Georgia · UNESCO Heritage Sites

Shida Kartli Tour: Stalin Museum and much more

3 Days Round trip from Pickup service provided in Tbilisi. Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore the ancient rock-hewn town of Uplistsikhe
  • 02 Visit the Joseph Stalin Museum in Gori
  • 03 See Samtavisi Cathedral and Ateni Sioni Church
  • 04 Discover Kintsvisi Monastery in the Dzama Gorge
  • 05 Visit UNESCO-listed Jvari Monastery
  • 06 See the historic Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta
  • 07 Travel with private transportation and hotel pickup/drop-off
  • 08 Enjoy a 3-day private tour through Shida Kartli and Mtskheta

Discover the cultural and historical treasures of Georgia on this private 3-day journey through Shida Kartli and Mtskheta. Visit important religious landmarks, explore the ancient cave town of Uplistsikhe, and learn more about one of Georgia’s most famous historical figures at the Joseph Stalin Museum in Gori.

Along the way, you’ll experience medieval cathedral architecture, early Christian heritage, scenic valleys, and UNESCO-listed monuments. With private transportation and a flexible private-tour setting, this itinerary is well suited to travellers who want to combine history, architecture, spirituality, and beautiful Georgian landscapes.

Visit important religious landmarks, explore the ancient cave town of Uplistsikhe, and learn more about one of Georgia’s most famous historical figures at the Joseph Stalin Museum in Gori.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Gori, Tbilisi, Uplistsikhe, Mtskheta
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Tour to Samtavisi,Stalin Museum , Ateni Sioni and UplistsikheSamtavisi is an eleventh-century Georgian Orthodox cathedral in eastern Georgia, in the region of Shida Kartli, some 45 km from the nation's capital Tbilisi, near Igoeti village. The cathedral is now one of the centers of the Eparchy of Samtavisi and Gori of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The church is a typical example and the founder of the Georgian interpretation of the cross-in-square churches. It was built in the period of decorative and artistic bloom in the architecture of Georgia.The Joseph Stalin Museum is a museum in Gori, Georgia 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.The Ateni Sioni Church is an early 7th-century Georgian Orthodox church in the village of Ateni, some 10 km (6.2 mi) south of the city of Gori, Georgia. It stands in a setting of Ateni gorge in the Tana River valley known not only for its historical monuments, but also for its picturesque landscapes and wine. The name "Sioni" derives from Mount Zion at Jerusalem. Ateni is the tetraconch church, typical for the period. Its frescoes are one of the best examples of the Georgian painting.Uplistsikhe ("the lord's fortress") is an ancient rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia, some 10 kilometers east of the town of Gori, Shida Kartli. Built on a high rocky left bank of the Mtkvari River, it contains various structures dating from the Early Iron Age to the Late Middle Ages, and is notable for the unique combination of various styles of rock-cut cultures from Anatolia and Iran, as well as the co-existence of pagan and Christian architecture.

2
Day 02

Tour to Dzama GorgeKintsvisi Monastery is a Georgian Orthodox monastery in the Shida Kartli region, eastern Georgia, 10 kilometers from the town Kareli, 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.Ortubani is a village in Kareli Municipality, Shida Kartli Region, Georgia, Georgia. It is located on the right bank of the river Dzama, in the northern foothills of the Trialeti Range. 850 meters above sea level. 14 kilometers from Kareli.

3
Day 03

Tour to MtskhetaJvari Monastery is a sixth-century Georgian Orthodox monastery near Mtskheta, eastern Georgia. Along with other historic structures of Mtskheta, it is listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Jvari is a rare case of the Early Medieval Georgian church that survived to the present day almost unchanged. The church became the founder of its type, the Jvari type of church architecture, prevalent in Georgia and Armenia. Built atop of Jvari Mount (656 m a.s.l.), the monastery is an example of harmonious connection with the natural environment, characteristic to Georgian architectureThe Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (the Cathedral of the Living Pillar) is an Orthodox Christian cathedral located in the historic town of Mtskheta, Georgia, to the northwest of the Georgian capital Tbilisi. A masterpiece of the Early and High Middle Ages, Svetitskhoveli is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is currently the second largest church building in Georgia, after the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in Tbilisi. 4 cities · 3 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

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

What's Not Included

Lunch, Dinner and Hotel

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 3 days finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Tbilisi..

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