David Gareja Monastery
David Gareja Monastery
4.5
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- Iolanda Guerra e AndradeLisbon, Portugal3,748 contributionsA must ...This Monastery's name is said to be associated with the name St. David chose to call himself. He was one of the Zedasnely disciples sent to East Georgia to reinforce Christianity. The whole monastic complex is breathtaking with its grottos, some former cells, yards and the Transfiguration church. It is definitely worth bein visited.Visited September 2023Traveled soloWritten September 21, 2023
- HANNAH L1 contributionAwesome tour!!!It was an awesome tour. Spectecular sceneries. Had a great day and specially many thanks to our guide, Deme. He was friendly and very informative and provided a lot of information about Georgia and its history. Enjoyed so much!!! Thanks for the great experience!!Visited November 2023Traveled soloWritten November 3, 2023
- jbg74Saint Paul, Minnesota1,098 contributionsHistoric Monastery and Beautiful ViewsThe historic monastery is definitely worth a visit. There is some scrambling involved so it would be hard to see everything if you are not mobile. The upper part of the complex with the older cave paintings is closed due to disagreements with Azerbaijan which was disappointing. It is still a beautiful drive to the complex and the lower fortified monastery was great to see. We saw shepherds on horseback herding sheep with their dogs on the way there and back which was fun too.Visited November 2023Traveled soloWritten November 10, 2023
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Ravid
Israel18 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
The place is very beautiful and very special, an ancient active monestry carved in the rocks, but we surprised to discover that big part of the site, the caves and some 18 small monestries, are on a conflict teritory between Georgia and Azarbejan. Except the main monestry and cherch there is only one small paved rock monestry you can get to it. The road is blocked by soldiers.
Written September 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C F
Utrecht Province, The Netherlands8 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
We took the road maps.me advised us to do. With our 4WD it was no problem, but otherewise it was. Beautiful, but it was a long drive. At the lowest monastery we could only visit the church which is restored very much, bit to much for me. The higher church was forbidden to visit because of border problems.
We were disappointed... but view are nice!
We were disappointed... but view are nice!
Written July 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tobias
Munich, Germany81 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
We were at David Gareja and were only able to visit lavra. Monastery udabno was not accesible because of georgian /aserbaidschan conflict / dispute. I would recommend if its on your way. But dont come for a full/half day trip from Tiflis or somewhere else…
Written July 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iolanda Guerra e Andrade
Lisbon, Portugal3,748 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
This Monastery's name is said to be associated with the name St. David chose to call himself. He was one of the Zedasnely disciples sent to East Georgia to reinforce Christianity. The whole monastic complex is breathtaking with its grottos, some former cells, yards and the Transfiguration church. It is definitely worth bein visited.
Written September 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robyn r
Melbourne, Australia272 contributions
May 2023
Stunning. Its out of the way but worth the effort. Just getting there takes you through a change of scenery where goats and sheep start to appear. Such an interesting complex. Very good to have a guide who had many interesting stories and information on the history of this place.
Written July 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blair32
London, UK40 contributions
David Gareja is a must see if you're staying nearby. It's around 2hrs drive from Tbilisi and worth the trip. Make sure you have a map or directions to the most interesting caves with the most impressive frescos, since the best ones are easy to miss.
Your guide book should give all the info you need about the site, so I'll just add that the best way we found to get there was the Gareji Line. Search for it on Google or Facebook. For 25GEL per person, they take you in a minibus direct to the site from near Freedom Square in Tbilisi, leave you for three hours to explore, then return you back to Tbilisi via a quick stop off in Udabno for refreshments.
This isn't a guided tour - just a shuttle. But it's cheaper and easier than taking a taxi or marshrutka/taxi combo suggested by the guidebooks.
Your guide book should give all the info you need about the site, so I'll just add that the best way we found to get there was the Gareji Line. Search for it on Google or Facebook. For 25GEL per person, they take you in a minibus direct to the site from near Freedom Square in Tbilisi, leave you for three hours to explore, then return you back to Tbilisi via a quick stop off in Udabno for refreshments.
