Morning pick-up from Tbilisi hotel and departure for the Imereti region via western highway.

First stop is Uplistsikhe cave complex, located one hour drive from Tbilisi, in just 14 km from Gori. Uplistsikhe is the first settled area mentioned in manuscripts dating back to the 1st millennium BC and translates in English literally as “the fortress of God”. Hewn in the high rocky bank of the river Mtkvari, Uplistsikhe is an ancient town, which used to be an important trading center in the pre-Christian times.

After exploration of Uplistsikhe, continue the trip to Chiatura. The town is prominent for a network of Soviet times cable cars built across the town’s manganese miners. Despite the oldness, locals still use the cable cars as means of transportation around the town. Visit main attractions of Chiatura: the Mghvimevi monastery, which is partly carved into the rock and stop at natural limestone monolith Katskhi Pillar on the way. All route is unique, green, not very touristy and full of discoveries. Head to Kutaisi city for overnight. Take a walk through the old town.

Overnight in Kutaisi.

Breakfast at the hotel. 

Drive to Okatse Canyon, notable for its magnificent wild nature, astonishing waterfalls and breathtaking views. Located near the village of Gordi, the canyon runs roughly for 14 kilometers, width ranges from 3-6 to 15-20 meters, while its depth is about 20-100 meters. There are also several natural stone bridges over the river, as well as caves in the canyon, from where the Karst waters flow.

Continue to Samegrelo, another natural monument nearby - Martvili Canyon. Over millions of years, the Abasha River has created magnificent gorge in limestone rocks, reaching a depth of 40 meters, with canyons, caves and waterfalls. The total length of the canyon is one kilometer. There are stretches of quiet water for peddling and swimming, but also steep rocks to climb, spectacular waterfalls to enjoy and caves to explore. In the upper part of the canyon, you will be able to take a boat trip and reach the very beginning of the canyon and the 7-meter waterfall.

*Optional visits to Gelati Academy & monastery and Bagrati Cathedral.

Overnight in Kutaisi.

After breakfast check out hotel and depart for Tbilisi.

Visit Kutaisi farmer’s market, where you can find local products, fruit, vegetables, cheese and traditional sweets. 

Drive to Sataplia Nature Reserve, famous for well-preserved fossilized footprints of a dinosaur, conserved in one of the caves and karst caves.

Drive to Vani Archaeological Museum-Reserve, the tentative UNESCO site. The exhibition displays amazing collection of elitism era, the cultural development of the area between 800 BC and 100 AD. Spectacular collection of jewelry of local goldsmiths, groups of imports from the Greek world, and from the Persian Empire, a series of ritual figurines, and a life-size bronze torso.

Evening arrival in Tbilisi.