Day Trip to David Gareja

Culture, History, & the Steppe Landscape

Join us on a captivating day trip to David Gareja (also known as Davit Gareji) and discover the spiritual heart and breathtaking landscapes of Georgia. Just about 80 kilometers from Tbilisi, you’ll find yourself in a completely different world — a vast, serene steppe where the famous cave monastery of David Gareja rises like a hidden gem.

Highlights:

√ Scenic drive steppe landscape
√ Visit the Lavra Monastery
√ Walk through the colorful Rainbow Hills
√ Stop in the mysterious ghost town of Udabno

A Brief Introduction

Founded in the 6th century, the David Gareja monastery complex was one of Georgia’s most important religious and cultural centers for many centuries. Carved into the cliffs, the monasteries of Lavra, Udabno, and Dodo’s Rka are home to remarkable frescoes — masterpieces of medieval Georgian art.

During this full-day excursion, enjoy a scenic drive through Georgia’s semi-desert, with photo stops at breathtaking viewpoints along the way.

At the main monastery, Lavra of David, you’ll visit the tomb of Saint David Gareja and his disciples. Your German-speaking guide will share fascinating stories about the history, legends, and spiritual significance of this extraordinary site.

A trip to David Gareja is much more than a sightseeing tour — it’s an encounter with the quiet beauty of the Georgian steppe, the deep spirituality of the land, and the living traces of an ancient culture.

Tour Itinerary

09:00 Hotel pick-up

After about 40 kilometers, the scenery begins to change dramatically — the lush green hills of Georgia give way to an endless, golden steppe. You’ll feel as though you’ve entered another country entirely. Along the way, we’ll pause to capture the vast horizons and unique landscapes on camera.

Our route takes us through the small ghost town of Udabno, which literally means “desert.” Since the late 1980s, families from the mountain region of Svaneti have lived here in modest conditions.

In this seemingly forgotten place, we’ll discover a real hidden treasure — the charming “Oasis” Restaurant, lovingly revived by a couple of Polish expatriates. Enjoy a cup of coffee or a light local snack — a true insider’s tip on our journey to David Gareja.

Upon arrival at David Gareja, we’ll take a leisurely 40-minute walk along the ridge above the monastery before visiting the oldest part of the complex — Lavra.

Inside the main church lie the remains of Saint David Gareja and his disciples Dodo and Luciane — revered figures in Georgia’s monastic history.

To conclude the day, we’ll take a short walk through the Rainbow Hills of David Gareja, whose soft, colorful slopes shimmer in shades reminiscent of Peru’s famous Rainbow Mountains — smaller, yet equally enchanting.

This natural wonder is the perfect finale to an unforgettable journey that beautifully combines culture, history, and nature.

We’ll return to Tbilisi around 2:00 PM, arriving back at your hotel between 3:00 and 4:00 PM.