Photogallery of pictures taken during journeys and expeditions to Tusheti National Park (Georgia), June 2011.
Located on the northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, Tusheti is bordered by the Russian republics of Chechnya and Dagestan to the north and east, respectively; and by the Georgian historic provinces Kakheti and Pshav-Khevsureti to the south and west, respectively. The population of the area is mainly ethnic Georgians called Tushetians.
There are hugh pine forests changing into birch forest in the altitude approx. 2000 m. Upper forest border can be found in the altitude of 2600 m. Alpine ecosystems are characterized by occurence of rhododendron covers. There about 230 Caucasus endemic plant species - e.g. birch Betula raddeana, primulas Primula luteola and P. juliae or rhododendron Rhododendron caucasicum.
About 60 mammals species can be found in Tusheti - e.g. East Caucasian Tur (Capra cylindricornis), Dagestan Wild Goat (Capra aegargus aegargus), European Roe Deer, Brown Bear, Wolf or Eurasian Lynx. Uncertain seems to be an occurrence of Persian Leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor) - some signs of its presence were found. Approx. 120 bird species are living in Tusheti - e.g. on rocks Griffon Vulture, Bearded Vuture or Golden Eagle can be observed. Among reptiles species Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca) or Meadow Viper (Vipera ursini) are common. Brown Trout is very comon in rivers.
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