Gelati Monastery and Prometheus Cave + Visit to Nikoladze Winery

During this day excursion, you will explore the historical significance and mysteries of both the Gelati Monastery and the Prometheus Cave. Additionally, the itinerary includes a visit to the Nikoladze winery for a wine tasting experience.

Details of the Day Trip

After we collect you from your accommodation in Kutaisi, our journey will commence with a brief 20-minute drive to the northeast. Our first destination awaits—let's unveil it!

Our first stop is the Gelati Monastery, a historic complex established by King David the Builder, a legendary figure in Georgian history. His remains are interred here beneath a modest stone slab, adding to the site's reverence.

As we stroll through this architectural marvel, we'll encounter Byzantine frescoes and mosaics that narrate tales of the Georgian Golden Age. The monastery's verdant domes and tranquil surroundings will evoke a sense of its magnificent past.

Following this visit, we will journey for 45 minutes to the Prometheus Cave, an underground wonder adorned with illuminated stalactites and stalagmites resembling living sculptures. Legend has it that the titan Prometheus was once bound in this very location.

As we navigate the cave’s corridors, the enchanting aura of the legend will envelop us, seemingly emanating from the very stones. You may also choose to embark on a boat ride along the underground river, uncovering even more of the cave's secrets.

Once above ground, we'll visit the abandoned sanatoriums of Tskaltubo, remnants from the Soviet period overtaken by nature. The weathered mosaics and plant-draped hallways create a nostalgic and cinematic ambiance.

To round off our day, we will stop at the Nikoladze winery, where you'll discover the ancient methods of fermentation using qvevri clay vessels. This experience culminates with the tasting of 4 wines alongside 2 types of chacha, a cherished grape spirit of Georgia. These tastings will be complemented by freshly baked bread and traditional cheeses.

We will then return to Kutaisi, ensuring you are dropped off at your hotel after approximately 6 hours of exploration.

Itinerary Modifications

Please be aware that the Gelati Monastery is currently undergoing restoration. As an alternative, we will visit the Motsameta Monastery, known as the Place of the Martyrs, to explore its compelling history of suffering and retribution.

Alternatively, we may visit the Bagrati Cathedral, a medieval site perched atop Uk’imerioni Hill. Here, we will discuss the significant restoration efforts and its esteemed designation as a World Heritage Site.