2024 SEASON IS OVER, BUT... WE'LL BE BACK IN 2025 :)

 

 

David Gareji's monastery complex consists of several parts, developed over centuries on the slopes of Gareji mountain. The oldest part, Lavra, was founded around VIth century by a syrian monk David, who used to inhabit a natural cave in the centre of it. 

Other monasteries were build by his disciples and include Rka, Natlismcemeli, Chichkhituri, Bertubani  and Udabno. Between XI and XIIIth century the monasteries were an important centre of spiritual, social and artistic value, with unique frescoes, chapels and water-gathering infrastructure being developed in this harsh environment.

However, due to their location - in the present days being a borderland between Georgia and Azerbeijan - those monasteries have now became an object of a demarcation dispute. Until the resolution of the demarcation process, there is no access for visitors to the monasteries situated on the ridge of Gareji mountain.

WHY DON'T WE TAKE BOOKINGS?

.. because we take everybody :)
We will send more cars if there are more passengers on any given day.

WHY DO WE STOP IN UDABNO?

.. since it's a very interesting place :) A small settlement in the middle of wide Georgian desert was artificially designed and now it's inhabited by ca. 120 families, most of which are of Svanetian or Kakhetian origin. 
There are restaurants: Oasis, Terrace and Black Horse, offering traditional Georgian cuisine, a seasonal bakery, hostels and guided horse riding tours, and sometimes you may even witness a spontanous performance of polyphonic Georgian music by Udabno women or youngsters choirs!

WHAT ARE THE FARES?

.. the round trip is only 40 lari per person - that is less than 15 euros!

HOW TO PREPARE?

.. according to weather conditions - in April and October wind and rain protection may be necessary and in the summer also sun protection (sunscreen, hats, water). Please also note that the monastery is a place of religious activity, therefore longer trousers/skirts and sleeves would be a sign of respect. 

We are looking forward to see you soon onboard!

WHERE TO FIND US?

We gather every day at 10:45 a.m.
by Pushkin's statue:

in Pushkin's Park, 

right off Freedom Square

(Tawisuplebis Moedani):

2014... and WE WELCOME YOU ON BOARD :)

GREAT NEWS for all travelers and backpackers visiting Georgia!

Unique DAVIT GAREJI MONASTERY COMPLEX is now easily accessible directly from Tbilisi center :)

 

Both Davit Gareji monasteries and the route to it alike, are one of the most breathtaking and mysterious sites in Georgia...

...but up until now (2014) there were only two ways to get there:
- an expensive one (rented car/taxi or an organized tour) 
and
- a challenging one (marshrutka to Sagarejo and then taxi/hitchhiking/walking)

Now the difficulties are in the past!

Our minibus departs everyday at 11 a.m. from Pushkin street, right in the center of Tbilisi.

We stay in Gareji around 3 hours that it takes to explore the monasteries.
After a little dinner break in Udabno, we head back to Tbilisi to reach it around 7 p.m.

Please join us for an unforgettable experience of Georgian heritage and nature <3