Kutaisi Airport transfers & tours
Kutaisi to Martvili Canyon — Tours & Day Trips
Last updated
Kutaisi International Airport (KUT)
↓ 46 km · 1h
Martvili Canyon
Martvili Canyon is about 46 km from Kutaisi International Airport (KUT), roughly an hour by road into Samegrelo. The Abasha river has cut a narrow limestone gorge here; a 700 m circular trail runs along the rim and an inflatable boat covers a 300 m stretch of the water below.
Martvili is the gentler of the two canyons near Kutaisi. The walking is short and mostly on constructed paths, steps and bridges, which makes it workable for families and for anyone who does not want a hillside. The draw is the water: the Abasha runs a strong green through a slot barely wide enough for the boat, with small waterfalls dropping in from the sides.
The site is a protected Natural Monument run by the Agency of Protected Areas, with a visitor centre at Inchkhuri where both the trail and the boat queue start. Most guests give it two to three hours including the boat. It combines with Okatse into one long day, though that means a lot of driving and two separate ticket queues in an afternoon.
What you'll see in Martvili Canyon
- The 300 m boat trip along the Abasha, taken in an inflatable dinghy
- The 700 m circular clifftop trail, with two bridges and three viewing platforms
- The stretch of river the Dadiani princes are said to have bathed in
- Martvili Monastery on the Chkondidi hill in the town, a short drive on
Does the Martvili boat run in winter?
The Agency of Protected Areas lists the boat as operating in all seasons rather than only in summer, and the canyon itself stays open year-round with shorter hours in the colder months. What stops the boat is the river rather than the calendar: after heavy rain or snowmelt the Abasha rises and the trip is suspended for the day. That can happen in April as easily as in January.
So the honest answer is that the boat is available all year but never guaranteed on any given day. If it is the main reason you are going, watch the forecast for the two days beforehand and treat the clifftop trail as the part you are certain to get. Children have to be over a metre tall to ride, life jackets are issued at the jetty, and wet feet are normal.
What the visit actually involves
From the visitor centre a 700 m circular trail drops into the gorge and back, taking in two bridges, three viewing platforms and a flight of about thirty limestone steps. It is short but not flat, and the stone stays slick wherever spray reaches it. Trainers with grip are enough; sandals are not. Allow an hour for the walk on its own if you intend to stop for photographs.
The boat covers 300 m of the Abasha one way and takes about a quarter of an hour there and back. In July and August the queue is the longest part of the visit, which is a good argument for arriving when the site opens rather than at midday. Outside the summer months you can usually walk straight on. Keep phones in a pocket rather than in a hand.
Martvili and Okatse in one day, or one each?
The two canyons are about 28 km apart, some 40 minutes of driving, and they are routinely sold together as a single day from Kutaisi. It works, but it is a genuine full day: two sites, two walks and roughly three hours in the car in total. Martvili is the shorter visit, so it usually goes first, leaving the afternoon for Okatse's longer approach path and hanging walkway.
Split them if anyone in the group tires easily, if the weather is unsettled or if you want the boat without a rushed queue. Doing one canyon properly beats seeing two through a car window. If you only have one day and a choice to make, Martvili suits families and shorter legs, while Okatse suits people who want height, distance and a view rather than water.
- Martvili first, Okatse after lunch, if you are doing both in a day
- Check the river forecast if the boat is the reason for the trip
- Wear closed shoes with grip — the limestone steps stay wet
Routes that pair well with this trip
Frequently asked questions
How far is Martvili Canyon from Kutaisi Airport?
About 46 km, roughly an hour of driving into Samegrelo. Most visitors spend two to three hours at the site, so it works comfortably as a half-day trip from the airport or a Kutaisi hotel.
Does the Martvili Canyon boat operate in winter?
The boat is listed as running in all seasons, and the site opens year-round with shorter winter hours. It is suspended on any day when the Abasha is high or the weather is bad, which can happen in any month.
How long is the walk at Martvili Canyon?
The circular trail from the visitor centre is 700 m, with two bridges, three viewing platforms and about thirty limestone steps. Allow an hour for the walk and another for the 300 m boat trip and its queue.
Planning a trip to Martvili Canyon?
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