Martvili Canyon is Georgia's Instagram-famous emerald-green gorge — a limestone canyon cut by the Abasha river in Samegrelo region, navigated on wooden boats through jungle-like vegetation to a waterfall base. Add Okatse Canyon's cliff-side walkway 30 minutes away and you have one of Georgia's most photogenic day trips — but it's a long drive.
Full itinerary
Highlights of this day trip
- Boat ride through 40m-deep emerald canyon walls
- Small waterfall reached only by boat
- Cliff-side walking paths above the canyon
- Optional Okatse Canyon — 780m cantilevered walkway over a 100m drop
- Samegrelo cuisine — the spicy sub-region of Georgian food
- Best paired with Kutaisi, Prometheus Cave, or Batumi as a 2-day trip
What's included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tbilisi
- Modern vehicle with driver-guide in your language (EN / RU / HE / AR / ZH and more)
- Martvili Canyon boat ride and entrance
- Okatse Canyon entrance (if selected)
- Bottled water
What to bring
- Water-resistant shoes (light spray on the boat)
- Waterproof phone case or dry bag for camera
- Sun protection — no shade at Okatse walkway
- Warm layer even in summer — the canyon is 5-8°C cooler than outside
- Snacks for the long drive
Best time to visit
April-October. Late spring and early autumn have the greenest water and mildest temperatures. Winter closes the boats (November-March).
Frequently asked
Is Martvili Canyon really 14 hours from Tbilisi?
Yes — 8 hours of driving plus the visit. Doable but exhausting. We strongly recommend combining with Kutaisi as a 2-day trip, or visiting from Kutaisi/Batumi if you're already in west Georgia.
How long is the boat ride?
About 15 minutes each way. Short but scenic. The rest of the visit is on cliff-side paths.
Is Okatse Canyon scary?
The 780m walkway is cantilevered over a 100m drop, but it's very sturdy metal grid. Anyone without severe vertigo is fine. The views are extraordinary.