Three days by 4×4 through Racha and Lechkhumi: Khvanchkara vineyards, Nikortsminda Cathedral, the Udziro lake hike and the road toward Lower Svaneti.
- —Private 4×4 with driver, no fixed bus routes or shared itineraries
- —Khvanchkara wine tasting in its home region, not a city cellar imitation
- —Nikortsminda Cathedral's 11th-century carved stone, often overlooked on Georgia itineraries
- —Upper Rioni villages Glola and Ghebi, reached by unpaved mountain roads
- —Udziro lake hike away from any marked tourist trail
- —Small family guesthouses and home-cooked Racha meals, not hotel buffets
Map: OpenStreetMap · Road route and driving times: OSRM · Times exclude stops.
- ✓ Private 4×4 vehicle with driver for all three days
- ✓ Fuel, tolls and parking
- ✓ 2 nights in family guesthouses, half board (breakfast and dinner)
- ✓ Khvanchkara wine tasting at a family cellar
- ✓ Udziro lake hike with driver as guide
- ✓ Driver's meals and accommodation
- ✓ All transfers between Kutaisi, Ambrolauri, Oni and Lentekhi
- — International or domestic flights
- — Lunches (available at local cafes, typically €8-12 per person, paid on the spot)
- — Entrance fees where applicable (checked at booking)
- — Personal travel insurance
- — Tips for driver and guesthouse hosts
- · Roads beyond Oni toward Ghebi and the Zagari Pass are unpaved and slow; a 4×4 is required, not a sedan
- · The Udziro lake hike involves uneven terrain and loose stone; sturdy hiking boots are necessary
- · Best season is May to October; the Zagari Pass route toward Mestia is closed by snow outside this window, checked at booking
- · Guesthouses in Racha are simple and family-run, with shared bathrooms common outside the main house
- · Bring layers: mornings in the upper Rioni valley are cool even in summer
- · Mobile signal is patchy in Glola, Ghebi and along the Lentekhi road
Can this trip continue to Mestia instead of ending in Kutaisi?
Yes, in season the route can continue over the Zagari Pass to Lentekhi and on to Mestia; this depends on road conditions and is confirmed at booking.
Is the Udziro lake hike suitable for children or older travellers?
The hike is moderate with some steep sections; it is manageable for fit adults and older teenagers but not recommended for young children or those with limited mobility.
What is Khvanchkara wine and why is it specific to this region?
Khvanchkara is a semi-sweet red wine made only from grapes grown in a small protected zone around Ambrolauri; it cannot legally be produced elsewhere in Georgia.
Do we need to bring cash?
Yes, for lunches, any extra drinks and tips; guesthouses and small cellars in Racha rarely accept cards.
Prices are per person for two travelling together, in euros; solo travellers and larger groups are quoted on request. Every departure is private and adjusted to you. Hotels, wineries and restaurants on our routes are verified by GTour.
Panoramic mountain view of Mt. Karaugom and Boko Glacier from the Glola–Lake Udziro trail in Racha. · Photo: Boris Kuznetsov / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
| Group | Per person | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller | €1,344 ≈ $1,498 · 3,890 GEL | €1,344 ≈ $1,498 · 3,890 GEL |
| 2 travellers | €840 ≈ $936 · 2,431 GEL | €1,680 ≈ $1,873 · 4,862 GEL |
| 3 travellers | €798 ≈ $890 · 2,310 GEL | €2,394 ≈ $2,669 · 6,929 GEL |
| 4–6 travellers | €714 ≈ $796 · 2,067 GEL | €2,856 ≈ $3,184 · 8,266 GEL for four |
Private tour: your own car and driver, guide and hotels as described. Conversions at today's National Bank of Georgia rate.
Free cancellation up to 7 days before the tour. Between 7 days and 48 hours: 50 % of the price. Less than 48 hours or no-show: no refund. If a mountain road closes and the tour cannot run, you choose a new date or a full refund.
20 % deposit confirms the booking. Deposit by card or bank transfer when the date is confirmed; the balance in cash or by card at the start of the tour. No hidden fees — fuel, parking, driver and guide are included; entrance tickets, meals and hotels are listed per tour.
Since 1 January 2026 every foreign visitor to Georgia must hold health and accident insurance with cover of at least 30,000 GEL — see our guide to the rule. Our vehicles carry passenger liability insurance; your travel policy covers you.
Full booking conditions · Terms of use · What "Verified by GTour" means
No published reviews yet for this tour. We publish every review we receive from a traveller who has taken the tour, good or critical, under the traveller's first name.
Travelled with us? Leave a review
-
DepartureYour hotel — we collect you
-
Departure TimeThe time you prefer — every departure is private
-
Return TimeAt your hotel
-
Included
-
Not Included
Similar Tours
Shatili and Mutso — Khevsureti in One Long Day (4×4)
A 14-hour 4×4 day trip to Shatili and Mutso in Khevsureti, crossing the Datvisjvari pass, open roughly June to October.
Western Wine — Imereti and Racha in 3 Days
A three-day private tour from Kutaisi’s cathedrals to Racha’s Khvanchkara vineyards, tasting Imereti’s Tsitska and Tsolikouri along the way.
Caucasus Highlands in 7 Days — Kazbegi, Khevsureti and Tusheti
A 7-day 4×4 crossing of Kazbegi, Khevsureti and Tusheti, from Gergeti and Shatili to Dartlo, ending in Kakheti wine country.
Racha in a Day — Shaori Lake, Nikortsminda and Khvanchkara
A long day from Kutaisi over the Nakerala Pass to Shaori Lake, Nikortsminda Cathedral, Khvanchkara wine country and Oni’s synagogue.