See the Katskhi Pillar from below and ride Chiatura's Soviet-era cable cars on a half-day out of Kutaisi.
| 08:30 | Pickup from your hotel in Kutaisi, drive to Chiatura, about 1.5 hours on a mix of main road and town streets. |
| 10:00 | Arrive Chiatura, visit Mgvimevi convent, a cliff-face monastery reached by a short set of stairs. |
| 10:45 | Ride one of Chiatura's cable cars across the gorge; several lines have been restored, others still run on original 1950s equipment. |
| 12:00 | Lunch in Chiatura, Imeretian cuisine (cost not included, menu and price checked at booking). |
| 13:15 | Short drive to Katskhi Pillar, about 30 minutes. View the pillar and the small monastery on top from the base; the church itself is closed to visitors and reached only by the resident monk. |
| 14:15 | Brief stop in Sachkhere. |
| 15:30 | Return to your hotel in Kutaisi. |
Can we go inside the church on top of Katskhi Pillar?
No. Access is restricted to the resident monk; visitors view the pillar and monastery from the base.
Is the cable car ride included in the price?
The ride itself has a small separate fare, checked at booking, and is not included in the tour price.
How long is the drive from Kutaisi to Chiatura?
About 1.5 hours each way, depending on traffic through town.
Is this trip suitable for children or anyone with limited mobility?
There are stairs at Mgvimevi convent and uneven paths near the pillar, so it suits travellers comfortable with moderate walking.