4-Day Georgia Cave Towns and Monasteries Tour with Vardzia

We can modify the tour as per customers' wishes. The price is the same for 1 to 6 people.

Cave Towns of Georgia: Georgia is a country of stone and mountains, the sun and the sea, rich in historical and natural monuments, which creates irresistible interest for everyone who has ever visited this beautiful, hospitable land. Today, we want to dedicate a separate topic to one of Georgia's most memorable and exciting attractions: its mysterious cave towns. Visiting these cave towns, you will discover Georgia anew and learn many interesting cultural stories and exciting histories of their origin. Wander through the mysterious ancient caves and fully enjoy the enchanting spirit of antiquity. For those who wish to undertake an unforgettable trip, we offer this educational tour, "Cave Towns of Georgia".

Uplistsikhe: Uplistsikhe (meaning Lord of the Fortress) was once a huge cave town situated 10 km east of Gori. Built between 6 BC and 1 AD, Uplistsikhe became one of the most important political and religious centres of pre-Christian Kartli, with temples to pagan gods. After the Arabs conquered Tbilisi in 645 AD, Uplistsikhe became the residence of the Christian kings of Kartli and an important trading centre on the main caravan route from Asia to Europe. Later, Uplistsikhe was finally destroyed by the Mongols in 1240. Presently, Uplistsikhe comprises the territory of the inner city of 40,000 m2, preserved from the original huge settlement.

David Gareji: David Gareji monastery complex is of great historical value and holds a special place among the numerous cultural monuments of Georgia. According to tradition, the monastery of Gareji was founded in the 6th century by one of the thirteen Assyrian Fathers, St. David Gareji. David settled in a natural cave in the Gareji desert, where he founded the first monastery with the intention of spreading Christianity in Georgia. Even today, after so many centuries, David Gareji surprises visitors with its design and wall paintings of a high artistic level. The complex consists of 13 monasteries scattered on the hills of the semi-desert area on the borderline of Georgia and Azerbaijan. The first thing that catches the eye is the numerous caves carved into the rugged rocks of the desert. These caves served as chapels, churches, and monks' dwellings. In most cave chapels, you can see well-preserved frescoes dating back to the 10th-13th centuries. Not far from the David Gareji cave complex is another equally well-known and important cave monastery complex, Udabno. The cave chapels of Udabno are impressive and are covered with ancient religious murals and frescoes.

Vardzia: The cave complex of Vardzia, the Georgian jewel of medieval architecture, is one of the most outstanding sights of Georgia. This unique cave city, carved into the steep wall of Mount Erusheti at an altitude of 1300 meters, is located in Aspindza, in Javakheti, about 70 km south of the town of Borjomi. In the Middle Ages, the territory of Samtskhe-Javakheti served as a barrier separating the country from the Muslim world.

Rabati: The old stone Rabati Fortress, the main sight of Akhaltsikhe, stands on a small hill on the very shores of the Potskhovi River. Its name comes from Arabic, meaning "fortified place". This military building, erected in the 12th century, witnessed a great deal over the centuries. The fortress was destroyed several times and was often under siege, absorbing traces of different cultures and religions.