Enguri Dam

ენგურის კაშხალი

One of the world's tallest arch dams, holding back a striking turquoise reservoir in a deep gorge. Tours of the massive Soviet-era structure and its scenic surroundings make it a memorable stop en route to Svaneti.

Things to do

• Walk across the dam crest — Stroll along the top of the towering arch dam for dizzying views down into the gorge and across the reservoir.
• Take the dam tour — Join a guided tour into the massive Soviet-era structure to see the internal galleries and learn about its hydroelectric engineering.
• Admire the turquoise reservoir — Stop at viewpoints above the dam to photograph the striking blue-green water held in the deep mountain gorge.
• Photograph the arch from below — View the curved wall of the dam rising from the riverbed to appreciate its enormous scale.
• Stop en route to Svaneti — Break the drive from Zugdidi up to Mestia here, as the dam sits along the main road into Upper Svaneti.
• Explore the Enguri gorge road — Continue up the winding canyon road that hugs the river and reservoir, passing dramatic cliffs and small villages.

Food to try

• Kubdari — A Svan meat-filled bread packed with spiced chunks of pork or beef, the signature dish of the mountains ahead.
• Elarji — A rich Megrelian dish of cornmeal cooked with stringy sulguni cheese, typical of the Samegrelo lowlands around Zugdidi.
• Sulguni cheese — Buy fresh, springy Megrelian sulguni sold roadside, sometimes smoked, near the villages on the way.
• Megrelian khachapuri — A cheese-filled bread topped with an extra layer of melted cheese, richer than the standard version.
• Svan salt — Pick up jars of this fragrant garlic-and-herb salt blend, a prized seasoning from Upper Svaneti.

Local customs & good to know

• Bring your passport — The reservoir stretches toward the de facto Abkhazia boundary, so carry ID as this is a sensitive border region.
• Photography restrictions — Ask guards before photographing the dam's interior or infrastructure, as it is a working strategic facility.
• Fuel up and stock supplies — Grab snacks, water, and fuel here since services thin out considerably on the mountain road up to Mestia.
• Dress for altitude — Weather at the gorge and beyond can turn cold and wet quickly even in summer, so pack layers.

Nearby

• Bedia Cathedral (Abkhazia) — 15 km
• Zugdidi — 32 km
• Martvili Canyon (Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi & Kvemo Svaneti) — 45 km
• Okatse Canyon (Imereti, Racha-Lechkhumi & Kvemo Svaneti) — 53 km