Georgia, Turkey · National Parks

Discover Javakheti National Park: Kartsakhi, Khanchali & Bughdasheni

15 Hours Round trip from Pickup service provided in Tbilisi. Challenging pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Private full-day tour from Tbilisi to Javakheti National Park
  • 02 Visit Kartsakhi Lake, Khanchali Lake, and Bughdasheni Lake
  • 03 Explore one of Georgia’s top regions for birdwatching
  • 04 See wetlands and volcanic plateau landscapes
  • 05 Visit the Javakheti National Park Administration
  • 06 Travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi on board
  • 07 Bottled water included during the journey

Discover the wild beauty of Javakheti National Park on a private full-day journey from Tbilisi. This long scenic day trip takes you to Kartsakhi Lake, Khanchali Lake, and Bughdasheni Lake—three remarkable wetland landscapes known for their natural beauty and birdwatching opportunities.

Along the way, visit the Javakheti National Park Administration and explore lakes set across the volcanic plateau near the Georgia-Turkey border. With private transportation, an air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, and bottled water included, this experience offers a comfortable way to explore one of Georgia’s most rewarding nature regions.

Discover the wild beauty of Javakheti National Park on a private full-day journey from Tbilisi.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 15 Hours
Tour type Private
Activity level Challenging
Accommodation Not included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
City Tbilisi
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Javakheti National Park Administration

Guests will visit Javakheti National Park Administration.

Kartsakhi Lake

Kartsakhi Lake or Lake Khozapini is a soda lake in the Caucasus Mountains. It straddles the international border between Georgia (53%) and Turkey (47%). The village of Kartsakhi lies near the lake's northeastern shore. It is the second largest lake in Georgia, covering an area of 26.3 or 26.6 square kilometres at an altitude of 1799 m.[1][2] It is fed by a number of creeks. During the rainy season its excess water discharges to the Kura River.

Khanchali Lake

Khanchali Managed Reserve is a protected area in Ninotsminda Municipality in Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia. It protects Khanchali lake on the south-eastern part of the volcanic Javakheti Plateau, at an altitude of 1928 meters above sea level. Khanchali Lake has been considered to be included into Ramsar Convention list of Wetlands of international importance. Khanchali Managed Reserve is part of Javakheti Protected Areas which also includes Javakheti National Park, Kartsakhi Managed Reserve, Sulda Managed Reserve, Bugdasheni Managed Reserve, Madatapa Managed Reserve. Lake provide habitat to many birds, such as Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus), Green Warbler (Phylloscopus nitidus) to name just a few.

Bughdasheni Lake

Bughdasheni Lake is a volcanic lake located in Javakheti Plateau, at 2040 m above sea level. The area of surface is 0.39 km², while the catchment area is 69.3 km². Average depth is 0.42 m, maximal depth is 0.85 m. Gets its feed from snow, rainfall and underground waters. High water levels at spring, low at autumn. Much of the southern part of this area consists of wetlands. River Bughdasheni (left-bank tributary river Paravani) outflows from the Lake. The lake is rich in fish, including trout. The area around the lake is home for part of the year to many species of migratory birds and the shore largely pristine and undisturbed. Bughdasheni Lake is the part of Bugdasheni Managed Reserve. Since 2020 it has been designated as a Ramsar site.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in Tbilisi. 1 city · 15 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Private transportation
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • WiFi on board
  • Bottled water

What's Not Included

  • Lunch and dinner

Know before you go

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • No public transportation nearby
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Infant seats unavailable

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Tbilisi.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Tbilisi.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 15 hours finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Tbilisi..

Watch the tourHQ film Watch the film

Create your own adventure

Can't find the perfect tour? Tailor your dream trip.

  • Tell us your destination, dates and group size.
  • Our travel experts and local guides design a tailored itinerary, just for you.
  • Enjoy your trip with peace of mind, knowing everything is taken care of.
Plan my holiday

Say goodbye to travel stress.