The 8 Best Chiatura & Katskhi Pillar Tours

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 local guides such as Demo, Tengo, Tango, or Ana. See Katskhi Pillar, Mghvimevi Cave Monastery, old mining sites, Soviet-era cable cars, a hilltop viewpoint, and local neighborhoods. The seven-and-a-half-hour trip includes transport and guiding, with cable-car rides and lunch paid separately.

“I'd give six stars if I could! Perfect one-day tour to three very interesting sites! I especially liked the vibe one experiences walking through Chiatura and taking the cablecars! The guide is a wonderful person and knows a lot about the sites, the region and about georgia in general. Definetly learned a lot of interesting things and enjoyed the tour a lot!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Travel from Tbilisi with a private English-speaking guide to Chiatura’s abandoned cable-car stations, Katskhi Pillar, cave-built Mgvimevi Monastery, and the Chronicles of Georgia. Guides named in guest feedback include Zurab, Revan, Irakli, Levan, and Maria. Expect a long, photo-filled day with pickup, water, WiFi, and lunch suggestions.

“Our trip to Chiatura was excellent. Irakli, our tourguide was relaxed, friendly and informative and the places he selected for stops for food were just what we wanted. It felt as if we were on a tour with an old friend.The town is really picturesque in its own way and the other stops, Katskhi pillar and the Mgvimevi monastery are an excellent contrast to the town.We recommend this tour to anyone who likes to see something different.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

Leave Tbilisi at 9:00 am for a private English-language day trip through Gori and Chiatura. Visit Stalin’s birthplace and railway wagon, ride an old Chiatura cable car, tour the local mining museum, see Katskhi Pillar, walk through abandoned Soviet sites, and eat at a family-run restaurant. Pickup is available anywhere in Tbilisi.

“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”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar One Day Urbex Tour

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

You’ll spend about 12 hours with a local English-speaking guide, visiting Mgvimevi Monastery, Katskhi Pillar, and Chiatura’s old Soviet cable cars. Guide Aleksy is praised for precise historical insight and a flexible pace. Expect a 2.5-hour drive each way, small-group attention, old cable cars, and no included lunch.

“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”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Travel from Tbilisi with an English-speaking guide such as David or Irakli to Chiatura, a former mining town with Soviet cable cars and factory ruins. Add Katskhi Pillar and Mgvimevi Monastery, with private transport, hotel pickup, water, snacks, WiFi, and air conditioning included. Plan on 8 to 10 hours.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Chiatura Cable Cars & Katskhi Pillar Guided Tour

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

From Kutaisi, your English-speaking guide takes you to the 40-meter Katskhi Pillar, industrial Chiatura, its famous cable cars, and Mgvimevi Monastery. Expect a small group of up to 15 people, an air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi, and a new cable-car ride. Wear shoes and clothes that can handle mud.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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 a guide such as Shota or Tornike. See the 40-meter Katskhi Pillar, visit Chiaturi’s local museum, and enter Mghvimevi Monastery, partly carved into rock. The six-to-seven-hour tour includes pickup from Kutaisi hotels and airports, English guidance, and restaurant tips for your return.

“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👍”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $850

Travel privately from Tbilisi through Georgia’s Soviet-era landmarks, including Stalin’s museum in Gori, Chiatura’s mining town, abandoned Tskaltubo sanatoriums, and Enguri Dam. Driver service is included, while an English-speaking guide can be arranged on request. Confirm the exact duration before booking, as the published details conflict.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review