Racha by car is the Georgia most visitors never see: a green mountain region of lakes, vineyards and empty roads between Kutaisi and the high Caucasus. It is three hours from Kutaisi Airport, the main road is paved, and in autumn it is the prettiest drive in the country. This post covers the route, the stops and the right car. Collect the car at Kutaisi Airport and you are in Racha by lunch.
Updated 9 October 2026. Prices and rules checked against our booking system on that date.
Racha by car: the route from Kutaisi
From Kutaisi take the road east to Tkibuli. Then climb over the Nakerala pass to the Shaori reservoir. The pass road has tarmac, hairpins and a viewpoint at the top. From Shaori it is a short drive to Ambrolauri, the regional centre. Oni is another hour along the Rioni valley. Kutaisi to Ambrolauri is about 90 km and two hours; Oni about 120 km and three hours. From Tbilisi, allow five hours via Kutaisi, or four via Sachkhere on a quieter road.
| Stop | What it is | Car |
|---|---|---|
| Nakerala pass and the Shaori reservoir | A turquoise lake ringed by forest, picnic spots on the shore | Any car |
| Nikortsminda | 11th-century church with the best carved stone in Georgia | Any car |
| Ambrolauri | Wine town; Khvanchkara is grown on the hills around it | Any car |
| Barakoni church and the Rioni gorge | Riverside church on the way to Oni | Any car |
| Oni | Old market town with a synagogue and a small museum | Any car |
| Shovi and Glola | Spa village and the road end under the Mamisoni range | Crossover or 4x4 for the last stretch |
| Utsera and the mineral springs | Roadside springs between Oni and Shovi | Any car |
When to go
June to October. In October the beech forests turn red and gold, the harvest fills the vineyards, and the lake still tempts the brave. Winter works on the main road, but the Nakerala pass can close after snow, and Shovi loses its road for months. So check with us before a winter trip.
Wine, food and sleeping
Racha is Khvanchkara country, the semi-sweet red that rarely leaves Georgia. Small family cellars around Ambrolauri pour it with lobiani and the local smoked ham. Guesthouses in Ambrolauri, Oni and on the Shaori shore take walk-ins outside August. In high summer, book ahead.
Which car for Racha
The whole main road is paved, so the Prius or any sedan does Racha comfortably. If you want Shovi or the Glola valley, take a crossover: the Duster or the Forester, or the RAV4 for more comfort, from our 4x4 range. Two or three days is the right length. The direct road to Svaneti via Lentekhi needs a serious 4x4 and local advice, so most people return via Kutaisi.
Adding Racha to a Kutaisi or Svaneti trip? Tell us your days and we fit it in, with the right car for the last gravel stretch. Message us on WhatsApp (+995 591 89 60 60) and we will plan a custom route with you: the right car for the roads, pickup and drop-off in different cities, and honest advice on driving times.
Questions about Racha by car
How far is Racha from Kutaisi Airport?
About 100 km to Ambrolauri and two to two and a half hours, including the pass.
Is the road to Shovi paved?
Mostly, with a rough last section. A crossover feels comfortable; a sedan manages it slowly in dry weather.
Can I combine Racha with Svaneti?
By the main roads, yes: back to Kutaisi, then Zugdidi and Mestia, about six hours from Oni. The direct Lentekhi road is for experienced 4x4 drivers only.
Is Racha busy?
No. Even in August you have the Shaori shore and the Oni market mostly to yourself, and that is the whole point.
Racha by car is two or three slow days of lakes, churches and wine on paved roads. It fits perfectly between Kutaisi Airport and the rest of western Georgia.