Kayaking on the Tekhura River

Difficulty 

The difficulty rating of the sections on the Tekhura ranges between 2 and 5.

Location

The village of Taleri, near where the route begins, is located on the right bank of the Tekhura River in Martvili Municipality, Samegrelo Region.

River

The Tekhura River has its source on the southern slopes of Egrisi Ridge, 2,400 meters above sea level. The length of the river is 108 kilometers, and it is fed by rain, snow, and underground waters. The river passes through the municipalities of Martvili and Senaki, eventually joining the Rioni River.

Route

The route starts 10 kilometers from the village of Taleri, 560 meters above sea level, and arrives in the village of Taleri, 310 meters above sea level.

The length of the first section is 10 kilometers, with a drop in elevation of 250 meters and a difficulty rating ranging between 4 and 5 (extremely difficult, numerous tall and irregular waves, cliffs and whirlpools, transparent but narrow exits).

The second section starts three kilometers from Nokalakevi, at the so-called Betsvi Bridge. It enters Gochipe Canyon, where the width of the river bed is no more than 2.5 meters in some places. Next, it goes through the Herons’ Nest, which is visited by grey herons (Ardea cinarea) from early spring to late fall. The section ends within the Nokalakevi Museum-Reserve. The length of the second section is three kilometers, with a drop in elevation of 250 meters and a difficulty rating ranging between 2 and 3 (intermediate difficulty, tall and irregular waves, cliffs and whirlpools, transparent but narrow exits).

Season 

The best months for kayaking on the Tekhura River are from April to June, and then October.

How to Get to the Starting Point

It is 25 kilometers from the city of Martvili to the village of Taleri, and the starting point can be reached using an SUV.

Safety

You must be an experienced kayaker to navigate the river.

It is recommended that you go down with a local kayaker or at least get the necessary information from such a person. Contact a local company in advance to book a tour.

The minimum age for kayaking is 18.