Rock-cut halls and streets of Uplistsikhe above the Mtkvari valley

Uplistsikhe cave town and Gori

A town cut into the rock above the Mtkvari river, lived in for well over two thousand years.

From Tbilisi
94 km
Driving time
1.5–1.5 hone way
Duration
Half day to a full day, 5–7 hours
Best time
All year

Uplistsikhe is a whole town carved into a sandstone ridge above the Mtkvari river: halls, streets, wine cellars and a theatre cut into the rock, lived in for well over two thousand years.

On the way we stop in Gori to climb to the medieval fortress on the hill in the middle of town.

The route

  1. Mtskheta480 m
  2. Gori600 m
  3. Uplistsikhe580 m
  1. 1Mtskheta480 m
  2. 2Gori600 m
  3. 3Uplistsikhe580 m
Height above sea level along the road, from Mtskheta to Uplistsikhe.

Along the way

  1. Gori Fortress

    A medieval citadel on a hill, with views over the town and the plain of Kartli.

  2. Uplistsikhe

    A walk through the rock-cut town, along its main street and up to the church at the top.

  3. Lunch in Gori or Mtskheta

    On the way back, wherever you prefer.

Included

  • Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Tbilisi or Mtskheta
  • Private car with driver for the whole trip
  • As many photo stops as you like

Good to know

  • Wear shoes with good grip: the rock is smooth and can be slippery.
  • There is little shade at Uplistsikhe; in summer it is best early or late in the day.

Ask about this tour

Send us your dates and group size, and we will reply with a route and a price.