# Day Trips from Batumi, Adjara (Georgia): 2026 Guide to Waterfalls, Parks and Fortresses

Source: https://glampingtago.ge/blog/day-trips-from-batumi · Updated 2026-10-22 · Glamping Tago

## TL;DR

- Makhuntseti waterfall and Queen Tamar bridge are 34 km from Batumi on minibus 77 (3 GEL cash, about 40 minutes); entry is free.
- Mtirala National Park has no entrance ticket; the Botanical Garden (25 GEL for foreigners) is a 7-minute detour on the same road.
- City bus 16 links Gonio fortress (15 GEL for foreigners), Kvariati beach and the Sarpi border on one 20 km coastal road.
- Mirveti waterfall, Gonio Cross and the Machakhela valley are side trips, not stops on the main roads.
- Green Lake is 117.5 km and about 3 hours each way from Batumi; it works best as an overnight in the mountains above Khulo.
- The Khulo-Tago cable car is closed; from Khulo a 4x4 taxi to Glamping Tago costs 75 GEL per car for up to 4 people.

The best day trips from Batumi are Makhuntseti waterfall (minibus 77, 34 km), Mtirala rainforest with the Botanical Garden, and Gonio fortress on bus 16. Green Lake, 117.5 km into the mountains, works best as an overnight.

The best day trips from Batumi sit within 35 km of the city: Makhuntseti waterfall and Queen Tamar bridge up the Adjaristskali valley, Mtirala rainforest and the Botanical Garden to the north, and Gonio fortress with the Kvariati and Sarpi beaches to the south. Each one works by marshrutka or city bus for a few lari. Machakhela, Petra with Kintrishi, and Kolkheti's wetlands are full days of their own. Green Lake, Khulo and Goderdzi lie 110 to 120 km into the mountains, and they are far better as an overnight than as a 12-hour round trip.

This guide gives the bus numbers, the taxi and tour prices, the 2026 entry fees and which stops are really on the same road, so you can plan one trip per day without backtracking.

## Which day trips from Batumi are worth it?

For a first visit, pick Makhuntseti (waterfall plus bridge, half a day), Mtirala with the Botanical Garden (one long day) and the southern coast at Gonio (half a day). All three need no car. Add Machakhela or Kolkheti if you have more days and like walking or birds; go up to the mountains for at least one night if you want Green Lake.

| Trip | Road km from Batumi | Without a car | Entry | Time needed | Best months |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Gonio fortress, Kvariati, Sarpi | 15-20 km | City bus 16 | Gonio 15 GEL for foreigners | Half day | All year (beach in summer) |
| Batumi Botanical Garden | 9 km | Bus 10, 10a; minibus 31, 40 | 25 GEL for foreigners | 2-3 hours | All year |
| Mtirala National Park | 28 km | Minibus to Chakvi or Khala, then taxi | No ticket; zip-line 15 GEL | Full day | May-October |
| Makhuntseti waterfall and Queen Tamar bridge | 34 km | Minibus 77 | Free; parking 2 GEL | Half day | All year, best after rain |
| Mirveti waterfall | 24 km | Taxi or tour | Free; parking 1 GEL | 2-3 hours | All year |
| Machakhela National Park | 31 km | Taxi or tour | Free | Full day | May-October |
| Petra fortress and Kintrishi | 21 km / 49 km | Kobuleti marshrutka, then minibus or taxi | Petra 15 GEL for foreigners | Full day | All year (Tamar bridge trail) |
| Kolkheti National Park | 63 km | Car, taxi or tour | Boat 160 GEL per boat | Full day | All year |
| Keda wine road (Dandalo, Chateau Iveri) | 40-60 km | Keda minibus, 3-4 GEL | Tastings | Full day | All year |
| Green Lake and Goderdzi | 112-118 km | Khulo marshrutka, then 4x4 | Free | 2 days | Spring to October |

All distances are by road from the old bus station at 1 Mayakovsky St, where most minibuses into the mountains leave.

