Trips 2026

Vardzia, Rabati Fortress, Green Lake from Batumi

18 hours

Group: 1-19

From Batumi

Content

About the excursion

In just one day, you'll see Georgia that's not shown on the beaches of Adjara: a picturesque mountain serpentine through the Goderdzi Pass, the restored Rabati Fortress in Akhaltsikhe, and the legendary cave city of Vardzia, carved into the rock in the 12th century during the reign of Queen Tamar. Along the way, you'll stop for panoramic views up to 2,200 meters, a lunch featuring Meskhetian cuisine, and, in season, the emerald Green Lake, hidden among the mountains.

This is the most comprehensive one-day route from Batumi: over 300 km of roads, three regions of Georgia, and a thousand years of history. Ideal for those who want to see more than just the sea in a short vacation.

Excursion plan

  • 6:00 - Departure from Batumi
    We begin our journey early in the morning: for individual tours, we pick you up directly from your hotel; for group tours, we pick you up from the nearest bus stop. Ahead lies a scenic road through the Adjara mountains.
  • 8:30 - Stop and snack in Khulo (30 min)
    A short break in a high-mountain village - the heart of mountainous Adjara. Here you can stretch your legs, drink coffee, and grab a bite to eat, admiring the views of the surrounding ridges before continuing on through the pass.
  • 10:30 - Rabat Fortress (1 hour)
    The majestic fortress complex in Akhaltsikhe, where a church, mosque, and synagogue coexist within the same walls, is a living reflection of the region's centuries-old history. We'll stroll through the towers and courtyards, which offer stunning views of the city.
  • 13:00 - The cave city of Vardzia (1.5 hours)
    The route's main attraction is a 12th-century cave city carved directly into the rock during the reign of Queen Tamar. Hundreds of rooms, secret passages, and ancient frescoes in the Church of the Assumption make it easy to imagine what life was like in this rock monastery eight centuries ago.
  • 15:30 - Restaurant Aspindza (1 hour)
    Lunch at a Georgian restaurant. Time to sample local dishes, share impressions, and recharge before the return journey.
  • 19:00 - Green Lake in season or a panorama of Goderdzi 2200m (1 hour)
    During the warm season, we visit Green Lake, an emerald mountain lake hidden among the peaks. If the lake is inaccessible, we'll stop at the Goderdzi Pass lookout point at 2,200 meters: the mountain panorama from here is stunning in any weather.
  • 23:30 - Return to Batumi
    We'll end the day with a drive home, enjoying the sunset views of mountainous Adjara. We'll drop you off at the same place we picked you up in the morning - your hotel or bus stop.

Excursion details

Departure

Batumi

Meeting point

Departure from your address in Batumi or we will ask you to come to the nearest convenient point along the road so as not to delay departure

Departure time

6:00

Return time

23:30

Price includes
  • A comfortable car with air conditioning
  • The driver is Georgian
Price does NOT include
  • Food
  • Ticket to Rabat Fortress - 20 GEL
  • Ticket to the cave city of Vardzia - 15 GEL
Payment

Payment on the day of departure in cash

Traveling in Georgia 2026

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