Gori, Uplistsikhe
and Mtskheta

Why it is worth going

• Jvari Monastery, with a panorama over the meeting of the Aragvi and Mtkvari rivers.
• The ancient capital Mtskheta and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• The Stalin Museum in Gori, optional.
• Uplistsikhe, a cave town carved into the rock.

How the day goes

We meet at Europe Square and head straight to Jvari Monastery, 35 minutes, 25 km. We set aside up to an hour for the panorama and photos.

Next, 20 minutes and 15 km, we descend into Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia. We visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Mtskheta takes from 1.5 to 2 hours.

We drive to Gori, 75 km, about an hour on the road. Entry to the Stalin Museum is 10 to 15 ₾, the visit is optional.

From Gori to Uplistsikhe is half an hour, 30 km. Entry to the cave town is 15 ₾, we set aside 1 to 1.5 hours to look around. Lunch at a local restaurant is available if you like.

The drive back to Tbilisi takes 2 hours, 120 km. We return to Tbilisi around 19:00.

What it looks like

Route stops

What is included

• Transport with a driver from Tbilisi and back
• A guide with you in Russian or English
• Jvari Monastery and Mtskheta with Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
• The Stalin Museum in Gori (optional, 10 to 15 ₾)
• Uplistsikhe cave town (entry 15 ₾)
• Restaurant lunch and personal expenses

What to bring

• Comfortable shoes: Uplistsikhe involves a lot of walking on stone
• A scarf or shawl for women, needed to enter the churches
• Cash for entry tickets, 25 to 30 ₾ per person
• A camera for the panorama from Jvari