Private Tour from Kutaisi to Mountainous Racha and Monasteries
Description
If you're seeking an off-the-beaten path experience with awe-inspiring views of wild, unspoiled nature, Georgia. is just the place for you. Dubbed the "Switzerland of the Caucasus," Racha is one of Georgia's most picturesque regions. Snow- capped peaks, mighty glaciers, hidden valleys, green alpine meadows and panoramic vistas over the Greater Caucasus range are just some of the region's gems. See couple of few places in the world that's included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in Imereti region. Experience a trip of a lifetime, filled with views of buildings as old as 11th century, astounding nature and breathe the are from oxygen paradise.
Tour Options
Itinerary
It is a small and very beautiful monastery with round turrets crowned with peaked tent-shaped domes. The monastery is standing above the rough Rioni river and is buried in coastal vegetation. According to the legend the monastery was constructed on the place where Muslim aggressors executed David and Konstantin Mkheidze, Georgian princes, who refused to accept Islam. In a small monastery hall on an eminence there is a big rectangular ark with the hallows of the pious princes canonized by Georgian Church. Motsameta attracts crowds of tourists with an ancient superstition: if one crawls three times under the ark and makes a wish while touching the hallows, the princes David and Konstantin will grant it. The Tsar Bagrat III reconstructed the church in the 10 th century. The building was reconstructed again in the 19 th century.
Gelati Monastery is located in the Imereti region. The monastery was founded by David the Builder in 1106. We read in his will: “The monastery remained for my burial and for the crypt of my children forever and I will take eternal pain, so may my son Dimitri complete the construction”. Here the greatest king of Georgia is buried. The ensemble includes the main church of the Assumption of the Virgin, St. George's Church, St. Nicholas Church, bell tower, academy and fence. Gelati Monastery was the largest cultural and educational center. Gelati complex is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Tskhrajvari (‘Nine Crosses’) is quite possibly the most spectacular viewpoint in all of Georgia, and definitely among the best day hikes near Kutaisi. Tskhrajvari is an Orthodox pilgrimage site and viewpoint located near the Nakerala Pass, right on the cusp of Western Georgia’s Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi regions. At 1,500 metres above sea level, it affords incredible views of the Greater Caucasus mountains, including the twin peaks of Ushba. On a clear day you can see all the way out to the Black Sea. The hike starts out from behind the abandoned concrete cable car station. Immediately you start going up, but at a very gentle incline. The path is not strictly marked but it’s fairly obvious where you should go. If in doubt, follow the white rocks. Viewpoints open out all along the track. You’ll also see various religious shrines, including a hollowed-out tree trunk filled with icons , and wishing trees heavy with satin scarves, ribbons and pieces of torn cloth.
Shaori Reservoir is one of the most attractive places in Racha. Heading to Racha, you cannot overpass the Reservoir which dazzles you with its landscape.
Nikortsminda Cathedral is a Georgian Orthodox Church, located in Nikortsminda, Racha region of Georgia. Nikortsminda was built in 1010–1014 during the reign of Bagrat III of Georgia[1] and was repaired in 1534 by the King Bagrat III of Imereti. Three-storied bell-tower next to the cathedral was built in the second half of the 19th century. Frescoes inside the cathedral date from the 17th century. The cathedral follows a short-armed rectangular cross plan and has a short segment to the west. The facades of the cathedral are covered with smoothly hewn stone. Decorations include unbroken arcatures and various rich ornaments, including multiple-figured narrative reliefs and episodes. Nikortsminda has among the most beautiful decorations of all Georgian churches and cathedrals as several different styles can be seen. The cathedral is on the Tentative List for status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(16)
It was an excellent journey. The car was very comfortable, with air conditioning, a large trunk, and plenty of legroom in the back seat, so height is not an issue. Irakli is an excellent driver: careful, polite, and decisive when needed, unlike many local drivers, he does not speed or overtake recklessly, and you feel safe throughout the trip. Irakli was also extremely helpful: he accommodated all of our requests, arranged breaks whenever we asked, and adjusted the route to suit our decisions. Although the journey ended up taking an extra hour beyond what we had paid for (due to our additional requests for sites we wanted to see), Irakli was completely understanding and simply told us to take our time. Overall, it was an excellent experience. We saw everything that can reasonably be visited in a single day in the Racha region, including Tskhrajvari Mountain, Shaori Lake, the Nikortsminda and Khotevi Churches, a Khvanchkara Winery, sites near Ambrolauri, and the Sairme Pillars. We felt safe, comfortable, and well cared for throughout the trip.
The tour was very diverse. We enjoyed beautiful views and visited a 2nd-century monastery. We also went fishing together. Our guide gave us plenty of time for everything; he's very knowledgeable.
