Kutaisi, Martvili & Prometheus Cave: Canyons Day Trip from Tbilisi

Summary

Georgia’s wild canyons, river boats and cave legends in one long day

You’ll wake before sunrise in Tbilisi for a day trip packed with real moments: drifting through Martvili Canyon by boat, tracing legends inside Prometheus Cave, and glimpsing Khvamli Mountain beyond Kutaisi. With hotel pickup and a local guide leading the way, you’ll feel Georgia’s wild side up close—and maybe come home with a new favorite word or two.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I almost bailed when my alarm went off at 5:30 in Tbilisi. But something about the promise of canyons and caves—plus the fact that pickup was included—got me out the door. Our driver, Giorgi, handed me a coffee (lifesaver) and we joined a small group heading west towards Kutaisi. The road out of Tbilisi was quiet except for the radio playing some old Georgian pop song that stuck in my head all day.

Martvili Canyon was first on our list. It’s about half an hour from Kutaisi but feels like another world—mist hanging over the river, moss everywhere, and water so green it almost looked fake. We took a little boat with a local guy who barely spoke English but grinned the whole time. He pointed at a waterfall and said something that sounded like “dzalian lamazi”—I think it means beautiful? Anyway, he laughed when I tried to repeat it. The canyon walls were cool and damp if you touched them; I got splashed more than once but didn’t mind.

After that came Prometheus Cave (locals call it Kumistavi). There’s this legend about Amirani chained inside—our guide Nino told it while we waited for our tickets. Inside, everything glowed with colored lights—orange, pink, even blue—and you could hear water dripping somewhere in the dark. Some of the stalactites looked like melted candles; I kept thinking how old they must be. It smelled kind of earthy and cold down there. When we came out into daylight again, Khvamli Mountain was just visible through the clouds—Nino pointed it out as the place where Prometheus was supposedly chained by the gods.

The drive back felt quieter somehow—I guess everyone was tired or just full of new images to process. I still think about that green river and how small I felt in those caves. If you’re looking for a day trip from Tbilisi that actually feels like an adventure (and not just another city tour), this is it—even if you need two coffees to get started.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Martvili Canyon and Prometheus Cave

• Depart from Tbilisi at 6:15 am
• Visit Martvili Canyon and take boat trip
• See waterfalls and moss-covered canyon walls
• Travel to Prometheus Cave
• Explore cave with colorful lights and formations
• End tour at Kutaisi or Tbilisi Rose Revolution Square

Top questions

How long does the Kutaisi Canyons & Caves tour take from Tbilisi?

This is a full day trip—the tour starts with early morning pickup around 6:15 am and ends back in Tbilisi or Kutaisi after visiting all main sites.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip from Tbilisi?

Yes, hotel pickup is included in your booking for convenience.

What are the main stops on this tour?

You’ll visit Martvili Canyon (with optional boat ride) and Prometheus Cave near Kutaisi during the tour.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with mobility issues?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health; check before booking if concerned.

Does this trip end back in Tbilisi or somewhere else?

You can finish your tour either at Kutaisi/Kutaisi airport or return to Tbilisi at Rose Revolution Square.

Are infants allowed on this Georgia canyon & cave tour?

Infants are allowed but must sit on an adult’s lap during transportation.

What regions do you visit on this day trip?

The tour covers parts of Imereti and Samegrelo regions in western Georgia.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Tbilisi, comfortable transportation across western Georgia, all guidance from friendly locals like Giorgi and Nino, plus entry to both Martvili Canyon (with option for a boat ride) and Prometheus Cave before returning to your chosen drop-off point.