Hold on to your hiking boots, folks, because the tale I'm about to tell will have you packing your bags for Samtskhe-Javakheti Region quicker than you can say “Meskheti Ridge”! Welcome to the captivating world of Jaji Lake, situated a cool 2,655 meters (8,711 feet) above sea level.
Nestled atop the mesmerizing Meskheti Ridge, Jaji Lake is nature's gem that glistens and beckons with its pristine allure. Stretching over 1 hectare (roughly 2.47 acres), with a depth of up to 5 meters (16.4 feet), this lake is nature's own water reservoir, fed primarily by snow, rain, and groundwater. And guess what? Not a drop flows out, making its waters as mysteriously still as a secret whisper.
Setting off on an adventure? You've got options! If you're driving, either the Dertseli summer farms or the Persati Plateau are your best bets for a swift arrival. However, if you're in for a scenic longer route, maybe post a visit to the Abastumani Observatory, then Abastumani is the way to go. Beware, though! The views on this route are so spellbinding, you might lose track of time and miss that scheduled dip in Jaji!
Straddling the borders of three municipalities: Adigeni, Chokhatauri, and Vani, this lake is more than just a serene water body. Look to the skies, and you'll find Mepistskaro Mountain standing tall at 2,850 meters (9,350 feet), casting its reflection on Jaji's surface. From such heights, one can drink in panoramic vistas of Imereti, Guria, and Samtskhe-Javakheti regions.
So, if the bustling city is getting a tad too noisy and you're itching for an escapade, mark your calendars for late May! That's when the trekking season to Jaji Lake begins.
And as they say in Georgia, nature beckons the heart. And what better place to answer that call than at the serene shores of Lake Djaji?
