Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti

Nature, caves and challenging hikes

Racha National Park covers 50,835 hectares and lies within the administrative boundaries of the municipality of Oni in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti. The park is home to 117 bird species and 54 mammal species. It is a prominent point of reference for planning your trip if you want to focus more on nature than on museums and architecture.

Khvamli Mountain in Tsageri offers a different natural setting. The mountain is 2,002 metres high, densely forested and deeply rugged. There are 19 caves on its outer slopes, including Tekenteri, also known as Tekenteri’s Well, and Boga Ice Cave. Forest, rugged terrain and caves combine to shape the landscape here.

The Sakao–Ghebi–Mount Shoda route begins in Ghebi, crosses a mountain ridge and ends in Sakao. It is considered challenging and is intended for experienced hikers. Its route across the ridge and its explicitly challenging rating are important points to bear in mind when planning a hike.

Mineral springs and a spa resort atmosphere

Shovi offers a different focus. It is a balneological spa resort centred on therapeutic mineral baths for treating various ailments. There are 16 mineral springs there, each used to treat a different ailment. The region thus caters to different travel interests: a challenging hiking route and a spa resort focused on mineral baths.

Churches, inscriptions and museums

Nicortsminda Cathedral was built during the reign of King Bagrat III, between 1010 and 1014. This clearly defined construction period gives the building a specific historical context. In the town of Oni, the Oni Synagogue was built in 1895. There is a Hebrew inscription at the entrance, and the Ten Commandments are engraved in Hebrew on the eastern wall. These details draw attention both to the building’s design and to its inscriptions.

The Barakoni Church in Tsesi is also distinguished by its architecture: it is a rectangular domed church, with an exterior façade decorated with various carvings. Those interested in comparing architectural forms and decorative details will find a different focus here than in the inscriptions of the Oni Synagogue.

The Museum of Fine Arts in Ambrolauri displays works by around 600 artists, including pieces by Lado Gudiashvili, Elene Akhvlediani, David Kakabadze and Avto Varazi. The Tsageri Historical Museum focuses on the period from the Early Bronze Age to the Middle Ages. Its artefacts include bronze figurines, weapons, agricultural tools and coins. The two museums therefore offer different perspectives: artworks by a large number of artists at one, and a collection spanning a broad historical period and a wide variety of object types at the other.

Regional traditions and choosing your accommodation

Local food culture can also be part of planning your trip. Baking Rachan lobiani is considered a traditional ritual in Racha, and visitors can take part. Along with the museums, churches, hiking route and Shovi, this offers a range of options for cultural, active and mineral-spring-focused interests.

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home, you can use these interests to help you decide: consider which places and themes you want to be at the centre of your trip, then tailor your search accordingly. This way, you can choose accommodation based on the focus you want for your trip, rather than deciding solely by the region’s name.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kveda Tlughi, Lentekhi, Khvanchkara, Oni, Ambrolauri, Glola, Tsageri, Tsanashi, Ghebi.

Go to the main travel overview: Georgia.