One-day tour to David Gareja monastery complex is a short but eventful journey to one of the ancient and important religious sites of Georgia. The complex of temples stretches for several kilometers in the south-east of the country and along the border with Azerbaijan. David Gareja monastery is unique due to the fact that many of its buildings are cut in a huge tilted rock and some of its temples still preserve millenary frescos.

Tour itinerary:

The tour starts from Tbilisi. Our guide and driver will meet you at your hotel.  Drive to semi-desert area near Gareja. On the way stop at a local  supermarket to take some snacks. Arrive in David Gareja Monastery and start walking up to explore the Lavra Cave Monastery, founded in the 6^th century. The Lavra Monastery is an inhabited complex of caves with a courtyard, church and other buildings. Continue walking up to Udabno* where you can have some rest and enjoy the view of Azerbaijan from Georgian side. Udabno is famous for its wall-paintings dating from the end of the 12^th century. The thousand-year-old frescos at Udabno depict such scenes from the Bible like “The Last Supper” and “The Exaltation of the Cross”. After some rest, walk down along another path. Drive back to Tbilisi.

Duration of sightseeing tour: 7-8 hours
Walking round trip to Udabno monastery complex: 1.5 – 2 hours.

Take to trip: appropriate footwear, water, raincoat, torch, suntan lotion & hat.

Please note that in May snakes become more active and make their reappearance in the semi desert.