Borjomi One-Day Tour: Mineral Water Park, Rabati Castle & Vardzia Cave City
A journey through nature reserves, medieval fortresses and ancient cave monasteries
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Duration
12 hours
Region
Samtskhe-Javakheti
Theme
Nature & History
Difficulty
Moderate
About This Tour
An incredible journey to the south of Georgia combining the lush Borjomi Mineral Water Park, the magnificent medieval Rabati Castle, and the extraordinary rock-hewn cave monastery of Vardzia — one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in the Caucasus.
Borjomi is Georgia's most famous mineral spa town, set in a deep, forested gorge where the curative mineral springs have drawn visitors for over 150 years. Stroll through the Borjomi Central Park and taste the famous mineral water directly from the spring.
Drive further south to the breathtaking Rabati Castle in Akhaltsikhe — a sprawling fortress-city that has been home to Georgian kings, Ottoman rulers, and everything in between.
The crown jewel of the day is Vardzia, a 12th-century cave monastery carved into the volcanic cliffs of the Mtkvari canyon on the orders of Queen Tamar.
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08:00 AM – Pick-up & Departure
Early start for this long-distance tour.
Address: Gia Abesadze Street 2/11, T'bilisi, GE -
Stop 1: Borjomi Central Park (Approx. 1 hour)
Activities:- Walk through the famous mineral water park
- Taste the famous Borjomi mineral water at the source
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Stop 2: Rabati Castle (Approx. 1.5 hours)
Activities:- Explore the magnificent medieval fortress complex
- Visit the mosque, church, and synagogue within the walls
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Lunch Break (Approx. 1 hour)
Stop at a local restaurant near Akhaltsikhe to enjoy traditional Meskheti cuisine. -
Stop 3: Vardzia Cave Monastery (Approx. 2 hours)
Activities:- Guided exploration of the 12th-century cave complex
- Visit Queen Tamar's throne room and frescoed churches
- Spectacular canyon views
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Return to Tbilisi
Scenic return journey.
Estimated arrival: ~20:00
What's Included
- Professional English/Russian-speaking guide
- Comfortable air-conditioned minibus
- Hotel/accommodation pickup & drop-off
Not Included
- Entrance fees (Vardzia: ~7 GEL, Rabati: ~5 GEL)
- Lunch (stop at local restaurant)
Know Before You Go
- This is a long-distance tour — approximately 5 hours total driving time
- Vardzia requires climbing steep stone stairs — not suitable for those with severe mobility issues
- Early departure allows more time at each site
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip for cave steps
- Warm layer (cave interiors are cool year-round)
- Cash in GEL for entrance fees and lunch
- Snacks for the road
- Camera
What Travellers Say
5.0"Vardzia blew my mind. Nothing quite prepares you for the scale of it — thousands of cave rooms carved into a cliff face. The guide brought the history to life perfectly. Highly recommended."
"Worth the early start. Borjomi mineral water tastes bizarre but in the best way. Rabati is stunning. Vardzia is one of the most impressive things I've seen anywhere in the world."