This isn't a guided tour - just a shuttle. But it's cheaper and easier than taking a taxi or marshrutka/taxi combo suggested by the guidebooks.
Written May 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adam K
Washington DC, DC1 contribution
Aug 2013 • Couples
My wife and I visited Georgia for ten days last August. I wanted to put in an endorsement for Makho Spanderashvili, an excellent driver and guide who took us to David Gareja.
We had been planning to rent a car at Tbilisi airport and drive to Sighnaghi with a stop at David Gareja, but the rental company botched our reservation. So we improvised and hired a car to take us to David Gareja and then drop us in Signhaghi.
Fortuitously, our driver, Makho, spoke fluent English and ended up giving us an excellent tour of David Gareja for no extra cost. I took his card and promised to give him a plug back in the States. He's a member of the Georgian Association of Guides, speaks excellent erudite English, and is unfailingly courteous.
His email address is makhosp@yahoo.com. Phone: 597 10 49 47 or 599 723 321.
We had been planning to rent a car at Tbilisi airport and drive to Sighnaghi with a stop at David Gareja, but the rental company botched our reservation. So we improvised and hired a car to take us to David Gareja and then drop us in Signhaghi.
Fortuitously, our driver, Makho, spoke fluent English and ended up giving us an excellent tour of David Gareja for no extra cost. I took his card and promised to give him a plug back in the States. He's a member of the Georgian Association of Guides, speaks excellent erudite English, and is unfailingly courteous.
His email address is makhosp@yahoo.com. Phone: 597 10 49 47 or 599 723 321.
Written May 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicebody
Miami Beach, FL38 contributions
Sep 2014 • Solo
There is no doubt that this monestary built into the mountains is an amazing site. However, not a single guidebook will tell you that to get here is a steep, sometimes dangerous hike. Azerbaijan has laid claim to the monestary, so there is literally a border fence built into the hillside. And thank goodness as everyone uses the metal stakes to assist them the journey across the hillside and down. Were this in the US, no one would be allowed to attempt this visit without mountaineering gear. Really. So get yourself a strong guide (you will need help, trust me), bring plenty of water and have a go.
Written September 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tunai
Colorado169 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
It's an easy day trip from Tbilisi and you can take the tour bus from outside the Tourist Information Office in Liberty/Freedom Square for only 25 GEL (about $15). It leaves at 11:00 AM and will drop you off at the entrance. You will then have about 3 hours to explore the place on your own which is plenty of time. I am not an experienced hiker but was able to follow the trail without too much trouble. But I was glad I was with people I met on the bus. Not sure whether I could have done it on my own. You need moderate hiking skills and must be in decent shape. There are some sections which require
effort and agility. We were warned that we would see snakes but we ran into only a few lizards.
Once you reach the summit ridge, you can see Azerbaijan on the other side. You are now in Udabno and can explore some of the cave churches with faded frescoes. The descent provides great views of the surrounding landscape. You will end up at the main monastety/Larva and can go inside, if you wish.
The great thing about the David Gareja complex is that there has been no attempt to exploit it for tourism. You are in raw Nature without virtually any kind of facilities. So--bring at least two bottles of dr water and some food. Enjoy the peace, quiet, and remoteness of the place!
effort and agility. We were warned that we would see snakes but we ran into only a few lizards.
Once you reach the summit ridge, you can see Azerbaijan on the other side. You are now in Udabno and can explore some of the cave churches with faded frescoes. The descent provides great views of the surrounding landscape. You will end up at the main monastety/Larva and can go inside, if you wish.
The great thing about the David Gareja complex is that there has been no attempt to exploit it for tourism. You are in raw Nature without virtually any kind of facilities. So--bring at least two bottles of dr water and some food. Enjoy the peace, quiet, and remoteness of the place!
Written July 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicola W
2 contributions
Aug 2019
We took the Gareji Line bus from Tbilisi as recommended in Lonely Planet. It took 3 hours to get there. Within 5 minutes of arrival it became apparent that all except one of the monasteries are closed. The 2 paths up to the border and monasteries were guarded by border patrol telling people to ‘go back’. Realising we had a lot of time to kill we explored the one open monastery much slower than we normally would- we were still finished after 50 minutes! We then had to wait around for another hour or so before we could leave as the bus stuck to it’s timetable, despite there being nothing to see! The journey back was a 4 hour slog including a long stop at a cafe for food. Not worth a 9 hour trip for a monastery that could easily be explored in 10 mins!
