Georgia. Racha-lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti

Georgia’s geographical location means that it has an astonishingly diversity of landscapes, with stunning mountains and coastlines, glaciers and savannahs, waterfalls, black sand beaches, forests and an abundance of rivers. One of the most beautiful places in Georgia is the region called Racha-lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti.

Racha (officially known as Racha-lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti) is a mountainous region full of history and home to the upper reaches of the Rioni River. The best way to explore here is by taking a two or three-day tour. If you travel by car from Tbilisi to Ambrolauri, the regional capital, the 280 km journey will take between 5 to 6 hours. Though the road is excellent it is a serpentine climb into the mountains from Imereti to Racha. When you reach the pass, marking the border between the regions, take time to climb up to the peak of the Tskhra Jvari mountain. Its name in Georgian means ‘The Mountain of Nine Crosses’. The path to the top runs through trees and along the edge of the mountain. On the way you will find glorious views whichever way you look, into western Georgia, over the Tkibuli reservoir and of distant towns and surrounding mountains, gorges and plains.