David Gareja Private Day Trip
- Day trip
- Best time: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Easy
- 2–4 guests
A private day trip from Tbilisi to David Gareja and the Natlismtsemeli monastery, on the edge of Kakheti's semi-desert steppe, with a lunch stop in Udabno.
Your local host speaks English and Georgian
Highlights
- The Lavra, founded in the 6th century and hollowed out of the rock
- Frescoes painted inside the caves
- Red, pink and green striped hills on the way
- Open steppe as far as the eye can see
- Private 4x4 and your own guide
What's included
Included
- Your own licensed Georgian guide
- Private 4x4
- Tbilisi hotel pickup and drop-off
- Fuel
- Water and snacks in the car
Not included
- Lunch in Udabno
- Donations and personal purchases
- International flights
- Travel insurance
Day by day
Stop 1Tbilisi → the steppe
We pick you up in Tbilisi and drive south-east into the semi-desert of Kakheti, past hills striped red, pink and green.
Stop 2David Gareja Lavra
The main monastery of David Gareja, founded in the 6th century and hollowed out of the rock, with towers and red roofs above the steppe.
- Cave cells and churches cut into the cliff
- Frescoes painted inside the caves
Stop 3Natlismtsemeli Monastery
The monastery of St John the Baptist, another part of the Gareja complex, nearby in the steppe.
Stop 4Lunch in Udabno → Tbilisi
A stop for lunch at a restaurant in Udabno, a village in the steppe, then back to Tbilisi.
What to expect
Easy: Short walks with steps at each monastery
- Hiking
- Short walks with steps at each monastery
- Driving
- Most of the day is on the road, with a rough stretch near the monasteries
- Elevation
- Under 1,000 m
- The steppe is hot and shadeless in summer: bring water, a hat and sun cream.
Please note
- Working monasteries: women cover their hair and wear a skirt, men wear long trousers
