds across a broad gravel bed, one of the most peaceful scenes in the Georgian mountains. Its best-known sights are the mineral springs that coat the ground in bright white and orange deposits, the stepped travertine rocks, and the small Abano mineral lake with bubbles rising through it. Old stone towers and castles line its sides, among them Ketrisi fortress. The valley once had many villages, most abandoned after the conflicts of the early 1990s and 2008, so only a few people live there today, mostly in summer, which gives it a remote, quiet feel. Visitors usually walk in from the valley entrance on a dirt road beside the river. Visiting is free. The dirt road is for four-wheel-drives only, and many people walk it there and back in a full day. The far end of the valley is a restricted border area, so carry your passport, follow police patrols' instructions and do not go beyond the checkpoints. June to September is the best time.
White and orange rock.
Bubbling mineral water.
An old stone tower.
Near Kvemo Okrokana village south-west of Stepantsminda, Kazbegi municipality
No permit is needed for the usual part of the valley, but carry your passport as police patrols may check it, and do not pass the checkpoints near the far end.