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.
Why travelers book this
What's Included
- Bottled water
- WiFi on board
- 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.
What's Not Included
- Lunch (we can recommend our favorite spots)
- Gratuities
Meeting & Pickup
Meeting point, pickup options and start time are confirmed on Viator before checkout.
Itinerary
Stop 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.
Stop 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.
Stop 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.
Stop 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.
Important Information
- 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