Western Georgia: Eight Days from Canyons to the Black Sea
Mtskheta and Uplistsikhe, the canyons and caves around Kutaisi, three nights in the mountain region of Racha and two on the Black Sea at Batumi, on a journey designed and managed by Justvia Bespoke Travel.
- Mtskheta
- Kutaisi2 nights
- Racha3 nights
- Batumi2 nights
- Tbilisi
Most first trips to Georgia stay east of Tbilisi. West of the capital the country changes.
The valleys get wetter and greener, and the days fill with canyons, waterfalls and caves. Then comes Racha, a quiet mountain region of villages and high passes, and finally the Black Sea at Batumi. It is a road journey with three bases, so you unpack three times and see a different Georgia each time.
We can also arrange this itinerary for your own company of friends, family or colleagues, on agreed dates. Tell us when you would like to travel, your group size and hotel preferences, and we will confirm availability and the price. If you have never been to Georgia, our honest guide for UK first-timers covers visas, money and what to expect before you go.
Day by dayWhat the 8 days look like
Click any day to see the full programme for that day.
Day 1Mtskheta, Uplistsikhe and west to KutaisiSee the day
The first day starts in Georgia's old capital. Jvari, a 6th-century monastery on a hilltop above the meeting of two rivers, looks over the valley of the Kura and the Aragvi. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta is where Georgian tradition keeps the robe of Christ, and it is still one of the most important churches in the country. Then Uplistsikhe, a town cut into the rock in the first millennium BC, with its halls, streets and defensive walls. In the evening you arrive in Kutaisi for two nights.
Arriving late? The day is planned around your flight. We agree the plan with you before you book.
Day 2Martvili and Okatse canyons, Kinchkha waterfallSee the day
Today is for nature. You walk the paths of Martvili canyon and Okatse canyon, where the rivers have cut deep into the limestone, and visit the Kinchkha waterfall in its own wooded gorge. Entrance tickets to all three are included. In the evening you are back in Kutaisi, one of the oldest cities in Georgia, for dinner and an evening among its cafés.
Day 3Prometheus Cave, a Georgian cooking class and on to RachaSee the day
Morning in Prometheus Cave, with its stalactites, stalagmites and underground rivers. Then a Georgian cooking class and a home lunch with a local family. In the afternoon the road climbs into Racha and you reach Ambrolauri, a small town in the mountains, where you stay for three nights.
Day 4Racha: Nakerala Pass, Nine Crosses and Sakinule CaveSee the day
A day in the mountains. You drive over the Nakerala Pass, with long views across the Caucasus ranges, and visit the Nine Crosses hill and Tskhrajvari, places that are holy to Georgians and good lookouts as well. Sakinule Cave is another stop. The day ends with shashlik cooked outdoors.
Day 5Lailashi, Mravaldzali and the waterfallSee the day
Another day among the villages of Racha. You visit Lailashi, a mountain village, and the remote Mravaldzali church, then the rock pillars of Sairme and the so-called Waterfall of Love, set in the greenery of the gorge. A third night in Ambrolauri.
Day 6To the coast: BatumiSee the day
You leave the mountains for the Black Sea. Batumi is known for its seafront, its architecture and its beaches. The evening is for its music park, where music and light displays run, and a walk along the promenade. Two nights in Batumi.
Day 7Waterfalls and gorges around BatumiSee the day
Inland from Batumi lies Adjara's green countryside. You see the Makhuntseti waterfall and Queen Tamar's bridge, drive into the Machakhela gorge to the Mirveti waterfalls, and visit the Chaha waterfall and its hanging bridges. Lunch is in a high mountain village with a folk music programme. The night is in Batumi again.
Day 8Back to Tbilisi and the flight homeSee the day
After breakfast you drive back to Tbilisi, with time to see the old town if your flight allows, and then the transfer to the airport.
Flight times matter here. This is a long driving day. With an early flight we agree the plan with you before you book.
Want this trip on your dates? Tell us when and how many of you, and Jurijs will come back with a confirmed price.
