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Davit Gareja & the Painted Desert

Udabno, Kakheti

Duration
Full day · 9 hours
Group size
2–14 travellers
Difficulty
Moderate
Region
Udabno, Kakheti

About this journey

An hour and a half south-east of Tbilisi the landscape stops being green. Davit Gareja is a complex of cave monasteries cut into the sides of a ridge in genuine semi-desert, founded in the sixth century by one of the Assyrian fathers.

The Lavra monastery at the base is still working. The climb over the ridge to Udabno's painted caves — with their surviving frescoes and a view over the Azerbaijani steppe — is the reason to come.

On the way back the road passes the Mravaltskaro badlands, striped in ochre, rust and grey.

Highlights

  • The working Lavra monastery cut into the rock
  • Udabno's frescoed caves above the border ridge
  • Striped badlands at Mravaltskaro
  • Semi-desert scenery unlike anywhere else in Georgia

Departures

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Itinerary

Drive south-east through Gardabani to the monastery. Visit the Lavra, then climb the ridge to the Udabno caves. Lunch at the village taverna before returning via the badlands.

What's included

  • Private transfer from Tbilisi
  • English-speaking guide
  • Bottled water

Not included

  • Meals
  • Travel insurance
  • Gratuities

Meeting point

Your Tbilisi hotel, 09:00.

Meet at 08:00

Important information

  • The ridge climb is steep, exposed and takes about 90 minutes return.
  • Access to the Udabno caves can close at short notice for border reasons.
  • There is no shade — summer temperatures regularly exceed 35°C.

FromGEL 435 per person

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