Soviet past - Private day tour to Chiatura, Katskhi pillar and Chronicles

Overview

Discover the non-touristic Georgia on this full day trip to the macabre town of Chiatura - once a modern mining town with highest number of cable cars, it resembles a ghost town today with its abandoned mines, empty apartments and decaying Soviet architecture. The time seems to stand still here and so you can take a ride in one of the last rusty cable cars, overlooking the factories, enjoy the panorama view from the half-abandoned concrete settlements on the hills and see a morbide dedication to Stalin here and there. On our tour we also visit the country side of Imereti region, that builds a contrast to industrial Chiatura - the ancient holy pillar of Katskhi with a tiny church on top or the rock hew Mgvimevi convent with frescoes from XIV century.

What's included

• Bottled water
• On-board WiFi
• Perfect for photographers
• Katskhi sveti - a natural stone pilar with a church on top
• Visit the Mgvimevi monastery - the only one where the church is built inside a natural cave
• See the old cable cars of Chiatura and explore the abandoned areas in the ghost like town
• Private tour with local guide, who knows the best locations.
• Lunch (we can recommend our favorite spots)
• Gratuities

Meeting and pickup

Pickup included for everyone

What to expect

1. Though the old cable cars have been suspended, the rusty cabins and the brutalist stations still make a great sight and photo setting. Visit some of the most interesting and unique cable car stations before they get forever destroyed.

   2h

2. One of a kind - the monastery that was built on a huge rock pillar. Until today, many legends surround this place and it still attracts pilgrims from all Georgia.

   30 min

3. An unusual kind of monastery, where nature and architecture become one. Built in a cave in the late middle ages, the picturesque monastery looks like an alien among the concrete socialist surroundings.

   30 min

4. The must see for any lover of Soviet architecture - the giant monument overlooking the concrete suburbs is a perfect place to finish the tour.

   30 min

Good to know

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Please note, that as of the moment, all old cable cars have been suspended for safety reasons, but you can still see them

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

31 reviews, average rating 5 — individual review text isn't exposed by the partner API we have access to.