Private Tour from Kutaisi to Mountainous Racha and Monasteries
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 20 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Tour from Kutaisi to Mountainous Racha and Monasteries worth booking?
Private Tour from Kutaisi to Mountainous Racha and Monasteries is a 7-hour experience in Kutaisi, Georgia, from $75 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 20 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 72 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (20)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $75 per person
If you're seeking an off-the-beaten path experience with awe-inspiring views of wild, unspoiled nature, Georgia. is just the place for you. Dubbed the "Switzerland of the Caucasus," Racha is one of Georgia's most picturesque regions. Snow- capped peaks, mighty glaciers, hidden valleys, green alpine meadows and panoramic vistas over the Greater Caucasus range are just some of the region's gems. See couple of few places in the world that's included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in Imereti region. Experience a trip of a lifetime, filled with views of buildings as old as 11th century, astounding nature and breathe the are from oxygen paradise.
What you get
About this experience
If you're seeking an off-the-beaten path experience with awe-inspiring views of wild, unspoiled nature, Georgia. is just the place for you. Dubbed the "Switzerland of the Caucasus," Racha is one of Georgia's most picturesque regions. Snow- capped peaks, mighty glaciers, hidden valleys, green alpine meadows and panoramic vistas over the Greater Caucasus range are just some of the region's gems. See couple of few places in the world that's included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in Imereti region. Experience a trip of a lifetime, filled with views of buildings as old as 11th century, astounding nature and breathe the are from oxygen paradise.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- On-board WiFi
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Surcharges on fuel
- Entry/Admission
- Parking fees
Not included
- Dinner
- Brunch
What you'll see and do
Motsameta Monastery
It is a small and very beautiful monastery with round turrets crowned with peaked tent-shaped domes. The monastery is standing above the rough Rioni river and is buried in coastal vegetation. According to the legend the monastery was constructed on the place where Muslim aggressors executed David and Konstantin Mkheidze, Georgian princes, who refused to accept Islam. In a small monastery hall on an eminence there is a big rectangular ark with the hallows of the pious princes canonized by Georgian Church. Motsameta attracts crowds of tourists with an ancient superstition: if one crawls three times under the ark and makes a wish while touching the hallows, the princes David and Konstantin will grant it. The Tsar Bagrat III reconstructed the church in the 10 th century. The building was reconstructed again in the 19 th century.
80 minutes here
Gelati Monastery
Gelati Monastery is located in the Imereti region. The monastery was founded by David the Builder in 1106. We read in his will: “The monastery remained for my burial and for the crypt of my children forever and I will take eternal pain, so may my son Dimitri complete the construction”. Here the greatest king of Georgia is buried. The ensemble includes the main church of the Assumption of the Virgin, St. George's Church, St. Nicholas Church, bell tower, academy and fence. Gelati Monastery was the largest cultural and educational center. Gelati complex is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
75 minutes here
Tskhrajvari Mountain
Tskhrajvari (‘Nine Crosses’) is quite possibly the most spectacular viewpoint in all of Georgia, and definitely among the best day hikes near Kutaisi. Tskhrajvari is an Orthodox pilgrimage site and viewpoint located near the Nakerala Pass, right on the cusp of Western Georgia’s Imereti and Racha-Lechkhumi regions. At 1,500 metres above sea level, it affords incredible views of the Greater Caucasus mountains, including the twin peaks of Ushba. On a clear day you can see all the way out to the Black Sea. The hike starts out from behind the abandoned concrete cable car station. Immediately you start going up, but at a very gentle incline. The path is not strictly marked but it’s fairly obvious where you should go. If in doubt, follow the white rocks. Viewpoints open out all along the track. You’ll also see various religious shrines, including a hollowed-out tree trunk filled with icons , and wishing trees heavy with satin scarves, ribbons and pieces of torn cloth.
135 minutes here
Shaori Reservoir is one of the most attractive places in Racha. Heading to Racha, you cannot overpass the Reservoir which dazzles you with its landscape.
90 minutes here
Nikortsminda Cathedral
Nikortsminda Cathedral is a Georgian Orthodox Church, located in Nikortsminda, Racha region of Georgia. Nikortsminda was built in 1010–1014 during the reign of Bagrat III of Georgia[1] and was repaired in 1534 by the King Bagrat III of Imereti. Three-storied bell-tower next to the cathedral was built in the second half of the 19th century. Frescoes inside the cathedral date from the 17th century. The cathedral follows a short-armed rectangular cross plan and has a short segment to the west. The facades of the cathedral are covered with smoothly hewn stone. Decorations include unbroken arcatures and various rich ornaments, including multiple-figured narrative reliefs and episodes. Nikortsminda has among the most beautiful decorations of all Georgian churches and cathedrals as several different styles can be seen. The cathedral is on the Tentative List for status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
70 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Kutaisi
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Caucasus Voyage
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 20 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
6 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Physical effort
3 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
20 verified traveler reviews for Private Tour from Kutaisi to Mountainous Racha and Monasteries. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Super trip
Irakli was our guide. He was attentive, he gave us many new information, we spent with him one of the best days here in Sakartvelo. Good driver, excellent man. Thank you!
