Budget Travel from Iberia to Colchis

What to Expect

From Tbilisi, you will travel along a picturesque highway past Mtskheta, Jvari, Gori, and Surami, climb to the Rikoti Pass, and from Kartli through a two-kilometer tunnel, you will enter Imereti.

Ancient Monasteries of Colchis
The UNESCO World Heritage site Gelati complex — the most significant spiritual center of Colchis and a symbol of the Georgian Golden Age. You will learn the complex history of its inhabitants, repeated attacks, destructions, and restorations. We will talk separately about the Gelati Academy, a powerful educational center of global significance, also known as the 'Second Athos'. You will visit the quieter, more modest and cozy Motsameta Monastery, built on a cliff in a beautiful canyon. Here I will tell you about its main relics — the remains of Saints David and Constantine — and the local beliefs associated with them.

Kutaisi and Tskhaltubo: capital and resort town
During a car tour of the city, there will be photo stops at iconic locations in the capital of the Imereti region. You will capture the main attraction — the ancient Bagrati Cathedral (Church of the Dormition of the Virgin), which began construction in the distant 970 AD. You will drive through old districts, learn about key milestones in the history of the Colchis center. And then you will head to the resort town of Tskhaltubo, where you will learn about the healing mineral water and encounter the vivid contrasts of old and new.

Underground World of Colchis
To conclude, you will visit Kumistavi, where you will see the colorful cave world of Colchis in all its glory. During a 1700-meter hike through the grottoes, you will see stalactites and stalagmites, underground waterfalls, rivers, and a lake. And at the famous Cave of Prometheus (Amirani), we will recall the legend of the mythological hero chained in anger with chains by the gods.

Please note: The tour can be combined with a transfer to Batumi or a transfer to Kutaisi Airport (paid separately from the tour, check the cost in correspondence with the guide). The tour can be started in any order — from Tbilisi, visit Kutaisi, and return to Tbilisi. Or start in Kutaisi and end in Tbilisi.

• Due to the reconstruction of the highway, travel time may be slightly longer than planned. I apologize for the inconvenience!
• As no one will rush you and time your journey, lunch will be a little late.

How the Tour Goes:

• This is a private tour, and the guide does not form groups. The tour can be conducted for 5 — 6 participants, paying the guide an additional 20 euros for each additional participant.
• An individual cost calculation is possible with an increase in the number of participants.

• Included in the price: comfortable transport, drinking water.
• Not included in the price:
  — Your meals during the journey
  — Tickets to the 'Cave of Prometheus' complex as the price depends on the package you choose for ascent from the caves (by bus, by train, or by boat on the underground river)