Martvili Canyon & Prometheus Cave from Tbilisi: Private tour

Canyon boat ride, cave halls, and mountain architecture in one day from the city

A full-day private tour from Tbilisi takes you to Martvili Canyon for a boat trip between high rock walls, then to Prometheus Cave to walk its illuminated halls and underground formations. The route also includes a stop at Jargvali, a rare circular stone house that shows traditional Georgian mountain building, with hotel pickup and a driver-guide included throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tour to Martvili Canyon and Prometheus Cave

• Pickup from hotel in Tbilisi
• Visit Martvili Canyon and boat trip
• Optional lunch with Georgian dishes
• Explore Prometheus Cave Natural Monument
• Visit traditional Jargvali stone house

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Tbilisi hotel and a drive west into Georgia's natural landscape. Martvili Canyon is the centerpiece: you board a boat with a local boatman who navigates the river between towering rock faces, the water a deep green that shifts as you move through the canyon. The boat trip is the moment most travelers remember: the scale of the rocks, the sound of water, the way the canyon narrows. After the canyon, there's time for lunch at a local restaurant if you want to try traditional Georgian dishes, though it's optional.

Prometheus Cave comes next. The cave system stretches about 11 kilometers total, but the open route for visitors covers 1,060 meters across six of its 22 halls. Electric lighting illuminates the underground formations: stalactites, stalagmites, and the carved-out chambers that give the cave its scale. A guide walks you through, pointing out the geology and the history of the site. The cave stays cool year-round and requires only moderate fitness to navigate the lit passages.

On the return to Tbilisi, you stop at Jargvali, a circular stone house built using ancient techniques. It's a rare example of traditional mountain architecture, and the stop gives you a chance to walk around the structure and see how people once lived in this region, set against the surrounding mountain scenery. The full day runs 10 to 12 hours door-to-door, with your driver-guide handling all the logistics and navigation.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tbilisi.
• transportation in a private comfortable car.
• petrol and parking fees.
• a driver-guide who speaks English and knows the route.
• boat trip through Martvili Canyon with a local boatman.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDepartures at 07:00, 07:30 and 08:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (4 to 15 years): free · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideArabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 24

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Journey to Georgia

Is this one for you?A private tour suits travelers who want to move at their own pace without joining a group, and the driver-guide handles all the stops and timing so you focus on the canyon, cave, and scenery. Children from age 4 can join, making it workable for families traveling together.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 15 years): free. Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What is the boat ride through Martvili Canyon actually like?

A boatman takes you in a small boat between the canyon's high rock walls, navigating the deep-green river. The ride lasts long enough to move through the canyon's main section, with the rock faces towering above and waterfalls visible along the way. It's the core experience of the day and requires only that you can sit in a boat. No swimming or special skills are needed.

How much walking is involved in Prometheus Cave?

Prometheus Cave's visitor route covers 1,060 meters across six illuminated halls. The path is lit and marked, and you walk at a normal pace through the underground chambers. Moderate fitness is recommended, but the cave itself does not require climbing or scrambling. It's a walk through passages and halls.

What does the stop at Jargvali show?

Jargvali is a rare circular stone house built using traditional Georgian mountain construction methods. The stop lets you walk around the structure and learn about how people lived in this region historically, with views of the surrounding mountains. It's a short cultural pause on the drive back to Tbilisi.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch at a local restaurant is optional. If you want to eat traditional Georgian cuisine during the day, you can arrange it at Martvili, but it's not part of the base tour and costs extra.