The famous Okatse waterfall, which is located in Kinchkha village, in the Khoni Municipality of Imereti region in western Georgia, has opened for visitors following renovation.

The Protected Areas of Georgia reports that new eco-tourist infrastructure has been arranged on the territory. Walking trails and observation platforms have been arranged as well as a Visitors Center at the natural monument, which will make the experience of tourists safer and more comfortable. The infrastructure project was funded with GEL 1,100,000 from the state budget.

Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia, visited the site when paying a visit to Kinchkha Village on Monday.

"The new eco-tourism infrastructure at Okatse Waterfall will triple the number of tourists visiting this most beautiful destination," he stated.

Bakhtadze noted that plenty of other significant infrastructure projects will be implemented in Khoni Municipality, including the rehabilitation of school buildings and opening of a vocational education center.

“We will build a Youth Center in Khoni. Also, we plan to rehabilitate the historic downtown of Khoni and a number of other project initiatives. I have been presented with projects that were announced in the agriculture sector and Khoni is among the most significant beneficiaries in this regard,” he added.

Okatse Canyon is located in a deep and narrow ravine. The canyon is 3 to 6 meters wide and 20 to 100 meters deep. Along the canyon, several waterfalls can be found, the height of one 70 meters. Okatse Canyon stretches more than 2 kilometers and with its beautiful surroundings, it is considered one of the best tourist destinations in Georgia.

By Thea Morrison