# Ubisa Frescoes, Surami Fortress and the Borjomi-Kharagauli Forest

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- Canonical: https://gtour.ge/tour/kutaisi-ubisa-surami-kharagauli-day/
- Author: 
- Published: 2026-10-27
- Updated: 2026-10-27
- Language: en
- Russian edition: https://gtour.ge/ru/tour/kutaisi-ubisa-surami-kharagauli-day/

€175 per person9 hoursPrivate · car & English-speaking guideBased on two travellers

A day from [Kutaisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/kutaisi/) to the 14th-century frescoes of Ubisa, [Surami](https://gtour.ge/georgia/surami/)'s hilltop fortress and a forest walk in [Borjomi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/borjomi/)-Kharagauli National Park.

The route

[Kutaisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/kutaisi/)[Zestaponi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/zestaponi/)[Surami](https://gtour.ge/georgia/surami/)[Borjomi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/borjomi/)

Why this tour

- —14th-century fresco cycle at Ubisa Monastery, among the best preserved in Imereti

- —[Surami](https://gtour.ge/georgia/surami/) Fortress, a restored medieval stronghold guarding the old route over the Likhi Range

- —Fresh nazuki bread bought directly from vendors at [Surami](https://gtour.ge/georgia/surami/) railway station

- —A short, easy forest walk inside [Borjomi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/borjomi/)-Kharagauli National Park, entered from the quieter Kharagauli side

- —A drive through [Zestaponi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/zestaponi/) and the Shorapani Fortress area, Imereti's wine and industrial belt

- —Private car and licensed guide for the full day, timed to avoid the busier [Borjomi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/borjomi/) town crowds

Itinerary

08:30Pick-up in [Kutaisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/kutaisi/), drive east through [Zestaponi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/zestaponi/), with a brief stop near Shorapani Fortress if time allows.

10:00Arrive at Ubisa Monastery, a short walk from the road, to see the 14th-century frescoes in the main church.

11:15Continue to the Kharagauli side of [Borjomi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/borjomi/)-Kharagauli National Park for a short, marked forest walk of about 30 to 45 minutes.

13:00Lunch break at a local guesthouse or café en route, at your own cost (checked at booking for options).

14:15Drive to [Surami](https://gtour.ge/georgia/surami/), visit the hilltop fortress and buy nazuki bread from stalls near the railway station.

15:30Short stop in [Borjomi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/borjomi/) for the mineral water park promenade and Romanov-era buildings.

17:00Return drive to [Kutaisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/kutaisi/), arriving by approximately 17:30, depending on traffic.

Included

- ✓ Private transport by sedan or minivan

- ✓ Licensed English-speaking guide for the day

- ✓ Hotel pickup and drop-off in Kutaisi

- ✓ Bottled water during the trip

- ✓ All tolls and parking fees

- ✓ Driver's services for up to 9 hours

Not included

- — Entrance fees or donations at Ubisa Monastery and the national park (checked at booking)

- — Lunch and any food or drink purchases, including nazuki

- — Personal expenses and souvenirs

- — Gratuities for guide and driver

Good to know

- · Modest dress is required at Ubisa Monastery: shoulders and knees covered, women should bring a headscarf

- · The forest walk follows a marked gravel trail with gentle grade, suitable for most fitness levels; closed shoes recommended

- · The Rikoti Pass road carries heavy truck traffic at times, so actual driving times vary, checked at booking

- · Best season is spring through autumn; snow can close higher park trails in winter, checked at booking

- · Carry some cash in GEL for nazuki and roadside purchases, as cards are not always accepted

- · Opening hours at Ubisa Monastery and the park visitor centre vary by season, checked at booking

Questions

**Is the forest walk difficult?**
No, it is a short, easy walk of 30 to 45 minutes on a flat to gently sloping trail, suitable for most fitness levels.

**Can we do a longer hike instead?**
Yes, longer marked trails exist near Kharagauli and Likani. Let us know when booking and we adjust the day's schedule.

**Do we spend much time in Borjomi town?**
We include a short stop at the mineral water park and Romanov-era architecture; the length depends on the morning's pace.

**What happens if it rains?**
The monastery and fortress visits go ahead as planned. The forest walk is shortened, or replaced with the paved promenade in [Borjomi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/borjomi/) Park.

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: Panoramic view of Surami Fortress overlooking the town and surrounding mountain range. Photo: henribergius / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0*

*Image: A forest trail winding through pine trees in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. Photo: Radosław Botev / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 pl*

Surami Fortress perched on a hill with the Georgian flag flying above green mountains. · Photo: А.Мухранов / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0