Day Trip to Mtskheta Gori and Uplistsikhe

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Traveler's Meeting Point - is a free space where you can meet new exciting people, play some board games, listen to good music or enjoy a glass of wine.

   30 min

2. 11:00 Arrive at Uplistsikhe. Uplistsikhe is an antique rock-hewn town in eastern Georgia. It was built on a left bank of the Mtkvari River, contains multiple structures dating from the Early Iron Age to the Late Middle Ages, and is notable for the unique mixture of various rock-cut cultures from Anatolia and Iran coexistence of pagan and Christian architecture.

   1.5 h

3. 13:00 Arrive at a lunch place. Unique possibility to feel as native. Visit a local restaurant and enjoy traditional, delicious food.

   1.5 h

4. 14:45 Arrive at Stalin Museum. Stalin Museum is a museum dedicated to the life of Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union, who was born in Gori. The Museum retains its Soviet-era characteristics, Stalin's Original house, and Stalin's railway carriage. In Case Of Free Time in Gori (Optional) Discover the city Gori, populated since the early Bronze Age. According to medieval Georgian annals, King David IV founded Gori. The fortress of Gori (Goris Tsikhe) appears to have been in use already in the 7th century, and archaeological evidence indicates an urban community in Classical Antiquity. In the 2008 Russo-Georgian war, the town came under aerial attack by the Russian air force from the outset of the conflict.

   1 h

5. 16:35 Arrive at Jvari Monastery. The name of this monastery is translated as the "Monastery of the Cross." Jvari Monastery is the 6th-century Georgian Orthodox monastery near Mtskheta. Along with other historic structures of Mtskheta, it is listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Jvari Monastery stands on the rocky mountain top at the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, overlooking the town of Mtskheta, which was formerly the capital of the kingdom of Iberia.

   30 min

6. 17:25 Arrive at Svetitskhoveli In Mtskheta. Mtskheta, one of the oldest cities in Georgia, was founded by the ancient Meschian tribes in the 5th century. UNESCO recognizes it as a World Heritage site due to its historical significance and several cultural monuments. It was the capital of the early Georgian Kingdom of Iberia from the 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD. However, Mtskheta remained to serve as the coronation and burial place for most kings of Georgia until the 19th century. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (literally the Cathedral of the Living Pillar) is currently the second-largest church in Georgia (after the Holy Trinity cathedral). Known as the burial site of Christ's robe, Svetitskhoveli has been one of the principal Georgian Orthodox churches and is among the most venerated places of worship in the region. 19:00-19:30 Traveler's Meeting Point ( 50 meters from Avlabari metro station )

   1.5 h

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 2,112 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5Great day !

  This tour was awesome ! Beka is the best guide I ever had in Georgia. His English explanation is great and very easy to understand. His way to organize the tour is excellent. He always provides the technical information like when we will have the free time and where is meeting point before starting the historical and cultural exploration. This is very good for us to expect what the next is and can focus on his explanation rather than busy to take the photos etc. In addition, he explain well both in the van and at the venues. Luckily, the van was not full because there were three vans for same tours so they nicely spread the guests. It was extra good point. He is so professional to organize and manage the tour and our group. My experience made by him ! Thank you Beka for making the day wonderful ! Highly recommend!

  ChihiroK61September 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Excellent tour, best I did in Georgia and great guide (Nana)

  Fantastic tour. Have done three others on my current trip and this was by far the best. Nana was an excellent guide, she knew so much (history across different periods, culture, food, religion, and even the culture and history of neighbouring countries like Armenia) and could answer questions in depth. I learned so much about Georgia through her as a guide. All the stops were very interesting and this your gives you a great insight into Georgia across many time periods (from ancient times to the Soviet period).

  Laura_CSeptember 2026via Viator

• 5Good

  This was a great tour with a lot of history, information and wonderful sites. I personally would recommend skipping lunch with the group and taking that time to walk around and explore Gori.

  858vritimSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Great Experience - Day Trip to Mtskheta

  It was a nice experience visiting all over the place such as Uplistsikhe Cave, Stalin Museum, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral & Jvari Monastery. I like all the places but I especially enjoyed at Uplistsikhe Cave because it was less crowded when we reach there, having fresh air on top of the cave & seeing amazing view. I just wanted to give a big thanks to our guide Giroge who assisted us throughout our trip as well as Driver gentleman. Giorge, he took care with everything & looking after all of us. Also, I would like to mention his great effort in explaining history at Stalin Museum. Overall, it was a nice trip of the day.

  Tour11769222825September 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Great Historial Review

  This was a very good historical trip. Saw the old ca e dwellings and Stalin museum. Worthwhile experience.

  Anush_NSeptember 2026via Viator

• 5Outstanding Tour and Lunch

  Beka was an outstanding tour guide—extremely knowledgeable about a diverse range of topics related to Georgia and the sites we visited. We threw a lot of questions at him, and he deftly and patiently responded to all of them. Lunch was excellent, too. I really learned a lot and would highly recommend this tour.

  BrendannycusaSeptember 2026via Tripadvisor

Know before you go

How it compares in Tbilisi

• Its from-price is 68% below the median of the 633 day trips we list in Tbilisi.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 4 of 633.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Tbilisi

Tbilisi, Georgia's capital, spills along a river gorge beneath a fortress, mixing balconied old houses, sulphur baths and bold modern landmarks.

The old town gathers along the Mtkvari River, its narrow streets lined with carved wooden balconies, churches and wine bars. Abanotubani, the bath district, is crowned by brick domes over sulphur springs, and the walls of Narikala Fortress overlook it all, reached by cable car or a steep walk. The Mother of Georgia statue stands on the ridge holding a sword and a bowl of wine.

Top-ranked sights in Tbilisi: Metekhi Church, Narikala Fortress, Tbilisi Old Town (Dzveli Tbilisi).

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