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Multi Day Hiking Tour in Racha-Lechkhumi
- Tour Overview
Step off the beaten path and into Racha-Lechkhumi, often whispered by locals as the "Switzerland of the Caucasus." Tucked between Imereti and the soaring wall of the Greater Caucasus, this pristine region is a paradise for dedicated trekkers. Far less crowded than other mountain regions, this tour delivers raw alpine beauty: jagged limestone peaks, hidden glacial lakes, roaring mountain rivers, and ancient pine forests. Beyond the trails, you will encounter the warm hospitality of highland villages and sample legendary regional wines born in these isolated valleys.
What You Will See & Experience
The Mythical Khvamli Mountain: Hike the slopes of this enigmatic, limestone massif towering at 2,002 meters. According to ancient Greek mythology, this sheer cliff face is the exact spot where Zeus chained the Titan Prometheus for stealing fire from the gods. Reaching the top reveals a tiny church and sweeping, vertigo-inducing views of the West Georgian lowlands.
The Trek to Udziro ("Bottomless") Lake: Conquer Racha's most famous and rewarding multi-day trek. You will hike up the steep, wildflower-carpeted Chkauri Valley and cross the high Geske Pass at 3,076 meters. On the other side sits Udziro Lake, a crystal-clear alpine mirror that perfectly reflects the jagged, snow-capped peaks of Mount Katitsvera. (Camping overnight on the lakeshore to catch the sunrise is an absolute highlight).
The Buba and Kirtishi Glaciers: Set out from the historic Soviet-era health resort of Shovi to track the roaring Bubastskhali River. The forest trail ascends sharply onto a panoramic mountain ridge, bringing you face-to-face with the massive, creeping ice tongues of the Buba Glacier.
The Thousand-Year-Old Sairme Pillars: Trek a moderately challenging, uphill forest loop to discover a staggering geological wonder. Hidden deep in the woods of Lechkhumi, these massive, needle-like limestone columns rise dozens of meters straight out of the earth like ancient ruins carved by nature.
Gona – "Little Switzerland": Journey to the absolute edge of civilization. Gona is the highest and most remote village in Upper Racha, sitting at 1,660 meters directly against the stark, white wall of the main Caucasus ridge. You will hike past lone wooden cabins, roaring glacial streams, and dramatic borderland pastures.
The Hidden Notsara Valley: Trek an abandoned mountain road climbing out of Chiora village into the high alpine zone. This wide, isolated valley offers what many consider the single best panoramic viewpoint over the glaciers and passes of the central Greater Caucasus Mountain range.
Kulbaki Green Lake & Rachkha Waterfall: Take a refreshing break from heavy hiking in the lush forests of Lechkhumi. Relax by the emerald-green lakes of Kulbaki, watch the cascading Rachkha Waterfall tumble over moss-covered stones, and enjoy fresh, locally caught mountain trout for lunch.
Shaori Reservoir & Nikortsminda Cathedral: Stop at the gateway of Racha to admire the vast Shaori Reservoir, where dense forests meet perfectly mirror-like waters. Nearby, explore the 11th-century Nikortsminda Cathedral, famous across Georgia for its breathtaking exterior stone carvings and brilliant medieval frescoes.
Khvanchkara Wine & Rachuli Ham: Reward your trekking efforts with Racha’s rich culinary traditions. Sit down in a village guesthouse to sample authentic Rachuli Lori (a deeply flavorful, smoked mountain ham) and a glass of genuine Khvanchkara—a naturally semi-sweet red wine produced exclusively in a tiny micro-zone along these slopes.
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