Poka St. Nino Monastery

This area is known as the ‘Georgian Arctic’ because of the unforgiving climate. The landscape is covered with deep snow for much of the year, so make sure you have the right gear if you’re travelling in the colder months. In late summer and fall it becomes one of the region’s most important nesting grounds for endemic and migratory birds. Each of the lakes has a bird watching tower and short hiking routes nearby. If you only have time for a couple of lakes, I suggest visiting Bughdasheni Managed Reserve and the nearby Doukhobor village of Gorelovka, plus Paravani Lake and Poka St. Nino Monastery (don’t miss the convent shop that sells delicious preserves and skincare products made from local beeswax and botanicals).