Tbilisi Trip Overview
This 6-days trekking in Racha is one of the most picturesque trekking tours in Georgia Caucasus. Racha is often called as Switzerland of Caucasus – snow-capped peaks, huge glaciers, hidden valleys, green alpine meadows and majestic view over the Great Caucasus Mountains are main gems of Racha region. We overnight at guesthouses for some days, while doing camping in tents in the wild, unspoiled nature for the next days.
If you want to experience less touristic places, most spectacular views, unexplored nature, great food and wilderness of the mountains, this trek is for you.
Additional Info
Duration: 6 days
Starts: Tbilisi, Georgia
Trip Category: Outdoor Activities >> Hiking & Camping
Explore Tbilisi Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Tbilisi, Georgia, Georgia
This 6-days trekking in Racha is one of the most picturesque trekking tours in Georgia Caucasus. Racha is often called as Switzerland of Caucasus – snow-capped peaks, huge glaciers, hidden valleys, green alpine meadows and majestic view over the Great Caucasus Mountains are main gems of Racha region. We overnight at guesthouses for some days, while doing camping in tents in the wild, unspoiled nature for the next days.
If you want to experience less touristic places, most spectacular views, unexplored nature, great food and wilderness of the mountains, this trek is for you.
Itinerary
Day 1: Tbilisi-Shaori-Glola
Stop At: Shovi, Shovi, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Region
In the morning, we will depart for the mountainous region – Racha. It is located 340 km from Tbilisi, and 140 km from Kutaisi in the west-north of Georgia. We stop at Shaori reservoir which is one of the beautiful water reservoirs in Georgia surrounded by pine trees and flowered green fields. We stop at Nikortsminda Church which was built in the 11th century and was repaired in the 17th century. The church has a great dome and twelve windows with beautiful decorations and ornaments. The Cathedral is on the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then we travel to village Glola and overnight there.
Duration: 10 hours
Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse in Glola.
Day 2: Shovi – Buba Glacier-Shovi
Stop At: Shovi, Shovi, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Region
In the morning, we start trekking to Buba glacier. The trail starts at the resort Shovi and goes along the gorge of river Bubastskhali. After the slope, the route passes shepherds’ summer hut and ascends the ridge, from where we will enjoy an impressive panorama on the Buba Glacier and its vicinity. At the end of the ridge, the trail turns right, descends and finishes at the tongue of the glacier. From the glacier, passing the same way, the trail returns back to Shovi.
Duration: 10 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse in Glola.
Day 3: Shovi – Udziro Lake
Stop At: Udziro Bottomless Lake, Shovi Georgia
In the early morning, we start our trekking activities. At first, we hike through a forest, then continue into the alpine meadows of the picturesque Chkauri valley. Afterward, we will follow the upstream river and have a lunch in the alpine meadows just below the massive mountain peaks. From here, we hike up the steepest section of this trek: to the Geske pass (3076m). From the top, you can see Udziro lake and surrounding mountain Katitsvera. We descend towards the lake and overnight on the banks of the lake.
Duration: 10 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in tents.
Day 4: Udziro Lake – Glola
Stop At: Udziro Bottomless Lake, Shovi Georgia
This day is relatively easy. The views are majestic. You can see sunrise into the Great Caucasus mountains and look at one of the highest peaks of the Caucasus from the lake. After short walks into the surrounding area of the lake, we descend towards the Glola village. At first, we walk into the alpine meadows but then descend into the forest. The trail is quite steep and requires several hours to reach Glola village.
Duration: 10 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse in Glola village.
Day 5: Glola-Ghebi-Gona-Lagura Huts-Oni
Stop At: Patara Ghebi, Patara Ghebi, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Region
Our last part of Racha trekking starts on this day. We are hiking towards Shoda-Kedela mountain range. First, we walk on the off-road and reach Gona village. From here the path becomes small and narrow, but the overall trail is easy and very nice. The views for today are nothing short – Greater Caucasus Mountains, small villages, glaciers, and snow-peaked mountains are highlights of this day. After we reach Lagura huts, being used by local shepherds, we are hiking back to Ghebi village, and drive to Oni.
Duration: 10 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Guesthouse in Oni.
Day 6: Oni-Ambrolauri-Tbilisi
Stop At: Ambrolauri, Ambrolauri, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Region
In the morning, we start our final steps of Racha adventure. We will travel to Khvanchkara village where we taste the famous wine of Racha – Khvanchkara wine factory. Khvanchkara is a single estate semi-sweet Georgian red wine made from unique aborigine varietals “Aleksandrouli” and “Mujuretuli” produced at Khvanchkara Winery according to the ancient traditions. It exhibits a deep ruby color, aromatic taste, and complex structure. It is the “Pearl” among the Georgian wines.
Duration: 10 hours
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.