# Martvili Monastery, Salkhino and an Ojaleshi Cellar

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- Canonical: https://gtour.ge/tour/kutaisi-martvili-salkhino-ojaleshi-day/
- Author: 
- Published: 2026-10-27
- Updated: 2026-10-27
- Language: en
- Russian edition: https://gtour.ge/ru/tour/kutaisi-martvili-salkhino-ojaleshi-day/

€185 per person9 hoursPrivate · car & English-speaking guideBased on two travellers

[Martvili](https://gtour.ge/georgia/martvili/) Monastery on its hill, the Dadiani family's Salkhino retreat and an Ojaleshi tasting, with a Megrelian lunch, in one day from [Kutaisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/kutaisi/).

The route

[Kutaisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/kutaisi/)[Martvili](https://gtour.ge/georgia/martvili/)

Why this tour

- —[Martvili](https://gtour.ge/georgia/martvili/)'s hilltop Dormition Monastery, one of the oldest working monasteries in Samegrelo, without the crowds of Gelati

- —A walk through the Balda ([Martvili](https://gtour.ge/georgia/martvili/)) Canyon, the Abasha River's turquoise gorge, with a boat section included when water levels allow

- —Salkhino, the Dadiani princely family's summer residence, set among its own Ojaleshi vineyards

- —A guided tasting of Ojaleshi, the semi-sweet red grape native to this one valley and rarely poured outside it

- —A home-style Megrelian lunch built around elarji (cornmeal and cheese) and spicy ajika

- —Private car and licensed guide, so the day moves at your pace rather than a bus timetable

Itinerary

08:30Pickup from your [Kutaisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/kutaisi/) hotel and drive south to [Martvili](https://gtour.ge/georgia/martvili/), around one hour on a mix of main road and narrower village lanes.

09:30Visit the Dormition Monastery of [Martvili](https://gtour.ge/georgia/martvili/) on its hill above the town, with its old stone church and views over the valley.

10:30Walk the Balda Canyon boardwalk above the Abasha River; where water levels allow, a short rowboat ride through the narrowest turquoise section is included.

12:00Drive to Salkhino, the Dadiani family's former summer residence, and walk its grounds and vineyard.

12:45Guided tasting of Ojaleshi wine at the cellar, with background on this grape unique to the [Martvili](https://gtour.ge/georgia/martvili/) area.

13:45Megrelian lunch nearby, featuring elarji and hot ajika, among other regional dishes.

15:15Return drive to [Kutaisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/kutaisi/).

17:30Drop-off at your [Kutaisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/kutaisi/) hotel.

Included

- ✓ Private transport by car or minivan with air conditioning

- ✓ English-speaking driver or licensed guide

- ✓ Entrance fee to Martvili Monastery grounds

- ✓ Entrance to Balda (Martvili) Canyon

- ✓ Ojaleshi wine tasting at Salkhino cellar

- ✓ Megrelian lunch

- ✓ Hotel pickup and drop-off in Kutaisi

- ✓ Bottled water during the drive

Not included

- — Boat ride ticket at Balda Canyon if charged separately (checked at booking, season dependent)

- — Extra bottles of Ojaleshi purchased at the cellar

- — Gratuities for driver and guide

- — Personal expenses

Good to know

- · [Martvili](https://gtour.ge/georgia/martvili/) Monastery requires shoulders and knees covered; women are generally expected to wear a headscarf, usually available at the entrance if you forget one

- · The canyon boardwalk has steps and uneven stone sections, manageable in normal footwear but not flip-flops

- · The boat section of the canyon can close in high water or heavily reduced water in winter, checked at booking

- · Roads to [Martvili](https://gtour.ge/georgia/martvili/) and Salkhino are mostly paved but narrow in places near the villages

- · Only passengers taste wine; the driver does not drink on duty

- · Bring cash in GEL for any small purchases at Salkhino or the canyon kiosks

Questions

**Is the Balda Canyon boat ride included in the price?**
It is included when the river's water level permits the crossing; this varies by season and is checked at booking.

**What should we wear for the monastery visit?**
Shoulders and knees covered for both men and women, and a headscarf for women, which is usually available to borrow at the entrance.

**How much wine is included in the tasting?**
A standard flight of Ojaleshi at the Salkhino cellar; additional bottles can be bought directly if you want to take some home.

**Can this trip run in winter?**
Yes, the monastery and Salkhino stay open, but the canyon's boat section may be closed depending on water levels, which we confirm at booking.

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](/verified/).

*Image: The historic Dadiani Wine Cellar building in Salkhino, nestled below forested mountains. Photo: Alexey Komarov / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0*

*Image: Martvili Monastery complex with its church and bell tower set on a hilltop in Mingrelia. Photo: Lorenz King, JLU, university Giessen.de / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0*

Levan Dadiani Palace in Salkhino with its colonnaded facade and olive tree in front. · Photo: Alexey Komarov / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0