GuidesUpdated 2 min read
Okatse and Martvili Canyons in One Day
A route from Sweet Village: Okatse's hanging walkway, Kinchkha waterfall and a boat ride through Martvili canyon, with timings, tickets, the best order and tips.
Two of the most beautiful canyons in western Georgia are half an hour apart, and both fit into one day from Sweet Village. Leave early: both sites get crowded on summer afternoons.
Okatse Canyon, 55 minutes from us
Okatse's main attraction is a 780-metre metal walkway bolted to the cliff edge, in places 140 m above the canyon floor. It ends at a panoramic platform with the whole gorge below you.
From the visitor centre you walk 2 km through the Dadiani forest to reach the walkway (30–40 minutes, or a local 4×4 for a fee). A ticket has been around 17–20 GEL in recent years. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00 (last entry 17:00), closed on Monday. The walkway closes in heavy rain and strong wind.
Fifteen minutes from Okatse is Kinchkha waterfall, 70 m high, with modern platforms and a short trail. Worth the stop.
Martvili Canyon, 60 minutes from us
In Martvili (Samegrelo) the Abasha river has cut a turquoise limestone gorge. There are two parts: the upper walkway with bridges along the rim, and the lower boat ride (about 15 minutes, separate ticket). Swimming is not allowed. The whole visit takes 1–1.5 hours. The walkway ticket is around 17–20 GEL; the boat is extra.
Order and timing
- 08:30 leave Sweet Village → 09:30 Okatse (2 hours including the walkway) → 12:00 Kinchkha (40 minutes) → 13:00 lunch in Martvili or Gordi → 14:30 Martvili canyon (1.5 hours) → 17:00 back with us for the pool or dinner.
- Total driving distance about 150 km. A car with driver from Kutaisi for the day usually costs 120–180 GEL; we can recommend trusted drivers.
- Both sites run Tuesday to Sunday. On Mondays plan Sataplia or Tskaltubo instead; Prometheus Cave is closed on Mondays too.
Tips
- Wear trainers or hiking shoes; the Okatse walkway is slippery when wet.
- Bring water and a hat: after the forest section the walkway is exposed with no shade.
- If you are afraid of heights, Okatse is demanding; Martvili is the calmer option.
Both sites are run by the Agency of Protected Areas (apa.gov.ge); check current hours and prices there.
Staying the night after the canyons: cottages and rooms, booking request.
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Okatse or Martvili?
- Okatse for the views and the adrenaline, Martvili for the turquoise water and the boat. Both fit into one day if you leave by 8:30.
- Can I do it by public transport?
- It is hard: minibuses go to Khoni or Martvili, and from there you need a taxi. A car with driver for the day is simpler and often cheaper for a group.
More guides
Prometheus Cave: Tickets, Opening Hours and How to Get There
Everything to know before you go: opening hours, ticket prices, the boat ride, what to wear and how to reach the cave from Kutaisi, Tskaltubo or Sweet Village, which is two minutes away.
Things to Do in Tskaltubo: Sanatoriums, the Park and the Thermal Waters
Grand Soviet-era spa ruins, Stalin's bathhouse, radon waters and the central park: how to see Tskaltubo in half a day, twelve minutes from Sweet Village.
Sataplia: Dinosaur Footprints, the Cave and the Glass Platform
The easiest half-day trip near Kutaisi: 120-million-year-old footprints, Colchic forest, a small cave and a glass viewing platform, 18 minutes from Sweet Village.