> **Good to know:** Batumi's city buses (10, 13, 16) take no cash: pay with a Batumi Card or a contactless bank card on the validator. Marshrutkas are the opposite: [cash to the driver](https://madloba.info/en/blog/transport-in-georgia/obshchestvennyy-transport-v-batumi-kak-oplatit-proyezd-v-avtobuse/), usually when you get off.

## How do you get to Makhuntseti waterfall and Queen Tamar bridge by marshrutka?

Take [minibus 77](https://madloba.info/en/batumi/avtostantsii-avtobusy-i-avtobusnye-kassy/marshrutka-77-batumi-keda/) (Batumi-Makhuntseti-Keda) from the old bus station at 1 Mayakovsky St and get off at the Makhuntseti arch bridge after about 40 minutes. The waterfall is a five-minute walk across the road, and the fare to Keda is 3 GEL in cash.

The fall [drops about 50 m](https://georgia.travel/makhuntseti-waterfall) into a big pool at 335 m above sea level, on the right bank of the Adjaristskali. There is no ticket and no opening time; a car pays [2 GEL](https://travel-batumi.com/en/makhuntseti-waterfall) to park by the entrance, a cafe works in season, and there are no lights after dark. Midday tour groups crowd the path, so come before 11:00 or near sunset. The fall is at its strongest after rain, and the rocks by the pool stay wet with spray all year: wear shoes with a grip.

> **Makhuntseti Waterfall** (Zeda Makhuntseti, Keda (Adjara))
> The easiest mountain day trip from Batumi: about 50 m of falling water a five-minute walk from the minibus 77 stop. Come before 11:00 or near sunset to miss the tour groups.
> Price: Free; parking 2 GEL · Season: All year, strongest after rain · Google 4.6 (11175)
> Pros: Minibus 77 stops at the bridge, 3 GEL from Batumi; Free, no opening hours; On the road to Khulo and Green Lake
> Cons: Crowded with tour groups at midday; No lighting after dark
> [website](https://travel-batumi.com/en/makhuntseti-waterfall) · [map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJnes6mtSKZ0ARA9LWDm0PrWo)

Queen Tamar bridge is the stone arch bridge 300 m from the waterfall, where minibus 77 lets you off. It is smaller than most photos suggest and has no railings, so keep children close. A cafe, the rafting base and the zip-line start next to it: [Travel Batumi](https://travel-batumi.com/en/ekskursiya-v-gornuyu-adzhariyu-vino-i-gruzinskij-folklor) lists the zip-line at 70 GEL, rafting at 200 GEL per boat of up to 8, and a 30-minute horse ride at 70 GEL.

> **Queen Tamar Bridge Makhuntseti** (Zeda Makhuntseti, Keda (Adjara))
> Stone arch bridge over the Adjaristskali, 300 m from the waterfall, with the cafe, rafting and zip-line next to it.
> Price: Free · Season: All year · Google 4.6 (4286)
> Pros: 300 m from Makhuntseti waterfall; Rafting and zip-line start next to it
> Cons: Smaller than in most photos; No railings on the arch
> [website](https://travel-batumi.com/en/queen-tamara-makhuntseti-bridge) · [map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJR_HwZir1Z0ARn2dzvD47oeA)

To get back, flag minibus 77 on the highway in the Batumi direction. Evening runs thin out, so ask the driver on the way up when the last one passes. A taxi from Batumi costs about [50 to 70 GEL one way](https://travelanswer.ru/questions/kak-dobratysya-do-vodopada-mahuntseti-iz-batumi-optimalynie-marshruti-i-transport.html), or 60 to 100 GEL for a round trip with waiting.

> **Tip:** Makhuntseti is on the road to Keda, Khulo and the high mountains. If you are going up to Green Lake or Glamping Tago anyway, stop here on the way: it adds 11 minutes, not a separate day.

## Can you combine Mirveti waterfall with Makhuntseti?

By car, yes; by minibus, no. Mirveti sits in a side valley: going Batumi-Mirveti-Makhuntseti is 41 km instead of 34, a 6.9 km and 16-minute detour. By car or taxi the two fit in one morning; by minibus, pick one.