via Tripadvisor
Day trip from Kutaisi
Irakli drove tirelessly for long hours to make sure we saw all the attractions. He guided us when we had to climb or trek to an attraction, took lots of pictures at different view points. . He knows all the secret spots to get the tastiest food at the best price. He knows which region has the best food. In Racha, thanks to him, we tried the Lobiani and Karthovili, it was fabulous - much better than the ones we tried in Tblisi! He understands that we are also looking for value for money, so he really helped us get the tastiest food for the best price! We were talking about tasting grape juice from Georgia and the next minute he jumped out and got us a grape lemonade to try! We were so touched.Highly recommend Irakli for any one looking for a private guided tour
via Tripadvisor
Stunning Racha
The tour is very beautiful and a good value for money. It was well paced and our driver took us to a really nice restaurant for lunch and wanted to stop whenever we wanted and tried to show us and explain to us the region and its peculiarities as best as possible. It was really lovely. The thing I would prefer though is that the driver used air conditioning as it was very hot that day. Also perhaps the itinerary was mostly nice, but perhaps instead of visiting a random bridge for a cute panorama, we could have visited a nice waterfall in the area. However, altogether it was a nice experience.
via Tripadvisor
Can only recommend!
We had a really great day trip with Irakli — we booked the tour very spontaneously and were happy that we could be shown the region by a local. Irakli was a great guide and we can only support what the other reviews say: he is a very considerate driver, gave us a good balance of information but also enough personal space to explore and he even added some spots since we unfortunately had a bit of bad luck with the weather.
via Tripadvisor
Memorable, Safe and Comfortable Day Trip To Racha
It was an excellent journey. The car was very comfortable, with air conditioning, a large trunk, and plenty of legroom in the back seat, so height is not an issue. Irakli is an excellent driver: careful, polite, and decisive when needed, unlike many local drivers, he does not speed or overtake recklessly, and you feel safe throughout the trip. Irakli was also extremely helpful: he accommodated all of our requests, arranged breaks whenever we asked, and adjusted the route to suit our decisions. Although the journey ended up taking an extra hour beyond what we had paid for (due to our additional requests for sites we wanted to see), Irakli was completely understanding and simply told us to take our time. Overall, it was an excellent experience. We saw everything that can reasonably be visited in a single day in the Racha region, including Tskhrajvari Mountain, Shaori Lake, the Nikortsminda and Khotevi Churches, a Khvanchkara Winery, sites near Ambrolauri, and the Sairme Pillars. We felt safe, comfortable, and well cared for throughout the trip.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 7
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Caucasus Voyage, who run 10 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 57.4.
See everything Caucasus Voyage runsWhy this scores 72
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Tour from Kutaisi to Mountainous Racha and Monasteries: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kutaisi.
How much does Private Tour from Kutaisi to Mountainous Racha and Monasteries cost?
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Prices start at $75 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Kutaisi usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Tour from Kutaisi to Mountainous Racha and Monasteries take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Kutaisi is not rushed.
Is Private Tour from Kutaisi to Mountainous Racha and Monasteries worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 20 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Kutaisi, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Tour from Kutaisi to Mountainous Racha and Monasteries?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private Tour from Kutaisi to Mountainous Racha and Monasteries suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Tour from Kutaisi to Mountainous Racha and Monasteries?
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Around 7 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Kutaisi can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Kutaisi and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Tour from Kutaisi to Mountainous Racha and Monasteries start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Kutaisi within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Kutaisi?
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On Outty we rank every Kutaisi experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include From Kutaisi: Martvili & Okatse Canyons & Cave Guided Tour, Kutaisi: Martvili Canyon & Prometheus Cave, Georgian Lunch, Kutaisi:Chiatura Tour with Katskhi Pillar & Cable Car Experience. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Kutaisi?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Kutaisi?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Private Tour from Kutaisi to Mountainous Racha and Monasteries?
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Included: Private transportation; On-board WiFi; In-vehicle air conditioning; Surcharges on fuel; and Entry/Admission. Not included: Dinner; and Brunch. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Tour from Kutaisi to Mountainous Racha and Monasteries include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 56 listed pickup locations in and around Kutaisi. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Private Tour from Kutaisi to Mountainous Racha and Monasteries offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Private Tour from Kutaisi to Mountainous Racha and Monasteries?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Private Tour from Kutaisi to Mountainous Racha and Monasteries wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Private Tour from Kutaisi to Mountainous Racha and Monasteries if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Private Tour from Kutaisi to Mountainous Racha and Monasteries?
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Across 20 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, photo opportunities, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
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