THE BEAUTIFUL RACHA

1 DAY

Tbilisi – Rikotsky Pass – Nakerala Pass – Lake Shaori – Nikortsminda – Ambrolauri

08:00 Departure from Tbilisi to Racha region.

Racha for Georgians is a favorite holiday destination, its own little Switzerland with mountains, alpine meadows, rivers, lakes and many mineral springs. This is the birthplace of the famous natural and semi-sweet wines “Khvanchkar”, “Usahelouri”, “Ojaleshi”, “Tetra”, “Twishi”, the famous Rachin ham, a chicken dish called “shkmeruli”, a winding dance “rashovda” and local residents – Rachintsev – round-faced, big-eyed, good-natured people, the slowness of which became the reason for countless jokes. In Soviet times, even filmed a comedy about Rachintsy - "The fastest in the world." Why hurry up? They believe that they have eternity ahead of them. Rachintsi are also the best cooks, bakers, builders in Georgia.

This is a trip from Eastern Georgia to Western Georgia. The road we will be taking is very picturesque. We will pass by the city of Gori (J.V. Stalin was born here), see the famous Surama fortress (near the city of Khashuri), in the village of Akhaldaba we will try sweet bread "Nazuki". Then we cross the Rikota Pass, which is the border between Eastern and Western Georgia.

Lunch near the city of Zestaponi (paid independently).

Further, our way passes along a beautiful road through the Nakerala Pass, which connects two Georgian regions - Imereti and Racha. The highest point of the pass is located at an altitude of 1218 meters. Rocky cliffs and surroundings are covered with deciduous forests.

Lake Shaori is just behind the Nakerala Pass. This lake is artificial, formed by a small dam that blocked the mountain stream, in the Shaor basin at an altitude of 1105 m. The length of the reservoir is 7 km, the maximum width is 2.7 km. Surrounded by coniferous forests, after which the alpine meadows begin. The gorge, where Lake Shaori is located, has its own climate, no matter what the heat is nearby, it is always cool here. The places here are very beautiful, the slopes of the reservoir are covered with coniferous forests and alpine meadows. In the purest water of the lake there are many fish (just a paradise for fishing lovers). On the west bank of the reservoir is the Church of Nikortsminda.

Church of Nikortsminda (Church of St. Nicholas) - was built in the XI century during the reign of King Bagrat III (975 - 1014). It was originally a monastery here. In the XVI century, by order of the Imeretian king Bagrat, the church was restored, repainted and turned into the main cathedral of the Rachin region. It is this painting that visitors of Nikortsminda see today. Nikortsminda Chapel was built in the second half of the XIX century. The devastating earthquake of 1989, which destroyed or severely damaged a number of Rachi fortresses and churches, caused almost no harm to Nikortsminda. The Church of Nikortsminda shakes with its frescoes, bas-reliefs and their safety. The 500-year-old painting is preserved on all the walls of the cathedral and on its domed part. Amazing in beauty and fully preserved its original form of stone carving (stone carving - traditional local art) adorns the facade of the temple and its dome. Rachin patterns are very refined and complex; none seem to be repeated twice. Inside the cathedral there are wonderful frescoes and ornaments of the XVI-XVII centuries. This is a very bright and joyful painting. All shades of azure, yellow and orange create a festive impression. Georgians poetically call this church "decorated bride". The temple of Nikortsminda is submitted for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Ambrolauri is the administrative center of the eponymous district and the entire region of Racha-Lechkhumi. This small (population 2500 people) and very well-kept city with straight streets and many green spaces is located on the southern bank of the Rioni River at the junction of three roads - from here you can go to Oni, Tkibuli and Tzagheri. The village has been known since the XVII century as one of the residences of the Imeretian kings. In 1769, Ambrolauri was presented by King Solomon I to Prince Zurab Machabeli. In 1810 Ambrolauri became part of the Russian Empire. In April 1991, the city suffered from the Rachin earthquake (6.9 on the Richter scale). Ambrolauri is known far beyond Georgia. It is in this area that the grape varieties from which the famous Hvanchkar wine is produced grow. At will (for an additional fee) wine tasting at the Bugeuli plant.

Check-in to a guest house in Ambrolauri. Dinner. Free time. Night in Ambrolauri.

2 DAY

Ambrolauri - Baraconi - They - Utzera - Shovi.

Breakfast. Journey to the Upper Roach.

Baraconi Church (Temple of Our Lady Baraconi, XVIII century) stands on a steep cliff at the confluence of the Rioni and Lukhuni rivers in the village of Cesi. On the hill, on the other bank, the ruins of the ancient castle of Mindatsikhe rise, in which Queen Tamar spent her childhood. During her reign, a church was built a little away from the modern Baraconi Church, but today only part of the foundation remains from it. The Baraconi Church itself was built by master Avtandil Shulavreli by order of Rachin Prince Rostom in 1753. The walls, windows and doors of the temple are decorated with fine carvings, as bizarre as in Nikortsminda. The old frescoes are almost not preserved, the new ones are made according to the ancient Georgian canons. The icons here are very different - old and new (written on a tree) and paper reproductions within the framework. It is said that not only in Upper Svaneti, but also in Baraconi Georgian manuscripts and shrines were preserved during the invasions, when the Mongols, Persians, Turks with fire and sword passed through the plains of Georgia.