Irakli is a very knowledgeable, kind, and passionate guide. We had a great time on this off-the-beaten path tour to the remote and beautiful Racha region, with a good mix of mountain/lake views, hike, and monasteries. He also was quite flexible and added optional secondary stops. He was also a great, smooth driver and gave us many helpful recommendations. Highly recommended!
Our tour with Irakli was spectacular! We’re picked up at our desired location and were given water bottles at the start. We explored 3 beautiful monasteries and the stunning nature of Racha mountains. Irakli was attentive, knowledgable and kind quide. We had a splendid time! Thank you
Georgian Voyage- Can highly recommend this unique tour experience with a local and small guide company! This was the perfect itinerary focused on the mountains and monasteries with the bonus combination of a mini hike plus walk and a food tour thanks to our wonderful free flowing interaction with Iracli. Kudos to Iracli for picking us up from our hostel on the outskirts of Kutaisi 💯 He patiently explained the history of the various monasteries we visited and gave us real deep insights into the differences among the regions within Georgia! Given we’re a relatively physically active couple, Iracli offered to hike with us to the top of the nine crosses mountain. He even included two bonus stops after the last stop since we vibed so well! We tasted local Racha delicacies in Ambroulari and then even took a detour to visit a waterfall on the route back to Kutaisi. To top it all, he’s an avid football fan so we watched the man united match together during the journey. In short, I’d highly recommend at least a day with him in Georgia to get the perfect local experience blended with fun 🤩
Thank you so much for the kind words! It was a real pleasure meeting you both and exploring Racha together. I’m especially glad we got to watch the Manchester United match live in the car — as a fellow fan, I couldn't let us miss it! ⚽️🔴 It was the perfect way to end our adventure. I wish you both all the best in life and many more exciting travels. You have a friend in Georgia whenever you decide to come back. Stay in touch! 🇬🇪"
We had the chance to take part in a fantastic tour, where we explored the most beautiful parts of the Racha region. The scenery was breathtaking, the tour guide was really friendly, and we had an amazing time. I highly recommend it to everyone!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I am so glad you enjoyed the beauty of the Racha region and had an amazing time with us. It was a pleasure showing you around. We hope to see you again in Georgia! Best regards, Irakli , ,,Georgian Voyage"
My trip with Georgian Voyage was an exceptional experience in every respect, far exceeding my expectations. From the very first contact to the final execution of the journey, the organization was consistently professional, well-structured, and at the same time highly personal. The planning of the itinerary deserves special recognition: the selected destinations were not only breathtaking in terms of scenery but also culturally enriching. It was evident that great care had been taken to present an authentic and diverse picture of Georgia—far away from mass tourism and with remarkable attention to detail. A very special thanks goes to Saba, who proved to be an extraordinarily hospitable, open-minded, and dedicated guide. His warm personality, extensive knowledge of the country and its culture, and his constant willingness to help made this journey truly unique. At all times, I felt welcome, well cared for, and at the same time free to enjoy the experience on an individual level. The entire organization ran smoothly, flexibly, and reliably. Even spontaneous adjustments were handled professionally and without complication, which highlights the team’s high level of competence and experience. I can wholeheartedly recommend Georgian Voyage—especially to those who value quality, authenticity, and personal service. This journey will remain a wonderful memory, and I would choose this provider again without hesitation.
Dear guest, Thank you so much for this incredible review! As the co-owners of Georgian Voyage, both Saba and I are truly honored that your journey with us exceeded your expectations. Our main goal has always been to offer an authentic, personal experience far from mass tourism, and it’s rewarding to see that you appreciated the care we put into every detail. I’ve shared your wonderful words with Saba, and we are both so happy that his guidance made your trip unique. Thank you for choosing us and for your recommendation. You are always welcome back to Georgia for more adventures! Best regards, Georgian Voyage
So good to go:) Very beautiful places Thanks for guiding us
My son and I had an amazing experience visiting Racha region with Saba from Georgian Voyage. Our guide Saba went above and beyond to show the best of Racha region’s lakes, mountains, waterfalls and of course monasteries. It’s hard to believe how much travel he packed in a one day trip. Also, if you want a local guide to Georgian cuisine from the region, Saba knows all the best places to eat and pair with locally produced wines. We’ll definitely be back for multi-day hiking and skiing adventures. Highly recommended.
We had a fantastic experience exploring the Racha region with Irakli today. Everything was perfectly organized from start to finish. Irakli was not only an expert historian and storyteller but also a very safe driver and a wonderful companion.🫶 We visited stunning churches, enjoyed panoramic mountain views, and experienced the authentic hospitality Racha is famous for. The itinerary was well-balanced, allowing us to see everything without feeling rushed. If you want a stress-free, authentic, and high-quality tour from Kutaisi, this is the one to book. Thank you for an amazing experience and see you next time!
