Shaori Reservoir

Shaori lies on the Racha plateau at roughly 1,130 metres above sea level. It is not a natural lake: the reservoir was created in the Soviet period to feed a hydroelectric scheme, flooding the Shaori basin. Traces of that remain visible — when the water level drops, the stumps of old trees and the outlines of drowned fields appear along the shore.

Pine forest and meadow surround the water, with the ridges of Racha standing on the horizon. This is one of the few places in the region with genuinely wide open space; the rest of Racha is narrow gorges and dense forest.

What people do here:

• camp along the shore, especially in July and August
• fish, mainly for carp and trout
• walk the shoreline and the pine woods
• stop for a picnic on the way out from Nikortsminda or Ambrolauri

Swimming is possible, though the water is high-altitude cold and stays cool even in July.

In winter the lake partly freezes and the access road fills with snow, so between November and April the trip is not worth making. The best window is June to September, when the meadows are green and evening temperatures are comfortable.