Udziro Lake and Buba Glacier (Ghebi)

Ghebi is the final village in Racha: the road ends here and beyond it there are only trails climbing towards the main Caucasus ridge. Two routes matter from the village — Udziro Lake, a high mountain lake lying above 2,500 metres, and the Buba glacier valley, from which the Buba and Chiukhi peaks come into view.

It is important to understand what reaching them involves: the car only gets you as far as Ghebi. From there both the lake and the glacier are reached on foot — a full day, several hours in each direction, requiring decent fitness and, on some sections, fording a river. Many groups camp overnight rather than attempt a return in one push.

What to weigh up:

• the season is very short, realistically July to mid-September
• snowfields remain high up even in June, and the path is not always obvious
• weather changes several times a day and cloud drops fast
• mobile coverage effectively ends above the village
• a local guide here is a sensible decision rather than a luxury

This route is for experienced travellers. If it is your first time in the Georgian mountains, driving as far as Ghebi and seeing the valley is worthwhile on its own, without attempting the climb to the lake.