Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar One Day Urbex Tour
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 14 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar One Day Urbex Tour worth booking?
Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar One Day Urbex Tour is a 12-hour experience in Tbilisi, Georgia, from $123 per person. It scores 65 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 14 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 65 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (14)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $123 per person
Discover Georgia’s hidden industrial heritage on this offbeat day trip to Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar. Travel through dramatic mountain landscapes to one of the country’s most extraordinary landmarks — a 40-meter natural
What you get
About this experience
Discover Georgia’s hidden industrial heritage on this offbeat day trip to Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar. Travel through dramatic mountain landscapes to one of the country’s most extraordinary landmarks — a 40-meter natural limestone monolith crowned with a small hermitage, symbolizing human perseverance and isolation. Continue to Chiatura, a surreal Soviet-era mining town once known as the “city of cable cars.” Ride the original Stalin-era gondolas, explore abandoned factories and murals, and feel the nostalgic atmosphere of Georgia’s industrial past. This private full-day tour combines history, architecture, and photography in one unforgettable journey beyond the usual tourist trails.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pick-up (only for private tours)
- Local guide
- Bottled water
Not included
- Lunch
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Friendly.ge Tours & Experiences
Hotel pick-up available for the private tours
Pass by without stopping
Monastery Mgvimevi
Mgvimevi Monastery built in the 8th century. Its facades are decorated with crosses and ornamental borders. Inside the church on the walls, there are mural paintings from the 8th century and the southern wall is covered with painting from the 16th century. An old fresco, which was discovered under a new layer, portraits a nobleman Rati from Racha Region together with his wife and his brother Niania Kakhaberisdze. A long tunnel under the church was strengthened by arches. Two important objects from the Mgvimevi Monastery, an engraved icon and a very rare curved wooden door made in the 11th century, are now kept in the Georgian National Museum. In the monastic complex, there is also a small church partly carved into the side of a cliff and two-storey bell tower built in the 12th–14th century.
45 minutes here
Katskhi Pillar
The Katskhi pillar is a natural limestone monolith located at the village of Katskhi in western Georgian region of Imereti, near the town of Chiatura.
45 minutes here
Cableways Chiatura
The major attraction here is the Stalin-era cable car system which is still in use and serves as the main mode of transport around the city. The cable cars traverse the Qvirilia River gorge connecting the town to the mines above via 10 cars for passengers and 2 cars for manganese transport. Some of the stations are adorned with murals of Soviet heroes. This aerial tram system spans over 6 km of cable and is highly regarded as an exemplary feat of Soviet engineering.
180 minutes here
Chiatura
Chiatura is more than just cable cars! The walk around the centre was really pleasant and if you like the Soviet architecture you will appreciate the place even more.
120 minutes here
Tbilisi
In the evening, we will return to Tbilisi
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Private tour with a guide
Pickup included
Small Group tour
Small Group tour: You'll get the chance to make new friends and enjoy a personalized experience without breaking the bank. Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- ru, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Friendly.ge: Transfers & Tours in Georgia
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Subject to favorable weather conditions.
- The maximum capacity of the cable car is 4 people.
- Some cable lines are closed or under repair. Visiting them may not be possible.
- To ensure a safe and comfortable journey, please include every traveler—including children of all ages—in your official booking. This allows us to provide the correct vehicle size and any necessary child seats for your family.
- This experience is not suitable for travelers with mobility issues or a fear of heights. The tour includes riding old cable cars and visiting elevated viewpoints, which may be challenging for guests uncomfortable with heights or enclosed spaces.
- The tour involves a long drive (around 2.5 hours each way) — not recommended for travelers prone to motion sickness or back problems.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 14 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
14 verified traveler reviews for Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar One Day Urbex Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great time! Worth the money :)
This your was amazing. Aleksy picked us up and made the day all about us. He showed us what we wanted to see and was very polite. He provided us with a lot of cultural and historical information. It was just him and us three so we moved at our place and we're not delayed waiting for others. Thank you again.
Response from the operator: Dear Szymon, Thank you so much for this fantastic review! 🙌 I am thrilled to hear that you enjoyed exploring the industrial history and the unique atmosphere of the Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar tour. Aleksi really enjoyed showing you around the Soviet-era heritage and the famous old cable cars. It is great that the flexible pace allowed you to really soak in the experience without rushing. Hopefully, next time you are in Georgia, we will visit Tskaltubo together too! It is another incredible location for urban exploration that I think you would love. 🏚️🌿 Thanks again for choosing us!
via Viator
A great day out with an excellent guide.
We had an excellent day out. George, our guide, was fun, knowledgeable and kind and we would definitely recommend.
Response from the operator: Dear Adam, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and leave a 5-star review of your Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar One Day Private Tour. We truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation. We are thrilled to hear that you had a great day out and that George, your guide, made the experience enjoyable for you. George is indeed a fantastic guide who is passionate about providing a memorable and informative tour for our guests. We are glad that his knowledge, kindness, and fun personality added to the overall experience. Thank you for choosing our tour and for trusting us to show you the unique attractions of Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar. We are delighted that you had an excellent day and that you would recommend us to others. Should you plan to visit Georgia again in the future, we would be more than happy to welcome you back and provide you with another unforgettable experience. Once again, thank you for your kind words and for sharing your positive review. We greatly appreciate it.
via Tripadvisor
Off the beaten path tour of Georgia, interesting to see some really local parts of the country
We enjoyed the tour of Chiatura and its region. This is a much more local part of Georgia and quite different from the other more popular tours. We got the chance to see a monastery where the locals really go and no tourists. The old Soviet cable cars were really interesting to see. I would recommend this tour to people who want to see more off the beaten paths places.
via Viator
Great area to explore!
The whole day was wonderful! We really enjoyed George showing us around the sights. The whole town of Chiatura should be a museum to the bygone days of mining.
via Tripadvisor
Photography in soviet atmosphere
Just came back from the tour, both me and my girlfriend enjoyed it a lot. Our guide Aleksi was a great, explaining all the time, always answering our questions competent and very friendly. He was very flexible with photostops and adapted the itinerary for us - he spontaneously changed the route and we also stopped in Gori at the Stalin museum, where he even checked us a guided tour, which made it way more interesting as there a not a lot of written explanations in English. As we are into photography we enjoyed Chiatura a lot, offering different kind of interesting motives. The atmosphere of the city was very special, even more as it was a rather dark and cloudy day. Definitely worth a visit! Thank you Aleksi!
Response from the operator: Hello, Rafael! Thank you so much for your time and wonderful review. Chiatura is an amazing town and we are happy that you are satisfied with our tour. We will always be glad to see you and your wife in Georgia Safe travel!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $123 to $246
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 65
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar One Day Urbex Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Tbilisi.
How much does Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar One Day Urbex Tour cost?
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Prices start at $123 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Tbilisi usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar One Day Urbex Tour take?
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Plan for about 12 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Tbilisi is not rushed.
Is Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar One Day Urbex Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 65 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 14 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Tbilisi, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar One Day Urbex Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar One Day Urbex Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar One Day Urbex Tour?
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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Tbilisi can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Tbilisi and add a light layer if any part of the 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Chiatura and Katskhi Pillar One Day Urbex Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Tbilisi within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Tbilisi?
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On Outty we rank every Tbilisi experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Tbilisi:Evening Walking & Talking Tour with Wine & Boat Ride, Kakheti Wine Region Tour + 10 Premium Wine Tastings & Sunset, Tbilisi:Mtskheta,Jvari,Bazaar,wine tasting,Chronicles of Georgia. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Tbilisi?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Tbilisi?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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