Chiatura, Katskhi & Soviet Monuments: Private Day Tour + Guide

Summary

Private day trip to Chiatura’s cable cars & Katskhi pillar

You’ll wander through Chiatura’s silent streets and see its abandoned cable cars up close before heading out to marvel at Katskhi Pillar’s surreal church perched high above the countryside. Explore the cave monastery at Mgvimevi with your local guide and end your private day trip with views from a massive Soviet monument — moments you’ll remember long after you leave Georgia.

What’s the experience like?

We were already winding through Imereti’s hills when our guide, Giorgi, pointed out the first concrete block — not a building, but an old cable car station. The rust on the metal looked almost orange in the morning light. I could hear birds somewhere above us, but down here it was quiet except for our footsteps crunching gravel. Giorgi told us stories about Chiatura’s mining days — he said his grandfather worked those mines. It felt strange seeing empty apartments and faded murals of workers; you get this sense that time just stopped here.

I didn’t expect to feel so small standing under those cable cars, honestly. They hang there like ghosts over the valley. We couldn’t ride them (Giorgi said they’re all suspended now — safety), but we peeked inside one of the cabins anyway. The seat was cold metal, chipped paint everywhere. He laughed when I tried to pronounce “Chiatura” right — apparently my accent is hopeless. After that we drove out to Katskhi Pillar. It rises up out of nowhere — just this skinny rock with a tiny church on top, like something from a storybook.

The wind picked up as we walked toward Mgvimevi monastery. There’s this earthy smell near the cave entrance, damp stone and candle wax mixed together. Inside it was half-dark and cool; frescoes from centuries ago still cling to the walls. A woman in a headscarf nodded at us as she passed by — I wondered if she’d been coming here her whole life. We finished at the Chronicles monument outside Tbilisi, looking down over concrete suburbs and distant hills fading into haze. I still think about that view sometimes when things get too loud back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Chiatura and Surroundings

• Visit unique old cable car stations
• Visit Katskhi rock pillar monastery
• Visit Mgvimevi cave monastery
• See Soviet architecture monument

Top questions

Can you ride the old cable cars in Chiatura?

No, all old cable cars in Chiatura have been suspended for safety reasons, but you can still see them up close.

Is hotel pickup included for this private day tour?

The tour includes private transport with a local guide; check with your provider for exact pickup details.

What is special about Katskhi Pillar?

Katskhi Pillar is a natural stone pillar with a tiny church on top that attracts pilgrims from across Georgia.

How long does it take to drive from Tbilisi to Chiatura?

The drive from Tbilisi to Chiatura typically takes around 2–3 hours each way depending on traffic.

Is lunch included in this tour?

No lunch is mentioned as included; bottled water is provided during the tour.

Are there any physical requirements for visiting Mgvimevi monastery?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels; some walking is required at sites like Mgvimevi monastery.

Is WiFi available during the trip?

Yes, WiFi is available on board during your private day trip.

What’s included

Your day includes bottled water for everyone, WiFi on board so you can share photos or look up stories as you go, visits to Katskhi Pillar and Mgvimevi cave monastery (with entry), plus time exploring Chiatura’s abandoned cable cars and ghostly streets alongside your local guide who knows every shortcut and story worth hearing.