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Visitors walking up the rock-cut main street of Uplistsikhe towards the church on top

Tours & tickets

Tours and day trips to Shida Kartli and beyond

Visit Uplistsikhe and Gori on a day trip from Tbilisi, see the medieval churches of Kartli with a private driver, travel west to Borjomi and Vardzia, or taste Georgian wine and learn to cook khinkali. Every tour here is bookable online through GetYourGuide.

Day trips from Tbilisi to Shida Kartli

Gori is about an hour west of Tbilisi, so most visitors see Shida Kartli on a day trip. Combine Uplistsikhe and Gori, add the medieval churches of the Kaspi and Ateni valleys, or see the sights on the way west to Kutaisi.

Further afield: Mtskheta, Borjomi, Vardzia and Kazbegi

Shida Kartli sits in the middle of the country, on the main road west. Tours from Tbilisi to Borjomi and Vardzia often pass through it, and Mtskheta, the old capital, is on the way from Tbilisi.

Georgian wine, food and Tbilisi

Georgia has made wine for around 8,000 years, and a meal here is an event. Taste qvevri wines, spend a day in the vineyards of Kakheti, learn to fold khinkali or explore old Tbilisi before you head west.

Booking tours to Shida Kartli: what to know

Gori is easy to reach on your own, and taxis can take you on to Uplistsikhe and Ateni. Tours earn their place when you have only one day and want to see several places without changing transport, when you want a guide to explain what you are seeing, and when you want to reach remote churches and monasteries.

Day trips from Tbilisi

The classic day trip combines Uplistsikhe, Gori and Mtskheta, the old capital, on one long day. Some focus on Gori and the Stalin Museum, and private tours let you choose your own churches. Read our guide to Uplistsikhe from Tbilisi.

Sightseeing transfers

If you are travelling west to Kutaisi, Borjomi or the Black Sea, a private transfer with stops at Uplistsikhe, Gori and Surami turns a long drive into a day out.

Wine and food

Wine tastings and cooking classes run mostly in Tbilisi. In Shida Kartli itself, family guesthouses in the Ateni valley often share their own wine. Read our guide to food and wine.

Check what is included

  • Hotel pickup in Tbilisi, or a meeting point
  • Entrance tickets for Uplistsikhe and the Stalin Museum
  • A guide, or only a driver
  • Lunch and wine
  • The tour language

Cancellation terms

Many tours on GetYourGuide offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time, and some let you reserve now and pay later. Terms vary by tour, so read them before you book.

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Shida Kartli tours FAQ

Do I need a tour to see Shida Kartli?

No. Gori and its sights are easy to reach by public transport, and taxis go to Uplistsikhe and Ateni. Tours are useful if you have only one day, if you want a guide to explain the sites, or if you want to reach remote churches such as Rkoni and Kintsvisi without driving yourself.

Are tours in English?

Most tours from Tbilisi are offered in English, and many also in Russian, German and other languages. Check the language listed on the booking page before you book.

What is a sightseeing transfer?

It is a private car and driver that takes you from one city to another, such as Tbilisi to Kutaisi or Borjomi, with stops at sights on the way. It costs more than a bus or train, but it turns a travel day into a day of sightseeing.

Are entrance fees included?

It depends on the tour. Tickets for Uplistsikhe and the Stalin Museum are sometimes included and sometimes paid on the day. Check what is included on the booking page, and carry some lari in cash.

Can I cancel a tour if my plans change?

Many tours on GetYourGuide offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Terms vary by tour, so check them on the booking page.

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