Jvari Monastery
Private Tour to Uplistsikhe Gori and Mtskheta 2
Private Tour to Uplistsikhe Gori and Mtskheta 3
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Private Tour to Uplistsikhe Gori and Mtskheta

(5)
Tbilisi, Georgia
Arts & CultureCultural ToursDay Trips & Excursions
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About this activity

Explore Georgia's most historically significant region on this full-day private tour combining three iconic sites: the carved cave-town of Uplistsikhe, the regional hub of Gori, and Mtskheta, Georgia's ancient capital. This journey through Kartli unveils layers of Georgian civilization spanning millennia, from pre-Christian rock settlements to medieval monasteries.

Meeting point: Tbilisi ( the tour includes pick up from the hotel )

Endpoint: Tbilisi ( the tour includes drop off at the hotel )

Available dates: Every day

Pick up time: 09:00

End time: 19:00-19:30

Duration: 10 hours


Start your morning at Traveler's Meeting Point. Meet team members, enjoy your coffee there, listen to good music and get full of positive emotions. Then, after a quick check-in process, you sit in a comfortable, new, air-conditioned car with a safe driver and a professional fun guide.

Explore one of the most mysterious regions of Georgia – Kartli. First, visit memorable Uplistsikhe cave-town and dive into the antique life of Georgia. Then, find out more interesting facts in Gori and see the unique old capital of Georgia – Mtskheta.

Kartli region is well known for its diverse range of cultural sites, historical monuments, and landscapes. This region was the home of gods and their earthly embodiment – priests, chiefs, and kings. The area was standing over the crossroads of cultures. Walkways and stairwells make you feel like you are walking in a city like Jerusalem before Jesus was ever born.

The ancient capital of the Kartli region and Georgia was Mtskheta from the 2nd to the 5th century AD. An impressive fact that Georgians claim - the robe Jesus wore during the crucifixion was buried underneath the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (one of the most important cathedrals in Georgia). It is believed that the robe was brought to Mtskheta from Jerusalem. We drove up to Jvari Monastery to get the best view. Sweeping views of the Caucasus Mountains, the confluence of Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, and the old town dotted by the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral will take your breath away.

09:00 Pick up from the hotel

Our guide picks you up from the hotel at 09:00 and takes you to our company for the check-in procedure, then an unforgettable trip begins.


11:00 Uplistsikhe Cave-town
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Uplistsikhe is an antique rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia. It was built on a left bank of the Mtkvari River, contains multiple structures dating from the Early Iron Age to the Late Middle Ages, and is notable for the unique mixture of various rock-cut cultures from Anatolia and Iran coexistence of pagan and Christian architecture.


13:00 Lunch in a Local Family
Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Unique possibility to feel as native. Visit a local family and enjoy homemade, traditional, delicious food.


14:45 Stalin Museum Or Free Time In Gori (Optional)
Duration: 1 hour

Stalin Museum is a museum dedicated to the life of Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, who was born in Gori. The Museum retains its Soviet-era characteristics, Stalin's Original house and Stalin's railway carriage.


In Case Of Free Time in Gori (Optional)


Discover the city Gori, populated since the early Bronze Age. According to medieval Georgian annals, King David IV founded Gori. The fortress of Gori (Goris Tsikhe) appears to have been in use already in the 7th century, and archaeological evidence indicates an urban community in Classical Antiquity. In the 2008 Russo-Georgian war, the town came under aerial attack by the Russian air force from the outset of the conflict.


16:35 Jvari Monastery
Duration: 30 minutes

The name of this monastery is translated as the "Monastery of the Cross." Jvari Monastery is the 6th-century Georgian Orthodox monastery near Mtskheta. Along with other historic structures of Mtskheta, it is listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Jvari Monastery stands on the rocky mountain top at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, overlooking the town of Mtskheta, which was formerly the capital of the kingdom of Iberia.


17:25 Svetitskhoveli in Mtskheta
Duration: 1 hour

Mtskheta, one of the oldest cities in Georgia, was founded by the ancient Meschian tribes in the 5th century. UNESCO recognizes it as a World Heritage site due to its historical significance and several cultural monuments. It was the capital of the early Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD. However, Mtskheta remained to serve as the coronation and burial place for most kings of Georgia until the 19th century.

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (literally the Cathedral of the Living Pillar) is currently the second-largest church in Georgia (after the Holy Trinity cathedral). Known as the burial site of Christ's robe, Svetitskhoveli has been one of the principal Georgian Orthodox churches and is among the most venerated places of worship in the region.


19:00-19:30 Drop off at the hotel

Highlights:

  • Meet the best team at Traveler's Meeting Point
  • Uplistsikhe City Caves
  • Stalin Museum
  • Gori
  • Mtskheta
  • Svetitskhoveli
  • Jvari Monastery
  • The confluence of the Aragvi and Mtkvari Rivers

Highlights

  • Uplistsikhe cave-town: walk through ancient rock-hewn streets and dwellings carved into cliff faces
  • Mtskheta's Svetitskhoveli Cathedral: Georgia's holiest site, said to house the robe of Jesus
  • Kartli region: crossroads of cultures with dramatic landscapes and historical monuments
  • Professional guide and comfortable air-conditioned transport included throughout
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tbilisi

Insider tips

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip—Uplistsikhe involves uneven stone steps and steep passages through carved chambers
  • Visit Uplistsikhe early in the tour; afternoon crowds can gather, and lighting improves for photography in morning hours
  • Ask your guide about the specific chambers and churches within Uplistsikhe's cave complex; their stories vary widely and direct explanation adds depth

Good to know

  • Full day duration (10 hours, 09:00–19:00/19:30) includes travel time between sites; plan accordingly if you have evening plans
  • Bring water, sun protection, and sturdy closed-toe footwear for cave exploration
  • Hotel pickup begins at 09:00; confirm hotel address and contact details at booking
  • Tour operates daily; suitable for most fitness levels, though cave exploration involves climbing

Who it's for

History enthusiasts and archaeology buffsCultural explorers seeking pre-Christian and medieval Georgian heritageFirst-time visitors wanting a curated overview of Kartli's key monumentsSmall groups or families preferring private transportation and personalized guides

Best time to visit

Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) offer mild weather and clear visibility of Kartli's landscapes. Summer heat can be intense in caves; winter roads may be affected by weather. Morning light favours photography at Uplistsikhe's cliff-carved facades.

Frequently asked questions

Available
From€231
per person