Written August 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it possible to drive a small car like Toyota Prius.To David Gareja.I'm concerned about the roads.If anyone had been there.kindly let me know.
Written January 19, 2021
Bonjour,
Je ne comprends pas si ma question a été publiée en public, donc je recommence en privé....
J'ai lu sur un autre forum que fin juin 2019, le site était partiellement fermé : on ne pouvait visiter que 1er complexe de Lavra et monter voir la vue sur l'Azerbaïdjan. Mais ensuite, il serait impossible de visiter le site de Oudabno.
Est-ce toujours le cas ?
Merci.
Written September 14, 2019
Bonjour, OK, donc je pense que ça ne vaut peut-être pas la peine de consacrer une journée à cela... J'irai plutôt voir Sighnaghi (même si ça n'a rien à voir).
Merci.
Written September 22, 2019
Hi, another question re Gareji Line for anyone who went with them – are you given any sort of map/ guidance when it comes to the hiking trail? Bit concerned about getting lost on my own!
Written March 20, 2019
Hi! Have not been on the Gareji Lines - but if you are concerned about the hiking trail - don't be. It is a well trodden path - just follow it to Udabno and return in a circle through the downward path from Udabno. Yes, the trail can get quite narrow - especially on the side overlooking Azerbaijan - but overall quite an easy trail.
Written March 21, 2019
Hi as it's not peak season, Gareji Line mini buses are no longer running (until April) so could anyone recommend a cheap & easy alternative way of getting there? There's almost too many (more expensive) tour options! Thanks!
Written February 23, 2019
When i went, I took the metro in Tbilisi as Far East as it could go, and got a marshuktra to Sagarejo. From there you can hire a taxi or even hitchhike
Written February 23, 2019
Bonjour,
Votre indication sur le bus pour y aller est géniale: elle répond exactement à ma question, ...
Mais pour le retour, ça se passe comment?
Il faut compter combien de temps sur le site?
Et si je comprends bien, on a pas besoin de prendre un tour?
Merci pour vos indications:))
Written August 20, 2018
I am planning to visit Azerbaijan on this coming week and planning to visit this cave also but since this cave is with in the territory of Georgia i need to cross the border so if I have to go back to Azerbaijan with in the day do i have to get again a visa upon returning to Azerbaijan? Thanks alot
Written August 11, 2018
I'm not sure its possible to visit from Azerbaijan. You'd need to go to Tbilisi first as there are no other roads or border checkpoints. From the nearest border crossing it would be a 3 hr drive each way to David Gareja via Tbilisi and you need at least 3 hrs there. Yes you'd need a double entry Azerbaijan visa and if required a Georgian visa.
Written August 19, 2018
December is not very cold in Georgia so you can trip to David Gareja but take into account that it's a desert and windy place so visitors should wear warm closes.
Written March 21, 2018
What are the opening hours of the complex? We will be arriving late and am hoping that it stays open until at least 6pm. Anyone know the hours?
Written March 20, 2018
Yes we just visited there yesterday. Very bizarre place. Not what I was expecting at all. I thought that it was a big tourist venue when in fact it was completely deserted (we were the only ones there). We spent 1.5hrs wandering around the site, which was plenty for us. No entrance fees or any charges to get it (except 0.5 lari for the toilet).
Written March 22, 2018
Hello!
Has anybody been there in winter? I am planing a trip to Aserbaijan, Georgia and Armenia in the beginning of the December because it's the only possible time for me to travel this year. I'm really excited to go but I'm afraid to miss out on many of the sights due to the weather!
I'm looking forward to hear from you!
Written October 16, 2016
In Winter many places of interest are not to be visit in these states there the Winter in the mountains is very srict ( & strong ) and many places of interest are closed or ar not accessible.
Written October 17, 2016
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