Visit the whole David Gareja monastery complex is impossible, this will be a very long and tiresome trip that will take you some days. It is definitely real to visit three main monasteries in one day – Saint David`s Laura, Tetri-Udabno and Natlismtsemeli. The infrastructure here is poor, there is nothing except for the temple shop, so take some water and something to have a snack with.
Our journey supposes that you will be travelling on your own car that is why read about the history of David Gareja beforehand because there will be no guide and no information to read. We also recommend you to rent an SUV, otherwise you will not be able to visit Natlismtsemeli monastery.
- Drive from Tbilisi where you have stayed. The distance is 90 kilometers. The time for a trip is 1-1.5 hours
- Leave a car on a parking near Saint David`s Laura. Examine its unique architectural buildings that have their unique style. You will not be able to visit the monastery because it is an active one and closed for tourists – 30 minutes
- Climb the trace upon the hill. Here we stop to enjoy beautiful views and take some photos – 30 minutes
- Go on the trace to Tetri-Udabno monastery – 30 minutes
- Visit some caves, examine the frescoes – their unique feature – the icons have no faces, all of them are wiped off – 1 hour
- Go up to the temple upon the caves. There is a trace that leads back to Saint David`s Laura. Go back – 30-40 minutes
- Visit the temple church that is not far from the parking at Saint David`s Laura monastery. Buy some icons, monastery wine and other wares
If you drove here on SUV, then continue your trip, if no – go back to Tbilisi
- Drive SUV to Natlismtsemeli monastery. The distance is 9 kilometers – 15 minutes
- Part of the road you will have to go on foot, leave the car near the gates, as the monastery is an active one and you must have a permission from the ones who work and live at the monastery on every your action – 20 minutes
- Visit some monastery caves where you are allowed to go. Go to the temple of Saint John the Baptist to study its frescoes and icons – 1 hour
- Get back to Tbilisi – 1-1.5 hours