David Gareja Monastery Day Trip: Experience Art, History, and Spectacular Landscapes

Embark on a day trip to David Gareja Monastery and Signagi from Tbilisi. Explore cave monasteries, admire spectacular landscapes, and immerse yourself in the region’s art, history, and delicious food.

Duration: 11 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Georgia Tours & Caucasus Adventure Travel by Taste of Georgia - Discover caves adorned with monumental paintings in the semi-desert “Gareja Country” and marvel at the colorful landscapes and salt lakes of this picturesque region. Then, explore the city of love, perched atop hills near the Caucasus ridge and Alazani valley wine country.

Your driver and local tour guide will pick you up from your accommodation in Tbilisi and take you to the semi-desert area of Southeast Georgia via Rustavi Hwy. From there, you’ll go off-road in a Jeep 4x4 to reach the main David Gareja monastery complexes (Lavra and Natlismcemeli monasteries). Settle into your comfortable seat and relax as your guide shares stories about the region, which was one of the most remarkable religious and cultural centers of Georgia in the early Middle Ages. The complex was founded in the 6th century by St. David Garejeli, one of the thirteen Assyrian fathers.

  • ჩიჩხიტური - Before arriving at the main monastery, you’ll see the Chichkhituri tower on the right side of the mountain slope. This tower was part of the monastery with the same name and served as the residence for the head of the Lavra monastery in early medieval times.
  • Parking / პარკირების - Arrive at the parking lot.
  • David Gareji monastery - Before leaving the David Gareja complex, your guide will take you on a short 30/40-minute hike through the beautiful Rainbow (colorful) Hills, formed by volcanic sandstone and minerals. Few places on earth offer such a stunning display of colors. The main monastery in the David Gareja Monastery Complexes houses the tomb of St. David Gareji and serves as a spiritual center for Georgians and Orthodox communities. It is a great example of architectural construction and offers views of the colorful hills.
  • David Gareji monastery - Next, drive to the sacred Lavra monastery to delve into Georgia’s medieval history and architecture. The main monastery in the David Gareja Monastery Complexes houses the tomb of St. David Gareji and serves as a spiritual center for Georgians and Orthodox communities. It is a great example of architectural construction and offers views of the colorful hills.
  • Oasis Club / ოაზის კლუბი - After a short 20-minute drive from Lavra, you’ll reach the village of Udabno. Built in the 1980s as a USSR project for the military, the project was never completed by the government. After Georgia gained independence, inhabitants from the Svaneti Region, who were environmental migrants, were relocated here. The village was almost forgotten until a Polish initiative group decided to settle here, bringing many changes. This is a great opportunity to experience Georgian and Polish hospitality in the semi-desert area of Georgia.
  • Cheese Shop - From Gareja, travel to the village of Badiauri, where you can visit local bread bakeries and participate in baking Georgian bread. The bread is made from white flour and has a half-moon shape.
  • Sighnaghi Wall - Signagi, or Sighnaghi, is a town in Georgia’s easternmost region of Kakheti and the administrative center of the Signagi Municipality. The word Sighnaghi means shelter or trench in the Turkic language. Nowadays, it is known as the city of love.

It is one of Georgia’s smallest towns but a popular tourist destination due to its romantic narrow streets, organic amber wineries, and marriage palace, where foreigners can also get married.

At the final stop of your travel day, the captivating city of love awaits you. Signagi, or Sighnaghi, is an 18th-century town with a rich history, fortifications, and defense walls. You have the option to take a guided tour to explore the town’s historic center, wander through the tiny streets, and learn about their history. Visit the highest tower and tiny streets to admire spectacular views of the Alazani valley and Caucasus ridge with its rugged mountain peaks.

Alternatively, you can enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace, roam the streets of the old town, and perhaps enjoy Georgian cuisine, wine tasting, or a coffee in the sun alongside the locals (at your own expense). Meet other visitors to the area and indulge in local treats such as Churchkhela, dried fruits, and Tklapi.

  • Okro’s Wine Restaurant & Cellar - If you would like to explore Sighnaghi individually and taste some natural wines, we suggest a small, cozy restaurant located at the highest point of town, famous for its amber/orange natural wines. OKRO’S WINES are made from the best, selected grapes of the Saperavi variety. It’s a great place to enjoy lunch and spend some free time.

