Sandwiched between the Great Caucasus Mountain Range and the Lesser Caucasus Mountains Georgia is rich with mountains of every shapes and size.
From the tops of many of these mountains spring small rivers gaining force and speed as they flow downwards and through picturesque parts of the Georgian landscape. Those rivers offer the perfect opportunity to explore Georgia on a raft.
Rafting or “Jomardi” as locals call it has been a useful way of transporting goods since the first settlements in the region. It was towards the end of the last century that rafting started to be regarded as an extreme sport. It has been gaining audience rapidly ever since and is one of the most popular extreme activities today.
Rafting offers a unique opportunity to those who would like to explore Georgia in an unusual way. Thrill-seekers can discover Georgia’s stunning nature from within as they follow a fast-paced mountain river through the beautiful valleys and canyons and encounter remote gems of local flora and fauna. The Kutaisi rafting route follows the Rioni river which starts high in the Racha mountains and is the most water-rich river in Georgia. Rioni offers different routes for every type of rafter. In various parts of Rioni, rafting complexity levels vary from 1 to 6. Beginners can have a go at rafting near Kutaisi, where the waters are calmest and the navigation difficulty stays medium throughout the year. The most complex (level 6) section of the Rioni is near the village of Utsera and is only recommended to experienced rafters.