Vardzia Cave MonasteryStory N° 273
Vardzia & Uplistsikhe Cave Cities
Discover Georgia's secret rock-hewn cities of Vardzia and Uplistsikhe, hidden worlds carved straight into the cliffs
The itinerary.
3 days · 7 stops
Friday
Day One
Head into the wild southwest of Georgia to the multicultural fortress of Rabati, a surprising blend of mosque, church and castle.
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Rabati Castle
Explore the sprawling restored citadel of Akhaltsikhe where a synagogue, mosque and Orthodox church share the same walls.
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Akhaltsikhe Old Town
Wander the quiet streets of this border town that few travellers ever reach.
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Hotel
Hotel Lomsia booking.com
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Getting around
- Drive from Tbilisi to Akhaltsikhe (approx 3.5 hours)
Saturday
Day Two
The astonishing reveal of Vardzia, an entire 12th-century monastic city carved thirteen storeys deep into a cliff face.
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Vardzia Cave Monastery
Climb through hundreds of tunnels, chapels and frescoed halls of Queen Tamar's hidden cave city built to vanish into the mountain.
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Khertvisi Fortress
Stop at one of Georgia's oldest fortresses guarding the confluence of two rivers on the road to Vardzia.
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Vanis Kvabebi
Discover the lesser-known cave monastery near Vardzia, often empty and clinging vertiginously to the rock.
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Hotel
Hotel Lomsia booking.com
→
Getting around
- Local driver along the Mtkvari river canyon to Vardzia
Sunday
Day Three
On the way back to Tbilisi, the ancient pagan-then-Christian cave town of Uplistsikhe surprises with its rock theatre and secret tunnels.
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Uplistsikhe Cave Town
Walk through one of the oldest urban settlements in the Caucasus, complete with a rock-cut hall, wine cellars and a hidden escape tunnel.
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Gori & Stalin Museum
Pause in Gori to confront the strange, frozen-in-time museum dedicated to its most infamous native son.
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Hotel
Hotel Lomsia booking.com
→
Getting around
- Drive back toward Tbilisi via Gori and Uplistsikhe
Location.
Frequently asked
How many days do you need for Vardzia & Uplistsikhe Cave Cities?
3 days. The itinerary runs from Friday to Sunday and covers 7 curated stops across 3 days.
How much does Vardzia & Uplistsikhe Cave Cities cost?
Mid-range — €150–300 per day per person.
Where do you stay during Vardzia & Uplistsikhe Cave Cities?
Hotel Lomsia is the recommended base for the trip; the full hotel list per day is in the itinerary section.
What's included in the Vardzia & Uplistsikhe Cave Cities itinerary?
Day-by-day stops at 7 restaurants, museums, viewpoints and landmarks; transportation hints between each leg; and a hotel base in Vardzia Cave Monastery.
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