Georgia · UNESCO Heritage Sites

Day Trip to Mtskheta Gori and Uplistsikhe

10 Hours Round trip from Tbilisi Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Visit the ancient rock-hewn town of Uplistsikhe
  • 02 Explore Gori with optional entry to the Stalin Museum
  • 03 See the UNESCO-listed Jvari Monastery
  • 04 Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in historic Mtskheta
  • 05 Learn about Georgia’s history with a professional guide
  • 06 Travel through the Kartli region on a full-day tour from Tbilisi

Discover some of Georgia’s most important historic and spiritual landmarks on this full-day journey from Tbilisi through the Kartli region. Visit the ancient cave town of Uplistsikhe, explore Gori with the option to visit the Stalin Museum, and continue to Mtskheta, the former capital of the early Georgian Kingdom of Iberia.

Along the way, see two UNESCO-listed treasures: Jvari Monastery, set high above the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, one of the most venerated places of worship in Georgia. With transportation and a professional guide included, this tour offers a rich introduction to Georgia’s history, culture, and religious heritage.

Along the way, see two UNESCO-listed treasures: Jvari Monastery, set high above the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, one of the most venerated places of worship in Georgia.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 10 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Gori, Tbilisi, Uplistsikhe, Mtskheta
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

08:30 AVLABARI metro station

Our guide meets you in front of Avlabari metro station with our company's branded flag.

09:00 Start the Tour

Congratulations! Your Experience Has Just Started!

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 Restaurant

Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Unique possibility to feel as native. Visit a local restaurant and enjoy 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.

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 AVLABARI metro station

Tour will end at 19:00-19:30 at AVLABARI metro station.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Tbilisi 4 cities · 10 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • A professional guide service
  • Transportation service

What's Not Included

  • Lunch in a local restaurant (45 GEL - about 15 USD per person) (optional)
  • Entrance fee to Stalin Museum in Gori (15 GEL - about 5 USD per person) (optional)
  • Entrance fee to Uplistsikhe (15 GEL - about 5 USD per person)

Know before you go

  • Be on time.
  • The tour operates in all weather conditions. Therefore, please dress according to the weather.
  • Dress code for a church - No one can enter a church in shorts, and women need to cover their heads.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Tbilisi, GE
Tour start
Tbilisi, GE
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 10 hours finish where they began, in Tbilisi.

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