Javakheti National Park

National Park Highland national park in Samtskhe–Javakheti, wetlands

Highland park in Samtskhe-Javakheti characterized by volcanic plateaus, lakes and wetlands. Birdwatchers, hikers and off‑grid travelers come for lake scenery and migratory waterfowl.

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Javakheti National Park is a protected area on the Javakheti plateau in Samtskhe-Javakheti, southern Georgia, established to conserve highland wetlands, lakes and steppe habitats. The park protects a mosaic of alpine meadows, volcanic lakes and marshes important for biodiversity.

The park offers open highland scenery with volcanic lakes, peat bogs and seasonally wet meadows; it is noted for waterbird concentrations during migration and for opportunities to walk low-impact trails and observe wildlife at birdwatching points. Recreational activities are generally low-intensity and oriented to nature observation.

Designated by Georgian conservation authorities as a national park to conserve the plateau’s wetlands and associated species, the area has since been managed to balance conservation with low-impact local tourism and traditional land uses. Conservation work has focused on wetland protection and monitoring of bird populations.

Located in the southern highlands of Georgia near the borders with Armenia and Turkey, the park sits on the Javakheti volcanic plateau within Samtskhe-Javakheti region and is accessed from regional towns on the plateau.

  • Birdlife: High-altitude wetlands and volcanic lakes provide important stopover habitat for migratory waterbirds and breeding sites for regional species.
  • Elevation and terrain: Located on the Javakheti plateau at roughly 1,500-2,000 metres above sea level, featuring alpine and montane steppe landscapes.
Javakheti National Park
Javakheti National Park, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Georgia
41.2296, 43.3809
Park entry fees and permits vary; contact the Georgian Protected Areas Agency for current details

How to Get to Javakheti National Park #

Access from the regional hub of Akhalkalaki; road travel across the plateau requires a reliable vehicle. Contact the Georgian Agency of Protected Areas for maps, permits and guidance on the best routes and local guides.

Tips for Visiting Javakheti National Park #

  • Hire a local guide for highland routes and to access cultural sites like small chapels and herding settlements.
  • Bring layers - weather in Javakheti can be unpredictable with strong winds and rapid temperature swings.
  • If birdwatching, bring a spotting scope: the plateau hosts many Georgian specialist species and migrants that require distance viewing.

Best Time to Visit Javakheti National Park #

Best in summer for access and mild weather; spring and autumn are excellent for birdwatching and quieter visits.

Summer
Jun -Aug · 8 -22°C (46 -72°F)
Mild temperatures and open roads for access to lakes and pastures.
Late spring and early autumn
May, Sep -Oct · 5 -18°C (41 -64°F)
Good for birding and photography; fewer tourists.

Weather & Climate near Javakheti National Park #

Climate

Javakheti National Park's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -13°C to 19°C. Moderate rainfall (785 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 55 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
SeptemberAugustJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
-28°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -6°C and lows of -13°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

34 Poor

Comfort

-10°
Feels Like Freezing
-10°C
Temperature
-13° -6°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.4h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -13°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

32 Poor

Comfort

-9°
Feels Like Freezing
-9°C
Temperature
-13° -4°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.5h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -11°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

34 Poor

Comfort

-6°
Feels Like Freezing
-6°C
Temperature
-11°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

49 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-4°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

67 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
13.2h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 0°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (111 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

49 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

111 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
14.4h daylight

June

June is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

49 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
15°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

107 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Very High
15.0h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

78 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
14.7h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
19°
65%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

69 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
13.7h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
15°
67%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.0h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-6°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.7h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

32 Poor

Comfort

-7°
Feels Like Freezing
-7°C
Temperature
-10° -4°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.1h daylight

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