Towering sweet chestnut trees dominate the Colchic forests of Machakhela, forming an integral part of this UNESCO-protected rainforest ecosystem​. Walking under the emerald canopy of Machakhela’s chestnut groves, visitors not only immerse themselves in natural beauty but also in a living legacy – one where forest and community thrive together.

No culinary tour of Machakhela is complete without tasting its cheeses and the dishes they inspire. Dairy farming is a way of life in the region’s mountain villages: cows and goats grazing on wild herbs give milk that locals handcraft into various cheeses.

The Machakhela Landscape Park is a forager’s dream, boasting a diverse array of wild mushrooms thanks to its humid, ancient forests. In the misty understory of chestnut and beech, you can find everything from meaty porcini to golden chanterelles poking through the leaf litter.

Machakhela Gorge honey is famed for its purity and exquisite taste​, reflecting the area’s unspoiled nature. Beekeeping is an age-old occupation here – the valley (together with the adjacent Camili reserve in Turkey) has long been renowned for intensive apiculture and high-quality honey production​.

Machakhela’s lush valley is rich in hazelnut groves, making hazelnuts one of the region’s signature products. Georgia is among the world’s top hazelnut producers​, and in this corner of the country families have grown hazelnuts for generations.

Winemaking in Machakhela is steeped in ancient Georgian tradition. The valley is dotted with old wine cellars and stone presses – in one village alone, archaeologists found five historic winepresses, testament to a thriving wine culture​.