Racha Alpine Hiking Week
Shaori Nikortsminda Shovi and a demanding Udziro Lake day.
- days
- 5 / 4 nights
- Total distance
- 610 km
- Total driving
- 13:00
- Car needed
- Crossover / SUV
- Season
- June–September
- Difficulty
- Hard
Click a marker for details. Coloured lines are ready-made road trips.
Five active days combining acclimatisation culture and one full alpine hike.
Day-by-day plan
Day 1: Shaori → Nikortsminda. Day 2: Oni → Shovi. Day 3: Acclimatise. Day 4: Udziro hike. Day 5: Glola.
Stops on this route
Nikortsminda Cathedral
An 11th-century cathedral covered in exceptional stone carving, with late medieval frescoes inside.
1 h
Oni
The main town of Upper Racha, on the Rioni at 830 metres — damaged by the 1991 earthquake and only half rebuilt.
2 h
Shovi Resort
A high mountain resort above Oni in the Chanchakhi valley — strictly seasonal and partly rebuilt after the 2023 disaster.
4 h
Udziro Lake and Buba Glacier (Ghebi)
The last village in Racha and the trailhead for high mountain routes — 4x4 only, and summer only.
8 h
Glola
The last large village of Upper Racha, where the road splits towards Shovi in one direction and Ghebi in the other.
1.5 hTips
- A guide is recommended.
- Check the weather window.
Best car for this trip
Cars in this category
Itineraries
Guides
- The Best Time to Visit Georgia, Counted Month by Month Georgia does not have one season. It has two countries: a 60% country from November to April and a 99% country
- Driving in Georgia: What the Distances Actually Cost You Georgia is a small country with slow roads. Here is what 267 measured drives from Tbilisi say about how long y
Pickup locations
Car Rental in Kutaisi — 40 km (straight line)
Booking and enquiries
The easiest way to reach these places is by car — you pick the route and the stops.