They are the city and center of the historical region of Racha, located at the foot of the Rachin ridge on the left bank of the Rioni River at an altitude of 800 m above sea level (34 km northeast of the regional center of Ambrolauri). The date of foundation of this village is unknown. The first written references date back to the XV century. As the center of the principality of Racha was part of the Imereti kingdom, annexed in 1810 to the Russian Empire. In the XIX century there was a strategic military-Ossetian road. In Soviet times in the city operated butter and wine factories, garment factory. In April 1991, They were severely destroyed by the Rachin earthquake (6.9 on the Richter scale). They have a local history museum, a synagogue and a mineral spring. Around the city there are beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Synagogue in Oni (1890-95) was built in a unique Moorish style for Georgia. Her project was brought from Europe by Rabbi Eliyahu Amshikashvili. By building a huge, expensive synagogue in the impoverished village of Oni, Eliyahu hoped to attract attention and investment in his region from Nobel and the Rothschild family, known for their religiosity. Unfortunately, his ambitious plans were hampered by the political situation.

Lunch in them (paid independently).

Next – visit the unique medical resorts of Utser and Shovi, known for their mineral waters.

Ucera is a balneological climatic resort located on the banks of the Rioni River at an altitude of 1600 meters (10 km from Oni). This alpine resort is distinguished by a very beautiful landscape, medicinal air and mineral waters (there are 28 species). Coniferous and mixed forests predominate in Ucer, the air here is especially useful for the prevention of adolescent health. And local mineral water is an excellent remedy for the treatment of liver and gastrointestinal diseases. Also in this resort there are mountain rivers, especially popular among those who like high-speed kayaking. The springs are located right by the road, and those high in the forest are considered the most delicious.

Shovi is another famous Georgian medical resort, located at an altitude of 1660 meters and considered alpine (20 km from Utser and 30 km from Oni). There are 16 types of mineral waters, each of which differs in composition and is used in the treatment of various diseases. The season here is from June to October. In addition to treatment, tourists come here just for recreation or entertainment. Mountaineering and climbing are especially popular here. It is in this part of the Caucasus that there are still peaks that have not been conquered by any climber, and the height of some of them is 4600 m above sea level. In addition, the slopes of the Shovi mountains are covered with deciduous and coniferous forests, which creates unique climatic conditions. Treatment in Shovi is recommended for all types of lung diseases (except tuberculosis, diseases of the digestive system and nervous system).

Shovi Resort was founded by doctor Shamshe Lejava, born in the village of Tskadisi (56 km from Shovi). After graduation, the boy was sent to study in Vienna. In Vienna, he received a medical education, but he was especially attracted to the resort business, and Shamsche devoted his whole life to him. After graduating from medical university, the young doctor traveled to famous European resorts (Davos, Alanda, Baden, Carlsbad, etc.). After this trip in 1910, the young doctor returned to his homeland and became obsessed with the idea of building something similar in Georgia, and the Georgian resort was in no way inferior to European ones. But his idea of creating a resort in Shovi was not accepted for a long time. And only in 1925 in Shovi appeared the first sanatorium. Now Shovi is considered the most promising Georgian holiday destination.

Check-in to a guest house in Shovi. Dinner. Free time. Night in Chauvie.

3 DAY

Shovi - Chiora - Gebi - Tbilisi.

Breakfast. A trip to the high mountain villages of Rachin - Chiora and Gebi.

Chiora is one of the most beautiful villages in the Racha region. It is located at an altitude of 1360 m, on the southern slope of the main ridge of the Greater Caucasus. In the Middle Ages it was a large village with a number of defensive structures. Currently, only a few towers and two small churches remain.

Gebi is also one of the most beautiful high mountain villages of Rachi, located on the coast of the Rioni River at an altitude of 1350 meters. Once there was the only fortress city in Racha like Shatili (Hevsureti), but due to frequent earthquakes, the ancient architecture has almost not survived. Only a few towers and a temple remain. Gebi is also interesting because people have settled here since ancient times. Traces of metalwork dating from the XVI-X centuries BC, as well as mounds from the late Bronze Age, were found during archaeological excavations in the area. Around Gebi are beautiful places, wildlife and springs rich in minerals.

Lunch in Ambrolauri (paid independently).

Return to Tbilisi.

Category of the tour: mountain and excursion.

The length of the entire route: 800 km.

Seasonal: May - November.

The cost of the tour per person (group 2 people)

The tour price includes:

• Accommodation in a guest house (Ambrolauri/1 night, Shovi/1 night);
• 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners;
• all crossings along the route on comfortable transport;
• service of a Russian-speaking guide;
• excursions according to the tour program.

The tour price does not include:

• flight;
• health insurance;
• food not specified in the program;
• alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages;
• wine tasting at the Bugeuli factory (four wines with a snack ~ 9 USD).
• Personal expenses and other services not specified in the program.