Javakheti is rich with lakes of volcanic origin, most of which are visible along the highway. One such lake, which incidentally is the largest lake in Georgia with a surface area of 38 square km, is Paravani Lake. The lake freezes in winter time with its ice cover reaching half a meter in thickness.
The area along Paravani Lake was the route linking the historic Georgian kingdom and Armenia to Byzantium. Therefore, a number of artefacts dating to the middle ages can be found. The remains of the 12th-century Paravani Caravanserai, built of hewn stone and brick is on the way next to the river.
Around the lake there are several villages, though accessing them due to the bad road surface is a challenge. The most distinguished one is Phoka, home to the Georgian Orthodox Church-run convent. A tasty cheese made by the nuns is for sale there.
