Southern Georgia is quieter than the north and east and full of surprises, and this long day trip shows three very different sides of it. Borjomi is a forested spa town in a deep valley where naturally warm, mineral-rich springs rise in a park that has attracted visitors since the nineteenth century, and the water, bottled and sold across the region, is a national symbol. Rabati Castle, in Akhaltsikhe, is a walled complex that mixes a church, a mosque, a minaret, a museum and towers, restored in recent years and a vivid reminder that Georgia has been a meeting place of faiths. Vardzia is the showstopper, a cave city of hundreds of rooms carved into a cliff in the twelfth century, with a rock-cut church whose frescoes include a portrait of Queen Tamar.
How to visit
The distances are long. Borjomi is about 160 kilometres from the capital, and Vardzia, the furthest stop, lies over 250 kilometres away, so the tour runs twelve to thirteen hours in a vehicle with only short stops. If you would rather go slowly, consider a two-day trip with a night in Akhaltsikhe or Borjomi. The group tour leaves early from central Tbilisi, and lunch is usually at a roadside restaurant, so check whether it is included.
What to expect
At Borjomi, you can walk through the park and taste the mineral water from its source, which has a sulfur-and-salt flavour that many visitors find unusual. At Rabati, you walk the ramparts and visit the small buildings inside the walls. At Vardzia, you climb through tunnels, stairways and chambers set into the cliff, so wear shoes with grip and bring a light torch if you like. The site is large and the steps are steep, so give it time rather than rushing.
Making the most of it
Late spring and early autumn are best, because winter weather and road conditions can interfere with the long drive and the higher valleys can be cold. Bring water and layers, take the motion sickness tablets if you need them on the winding stretches, and treat this as a day to enjoy the scenery rather than to tick off a list.
What to expect
The experience
A guided group day trip by vehicle to Borjomi, Rabati Castle in Akhaltsikhe and the Vardzia cave monastery.
Best time
Late spring and early autumn; winter brings cold and slow roads in the higher valleys.
How long
Twelve to thirteen hours, with most of the day on the road.
Tips
Start early, wear shoes with grip for Vardzia, bring layers and water and check whether lunch and entry fees are included.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History and nature lovers who want to see southern Georgia without renting a car.
- Families
- Older children who like climbing and caves will enjoy Vardzia, but twelve hours in a vehicle is long for little ones.
- Couples
- A scenic, varied day with a spa town, a castle and a cave city.
- Pair with
- A slow day in Tbilisi afterwards, with a soak at the sulfur baths.
- Time needed
- A very long day, or two days with an overnight.
Good questions
How long is the Borjomi and Vardzia tour?+
It runs twelve to thirteen hours, because the distances are long and most of the day is on the road. Many travellers prefer to split it over two days.
What is Vardzia?+
It is a cave city carved into a cliff in the twelfth century, with hundreds of rooms, tunnels and a rock-cut church with frescoes. It is one of the most remarkable sights in Georgia.
What is Rabati Castle?+
It is a restored fortress complex in Akhaltsikhe that includes a church, a mosque, a minaret, towers and a museum. It shows how different faiths shared the region.
Can you drink the water at Borjomi?+
Yes, the mineral water flows from springs in the park, and visitors taste it from the source. It has a salty, sulfur-like flavour that many find unusual.
Is the Vardzia trip suitable for children?+
It suits older children who like climbing, though the steps are steep and the day is very long. Younger children may find the drive tiring.
