Kutaisi, Nine Cross Mount, Shaori Lake & Nikortsminda church

Megobari Tours

Join off the beaten-track day trip from Kutaisi to the panoramic Tskhrajvari “Nine Crosses” mountain, with a stop at Shaori Lake, and the medieval Nikortsminda church with unique afterlife frescoes.

Caucasus Mountains Georgia

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During this day tour from Kutaisi, you won't meet tourist crowds. You will hike in nature to the “Nine Crosses” mountain for amazing panoramic views and will stop at the beautiful Shaori Lake, surrounded by forests and mountains. Before returning to Kutaisi you will visit the Nikortsminda church most known for the afterlife frescoes and other Orthodox icons.

In the morning our guide will meet you in your Kutaisi hotel & you will start the trip by car. First, you will pass by the city of Tkibuli, and here will stop to buy drinks and snacks for the day. Once Tkibuli was a huge coal mining hub also famous for its tea plantations and production. Continue by the Narekala mountain pass towards the Tskhrajvari “Nine Crosses” mountain.

You will leave the car near the abandoned Soviet-era cable car station, which connected Tkibuli with the Tskhrajvari mountain and was the second-longest ropeway in Georgia (3,5 km). From here you will start exploring the area, walking in nature, and enjoying the panoramic views. Recently (in 2023) a new trail with wooden stairs has been built, making it much easier to visit the mountain. On top of the mountain, you will appreciate a beautiful panorama of the mountains and views of two lakes - Tkibuli and Shaori, here you will learn the touching story behind the “Nine Crosses”. Hiking to Tskhrajvari is 3 km both ways on an average difficulty trail with a max elevation of 1569m.

After the hike, we will take a car to Shaori Lake, where we will stop for some photos, Shaori is actually a reservoir, which was made by connecting two lakes and by building the Shaori River dam.

You will continue to the Nikortsminda St.Nicolas Cathedral, an 11th-century church, most famous for its 16th-century "afterlife" frescoes and some other important Orthodox artworks.

Transfer back to Kutaisi & drop off at Kutaisi Hotel.