Return to Tbilisi in the evening and finish your tour with a drop-off at the starting point.

  • Bodbe Monastery of St. Nino - Continue your trip to the Bodbe monastery, which offers spectacular views, a 9th-century three-nave basilica, a ring bell tower, and a modern church.

The Monastery of St. Nino at Bodbe is a Georgian Orthodox monastic complex located 2 km from the town of Sighnaghi, Kakheti, Georgia. Originally built between the 7th and 9th centuries, it has been significantly remodeled, especially in the 17th century. The monastery now functions as a nunnery and is one of the major pilgrimage sites in Georgia. From the viewpoint, you can enjoy spectacular views of the famous Alazani valley, the main wine-producing area of Kakheti Wine Country.

What's Included
  • Small masterclass on Georgian bread making
  • Convenient hotel pickup and drop-off in Tbilisi
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Travel in comfort with a 4WD car featuring A/C
  • Guided by an art historian and friendly tour guide
  • Multilingual guide services available
  • Inclusive of all local taxes
  • No extra fuel surcharges
  • Enjoy a scenic 30-40 min hike
What's Not Included
  • Tips for the guide (Suggested 10-20%) per person
  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase) - Wine tasting in two wineries each person will costs 25 EURO include 3 glass of wine
Additional Information

Experience art, history, gastronomy, stunning sceneries, and rural charm, all in Kakheti. If your schedule allows for just a day, come with us on this David Gareja and Signagi day adventure from Tbilisi, to reveal the exceptional highlights of the region. Journey with a skilled local guide, delve into caves with magnificent mural paintings in the semi-desert Udabno, relish the vibrant landscapes and salt lakes of this scenic region. Finally, explore the city of love, perched atop hills, adjacent to the Caucasus ridge and the wine-rich Alazani valley.

Highlights
• Exploration of the city of love
• Breathtaking mountain vistas across the Alazani valley
• Engross in the antiquated ambiance as you tour cave monasteries on foot
• Personalized experience guaranteed with small group and private tour options
• Exciting round-trip in a Jeep from Tbilisi to David Gareja and Signagi

  • Minimum drinking age is 18 years
  • May Be operated by a multilingual guide
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Location
Giant Bicycle monument
Rose Revolution Square
Next to Big Bicycle monument - If you will Write us your location in Tbilisi we can even pick up you from your accommodation place
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(3 Ratings)
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1 star
Knej
Apr 8, 2019
Breathtaking - Definitely a very worthy investment. I was very happy to have been advised by Zurab (the guide) to wake up early for the sunrise. Im not an early riser in general so it was not easy but it was totally worth it. The drive is friendly and you will reach in maximum 2 hours to the location. Everything was a surprise for me, I think I should have asked Zurab more questions before because the trip requires a lot of hiking uphill and walking and I wasn't prepared for it. I advise you to wear very comfortable shoes and clothes. Regardless of the fact that I was not in a good shape at all, and it was very difficult for me to hike, especially the first 20 minutes... I can say I was super happy i did it. The views from the top cant be compared with anything. Totally beautiful, peaceful. The idea of going early for the sunrise view was great, but also because we were literally the only 3 people in the entire mountain. It was amazing. One of the best experiences ever. On another note, Zurab is fantastic. Very knowledgeable, passionate about history and his country and also very caring and attentive. The hike had parts that could be considered a little dangerous and he made me feel very safe and looked after. I found that SUPER! Zurab came with Jaba who was driving us. And he was no short of amazing either, he was very caring and helpful especially on the difficult parts of the hike. Once you reach the top the hike becomes very friendly and Zurab will take you to see the caves and paintings which is really something espectacular, especially because the stories he will share about them are very interesting. The views over Azerbajan are incredible too... This trip is a must, and going with Zurab is a must too... im sure he is not like any other guide... he will make sure to make you feel like a VIP and he will prepare everyting especially for you... he is a great photographer too so you will come back with unique pictures!! Dont let the hike scare you.... its worth it!
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