David Gareja by car is the easiest strange day trip from Tbilisi. It is 70 km of road that ends in a cave monastery on a ridge above the Azerbaijani steppe, with the rainbow hills of Udabno on the way. This post covers the road, the border rules at the top, the right car and the best time of day. The city pickup is free from our car rental in Tbilisi page. That makes it one of the cheapest days out in the country.
Updated 9 October 2026. Prices and rules checked against our booking system on that date.
David Gareja by car: the road from Tbilisi
Leave Tbilisi on the Kakheti highway, turn south at Sagarejo and follow the signs through Udabno village. Tbilisi to the Lavra monastery is about 70 km and 1.5 hours. The first half is a normal road. The last 20 km cross the semi-desert on a road that has been improved in recent years but still has rough patches. A sedan does it slowly in dry weather and a crossover does it comfortably. After rain the ruts can hold water, so check the forecast.
| Stop | What it is | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Udabno | A village on the steppe with the "Oasis Club" cafe and the painted hills behind it | 20 minutes |
| Lavra monastery | The main 6th-century cave complex, a working monastery; dress modestly | 1 hour |
| The ridge walk to Udabno monastery | The path over the top to the frescoed caves on the Azerbaijani side | 1.5 to 2 hours, when open |
| Natlismtsebeli (John the Baptist monastery) | A quieter cave monastery 15 km west, gravel access | 1 hour, 4x4 or crossover |
The border situation at the top
The ridge above the Lavra is the Georgia-Azerbaijan border, and the frescoed Udabno caves on the far slope have been closed or restricted at various times since 2019. Some days the border police let you walk the ridge; some days they do not. Do not argue with them and do not cross the line. The Lavra itself, the lower caves and the views are always open and are reason enough for the trip. Ask us the morning you go and we tell you what we have heard that week.
When to go
Spring (April to early June) turns the steppe green and the hills red and yellow. Autumn (late September to November) is cool and clear. In July and August it is over 35 degrees on the ridge by noon. Leave Tbilisi at 7 and be back for a late lunch. Winter days can be beautiful but the road is muddy after snow. Allow four to five hours door to door.
Which car for David Gareja
| Car | Daily rate | For this trip |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Prius | $35 | Fine on a dry day, go slowly on the last 20 km |
| Renault Duster | $65 | The comfortable choice, also for Natlismtsebeli |
| Toyota RAV4 | $70 | Comfort for four with cameras and water |
| Mitsubishi Pajero | $80 | Only if you add the rougher tracks around Vashlovani |
Combine it with Kakheti: from Sagarejo it is an hour to Signagi and the Bodbe monastery, which makes a long, superb day. Our Kakheti by car post has the wineries. The day trips from Tbilisi Airport post has the other short trips.
Want David Gareja plus Signagi in one day? Tell us your date and we suggest the order and the car. Message us on WhatsApp (+995 591 89 60 60) and we will plan a custom route with you: the right car for the roads, pickup and drop-off in different cities, and honest advice on driving times.
Questions about David Gareja by car
Is the road to David Gareja paved?
Most of it. The last stretch across the steppe has rough sections. A crossover is the comfortable choice; a sedan manages it in dry weather.
Do I need a passport?
Carry it. The ridge is a border zone and the police may ask for ID.
Is there food and fuel?
Fuel up in Sagarejo. Udabno has a cafe and a guesthouse; the monastery has nothing, so bring water.
Can I drive on to Vashlovani National Park?
Yes, with a 4x4 and a permit from the park office in Dedoplistskaro; the tracks there are for experienced drivers. Our 4x4 range has the right cars.
David Gareja by car is a half-day of desert, caves and silence an hour and a half from the capital. Go early, respect the line on the ridge, and bring more water than you think.