Tbilisi: Jvari, Mtskheta & Uplistsike Private Day Trip

A 6th-century monastery overlooks Georgia's old capital on this full-day private drive

You get picked up at your hotel and driven to four major sites: a 6th-century monastery with views over the old capital, the main cathedral of Georgia, a 3,000-year-old cave town you walk through, and a Soviet monument. Hotel return is included, along with your English-speaking guide and all transport. No arranging separate taxis or timing your own connections.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Jvari Monastery40m · entry included
2. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral30m · entry included
3. Tbilisi Sulphur Baths30m

Historical tour from Tbilisi

• Meet at hotel in Tbilisi
• Visit Jvari Monastery
• Explore Uplistsikhe cave city
• Coffee break
• Visit Mtskheta old capital
• Tour Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
• See Chronicle of Georgia monument
• Return to hotel

The experience

Jvari Church sits on a ridge above Mtskheta, and from the moment you step inside, you're standing in a 6th-century space that hasn't moved. Your guide meets you at your hotel at 9:30 am, and the drive out takes about an hour. The church is small, stone, and the view down to the confluence of two rivers and the old city below is the kind of thing that makes you understand why someone built a religious centre here in the first place. It's not about the size of the building. It's about the position.

After Jvari, you head down to Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta itself, the main church in Georgia and the burial site of Christ's robe according to tradition. The cathedral is massive, 11th century, and the interior has the weight of centuries in it. Then there's a coffee break before you move on to Uplistsike, a 3,000-year-old cave town carved into the rock face. Walking through the tunnels and chambers, you're moving through one of the oldest urban settlements in Georgia: structures dating back to the 12th century BC, though the site goes back much further. The ticket to enter Uplistsike is 15 lari per person. It's not a quick stop. You need time to actually move through it and let the scale of it register.

The final stop is the Monument to the Chronicle of Georgia, a massive Soviet-era structure next to Tbilisi Sea. It's a shift in tone from the medieval sites, but it's part of the story. Your driver brings you back to your hotel by evening. The whole day runs about nine hours, and because it's private, the pace is yours. You're not waiting for a group to catch up or being rushed through a site.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup at 9:30 am, private transportation throughout, an English-speaking guide, visits to Jvari Monastery, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Uplistsike cave town, and the Monument to the Chronicle of Georgia, a coffee break, and return transport to your hotel. Entry to Uplistsike (15 lari per person) and any meals are separate.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 10:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (14 to 70 years) · Senior (90 to 95 years) · Youth (7 to 13 years) · Child (4 to 6 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Karlo-Georgia

Is this one for you?This works well if you want to see Georgia's main historical sites in one day without arranging your own transport or timing between locations. The private format means you move at your own pace and skip the group-tour waits.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 13 years); Child (4 to 6 years); Infant (under 4).

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 end?

Pickup is at 9:30 am from your hotel. The full day is approximately 9 hours, with return to your hotel by evening.

Is the Uplistsike cave town entry fee included?

No. Entry to Uplistsike costs 15 lari per person and is paid separately on the day.

Can I visit Stalin's Museum in Gori instead of one of the other sites?

Yes, the tour description lists it as an optional stop. Confirm with your guide when you book if you'd like to include it.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, though some sites involve uneven terrain and cave passages. Discuss specific needs with the operator before booking.

What's included in the price?

Private transportation, fuel, and an English-speaking guide. Meals and attraction entry fees (except Jvari and Svetitskhoveli) are separate.

How many people can join this private tour?

It's a private tour, so it's customized for your group size. Confirm capacity with the operator when booking.