Mirveti is 24 km from the old bus station. The water drops 20 m next to a narrow metal footbridge, entry is free and parking costs 1 GEL. October 2026 reviews call it touristy at peak times and mention stray dogs, so go early.

> **Waterfall Mirveti** (Mirveti, Khelvachauri (Adjara))
> A 20 m fall beside a narrow footbridge, 24 km from Batumi. It is a side trip, 6.9 km off the Makhuntseti road.
> Price: Free; parking 1 GEL · Season: All year · Google 4.7 (2192)
> Pros: 24 km from Batumi; Free entry, parking 1 GEL
> Cons: Touristy at peak times; Stray dogs around the car park (Oct 2026 reviews)
> [website](https://visitajara.com/en/sights/88) · [map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJSbq_n3SNZ0AR2Y4aQ9-QGTI)

## How do you get to Mtirala National Park without a car?

Ride a minibus north to Chakvi or Khala, then a taxi up the last 14-15 km of narrow asphalt to the visitor centre. A direct taxi or Bolt from Batumi costs about [35 to 45 GEL one way](https://wander-lush.org/best-day-trips-from-batumi-georgia/), so agree the waiting time before you set off.

The [national park's own page](https://nationalparks.ge/en/site/mtiralanp/getHere) lists minibus 40 (Batumi-Chakvi, every 6 minutes) and bus 13 (every 30 minutes) from the Khopa market on Aghmashenebeli St; from Chakvi it is 15 km, about 45 minutes by car. The Batumi-Khala minibus gets you closer: [Mtirala House](https://mtiralahouse.ge/) posts its departures from Batumi at 08:30, 11:30, 14:30 and 17:50, back at 09:20, 12:20, 15:20 and 18:30, for 1 GEL. The other option is any Kobuleti marshrutka to the Chakvistskali turn-off (about 3 GEL), then a local taxi for about 30 GEL.

The visitor centre is 28 km from Batumi at 860 m. There is no entrance ticket: you pay only for extras. The [Agency of Protected Areas](https://apa.gov.ge/en/eco-tourism/servisebi-da-tarifebi/mtiralas-erovnuli-parki) lists the zip-line at 15 GEL (May to October), the rope park at 15 GEL, a horse at 50 GEL a day, a campsite place at 5 GEL per person and the tourist shelter at 20 GEL per person. The main walk is an easy 7 km loop along the river gorge with a small cable crossing to Tsablnari waterfall. Food inside the park is limited, so bring lunch.

> **Mtirala National Park** (Chakvistavi, Kobuleti (Adjara))
> Rainforest 28 km from Batumi with an easy 7 km loop to Tsablnari waterfall. No entrance ticket; zip-line, rope park and horses are paid extras.
> Price: No entrance ticket; zip-line 15 GEL · Season: May to October · Google 4.7 (3269)
> Pros: No entrance ticket; Easy 7 km loop to a waterfall; Botanical Garden on the way
> Cons: Last 14-15 km by taxi or car only; Little food inside the park
> [website](https://apa.gov.ge/en/eco-tourism/servisebi-da-tarifebi/mtiralas-erovnuli-parki) · phone +995 577 10 18 89 · [map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJ85ijnWhhXUARlFQKxiinbwY)

> **Tsablnari Waterfall** (Mtirala National Park (Adjara))
> The waterfall at the end of Mtirala's main loop, reached over a small river cable crossing.
> Season: May to October · Google 4.8 (181)
> [map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJjVaEmhFhXUARMC1kKnZzabo)

[Pontic rhododendron flowers from April to June](https://apa.gov.ge/en/eco-tourism/servisebi-da-tarifebi/mtiralas-erovnuli-parki), and the second half of August to October is the best time for birds. The visitor service is on +995 577 10 18 89.

### Add the Botanical Garden on the same day

The Botanical Garden is on the way: Batumi-Garden-Mtirala is 31.7 km instead of 28.3, a 7-minute detour. Do the garden in the morning and the park after lunch, or the reverse in summer heat.

