Georgia · Religious & Spiritual

Dzama Gorge Jeep Tour from Tbilisi: Bateti Lake & Ruisi

9 Hours Round trip from Pickup service provided in Tbilisi. Challenging pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Private full-day jeep tour from Tbilisi
  • 02 Explore the monasteries and churches of Dzama Gorge
  • 03 Visit scenic Bateti Lake
  • 04 See Kintsvisi Monastery on a forested mountain slope
  • 05 Discover the Ortubani monastery complex and fortress remains
  • 06 Visit the rock-built Shio Cave of Sarkineti Church
  • 07 Enjoy beautiful valley and forest views
  • 08 Travel with private transport, bottled water, and onboard WiFi

Discover the quieter side of Georgia on this private full-day jeep tour from Tbilisi into the scenic Dzama Gorge. Travel through valleys and forested landscapes to visit historic monasteries, churches, and hidden religious sites, while enjoying sweeping views and plenty of photo opportunities along the way.

The journey also includes Bateti Lake, known for its beautiful scenery and colourful trees. With private transport, a full-day route through Shida Kartli, and a mix of nature, architecture, and spiritual heritage, this experience is ideal for travellers looking to explore beyond the usual highlights.

Discover the quieter side of Georgia on this private full-day jeep tour from Tbilisi into the scenic Dzama Gorge.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 Hours
Tour type Private
Activity level Challenging
Accommodation Not included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
City Tbilisi
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Samtsevrisi church of Saint George

The Samtsevrisi church of Saint George is an early medieval Georgian Orthodox church in the village of Samtsevrisi, Kareli Municipality, in Georgia's region of Shida Kartli. It is a "free-cross" plan church and stylistically dated to the first half of the 7th century. The church is inscribed on the list of the Immovable Cultural Monuments of National Significance of Georgia.

Kintsvisi Monastery

Kintsvisi Monastery is a Georgian Orthodox monastery on a forested slope of a high mountain of the Dzama valley. Its main church is an exceptional example of a brick church from the Georgian Golden Age period. The monumental mural is one of the largest among the Medieval Georgian artistic ensembles. The Kintsvisi Monastery complex consists of three churches. The central (main) central church dedicated to St Nicholas is thought to date to the early 13th century, in what is generally regarded as the Georgian Golden Age. Its dating was possible due to the presence on the murals of the figures of three Georgian kings of that period. A very small chapel standing next to it is dedicated to St George, and dates from around the same time.

The monastery complex of Ortubani

The monastery complex of the Nativity of the Virgin of Ortubani is a monument dating from the XVI-XVII centuries and includes: the Church of the Virgin of Ortubani, a bell tower, a tower, a fence and a house. They made Dzovreti a historical center of nobility. In the 19th century, the Tsitsishvilis left this place and will be able to stop outside the city, and a new village, Ortubani, will be built on its ruins. Mdzovreti fortress includes: a church, a bell-tower, a castle and several houses and agricultural places. In X century here found a shelter a future King of Abkhazia Teodos III, in 13th century the fortress belonged to the Duke of Dukes Gamrekeli son of Kakha (Toreli). In 1640 in this fortress was fortified Nodar Tsitsishvili during his rebellion against the king. King Rostom could not manage to take the fortress. It is a complicated monumental construction erected on the rock. Three constructing layers are found in the fortress.

Shio Cave of Sarkineti Church

Shio Cave of Sarkineti Church - a rock-built church was opened and consecrated on October 20, 2011. The entrance to the temple is convenient from a 5-meter corridor cut into the rock. The Church of the Rock in Georgia was no longer built after the 14th century, and the Church of Shio Cave in Sarkineti was the first church built in the Rock Cave after the 14th century.

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Private transportation
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • WiFi on board
  • Bottled water

What's Not Included

  • Lunch

Know before you go

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • No public transportation nearby
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • Ladies need to wear head scarves and dresses in Georgian orthodox churches. Short trousers for men are also forbidden. Scarves and dresses can also be found near church entrances for men and women to enter churches.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Tbilisi.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Tbilisi.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 9 hours finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Tbilisi..

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