Soviet past - Private day tour to Chiatura, Katskhi pillar and Chronicles
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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
5.0/5
Based on 31 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Soviet past - Private day tour to Chiatura, Katskhi pillar and Chronicles worth booking?
Soviet past - Private day tour to Chiatura, Katskhi pillar and Chronicles is a 9-hour experience in Tbilisi, Georgia, from $149 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 31 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (31)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $149 per person
Discover the non-touristic Georgia on this full day trip to the macabre town of Chiatura - once a modern mining town with highest number of cable cars, it resembles a ghost town today with its abandoned mines, empty apar
What you get
About this experience
Discover the non-touristic Georgia on this full day trip to the macabre town of Chiatura - once a modern mining town with highest number of cable cars, it resembles a ghost town today with its abandoned mines, empty apartments and decaying Soviet architecture. The time seems to stand still here and so you can take a ride in one of the last rusty cable cars, overlooking the factories, enjoy the panorama view from the half-abandoned concrete settlements on the hills and see a morbide dedication to Stalin here and there. On our tour we also visit the country side of Imereti region, that builds a contrast to industrial Chiatura - the ancient holy pillar of Katskhi with a tiny church on top or the rock hew Mgvimevi convent with frescoes from XIV century.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- On-board WiFi
- Perfect for photographers
- Katskhi sveti - a natural stone pilar with a church on top
- Visit the Mgvimevi monastery - the only one where the church is built inside a natural cave
- See the old cable cars of Chiatura and explore the abandoned areas in the ghost like town
- Private tour with local guide, who knows the best locations.
Not included
- Lunch (we can recommend our favorite spots)
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Cableways Chiatura
Though the old cable cars have been suspended, the rusty cabins and the brutalist stations still make a great sight and photo setting. Visit some of the most interesting and unique cable car stations before they get forever destroyed.
120 minutes here
Katskhi Pillar
One of a kind - the monastery that was built on a huge rock pillar. Until today, many legends surround this place and it still attracts pilgrims from all Georgia.
30 minutes here
Monastery Mgvimevi
An unusual kind of monastery, where nature and architecture become one. Built in a cave in the late middle ages, the picturesque monastery looks like an alien among the concrete socialist surroundings.
30 minutes here
Chronicles Of Georgia
The must see for any lover of Soviet architecture - the giant monument overlooking the concrete suburbs is a perfect place to finish the tour.
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Real Georgia Tours
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please note, that as of the moment, all old cable cars have been suspended for safety reasons, but you can still see them
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 31 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
10 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Physical effort
2 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
31 verified traveler reviews for Soviet past - Private day tour to Chiatura, Katskhi pillar and Chronicles. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Best Host and Tour, A Must for Georgia It's History and Future
I am sorry for the tour operator for not sending this review sooner, because it really deserves more attention as a seldom explored part if Georgian and really Caucasian history, the more recent Soviet past and it's impact in the region, this tour guide explained everything and answered all questions even going out of his way to take me to modern architecture that I requested and could be it's own tour by itself. I would give this a 1000 stars if possible, this is a must tour. Best tour guide I've ever had tbh, but Georgians are also the most friendly people I have met and I've been to nearly every continent and lived in 3 countries and many US states.
via Viator
Real Georgia and our guide Irakli created a great tour last minute
Real Georgia arranged a last minute trip for my wife and I and put us with a great guide, Irakli. I messaged them late evening on Tuesday and they promptly responded and organised a trip for us on the Thursday that day week. Contacted them through WhatsApp and they answered all questions via message and then linked us up with the guide. They also explained other available trips. We went on a Private tour to Chiatura with our guide Irakli. Irakli is a great driver and looked after us very well. My wife was 30 weeks pregant at the time of the trip and Irakli made sure we had good decent, drink and toilet breaks throughout at nice places. He was basically explaining something new and interesting to us throughout. We had a really good conversation and learnt a lot about Georgia’s past and present. We also enjoyed talking about his family and interests. He was patient with us at each stop and helped take a few photos. Highlights of the trip itself were our early stop at Chronicles of Georgia (avoiding crowds), Mghvimevi monastery (unexpected), Lunch at Lia, Katskhi Pillar and the cable car at Chiatura. From our experience, we wouldn’t hesitate to book a trip through Real Georgia and have Irakli as our guide. We would have liked to do more trips with them but due to time constraints we were limited. This may be a less popular trip but it was very interesting to learn about a piece of Georgia’s Soviet past… so if you have time I would recommend trying to fit it in.
via Tripadvisor
Long day but would recommend
Overall positive experience. Our guide was knowledgeable and informative. One thing to mention is that it is a long day due to the distance needed to travel from Tbilisi.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your review! We’re glad to hear you had a positive experience and that you found the guide knowledgeable. We agree, it’s a long day with the travel time, but we hope the unique sights of Chiatura, Katskhi Pillar, and the Chronicles made it worthwhile. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you on another tour soon!
via Tripadvisor
Great tour!! Must try!
Irakli was our tour guide and we had a good time with him . He took us to the mining areas and we saw the chronicles of Georgia, church on top of the tower and did cable car tour etc. We really like the tour with him and did not regret this one bit!
via Tripadvisor
Amazing
To understand Soviet past in Georgia this is a must do trip. We had a good guide - Irakli a passionate and knowledgeable on the tour . He is also a skilled driver and we are fortunate to have him. Overall we are happy 😃 with the trip.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $149 to $249
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 11
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Soviet past - Private day tour to Chiatura, Katskhi pillar and Chronicles: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Tbilisi.
How much does Soviet past - Private day tour to Chiatura, Katskhi pillar and Chronicles cost?
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Prices start at $149 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 Soviet past - Private day tour to Chiatura, Katskhi pillar and Chronicles take?
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Plan for about 9 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 Soviet past - Private day tour to Chiatura, Katskhi pillar and Chronicles worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 31 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 Soviet past - Private day tour to Chiatura, Katskhi pillar and Chronicles?
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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 Soviet past - Private day tour to Chiatura, Katskhi pillar and Chronicles suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Soviet past - Private day tour to Chiatura, Katskhi pillar and Chronicles?
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Around 11 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 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Soviet past - Private day tour to Chiatura, Katskhi pillar and Chronicles 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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