Georgia · SOVIET HERITAGE, CHIATURA & TSKALTUBO
22 reviewed
Manganese cable cars still crossing a gorge at Chiatura, the emptied sanatoriums of Tskaltubo, the concrete Ministry of Highways stacked over a Tbilisi hillside. These tours go where the guidebooks stop. Below: what you can walk into, what is viewed from outside, and what each day costs.
Private Northern Armenia day trip from Tbilisi, Akhtala frescoes, UNESCO Haghpat and Sanahin, Soviet museum photos, and a home lunch.
“My friend and I did a private tour with Zezva and had a lovely day! Zezva was very knowledgeable, friendly, and super helpful. Definitely recommend this tour!”
Cable cars, cave monasteries, and Chiatura’s Soviet-era mining sights from Kutaisi. Local guides, $35 value, plus optional cable car and lunch.
“We didn’t get to visit some of the places from the trip description - the old cable car station and the theatre because they were closed for repairing. The tour should have been interesting if we could really the old Soviet places. The company shouldn’t be doing this tour if they know the highlights are not available for visit.”
Tbilisi Old Town and Soviet heritage in a private half-day tour: English guide, air-conditioned car, cathedrals, tram and city views.
“Excellent tour to explore Tbilisi & have an illustrative overview about the main attractions of the city with high services level in term of transportation, guide service & information, tour itinerary & time management, etc., I highly recommend their services to anyone looking to explore Tbilisi with ease and style, thanks to elevenregions company, namely Mr.Giga for all the support, special thanks for the great guide Mr.Timo for the nice day”
Small-group Northern Armenia day trip from Tbilisi, UNESCO monasteries, fortress Akhtala, and a real family lunch in Alaverdi.
“It was a great day with a very knowledgeable and funny guide. I enjoyed every minute. Thank you for a great day!”
A small-group half-day walk and drive through Tbilisi’s Soviet brutalism, from the Ministry of Highways to the Skybridge.
“I had the chance to experience this tour and so glad that I didn't miss it. My tour guide Iona was very friendly and knowledgeble. He allows you to take your time & provides plenty of information regarding each site. It's a must-see if you're looking for something other than the usual touristy things to do.”
See Soviet Tbilisi in 5 hours, from Stalin’s underground printing house to brutalist history and a surreal skybridge.
“We weren’t quite sure how this tour would go, but it was easily the best of 3 we did in Georgia. Our guide was knowledgable, engaging and also gave us space to take our pictures. From the start at the printing factory and being given stories of some of the communist party members that you pass by and who still spend time at the sight, through to a decaying but wonderful looking museum and onto a rusty high-rise gangway between residential tower blocks this was a blast.”
Private Soviet-era day trip from Tbilisi to Chiatura, Katskhi Pillar, Mgvimevi and Chronicles, with photo stops and a local guide.
“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.”
Ride a vintage Soviet car through Tbilisi’s communist-era landmarks, visit Chronicles of Georgia, and enjoy lunch with a guide in English.
“David was a wonderful guide to Tbilisi's history and architecture. He is a great story teller and was able to capture Georgia's rich and colorful past, its problematic relationship with its giant neighbor to the north and its amazing architectural features. He was able to help us to see his city in a wonderful new light. Highly recommended!”
A private day trip from Tbilisi to Gori and Chiatura, with Stalin Museum, an old cable car, and Katskhi Pillar views.
“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”
Explore Chiatura’s working Soviet cable cars, visit Mgvimevi Monastery, and ride to Katskhi Pillar near Tbilisi.
“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.”
Explore Tskhaltubo’s Soviet-era sanatorium ruins and mineral-water history on a 3.5-hour guided tour from Kutaisi.
“One of a kind experience with great guidance and information provided by Akaki who knew all the Soviet history and much more. I would not hesitate to all travellers to go this tour. You will get a real slice of this recent history plus some amazing photo shots”
A 2-day western Georgia road trip from Tbilisi, mixing **Prometheus Cave**, Martvili Canyon, and Soviet sanatorium ruins with a private English guide.
“I can absolutely recommend a tour with Gigas 11regions. He was always on time, very flexible to our wishes and changes to the itineraries and everything worked out great. This was our last time of the trip to Georgia and we had a really good time. Book with Giga and you are in good hands, you won't regret it.”
Gelati, Prometheus Cave, Tskaltubo sanatoriums, and wine tasting in Kutaisi. Pickup, small group, phone ticket, and a 5-6 hour day.
“Very polite and knowledgeable guide. Tour allowed us to see most of the Kutaisi surroundings. Unfortunately Gelati cathedral is under construction and you can't see much there.”
Private day trip from Tbilisi: Soviet Chiatura cable cars, Katskhi Pillar, and Mgvimevi monastery, with hotel pickup and free entry.
“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.”
Ride Chiatura cable cars, visit Katskhi Pillar and rock-cut Mgvimevi, then stroll industrial history near Kutaisi on a small-group tour.
“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.”
