2-Day Kutaisi Tour from Tbilisi: Caves, Canyons & Soviet Spas

Underground rivers, crumbling Soviet spas, and a canyon carved by water

A 2-day private tour from Tbilisi to Kutaisi and Western Georgia with a local guide, personal vehicle, and door-to-door transport. Day one covers Kutaisi Old Square, Prometheus Cave with an optional boat ride through its waterways, and the ghostly halls of Tskaltubo's abandoned sanatoriums. Day two includes Bagrati Cathedral overlooking the city, Martvili Canyon with optional boat access, and an optional lunch stop on the return to Tbilisi. Cave and canyon boat rides are optional. Entrance fees for both sites are paid separately.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Journey to Kutaisi – Cave Wonders & Soviet Spas

• Depart Tbilisi at 09:00
• Visit Kutaisi Old Square
• Lunch at local recommended spot
• Explore Prometheus Cave
• Visit Tskaltubo abandoned sanatoriums
• Arrive at Kutaisi hotel
• Evening hangouts and dinner suggestions

Day 2: Cathedrals, Canyons & Homeward Journey

• Visit Bagrati Cathedral
• Explore Martvili Canyon
• Optional lunch stop on way back
• Return to Tbilisi

The experience

How do you spend two days in Western Georgia without renting a car or joining a group? You book a private driver-guide who picks you up from your Tbilisi hotel at 09:00 and handles the route while you take in the landscape. The first stop is Kutaisi Old Square, where your guide points you toward a local restaurant for authentic Western Georgian food before the day's main attractions begin.

Prometheus Cave is the centerpiece of day one. You walk into a cavern of stalactites and underground rock formations, and if conditions allow, you can take a short boat ride through the cave's hidden waterways: a moment most visitors don't expect. After that comes Tskaltubo, a Soviet-era spa resort frozen in time: crumbling corridors, peeling paint, and the strange quiet of a place built for crowds that stopped coming decades ago. Photographers and history-minded travelers find it haunting. It's the kind of stop you won't find on standard tours. You reach your Kutaisi hotel by evening, and your guide suggests where to eat.

Day two starts at Bagrati Cathedral, a hilltop landmark with views across the city and centuries of Georgian history embedded in its stones. Then you head to Martvili Canyon, where emerald water runs between high cliffs. You can walk the canyon rim or take an optional boat ride through the calm water. On the drive back to Tbilisi, there's a chance to stop for lunch and local dishes if you want one last taste of the region before the car reaches your hotel.

What’s included

• Expert local guide in English accompanying you throughout both days.
• door-to-door transport in a personal vehicle from your Tbilisi hotel.
• water provided during travel.
• lunch recommendations and evening dining suggestions from your guide.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (14 to 88 years) · Child (3 to 13 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 62

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Operated by 11 Regions • Georgia

Is this one for you?Two full days away from Tbilisi means you can't fit this into a morning or afternoon, but it also means you see the region without rushing between stops or joining a group. The private vehicle and guide let you linger at Tskaltubo or Martvili Canyon if something catches your eye, and you control the pace of the drive.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

14 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 13 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What's the boat ride through Prometheus Cave actually like?

Prometheus Cave's boat ride is a short passage through the cave's underground waterways, moving through chambers lit by stalactites and rock formations. It runs only when water levels permit, so it's not guaranteed, but when it operates it's included as an optional add-on to the cave visit itself.

Do I need to pay for the cave and canyon entrances separately?

Yes. Entrance fees for Prometheus Cave and Martvili Canyon are paid on-site and not included in the tour price. Your guide will tell you the current cost when you arrive at each location.

Can I skip Tskaltubo or any of the stops?

The itinerary is set, but your guide is with you the whole time and can adjust pacing or time spent at each stop based on your interests. Tskaltubo is part of the planned route, but you control how long you explore it.

What time does the tour end on day two?

The tour ends when you arrive back at your Tbilisi hotel. The drive from Kutaisi takes several hours, so plan for a late afternoon or early evening return depending on traffic and whether you stop for lunch on the way.

Is the guide with me the whole time, or do I explore on my own?

Your guide is with you throughout both days, offering context at each stop and steering you toward local food and viewpoints. You're not on a lecture tour. The guide's role is to drive, navigate, and share knowledge about the places you visit.