What You Will Do
If you wish to explore off the beaten path sights, this one day tour to Katskhi pillar and Chiatura from Tbilisi might be interesting. You will see a monastery on 40 m high hill, where monk Maxime has been living in solitude for 25 years. The Katskhi pillar will gift you breathtaking views, and you will feel the silence of this place. Plunge into the Soviet time visiting Chiatura. Look around the town riding communism-era cable cars.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Itinerary
1
Friendly.ge
Hotel pick-up available for the private tours
2
Monastery Mgvimevi
45 minutes
Mgvimevi Monastery built in the 8th century. Its facades are decorated with crosses and ornamental borders. Inside the church on the walls, there are mural paintings from the 8th century and the southern wall is covered with painting from the 16th century. An old fresco, which was discovered under a new layer, portraits a nobleman Rati from Racha Region together with his wife and his brother Niania Kakhaberisdze. A long tunnel under the church was strengthened by arches. Two important objects from the Mgvimevi Monastery, an engraved icon and a very rare curved wooden door made in the 11th century, are now kept in the Georgian National Museum.
In the monastic complex, there is also a small church partly carved into the side of a cliff and two-storey bell tower built in the 12th–14th century.
3
Katskhi Pillar
45 minutes
The Katskhi pillar is a natural limestone monolith located at the village of Katskhi in western Georgian region of Imereti, near the town of Chiatura.
4
Cableways Chiatura
3 hours
The major attraction here is the Stalin-era cable car system which is still in use and serves as the main mode of transport around the city. The cable cars traverse the Qvirilia River gorge connecting the town to the mines above via 10 cars for passengers and 2 cars for manganese transport. Some of the stations are adorned with murals of Soviet heroes. This aerial tram system spans over 6 km of cable and is highly regarded as an exemplary feat of Soviet engineering.
5
Chiatura
2 hours
Chiatura is more than just cable cars! The walk around the centre was really pleasant and if you like the Soviet architecture you will appreciate the place even more.
6
Tbilisi
10 minutes
In the evening, we will return to Tbilisi
Show 5 more stops