Kutaisi Canyons & Caves from Tbilisi: Full Day Martvili & Prometheus
Western Georgia's Canyons & Caves in One Long Day from Tbilisi
You start before dawn at Rose Revolution Square and spend the full day moving through two of western Georgia's biggest natural sites: a boat ride through Martvili Canyon with moss-covered walls and a river that's almost too green to be real, then a walk through Prometheus Caves with underground lakes and lit passages that show off the stone formations. Transport, guide, and lunch are handled. You choose where to end the day.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Martvili Canyon and Prometheus Cave
- Pick up at Rose Revolution Square
- Travel to Martvili Canyon
- Boat trip in Martvili Canyon
- Enjoy canyon scenery and waterfalls
- Travel to Prometheus Cave
- Explore Prometheus Cave with colorful lights
- Return to Kutaisi or Tbilisi
The experience
"Where exactly do we meet?" That's the question most people ask when the pickup time is 6:45 am and the city is still dark. You'll find the van by the Giant Bicycle Monument at Rose Revolution Square. Look for the red scarves. The drive west toward Kutaisi takes about two hours, and that's when the guide starts filling in the story: the landscape shifts from Tbilisi's urban sprawl to the green folds of Imereti, and you realize you're heading into a different Georgia entirely. The road itself becomes part of the journey.
Martvili Canyon is the first real stop, and it hits different when you're standing at the edge. The canyon walls rise up covered in moss, and the river below runs that deep green color you see in photos but somehow don't believe until you're there. You get a boat ride with a boatman who knows the water. He's done this hundreds of times, and it shows. The canyon narrows as you move through it, and the walls seem to lean in. It's not a white-knuckle thing. It's quiet and strange and worth the early start. After the boat, there's time to walk around, breathe, maybe grab a photo that actually captures what you're seeing.
Prometheus Caves comes next, and the scale is completely different. You're walking into a mountain now, not along a river. The cave has electric lights (orange-red, pink, blue) that pick out the stalactites and stalagmites and the petrified waterfalls frozen in stone. There's an underground river and a cave lake, and the guide walks you through the legend of Amirani, the Georgian version of Prometheus, chained inside the mountain by angry gods. It's the kind of story that lands better when you're actually inside the cave, surrounded by that geology. The walk is steady but not brutal. The cave is open and lit, so you're not scrambling or crawling.
Lunch happens somewhere in between: local food, the kind that tastes different when you're eating it in the region where it's from. By the time the day wraps up, you've been out for ten to twelve hours, and you get to choose your finish: stay in Kutaisi, drop at the airport if you're flying out, or head back to Tbilisi and Rose Revolution Square. Most people choose the return to Tbilisi, which means another two-hour drive, but by then you're tired in the good way, and the guide's stories from the morning make more sense.
What’s included
Hotel or central pickup at 6:45 am from Rose Revolution Square, round-trip transport to Kutaisi, Martvili Canyon, and Prometheus Caves, a boat ride through Martvili Canyon with a boatman, guided cave exploration with electric lighting, lunch with local food, and a professional guide throughout the day. You can return to Tbilisi, stay in Kutaisi, or finish at the airport.
Before you book
Prices and times updated today
Operated by Budget Friendly Tours FZE LLC
Is this one for you?Right for travelers staying in Tbilisi without a car who want to see two of Georgia's biggest natural sites in one push. The early start and full-day length are what make both the canyon and the cave fit into a single departure. Plan to be out from before sunrise until early evening.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What time does the tour start and where do I meet the van?
Pickup is 6:45 am at Rose Revolution Square, by the Giant Bicycle Monument. Look for the van with red scarves.
How long is the full tour?
Around 10 to 12 hours, depending on pace and where you finish (Kutaisi, the airport, or back in Tbilisi).
Is the boat ride in Martvili Canyon safe for non-swimmers?
Yes. You ride in a boat with a boatman. No swimming is required. Life jackets or safety gear policies depend on the operator. Confirm when you book.
Can I do the cave walk if I have mobility issues?
The cave is lit and has a steady walking path, but it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. Pregnant travelers should also check with the operator first.
Is lunch included?
Yes, local food is included as part of the tour.
Can I end the tour in Kutaisi instead of returning to Tbilisi?
Yes. You can finish at Kutaisi, Kutaisi Airport, or return to Rose Revolution Square in Tbilisi: your choice at the end of the day.
How far is Martvili Canyon from Kutaisi?
About 30 minutes by car.
Are service animals allowed?
Yes, service animals are permitted on the tour.
Kutaisi Canyons & Caves from Tbilisi: Full Day Martvili & Prometheus
11h–15h · EN
from US$ 39 per person
4.82693 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider