Paravani Lake

Paravani is the largest lake in Georgia by surface area, roughly thirty-seven square kilometres of shallow water at around two thousand and seventy metres on the Javakheti volcanic plateau, in country that is almost treeless: rolling grassland, black basalt, scattered villages and long horizons. It freezes over in winter, when the plateau is one of the coldest inhabited parts of the country, and in summer it is used for fishing and grazing. Waterbirds gather on it and on the smaller lakes nearby, which together form one of the more important breeding and staging areas in the south Caucasus. The road along its shore is the main route toward Akhalkalaki.

What you actually see

• The largest lake in Georgia - thirty-seven square kilometres of shallow water.
• Treeless volcanic plateau - grassland and basalt around the shore.
• Waterbirds on the lakes - the breeding and staging groups of Javakheti.
• Village fishing and grazing - the working use of the lake.

When to go

June to September; the plateau is bitterly cold and often snowbound from November. Half a day as a stop. Wind is constant and there is no shelter.

Honest expectations

The plateau is bleak and there is very little infrastructure. Wind is relentless. Bird watching needs a telescope and patience. Roads are rough away from the main route and villages have almost no services.

Nearby

Javakheti national park surrounds the lakes; Akhalkalaki lies west.