Ask about this tripIncludedWhat the price covers
- An English-speaking local guide on the touring days
- Transport throughout by sedan, minivan or minibus, depending on group size
- 7 nights with breakfast: 2 in Kutaisi, 3 in Racha and 2 in Batumi, in 3-star or 4-star hotels
- 7 lunches and 6 dinners
- A Georgian cooking class
- Entrance tickets to Martvili, Okatse, Kinchkha and Prometheus Cave
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure
Not included: international flights, travel insurance (required), drinks beyond those with meals, tips.
PriceHow much it costs
Per person, land only, two people sharing a room. The price depends on how many of you travel and the hotel category you choose.
| Travellers | 3-star hotels | 4-star hotels |
|---|---|---|
| 1, travelling solo | Ask about availability and room options | |
| 2 | £1,420 | £1,470 |
| 4 | £1,075 | £1,120 |
| 6 | £930 | £980 |
| 8 or more | Ask us for a group price | |
Prices are confirmed in writing when you enquire, for your dates and season.
Who it suitsIs this the right trip for you?
Yes, if you have seen Tbilisi and want the other half of Georgia, if you like waterfalls, caves and mountain villages, or if you want mountains and sea in one trip. It works well for couples, friends and families.
Probably not, if you want long days of hiking. For that, look at Warm Svaneti, our walking week in the high Caucasus, or tell us what you have in mind on our bespoke trip page.
How it worksWho runs the trip
Your journey is designed and managed by Justvia Bespoke Travel in London, working with carefully selected local guides, drivers and partners in Georgia. You deal with us from the first question to the last day, and on the ground you are with people who know these places well. You can read what travellers say on our reviews page and see real photographs from our trips in the gallery and on Instagram.
Getting thereFlights and airport transfers
You fly into Tbilisi (TBS). The programme starts with the drive west on day 1 and ends with the long drive back to Tbilisi on day 8. Airport transfers on arrival and on departure are included. We plan the first and the last day around your flight times and agree that with you before you book.
Flights are not included. The price is land only. Our guide to getting to Georgia covers airports, routes from the UK and entry rules, and we are happy to look at your flights with you.
Ask about this trip
Tell us roughly when, how many of you, and any questions about the programme. Jurijs will reply by email with a confirmed price.
QuestionsWhat travellers ask
Is Western Georgia a group tour?
Enquire for available dates and group arrangements. We confirm those details and the price before you book. We can also arrange this itinerary just for your own company of friends, family or colleagues, on agreed dates.
Can you arrange this trip just for our own group?
Yes. We can arrange the itinerary for your own group on agreed dates, subject to availability. Tell us roughly when you would like to travel, how many of you there are and your hotel preferences. We will confirm the arrangements and price before you book.
How much walking is involved?
The walking is easy to moderate: canyon paths and walkways, short walks to waterfalls, a cave, churches and village streets. There are no long hikes. The first and last days are long drives.
What if my flight arrives in the evening or leaves in the morning?
The first and last days are planned around your flight times. We agree the plan with you before you book.
When is the best time to go?
Dates are on enquiry. Tell us when you would like to travel and we will tell you what to expect at that time of year, including the mountain roads in Racha.
Are flights included?
No. The price is land only. International flights from the UK are booked separately, and we are happy to suggest routes to Tbilisi.
More tripsOther ways to see Georgia with Justvia
Photo credits
Images adapted for this page. Licensed images retain the licences listed below.
- Cover: The Racha mountains at sunset. Boris Kuznetsov, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Jvari monastery above Mtskheta. falco, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Martvili canyon. Iscream icecream, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- The Kinchkha waterfall. Paata vardanashvili, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Inside Prometheus Cave. Gaga.vaa, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- The view from Nakerala Pass. Jelger Groeneveld, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Mravaldzali church. Kojima Yasuhiro, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- A music and light show in Batumi. Gytis, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- The Machakhela gorge. Alexey Komarov, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
About Justvia
Justvia Bespoke Travel is a UK travel agency specialising in bespoke and small-group journeys to Georgia, designed and managed from London with carefully selected local guides, drivers and partners.
Editorial strategy and digital production by MariCleo Studio.
