Kutaisi: Chiatura Cable Cars & Katskhi Pillar Guided Tour
Description
Take a guided tour from Kutaisi to explore the hidden gems of the Imereti region. Visit the Katskhi Pillar, a 40-meter-high limestone monolith with a church on top. The next stop will be the mining town of Chiatura, once number 1 in manganese mining, and was renowned for its unique Soviet-era cable car system, which was installed in the 1950s to transport miners and residents up and down the steep hillsides. Believe it or not, until today cable cars are one of the main means of public transport for the locals. The old cable cars were changed to the new ones, but you will see some of the old cable cars, aka "flying coffins" hanging on the abandoned lines. You will take a ride on a new Chiatura gondola lift and feel like a local for some time. You will spot Soviet monuments and mosaics scattered around Chiatura, and also see typical soviet residential buildings. After a walk in Chiatura, continue to the Mghvimevi convent, which is carved in rock. In the evening return to Kutaisi.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Katskhi pillar is a spectacular 40 m. high rock with a church on top. There is rarely a chance to go up, as monk is living there permanently, even his brothers only communicate with him by bring food and with the help of the rope. You can take breathtaking photos of the pillar on the way or from the parking lot. However, there is a church and monastery on the ground level. So it is not a very long visit, but definitely worth it.
Chiatura is very important industrial town in western Georgia, it is one of the main mines of manganese. It is also extremely famous for its rope cable cars, which was built in the 50s as a mean of transport for the mine workers. You will take a ride on one of the new lines.
Together with the guide you will take a walk in Chiatura, enjoying its specific architecture, you will walk to one of the Old cable car stations.
Visit convent, which is carved in rock.
Drive back to Kutaisi
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(12)
The tour was so much fun and we visited some incredibly fascinating places
Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad you had fun!
Thank you for a wonderful experience!
Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad you enjoyed the tour and found everything well organized. We hope to welcome you back to Georgia soon for more amazing experiences!
Chiatura was very interesting place to discover! Thanks to our guide for the great day!
Thank you so much! We’re glad you enjoyed discovering Chiatura and that our guide made the day so memorable. We hope to welcome you back to Georgia soon!
The Guide Sandra was really nice and gold me alot about the Soviet Mining History and the History in General of Chiatura She also told me about how Georgian people live nowadays, the Struggles, the way of life. and it was really interesting! I didnt only see the beautiful city of chiatura i also learned more about the gorgian people!
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted you enjoyed exploring Chiatura and learning about its history and local life. Sandra will be thrilled to hear your feedback! We hope to welcome you back to Georgia for more unforgettable experiences.
This was a great day tour, definitely recommend. The route was perfect- there was lots to see and explore without too much time spent traveling between locations. It was refreshingly slower-paced despite including many notable sights which was great because we saw a lot without feel rushed. Content consisted of a lovely mix between history, views, culture, and religion. We especially liked that this tour allowed us to see and appreciate many things that we wouldn’t have otherwise. Our guide was welcoming, approachable, attentive, and knowledgeable. Her driving was *excellent* and we felt fully safe and comfortable with her behind the wheel. We actually did 2 tours with Megobari and loved their overall vibe; while still very professional and organized, there was less of a “corporate” feel and more of a warm, personal feeling.
We enjoyed this day trip with different kinds of stops very much! It was a good mixture between landscapes, architecture and history (from soviet times as well as before). It was also very interactive, as we got to ride on the old and new cable cars of Chiatura. The tour guide was very kind and told us a lot of interesting facts about Georgia! Thank you!
We experienced with our guide Sandra a very interesting varied tour through the history and development of a mining industry town with a focus on the cable cars. It was an impressive tour.
I truly recommend this tour. Our guide Teona was amazing! She answered all our questions e tell us a lot of interesting facts about places. She is very appassionate, gentle and also a great fotographer :)
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.
Very attentive guide, perfect to discover this little piece of paradise through the old cable car dating from the Soviet Union in particular