The garden is 9 km from the centre on Green Cape. Foreigners pay 25 GEL, Georgian citizens 10 GEL, students and pensioners 5 GEL, schoolchildren 2 GEL, and children under 6 go free. It is [open 09:00-19:00](https://bbg.ge/). The grounds are big and steep, so plan about three hours; a paid shuttle runs on the main road. Buses 10 and 10a and minibuses 31 and 40 stop at the gate, and the marshrutka fare is 2 GEL. [Visit Ajara](https://www.visitajara.com/en/entertainments/180) lists picnics in the marked areas at 30 GEL per person for foreigners.

> **Batumi Botanical Garden** (Green Cape, Batumi (Adjara))
> Hillside garden over the sea, 9 km from the centre and on the way to Mtirala. Plan about three hours.
> Price: 25 GEL (foreigners) · Season: All year, 09:00-19:00 · Google 4.7 (20686)
> Pros: City buses and minibuses to the gate; A 7-minute detour on the way to Mtirala
> Cons: 25 GEL for foreigners; Big and steep: about 3 hours on foot
> [website](http://bbg.ge/) · phone +995 422 27 00 33 · [map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJCWtmW2h9XUARjppv0ZFeej8)

## Is Machakhela worth a separate day?

Yes, if you like walking and quiet villages. The Machakhela valley branches off the Makhuntseti road into its own side valley, so combining the two costs 28.8 km and almost an hour of extra driving: give it its own day.

The park covers 8,733 ha at 300-350 m in Khelvachauri municipality, 31 km from Batumi, and its season runs May to October. [Visit Ajara](https://visitajara.com/en/sights/79) describes two marked trails: Mtavarangelozi, 9 km in about 4 hours, and Kokoleti, 15 km in about 6 hours along the border. Kokoleti runs along the Turkish border and needs a border-zone permit: apply through the online form at least 10 working days ahead, as the [Agency of Protected Areas](https://apa.gov.ge/en/eco-tourism/servisebi-da-tarifebi/machaxelas-erovnuli-parki) requires. The visitor service answers on +995 595 08 60 75, Monday to Friday 09:00-18:00.

> **Machakhela National Park Administration and Visitor Center** (Acharisaghmarti, Khelvachauri (Adjara))
> Park office and start of the Machakhela trails, 31 km from Batumi. Staff help with routes and the Kokoleti permit.
> Price: Free · Season: May to October · Google 4.9 (256)
> Pros: Free entry, helpful staff; Marked 9 km and 15 km trails
> Cons: Season May to October; No public transport up the valley; Kokoleti trail needs a permit 10 working days ahead
> [website](https://nationalparks.ge/en/site/machakhelanp) · phone +995 595 08 60 75 · [map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJDQgpOyHzZ0ARxD1tNVmwUWM)

If you are driving, follow the marked 39 km [Machakhela Gun Road](https://visitajara.com/en/routes/6): Gvara fortress, a WWII gun slit at Skurdidi, the 12th-century Tskhemlara arch bridge, Chkhutuneti waterfall and the ethnographic museum in Zeda Chkhutuneti. Visit Ajara plans it over two days with guesthouse nights in the valley; in one day, pick the bridge and the waterfall.

> **Tskhemlara Stone Arch Bridge** (Tskhemlara, Machakhela valley (Adjara))
> 12th-century arch bridge on the Machakhela Gun Road. A short stop inside a Machakhela day.
> Price: Free · Season: All year · Google 4.7 (96)
> Pros: On the marked Gun Road; Pairs with Chkhutuneti waterfall further up
> Cons: A five-minute stop, not a trip on its own
> [website](https://visitajara.com/en/routes/6) · [map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJWVanzoPzZ0ARoKLVRFijIq4)

> **Fortress Gvara** (Machakhlispiri, Khelvachauri (Adjara))
> Ruined fortress at the start of the Machakhela Gun Road.
> [website](https://visitajara.com/en/routes/6) · [map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJV56iLACNZ0ARnQrAsXsqXm4)

No public transport runs up the valley, so it is a car, taxi or tour day. [Sakhva Travel](https://sakhva-travel.com/en/ekskursiya/ekskursiya-gomis-mta-iz-batumi/) runs an 8-9 hour 4WD day to Gomis Mta and Machakhela from 220 GEL per person, up to 7 people, leaving at 09:00.

