A 6th-century cave monastery in a painted semi-desert, an hour and a half from the capital.
- —Lavra monastery, carved into the cliff and still inhabited by monks
- —The ridge walk to the Udabno caves and their 10th-century frescoes (where border access allows)
- —Rainbow hills, wild steppe and the view into Azerbaijan
- —Lunch at a village winery on the way back
- —Picnic option on the ridge in spring
Map: OpenStreetMap · Road route and driving times: OSRM · Times exclude stops.
- ✓ Private car with driver
- ✓ English-speaking guide
- ✓ Winery tasting
- — Lunch
- · Best in spring (April–May) and autumn; very hot in July–August
- · The Udabno ridge is subject to border-guard decisions on the day
- · Sturdy shoes and water for the ridge walk
Is the ridge walk difficult?
Moderate — a steep 20-minute climb, then flat along the ridge. Optional.
Prices are per person for two travelling together, in euros; solo travellers and larger groups are quoted on request. Every departure is private and adjusted to you. Hotels, wineries and restaurants on our routes are verified by GTour.
Aerial view of David Gareja monastery complex nestled among striped desert hills at golden hour. · Photo: 自由馴鹿 (ZiYouXunLu) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
| Group | Per person | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller | €288 ≈ $323 · 839 GEL | €288 ≈ $323 · 839 GEL |
| 2 travellers | €180 ≈ $202 · 524 GEL | €360 ≈ $403 · 1,048 GEL |
| 3 travellers | €171 ≈ $192 · 498 GEL | €513 ≈ $575 · 1,494 GEL |
| 4–6 travellers | €153 ≈ $171 · 445 GEL | €612 ≈ $686 · 1,782 GEL for four |
Private tour: your own car and driver and English-speaking guide. Conversions at today's National Bank of Georgia rate.
Free cancellation up to 7 days before the tour. Between 7 days and 48 hours: 50 % of the price. Less than 48 hours or no-show: no refund. If a mountain road closes and the tour cannot run, you choose a new date or a full refund.
20 % deposit confirms the booking. Deposit by card or bank transfer when the date is confirmed; the balance in cash or by card at the start of the tour. No hidden fees — fuel, parking, driver and guide are included; entrance tickets, meals and hotels are listed per tour.
Since 1 January 2026 every foreign visitor to Georgia must hold health and accident insurance with cover of at least 30,000 GEL — see our guide to the rule. Our vehicles carry passenger liability insurance; your travel policy covers you.
Full booking conditions · Terms of use · What "Verified by GTour" means
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How long does the tour last and when does it start?
This is a full-day private tour, around 8 hours, starting at 08:30 from your Tbilisi hotel (or a time you prefer, since every departure is private). You return to your hotel in Tbilisi in the early evening after the winery stop.
What is included in the price, and what isn't?
The price includes a private car with driver, an English-speaking guide, and a winery tasting near Sagarejo. Lunch is not included, though you'll have the option to eat at the village winery on the way back.
Is this tour suitable for children or older travellers?
The tour involves a ridge walk with a steep 20-minute climb followed by flat walking, so it suits reasonably active travellers, children, and older adults in good general fitness. If mobility is limited, the ridge walk can simply be skipped while you spend more time at the Lavra monastery itself.
What's the best season to visit David Gareji?
Spring (April-May) and autumn are best, with mild temperatures and good visibility over the steppe and rainbow hills. July and August get very hot, which makes the exposed ridge walk more demanding.
What should I bring?
Sturdy shoes and water are recommended for the ridge walk, plus sun protection given the exposed, semi-desert terrain. A hat and layers are sensible since mornings can be cool even when afternoons get hot.
Will we be able to do the Udabno ridge walk with the frescoes?
The ridge walk to the Udabno caves (45 minutes each way) is offered when conditions allow, but access is subject to border-guard decisions on the day since the ridge sits near the Azerbaijan border. If access is restricted, you'll still visit the Lavra monastery and its cliffside caves.
Is the tour private, and can it start from somewhere other than Tbilisi?
Yes, this is a private tour with your own car and driver and an English-speaking guide, with pickup from your hotel in Tbilisi. The listed route starts and ends in Tbilisi, but starting from Kutaisi or Batumi instead can be arranged on request.
How much does it cost and how do I pay or cancel?
Private tour, priced per person for two travelling together (see the price table above for 1, 3 and 4–6 travellers). A deposit of 20 % confirms the booking; the balance is paid on arrival or by secure card link before the tour. Free cancellation up to 7 days before departure, 50 % refund up to 48 hours before, no refund after that; if a mountain pass closes we re-route or reschedule at no cost. Full terms: gtour.ge/booking-conditions/.
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DepartureYour hotel in Tbilisi — we collect you
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Departure Time08:30, or the time you prefer — every departure is private
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Return TimeAround 19:00 at your hotel in Tbilisi
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Included
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Not Included
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Maps
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