3 days Tour to Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti

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3 days Tour to Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti

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~~2450~~ 1789n

3 days Tour to Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Region

Stop At: Lailashi, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Region

About: The stunning region of Georgia, Racha-Lechkhumi, comprises three magnificent areas of the country - Racha, Lechkhumi, and Kvemo Svaneti. This region, nestled within the valleys of the Rioni, Tskhenistskali, and Lajanuri rivers, shares borders with the Imereti Region and the Samegrelo - Zemo Svaneti Region. It is embraced by mountains from the north, some of which are more than 4000 meters above sea level.

The distance to the location by road from:

Kutaisi: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Batumi: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Tbilisi: 3 hours and 20 minutes

There are four municipalities within Racha-Lechkhumi - Kvemo Svaneti: Ambrolauri (lower Racha), Oni (upper Racha), Tsageri (Lechkhumi), and Lentekhi (Kvemo Svaneti). The administrative center of the region is Ambrolauri, and the other two cities are Oni and Tsageri, along with the town of Lentekhi. This region, with a land area of 4,954 km2, is renowned for its unique history and architectural monuments, with diverse nature, peaks, caves, rivers, waterfalls, and lakes.

The history of Racha-Lechkhumi - Kvemo Svaneti. Tsageri is home to the legendary Khvamli Mountain, known as the place where Prometheus, who challenged the gods, was chained. Myths aside, historical sources claim that the first traces of human life in Racha-Lechkhumi - Kvemo Svaneti date back to the Stone Age. Objects from the Bronze and Iron Ages have been found in the region, and the copper mines discovered in Svaneti confirm the significant role that the region played in the mining and working of that ore.

The upper reaches of the Rioni River were exceptional since there was a large-scale bronze production center allowing the Svans to capitalize on it. Svaneti also played a large role in gold production, since in earlier times, this region was part of the kingdom of Colchis, and the Golden Fleece myth relates to the gold mining tradition in Svaneti.

Racha-Lechkhumi - Kvemo Svaneti was well-protected by natural conditions and by fortresses, and kings and noble families fleeing from their enemies often took shelter in them.

Lailashi is a historic village located at an altitude of 850 meters above sea level. The Hermitage Museum in Russia houses the bronze axes that were discovered in the village. The village was home to a multi-ethnic community consisting of Georgians, Greeks, Jews, and Armenians. Lailashi boasts a rich collection of historical and architectural monuments, including a hall-type church and a bell tower that date back to the early 19th century, a Jewish Synagogue in the “market,” and a badly damaged hall-type Armenian temple. The village is also home to the Lailashi Bible, a unique 10th-century Hebrew Bible discovered in Lailashi in the 1940s, which is kept in the Georgian Institute of Manuscripts. The name “Laila” means “night” in Arabic. Lailashi is famous for its Okronishi swimming pool, which is believed to have healing properties. The pool offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, earning it the nickname “Georgian Thailand.”

Duration: 8/9 h. per day