Sunday, 11 May 2025
Dear Friends,
new season starts on Monday, May 19th 2025 

First stop is by Natlismcemeli (St John the Baptist) monastery, where you can respectfully visit 12th century chapel and a nearby tower. This part is off-road, which means that in case of rain, it will not be possible to reach and our bus will take you straight to...
Lavra (also known as main monastery of Davit Gareji complex). There you can observe caves serving as monks' cells, respectfully visit the bottom chapel, you can also climb up to the tower and to David's Tears (it's a cave where monks collected dripping water, so that they could survive in the desert).
Due to unresolved delimitation dispute, the part on the ridge of Gareji's mountain, where are located caves with ancient frescoes, is still unavailable, unfortunately.
You may also wish to visit a small shop with wine produced by monks, to enjoy the view on Rainbow Mountains or even to take a stroll along the hills - they're right next to the monastery.
The entrance is free of charge, since they're active places of orthodox worship, thus please remember to have appropriate clothing (longer skirt/trousers, longer sleeves, head scarf) and respectful presence.
On the way back, there will be a break in the legendary village of Udabno, a settlement "in the middle of nowhere". There you may choose to taste traditional Georgian cuisine or simply to relax viewing the vast grasslands.
Timetable of the trip is approximate, depending on weather, traffic and other conditions.
Saturday, 7 September 2024
Tuesday, 20 August 2024
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.
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.
Friday, 19 April 2019
WHY DON'T WE TAKE BOOKINGS?
.. because we take everybody :)
We will send more cars if there are more passengers on any given day.
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!
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!
Saturday, 10 May 2014
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 :)
...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
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
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