Georgia · Culture

1-Day Cultural Tour from Tbilisi to Mtskheta and Uplistsikhe

1 Day Moderate pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the historic Jvari Monastery, offering breathtaking views from its hilltop setting
02 Discover the ancient Uplistsikhe Cave City and its remarkable rock-hewn layout
03 Visit the Uplistsikhe Museum to see artifacts connected to Georgia's early history
04 Tour Mtskheta, Georgia's old capital, including the majestic Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
05 Enjoy a Georgian wine degustation experience at the end of the day

Discover some of Georgia's most significant cultural and spiritual landmarks on this full-day journey from Tbilisi. Visit the historic Jvari Monastery, explore the ancient cave city of Uplistsikhe and its museum, and continue to Mtskheta, the old capital of Georgia. The day also includes a visit to the majestic Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, time at the local market, and a Georgian wine degustation experience.

To conclude the day, indulge in a Georgian wine degustation experience.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 1 Day

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Tbilisi, Uplistsikhe, Mtskheta

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Jvari Monastery, Uplistsikhe, and Mtskheta Discovery

Begin the day with a pick-up from your hotel.
Your first stop is the Jvari Monastery.
Next, explore the ancient cave city of Uplistsikhe.
Continue to the Uplistsikhe Museum.
After the museum visit, take a break for lunch.
Following lunch, enjoy a tour of Mtskheta city.
During the city tour, visit the iconic Svetitskhoveli Cathedral.
You will also explore the local market in Mtskheta.
To conclude the day, indulge in a Georgian wine degustation experience.
Finally, return to Tbilisi, where the tour ends.

Where this trip takes you

Jvari Monastery hilltop, Uplistsikhe cave city, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Private transportation and driver
Certified tour guide
One bottle of water per person
Georgian wine degustation
Pick-up and drop-off from/to your hotel

What's Not Included

Museum entrance fee - 15 GEL per person (about $6)
Lunch or dinner (there will be a lunch break with an opportunity to taste mouthwatering Georgian dishes)
Expenses for additional activities, personal shopping, or entertainment

What to bring

Women need scarves to enter churches and cover their heads.
Carry some cash for lunch or souvenirs (about 100 GEL).
Bring a jacket, as it can be windy. Depending on the weather, you may also need a raincoat, an umbrella, and a hat for sun protection.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes for rock climbing.

Know before you go

Rules for entering churches in Georgia:
- Orthodox Christianity is practiced in Georgia, so certain guidelines must be followed when entering churches.
Women's attire restrictions:
- Prohibited clothing:
  - Trousers, shorts, short skirts, and bare shoulders are not permitted.
- Attire recommendations:
  - Women should wear long skirts or wrap a large scarf around themselves. Many churches provide wraparound dresses to borrow.
- Head covering:
  - Women must cover their heads with a scarf when entering a church.
Recommendation for women:
- It is advisable for women to carry 1 or 2 scarves to ensure hassle-free entry into churches in Georgia.
Men's attire restrictions:
- Prohibited clothing:
  - Men are prohibited from wearing shorts or exposing bare shoulders.
- Required attire:
  - Full-length trousers and covered shoulders are mandatory. Failure to comply may result in denial of entry or require wearing a wraparound dress.
- Hat etiquette:
  - Men should remove any type of hat before entering a church.
Jvari Monastery
- A 6th-century church and monastery.
- Located east of Mtskheta, at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, on a rocky mountain peak.
- Included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Uplistsikhe Ancient Cave City
- Identified by archaeologists as one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia.
- Strategically located in the heartland of the ancient kingdom of Kartli (or Iberia).
- It emerged as a major political and religious center of the country.
- Medieval Georgian written tradition ascribes its foundation to the mythical Uplos, son of Mtskhetos and grandson of Kartlos.
Mtskheta City Tour
- The old capital of Georgia (the Kartli kingdom).
- The place where, in the 4th century, St. Nino came to preach Christianity, heal the sick, and convert Georgian people to Christianity.
- A must-see place in Georgia.
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
- The main patriarchal cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
- The Mother Cathedral of Georgia.
- The place of enthronement of the Georgian Catholicos-Patriarchs.
- The burial site of many kings of Georgia, their family members, and patriarchs from the great cathedrals.
- A monument of 11th-century Georgian architecture.
- One of the four great cathedrals.