Chokhatauri City
Municipal centre in Guria region, western Georgia
Chokhatauri stands in Guria’s green hills amid tea plantations and karst ridges. Visitors use it as a base for mineral springs, walks through fragrant tea fields, and access to mountain retreats; expect home-cooked khachapuri, lamb dishes and regional hospitality.
69°F
Why Visit Chokhatauri?#
Nestled in Guria, Chokhatauri draws visitors for its off‑the‑beat mix of mountain air and regional culture; nearby Bakhmaro’s summer trails and the tea‑growing slopes of western Georgia set it apart. Food is a reason to come: rich khachapuri and churchkhela sold in market stalls offer local flavor. The area’s Gurian polyphonic singing and relaxed village life give travelers a chance to experience an authentic slice of Georgian rural tradition.
Best Things to Do in Chokhatauri#
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Chokhatauri Bucket List#
Bakhmaro Plateau - High-mountain summer resort with wooden cabins and cool forested walking trails.
Nabeglavi Mineral Springs - Bottled mineral water source offering spa springs and local tasting opportunities.
Chokhatauri Central Market - Weekly market selling regional cheeses, greens, and artisanal products from Guria.
Family-run wine cellars - Family-run cellars producing regional wines, with tastings by appointment and friendly owners explaining traditional methods.
Gurian polyphonic singing evenings - Occasional local performances showcasing Gurian polyphonic singing and traditional dance.
Meskheti foothills trails - Undemanding trails through mixed forests offering quiet nature and village views.
Ureki Black Sand Beach - Sandy black-pumice beaches famed for therapeutic sand and gentle sea bathing.
Ozurgeti - Regional center with museums, bakeries, and cultural events reflecting Guria traditions.
Best Time to Visit Chokhatauri#
Late spring and early autumn are the best times to visit Chokhatauri when hills are green and temperatures are mild. Summers are warm and humid with frequent rain, while winters are mild but often wet.
December - February
3-10°C (37-50°F)
Wet, mild winters make valleys lush but muddy; some sights remain open, but expect frequent rain, low clouds, and limited hiking days.
March - May
8-20°C (46-68°F)
Spring is the sweetest - warm days, flowering orchards, and comfortable hikes; occasional showers won’t ruin plans but bring mosquitoes later in May.
June - August
20-30°C (68-86°F)
Hot, humid summers see heavy afternoon storms; great for river dips and festivals, but expect sticky conditions and occasional travel delays from downpours.
Chokhatauri's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 27°C. Abundant rainfall (1751 mm/year), wettest in December.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 9°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (167 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (149 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (118 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (142 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (136 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (157 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (174 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (182 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (215 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Chokhatauri#
Chokhatauri is best reached by road from regional airports in western Georgia; there is no large airport in the town itself. The nearest airports serving international flights are Batumi (BUS) and Kutaisi (KUT); onward travel is by regional bus, marshrutka or taxi.
Batumi International Airport (BUS): Batumi is the closest international airport to Chokhatauri. From Batumi you can take a regional marshrutka or bus toward Ozurgeti/Lanchkhuti and change for a short taxi or minibus to Chokhatauri; expect about 1-1.5 hours of road travel to Ozurgeti and a further 15-30 minutes to Chokhatauri depending on connections.
Kutaisi International Airport (KUT): Kutaisi is another common entry point for western Georgia with low-cost connections. From Kutaisi there are minibuses (marshrutkas) and intercity buses toward Lanchkhuti/Ozurgeti; total travel time to Chokhatauri is typically around 1.5-2.5 hours by road depending on transfers.
Train: The nearest significant railway access for the Guria area is via Lanchkhuti or Samtredia on Georgian Railway services (regional trains on the Poti-Batumi corridor). From Lanchkhuti you will need a local minibus or taxi for the final 15-25 km to Chokhatauri; journey times depend on connections.
Bus/Marshrutka: Intercity minibuses (marshrutkas) and regional buses run between Batumi, Kutaisi and towns in Guria (Ozurgeti, Lanchkhuti) and provide the most frequent direct access to Chokhatauri. Fares are low (single-digit to low double-digit GEL) and journey times from Batumi or Kutaisi are commonly 1.5-2.5 hours.
How to Get Around Chokhatauri#
Chokhatauri is best navigated by mixing regional buses/marshrutkas with short taxi rides - marshrutkas are the cheapest and often most convenient option. Trains serve nearby hubs but you’ll usually need a local bus or taxi for the final leg.
- Regional bus / marshrutka (5-20 GEL) - Local minibuses (marshrutkas) are the most frequent and practical way to reach Chokhatauri from Batumi, Kutaisi or nearby towns. They run along main west-east routes and stop at local hubs such as Ozurgeti or Lanchkhuti; expect basic vehicles and to pay at the van. Marshrutkas are inexpensive and the quickest public option for last-mile connections.
- Taxi (30-80 GEL (airport/regional transfers)) - Taxis are useful for direct transfers from airports or railheads when schedules don’t align. Negotiate or confirm the fare in advance (or use an app where available). Taxis are significantly more expensive than marshrutkas but provide door-to-door comfort and speed for small groups.
- Train (Georgian Railway) ((varies)) - Georgian Railway serves the region on the Poti-Batumi corridor with stations such as Lanchkhuti and Samtredia providing regional connections. Trains are comfortable for longer stretches; you will generally need a local bus or taxi from the station for the final approach to Chokhatauri.
- Car rental / driving ((varies)) - Driving gives the most flexibility to explore Guria and reach Chokhatauri directly; roads are generally passable but can be narrow outside major routes. Car hire is available at major airports and cities; a car is especially handy if you plan day trips into the surrounding countryside.
- Walking - Chokhatauri is a small town where most local errands and sightseeing can be done on foot. Walking is practical for short trips inside town and to nearby viewpoints.
Where to Stay in Chokhatauri#
Chokhatauri center - GEL 30-70/night (approx.)
Chokhatauri is a small Georgian town; budget stays are local guesthouses and family-run hotels with basic facilities and few websites.
Chokhatauri / Guria region - GEL 80-140/night
Mid-range pensions and small hotels exist but are limited; expect comfortable rooms and home-cooked meals rather than boutique services.
Batumi area - GEL 200+/night
No major luxury hotels in Chokhatauri; for upscale stays, look to Batumi on the Black Sea coast (1-2 hours away).
Shopping in Chokhatauri#
Shopping is basic and functional: a handful of small grocery shops, bakeries and kiosks cover everyday needs. You’ll also find local stalls or market days selling seasonal fruit, vegetables and other produce. There are no large malls; for supermarkets, branded shops or a wider selection you’ll want to travel to nearby Ozurgeti or Batumi.
Nightlife in Chokhatauri#
Evening life in Chokhatauri is low-key. Most social evenings happen in cafes, small bars attached to guesthouses or family-run restaurants where locals gather for dinner and conversation. If you want more nightlife-live music or late-night bars-plan to head to larger towns like Ozurgeti or the coastal resorts, especially in summer when seasonal venues are busier.
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