One-day excursion "Stone Gorge"

The forest roads in the gorges of Georgia are incredibly picturesque. Despite most of them lacking paved surfaces, the surrounding beauty smooths out the roughness of the dirt roads. The Kvatakhevi Monastery appears in a stunning manner: first, the impressive dome of the cathedral starts to peek through the trees, and then you emerge onto a small meadow. And there it is: an intricate bridge crosses the shallow gorge of the Kavtura River, leading to the monastery walls.

The monastery is enclosed by thick stone walls dating back several centuries. However, they couldn't protect it from the ravages of invasions by Timur, the Persians, and the Ottomans. And the monastery's own brotherhood couldn't protect it either...

In addition to the Kvatakhevi Monastery, the main focus of our excursion, we will visit the often overlooked Magalaant church complex and the lesser-known yet beautiful Church of St. John the Baptist.

Excursion Itinerary:

• Magalaant Church Complex - Kavtura Gorge. A beautiful and picturesque place with the Kavtura River flowing at the bottom and the ancient Tavkavta fortress perched on one of the mountains. From the top, you can enjoy stunning views of the Trialet Mountains and the Greater Caucasus. Along the way, you'll come across the Magalaant church complex, consisting of a hall church from the 12th century, a chapel-mausoleum from the 17th century, and a bell tower from the 18th century.
• Magalaant Watchtower - above the church complex, on the slope, stands the Papu Magaladze Tower, dating back to 1679. It is a four-story building made of brick and stone. Only the fourth floor retains its original wooden ceilings, while the carved windows and doors have lost their pristine appearance.
• Kvatakhevi Monastery - The Monastery of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was founded in the late 12th to early 13th centuries, at least according to the first mentions in chronicles. For some time, it enjoyed the reputation of being the main religious structure in Kartli. In Georgian, "kva" means "stone," and "takhevi" means "gorge," so "Kvatakhevi" can be translated as "Stone Gorge."
• Picnic - The Kavtura Gorge is so picturesque that it's impossible to leave without spending some time there. You'll want to sit by the river, grill some kebabs, and raise a glass of wine to toast this divine place.
• Church of St. John the Baptist - In the village of Idleti, a small church dedicated to St. John the Baptist is hidden from view. Its unusual architecture and remarkable frescoes are only revealed to the curious travelers and experienced guides.
• Arsen's Caves - Georgian Robin Hood, Arsen Marabdeli (Odzalashvili), was very popular in the Tbilisi province and its border areas in the 19th century. He couldn't tolerate injustice and oppression of the poor and weak. According to one legend, Arsen kept 700 tum (coins) taken from the wealthy in the caves near Kaspi. Today, let's try to find them.
• Restaurant (options) - A day filled with adventures requires a worthy conclusion, a hearty meal, and a couple of toasts to the blessed land of Georgia. We will end our excursion with friendly gatherings on the open veranda of a picturesque restaurant near Tbilisi.

Early departure from Tbilisi. If desired, you can arrange a picnic on the way, visit a winemaker, or enjoy a tasting of fresh fish from the Tskaltsin Lake (please specify options when booking the excursion).

Excursion Difficulty: Easy. 120 km by car, 6 km on foot - almost all attractions are easily accessible by transportation, and the walking paths are not challenging.

❗️Required equipment:

• Backpack
• Comfortable, non-slip footwear
• Raincoat
• Warm sweater
• Buff/cap
• Comfortable sportswear
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Personal hygiene items
• Individual first aid kit

❗️Water: According to your needs, but no less than 1 liter.
❗️Do not weigh down your backpack with unnecessary items, calculate the required amount of water and clothing correctly.
❗️The tour program includes a visit to the monastery, so please remember to follow the dress code according to the season: for women, a headscarf is required, shoulders should be covered, and neckline and legs should be below the knees; for men, shoulders should be covered, and trousers should be worn.

❗️Tour rules:

1. The tour is led by a guide (or guides).
2. During the tour, all participants obey the leader's instructions to ensure maximum safety, organization, and equal comfort for everyone.
3. It is prohibited to arrive at the meeting point in a state of alcohol intoxication. Participants may be excluded at the discretion of the guide.
4. Drinking alcoholic beverages in the car is not allowed during the journey.
5. The use of headphones is not allowed during walks.
6. Do not litter.
7. Do not pick flowers.
8. Animals are not allowed.
9. To avoid conflict situations during the hike, we avoid discussing topics such as a) politics, b) religion, c) football.
10. In case of force majeure situations, the guide reserves the right to change the course of the tour.

❗️The excursion program provided is a promotional outline. Due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances, certain elements of the program may be substituted with equivalent alternatives. 
❗️The average cost of the excursion is indicated for two people. The final price will be determined based on your specific requirements regarding hotel standards, restaurants, and group size. A detailed tour itinerary and list of services will be sent to you via email after registration on the website or upon request. 
❗️If you have allergies to specific plants, animals, food products, or dietary restrictions, please inform us in advance.