The 8 Best Katskhi Pillar Tours in Imereti

1.Chiatura Tour with Katskhi Pillar & Cable Car Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 95 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35Our pick

Travel from Kutaisi to Chiatura with a local guide such as Demo, Tengo, Tango, or Ana. See the Katskhi Pillar, Mghvimevi Cave Monastery, old industrial sites, railway station, viewpoint, and Soviet-era cable cars, with lunch and transport included.

“Demo, our guide is the first from Chiatura and he’s just 19 years old! He’s a wonderful, kind soul with a calm, sincere spirit. The day felt very easy with him; no rushing or confusion. He was thoughtful and communicative, offering a fascinating perspective about what it’s like to be from Chiatura. The trip to Chiatura is about 1.5hrs from Kutaisi, so although it’s a lot of driving (3hrs round trip and another 1hr or so to other sights), you still feel like you’re mostly seeing places and not just the inside of a van. The stops for us, in order, were: ancient monastery & church tucked into caves and…”

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2.Soviet past – Private day tour to Chiatura, Katskhi pillar and Chronicles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · 9 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $149

Leave Tbilisi with a private English-speaking guide for a 9 to 11-hour journey through Chiatura’s suspended cable-car stations, Katskhi Pillar, cave-built Mgvimevi Monastery, and the Chronicles of Georgia. Guides including Zurab, Revan, Irakli, Levan, and Maria are praised for warm, informative service.

“It’s has definitely been one of a kind experience that allows me to see different sides of Georgia. My guide Maria is very knowledgeable and helpful. Almost feel like travelling with friends. Highly recommended especially for who want a more cultural experience or avoid the beaten path!”

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3.Soviet Story – Private day trip to Chiatura, Stalin’s museum and Katskhi pillar

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 15 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $20Best value

Travel from Tbilisi to Gori and Chiatura with an English-speaking local guide. Visit Stalin’s birthplace museum, ride Chiatura’s old cableways, see Katskhi Pillar, explore mining-town ruins, and stop for a family-style lunch. Allow 8 to 10 hours, with about six hours on the road.

“Ropeways and views in Chiatura are very nice. The town still has a Soviet feel while Tskaltubo is a special place as well with awesome abandoned buildings. I saw many of them and they are in very poor condition although very interesting. Thank you”

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4.Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar One Day Urbex Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $123

Travel from Tbilisi with a local English-speaking guide such as Aleksy or Alex to Mgvimevi Monastery, Katskhi Pillar, and Chiatura’s old Soviet cable cars. Expect a long but rewarding day, about 12 hours, with a 2.5-hour drive each way and no lunch included.

“Unique experience for those who are passionate about urban and industrial archaeology and Soviet architecture not to be missed. The expert and precise Alex guide. Really perfect experienceAuto-translated”

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5.Chiatura. Soviet Past in the present. + Katskhi pillar

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $150

Travel from Tbilisi with a private English-speaking guide, including David or Irakli, to Chiatura’s Soviet cable cars, Katskhi Pillar, and Mgvimevi Monastery. Expect an 8 to 10 hour day with hotel pickup, snacks, water, WiFi, and air-conditioned transport. Lunch is not included.

“I took this independent tour and had the privilege of having many interesting and stimulating conversations about Georgia's history with my guide, David. He was friendly, professional and extremely knowledgeable about his country's history. After visiting the geographical marvel that is Katskhi Pillar, we then went to the mining town of Chiatura where we got to view the now-abandoned cable car system. It was a privilege to be in David's company while we discussed the history behind these sights.”

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6.Chiatura Cable Cars & Katskhi Pillar Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 5 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $30

Travel from Kutaisi in a small group of up to 15 with an English-speaking guide to see the 40-meter Katskhi Pillar, ride Chiatura’s new cable car, visit an old station, and enter the rock-cut Mgvimevi Monastery. Transport, WiFi, and the cable-car ride are included.

“An interesting excursion that will appeal to fans of history, religion and technology, full of beautiful views. Guide knows what he's talking about. The small van we were travelling in was quite cramped (but the train to Chiatura is currently not running, so there is no choice). Keep in mind that you may get muddy, so choose appropriate clothing.”

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7.Day Tour to Georgian sky venice, Soviet city Chiatura

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $80

Travel privately from Kutaisi to Chiatura with an English-speaking guide such as Shota or Tornike. See the 40-meter Katskhi Pillar, visit Chiatura’s local museum, and enter Mgvimevi Monastery. Pickup is available from Kutaisi hotels and airports.

“It was interesting travel, we had amazing guide Shota. He showed a lot of beautiful places, told stories, about Georgian life. We are so lucky, to meet Shota!!! Highly recomend, 10/10👍”

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8.Soviet tour of Georgia – Gori, Tskaltubo, Chiatura, Enguri Dam.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $850

Travel privately from Tbilisi through Georgia’s Soviet past with driver Zviad, visiting brutalist buildings, Stalin’s museum in Gori, Chiatura, abandoned Tskaltubo sanatoriums, and the Enguri Dam. The published details contain a four-day Soviet route and a separate six-day Svaneti program, so confirm the exact version before booking.

“Trip to Tskaltubo is one of the most memorable tours for those people having interest in Soviet past and architectural history. Those Soviet time abandoned hotels are must see places where time and nature have taken over. I definitely recommend this tour.”

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