Racha Tour from Tbilisi — Nikortsminda, Lake Shaori & Khvanchkara Wine
Racha is a quiet mountain region in north-west Georgia that most travellers never reach. Alpine meadows, the turquoise Lake Shaori, the finely carved 11th-century church of Nikortsminda and the home of Khvanchkara wine. This is a trip for those who have already seen Kazbegi and want Georgia without the crowds.
Price
from ₾290
Duration
12–13 hours
Group
up to 7 people
Departure
07:30
Language
English
Format
Private tour
Written by Timur, private tours in Tbilisi since 2015 · 460+ tours · rating 4.9/5
Why choose this tour
Private car — early pickup from your hotel, return in the evening
Nikortsminda — one of Georgia's most beautifully carved medieval churches
Lake Shaori — a mountain reservoir ringed by forest, perfect for photos
The home of Khvanchkara, the famous semi-sweet red wine, tasted with local makers
Green, gentle mountains and villages where time stands still — almost no tourists
Group up to 7 people — relaxed pace, can be extended to two days
In short: Racha Tour from Tbilisi — from ₾290 per person. Small group, private guide from Sakhva Travel, direct booking with no agency fees.
Nikortsminda Church
Nikortsminda is the architectural jewel of Racha, built in the 11th century. Its exterior is almost entirely covered in delicate stone carving — crosses, ornaments, figures of saints and animals worked into the soft stone like woodcarving.
Inside, frescoes from the 16th–17th centuries survive. The church is active and on Georgia's UNESCO candidate list.
Lake Shaori and the Villages
Lake Shaori is a mountain reservoir at around 1,130 metres, surrounded by pine forest. Its still water mirroring the hills is one of the most photogenic spots in the region.
Ambrolauri, the capital of Racha, is a small, easy-going town and the gateway to the Khvanchkara wine zone. Nearby lie the spa resorts of Shovi and Utsera with their mineral springs.
Khvanchkara Wine
Racha is the birthplace of Khvanchkara, a naturally semi-sweet red wine made from the local Aleksandrouli and Mujuretuli grapes. True Khvanchkara comes only from this strictly defined zone around Ambrolauri.
With local winemakers we taste Khvanchkara and home wines, and learn how Racha winemaking differs from the better-known Kakheti style.
Timur's insider tip
Racha rewards a slow pace — do not try to tick boxes here. Nikortsminda is best in late-morning light when the carving casts shadow and you can really read the detail. Ask the local winemakers for their home Khvanchkara rather than the commercial bottling; the difference is striking. If you can spare a second day, stay overnight: Racha at dusk is wonderfully quiet and the mountains turn hazy at dawn. The drive is long, so this is a day for travellers who enjoy the road as much as the destination.
Detailed itinerary
Racha is a long day trip: the drive from Tbilisi takes about four hours each way, so we leave early. The route itself is scenic, climbing through Imereti and the foothills as it gains altitude.
The itinerary is built to see the highlights without rushing — Nikortsminda church, Lake Shaori, the villages of Racha and a wine tasting. On request it can be made a two-day trip with an overnight, adding the Shovi resort and mineral springs.
07:30Departure from Tbilisi — early start, ~4 hours north-west through Imereti
11:30Nikortsminda church — 11th-century stone carving and interior frescoes
12:30Lake Shaori — mountain reservoir, photo stop
13:30Lunch — Racha cuisine — lobiani and the famous local ham (₾25–35, not included)
14:30Ambrolauri & villages — capital of Racha and the Khvanchkara vineyards
15:30Khvanchkara wine tasting — Khvanchkara and home wines with local makers
16:30Return to Tbilisi — ~4 hours back
~21:00Arrival — drop-off at your hotel
Included
Private transfer from Tbilisi and back
Personal guide (English)
Nikortsminda church
Lake Shaori
Villages of Racha and Ambrolauri
Bottled water
Not included
Meals and drinks
Wine tasting (optional)
Personal shopping and souvenirs
Prefer the classic high mountains and the church above Kazbegi?
The tour starts from your hotel in Tbilisi — Timur picks you up in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. Groups are a maximum of 7 people. This is a long day on mountain roads, best for travellers who enjoy a scenic drive. Payment is in Georgian Lari (₾). Booking is through WhatsApp.
When to book
Book 3–5 days ahead in high season. The best months are June to October — green meadows in summer, golden colours in autumn. In winter some high passes close with snow. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before.
What to bring
A warm layer — Racha's mountains are cooler than Tbilisi, even in summer
Comfortable shoes for walks by the lake and in the villages
Motion-sickness tablets if you are sensitive — the road is long and winding
Camera — the church carving and the lake are highlights
Best time to visit
June to October is best: lush meadows in summer and golden forests in autumn. Winter closes some high mountain roads with snow.
Book the Racha Tour
Private tour from ₾290 · Up to 7 people · Timur answers within 1 hour
Kazbegi is high, rocky mountains and a flow of tourists; Racha is soft green mountains, forests, lakes and almost no visitors. People come here for quiet, architecture and wine.
Is the drive hard?
It is long — about four hours each way, with winding mountain sections. We travel in a comfortable car with stops; if you are prone to motion sickness, bring tablets.
When is the best time to visit Racha?
June to October: green meadows in summer and a golden autumn. In winter some high roads close with snow.
Route: Tbilisi → Nikortsminda → Shaori Lake → Ambrolauri
New Sakhva Travel reviews on Google
★★★★★
We were looking for a customized day trip from Batumi to Kutaisi that covered the key religious sites as well as the natural beauty of the area. Sakhva delivered a perfect schedule, an excellent driver, Mamuka, and they stayed in touch with us quickly during the booking process and the day before the tour to confirm details. As it turned out we were in Bagrati Cathedral on a Sunday when 3 weddings were taking place for a very beautiful and memorable day.
Glen Nicholson — Google, September 2026
★★★★★
Huge thanks to Saba and Timur for making our bachelor party such an amazing experience! They were professional, friendly. Everything was perfectly organized, fun, and unforgettable. Couldn’t have asked for better guides. Highly recommended, 10/10!
Eric Mushtukov — Google, August 2026
★★★★★
I don’t like group tours, so I was very glad to find out that SakhvaTravel can put together an individual trip. They picked a route to our wishes, suggested beautiful spots and organised everything without any fuss. Georgia is in our hearts now, we will definitely come back. (translated from Russian)
