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Geotour

Photos: Lanakharaishvili (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons

Shaori Lake

Imereti & Racha · Nature

Getting there
About 60 km (1.25 h) from Kutaisi via Tkibuli on a paved mountain road, or about 230 km (4–4.5 h) from Tbilisi
Best time
May–October
Recommended stay
20–40 minutes

About Shaori Lake

Shaori is a mountain reservoir at about 1,100–1,200 m in the forested Nakerala range, beside the road from Tkibuli over the Nakerala pass into Racha, about 25 km from Ambrolauri. It is about 7 km long, with forest down to the water. For most travellers it is a 20–40-minute photo and coffee stop on the drive between Kutaisi and Ambrolauri, with a longer break for a picnic or a walk along the shore.

Tours Including Shaori Lake

See the tour

Must-See Attractions

  • Shoreline viewpoints

    Pull-offs along the road give views across the water to the Nakerala ridge.

  • Lakeside walk

    An easy stroll along the grassy shore, with forest reflections in calm weather.

  • Autumn colour

    In October the woods around the lake turn gold and red.

Nearby

  • Nikortsminda Cathedral

    The richly carved 11th-century church on the road into Racha, about 15 km (20 min).

  • Ambrolauri

    The small capital of Racha and its Khvanchkara wine cellars, about 25 km (35–40 min).

  • Tkibuli

    The former mining town at the foot of the pass, about 30 minutes south down the mountain road.

Location42.4097° N, 43.0595° EView on map

Good to know

Getting there

About 60 km (1.25 h) from Kutaisi via Tkibuli on a paved mountain road, or about 230 km (4–4.5 h) from Tbilisi; the lake lies right beside the Tkibuli–Ambrolauri road.

Best time

May–October

Best time

June to September is warm enough for a picnic by the water, and October brings autumn colour to the forest; in winter snow and fog can hide the view.

Recommended stay

20–40 minutes

Time needed

20–40 minutes as a stop; half a day with a picnic and a walk.

Fees

Free.

Weather

Fog and low cloud are common on the Nakerala pass, and there can be snow in winter; the lake is prettiest on a clear morning.

What to bring

A warm layer; it is noticeably cooler here than in Kutaisi.

History & culture

History

The reservoir was built between 1950 and 1955 by damming the Shaori river for the Shaori–Tkibuli hydropower scheme. The water covered two small natural lakes, Kharistvala and Dzrokhistvala. The reservoir is about 7 km long and up to 14.5 m deep.

Accommodation

A few cottages and guesthouses stand near the lake, but most travellers stay in Ambrolauri or in Racha village guesthouses, 30–40 minutes away.