Macahel’s Plateau
Turkey’s first and only biosphere reserve area under UNESCO protection, Macahel (also known as Camili) in the Black Sea province of Artvin’s Borçka district, fascinates with its unique culture as well as untouched springs, naturally aged woods, endemic plants, historic mosques and the pure Caucasian honey bee. Lekoban, one of the most important plateaus of Macahel, consisting of Camili, Düzenli, Efeler, Kayalar, Maral and Uğur villages on an area of 25,395 hectares, has become a favorite spot for domestic and foreign tourists in recent years with its challenging geographical terrain, endemic plant species, glacial lakes and mesmerizing sunsets. Lekoban Plateau, which can be reached from two different road routes, Şavşat and Borçka; provides peaceful, serene habitat for a variety of forms of natural life. Located in the foothills of the Karçal Mountains, which reach an altitude of 3,450 meters, at the Georgian border, the plateau is a popular destination for trekking, photography and nature enthusiasts with its rich biological diversity.
