Alright folks, buckle up because I finally tackled that trip I’ve been dreaming about forever – hunting down the most stunning nature spots Armenia and Georgia have to offer. Mountains, lakes, parks – the whole package. Here’s how it went down, step by step.
The Starting Point: Gearing Up
First things first, I dragged my old backpack outta the closet. It looked dusty and sorry for itself. Knew I needed good boots, so I splurged on a sturdy pair, breaking them in by walking around the block like an idiot for a week. Packing was chaos:
- Lightweight layers – mountains are unpredictable!
- A rain jacket that could handle a monsoon (hopefully).
- More power banks than sense.
- Basic meds, just in case.
- My trusty, slightly battered DSLR.
Booked flights months ahead. Scored a rental car online for the whole trip – figured it was the only way to hit all these spots without losing my mind with buses. Grabbed a SIM card at Yerevan airport the second I landed.
Armenia: Mountains & Lakes Galore
Started my engine in Yerevan and pointed the car north towards Dilijan National Park. Winding roads, man. Seriously winding. Took way longer than Google said. Pulled over constantly just to stare at the thick forests – felt like stepping into a fairytale. Found Parz Lake nestled inside the park. Rented a little paddle boat just to float around in the middle. So quiet, so green. Perfect.
The big kahuna? Mount Aragats. Drove the rough track towards Lake Kari up high. Air got thin fast. Trudged up part of the southern slope, legs burning. Didn’t make the peak (blaming the altitude!), but the view down to the lake surrounded by volcanic rock? Totally worth the wheezing.
Last Armenian stop: Lake Sevan. Massive! Like a giant inland sea. Drove along the shore, stopped at Sevanavank monastery perched on its peninsula. Climbed the steps, sat on an ancient wall, and just watched the water shimmer. Magical spot.
Georgia Calling: Peaks and Parks
Crossed the border by land – paperwork took ages. Drove straight towards Kazbegi. That Military Highway? Insane views, sheer drops, crazy tunnels. Got to Stepantsminda (the main village) late afternoon. Looked up and BAM – Mount Kazbek covered in snow, floating above the clouds. Absolutely unreal sight. The next day I hiked, or rather scrambled, up to the Gergeti Trinity Church. Legs felt like jelly, but turning around to see that church backed by the peak? Iconic photo nailed.
Needed forests again. Headed to Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. Huge place! Picked a shorter trail near Borjomi town. Smelled the pine trees the moment I stepped outta the car. Followed a path by a rushing river, crossed rickety bridges. Didn’t see much wildlife, just enjoyed the deep, quiet woods. Drank the famous mineral water from the spring in town – tasted weirdly fizzy and salty!
Saved Svaneti for last. That drive up into the high Caucasus felt epic. Miles and miles of switchbacks. Basecamped in Mestia. Seriously, those medieval Svan towers are everywhere, guarding the villages. Chose a tough day hike towards the Shdugra Waterfall. Terrain was rough, rocky. Got soaked by spray when I finally got close enough. Hurt everywhere the next day, but seeing Ushguli villages clinging to mountainsides was mind-blowing.
Wrapping It Up: Reality Bites
Finally pointed the car back towards Tbilisi to catch my flight home. Dead tired. Covered in dust. Camera memory card was screaming “FULL!” My feet swore they’d never forgive me. But scrolling through the pictures on the plane, seeing all those crazy mountains, sparkling lakes, and deep forests? Yeah, every single bumpy road and muscle ache was worth it. These two countries pack a serious nature punch. Definitely lived up to the hype.