Martvili Canyon Day Tour from Tbilisi
West across Georgia to Imereti — a boat ride through the turquoise gorge of Martvili canyon, the illuminated stalactite chambers of Prometheus Cave, and the UNESCO monasteries of Gelati and Bagrati on the green hills above Kutaisi.
- 11–12 hoursFull day, door to door
- Private groupJust your party
- Hotel pickupFrom your Tbilisi hotel
- Driver-guideEnglish-speaking
- ≈ 350 kmRound trip
- Year-roundBest spring and summer
Highlights
- The Martvili canyon boat ride — turquoise water between sheer rock walls covered in ferns
- Prometheus Cave — vast illuminated chambers of stalactites and an optional underground boat ride
- Gelati Monastery — a UNESCO-listed academy and church founded by King David the Builder
- Bagrati Cathedral on its hilltop above Kutaisi (UNESCO)
- The landscapes of Imereti — lush, green and very different from eastern Georgia
About this tour
Western Georgia feels like a different country from Tbilisi — greener, warmer, closer to the Black Sea, with a distinct culture and cuisine. The drive across the Likhi Range is part of the day; you cross from the dry east to the lush west in the space of a mountain pass.
Martvili canyon is the visual centrepiece of the day. The Abasha river has cut a narrow gorge through limestone, leaving walls of pale rock draped in ferns and moss, with turquoise water flowing below. The rubber boat takes you through the most dramatic section — it is the kind of place people describe as unreal. We allow plenty of time here.
Prometheus Cave, about 20 km away, is a completely different kind of spectacle. The 1.5 km guided tour passes through chambers of extraordinary formations — stalactites, stalagmites, stone waterfalls and underground lakes — all lit with coloured lights. It is theatrical and impressive. There is also an optional boat ride on the underground river at the end of the tour.
If time allows, we add a stop at Gelati Monastery — the 12th-century complex that King David the Builder founded as a centre of learning. The frescoes, the mosaic of the Virgin and the peaceful grounds make it worth the short detour from the road back to Tbilisi.
How the day usually flows
Early morning · pickup in Tbilisi
We leave early — around 8am — to make the most of the western half of the country. The drive is about two and a half hours across the Surami Pass.
Martvili canyon
The boat ride through the gorge — one of the most photographed sights in Georgia. We spend an hour to an hour and a half here, including the boat.
Lunch near Kutaisi
Western Georgian food is worth trying in its own right — different dishes from the east, with walnut sauces, corn bread and local flavours.
Prometheus Cave
The guided stalactite tour through the illuminated cave chambers, with the optional underground boat ride at the end.
Gelati Monastery (if time allows)
The beautiful hillside monastery with its frescoes and the tomb of King David the Builder, on the way back east.
Evening · back to Tbilisi
The return drive across the pass, arriving in Tbilisi by early evening.
What's included
Included
- Private air-conditioned car for your group
- English-speaking driver-guide for the day
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tbilisi
- Fuel and all road costs
Not included
- Lunch and drinks (we'll recommend the good spots)
- Canyon boat ride and cave entrance fees (paid locally)
- Personal expenses and tips
Pickup & good to know
We pick you up from your Tbilisi hotel around 8am — the drive west is long and an early start makes all the difference. Wear shoes you don't mind getting wet or dirty at Martvili; the canyon paths can be slippery.
The boat ride is in open rubber boats. There is no cover from rain. If the weather looks uncertain, we'll advise you — the canyon is still beautiful to walk above even if the boats aren't running. The cave is fully enclosed and unaffected by weather.
More from the road
Good questions
How long does the Martvili Canyon day take?
It is a full day of 11 to 12 hours door to door from Tbilisi. The drive to western Georgia is about two and a half hours each way. We usually fit in both the canyon and Prometheus Cave, with the Gelati or Bagrati monastery if time allows.
Is the boat ride at Martvili canyon included?
The boat ride is arranged on site and paid locally — it is a short, guided trip by rubber boat through the most dramatic section of the gorge. We help organise tickets when we arrive. The ride itself takes about 20 minutes and is the best way to see the turquoise water and canyon walls up close. Life jackets are provided and mandatory for all passengers. Children under 5 years old are not permitted on the boats — this is a park regulation, not something we can override.
What is Prometheus Cave?
Prometheus Cave is a stalactite cave system near Kutaisi, one of the largest in Georgia. The guided tour takes about 1.5 km through illuminated chambers of stalactites, stalagmites and underground lakes. There is also an optional boat ride on the underground river at the end of the cave tour.
When is the best time to visit Martvili?
Spring and early summer (April to June) are ideal — the water level in the canyon is higher after the winter rains, giving the boat ride more depth and drama, and the vegetation around the gorge is at its greenest. Summer is also good but can be busy. The canyon is open year-round.
Combine it with
Western Georgia sits between Tbilisi and the Black Sea — many travellers pair it with a night in Kutaisi or continue to Batumi.
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Ready for the canyon?
Message us with your dates and we'll put together your Martvili day — and the rest of your time in Georgia too.
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