## How do you do Gonio, Kvariati and Sarpi in half a day?

Take city bus 16: it runs about every 17 minutes from 06:40 to 23:06 through Chavchavadze St and past the airport to Gonio, Kvariati and the Sarpi border. All three sit on one 20 km coastal road, so you can hop off and on in order.

### Gonio fortress

Gonio-Apsaros fortress has 18 towers and has been a museum-reserve since 2010. It stands at 55 Apsaros Ave in Gonio, 15 km and 20-25 minutes south of Batumi; besides bus 16, minibuses 20, 33 and 88 stop there. It is open 10:00-17:00. [Visit Ajara](https://visitajara.com/en/sights/189) gives the 2026 fees: 15 GEL for foreigners, 10 GEL for Georgians, 2 GEL for ages 6-16, 3 GEL for students and free under 6; a guide costs 35 GEL and an audio guide 15 GEL. You can climb the walls and towers; in summer, go early for the heat.

> **Gonio Fortress** (Gonio, Khelvachauri (Adjara))
> Fortress with 18 towers 15 km south of Batumi, on bus 16. Walls and towers are open to climb.
> Price: 15 GEL (foreigners) · Season: All year, 10:00-17:00 · Google 4.5 (6753)
> Pros: City bus 16 to the gate; Walls and towers you can climb; Open 10:00-17:00, guide 35 GEL
> Cons: Hot at midday in summer: go early
> [website](https://visitajara.com/en/sights/189) · phone +995 577 47 17 55 · [map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJS8PUbwCPZ0ARlQZaYrhPs0w)

### Gonio Cross

The concrete cross on the hill above Gonio, at about 311-330 m, is the sunset viewpoint with views back over Batumi. It went up in 2014. It is a side climb, not a stop on the coastal road: going via the cross adds 9 km and about 21 minutes. September 2026 reviews call the access road very rough even for an SUV, so most people walk: [the hike up from Gonio](https://wander-lush.org/hiking-in-batumi-gonio-cross-jvari/) is 9.3 km return, about 3 hours, with 327 m of climbing. Go for sunrise or sunset, not the midday heat.

> **Gonio Cross** (Hill above Gonio (Adjara))
> Sunset viewpoint on the hill above Gonio, a 9 km side climb off the coastal road.
> Price: Free · Season: All year · Google 4.8 (537)
> Pros: Views back over Batumi at sunset; Free
> Cons: Very rough access road, even for an SUV; Walk up: 9.3 km return, about 3 hours
> [website](https://evendo.com/locations/georgia/adjara/attraction/gonio-cross) · [map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJCb6sPC-QZ0ARC--IMb1nIs0)

### Kvariati and Sarpi

Kvariati, about 17 km from Batumi, is the last beach before Turkey: clear water, rocks for snorkelling and fewer people than the city beaches. Bus 16 stops on the main road above it. Sarpi, about 20 km south, is the end of the line and the border post, next to Georgian passport control.

> **Kvariati Beach** (Kvariati, Khelvachauri (Adjara))
> The last beach before Turkey, on the bus 16 line: clean water and snorkelling by the rocks.
> Price: Free · Season: Summer for swimming · Google 4.6 (678)
> [website](https://visitbatumi.com/en/007700-black-sea-beaches/941107-kvariati-beach) · [map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJ_XQpCE6QZ0AR0FCcg3RBtyQ)

> **SARPI | Georgian-Turkish border** (Sarpi, Khelvachauri (Adjara))
> The Georgia-Turkey border post at the end of bus 16, open 24 hours and crossable on foot.
> Google 3.5 (1308)
> [website](https://thegeorgianguide.com/practical-info/georgia-border-crossings-guide/) · [map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJy-9JZT2RZ0ARNiULtAlkZe4)

> **Watch out:** The Sarpi crossing is [open 24 hours and you walk across](https://thegeorgianguide.com/practical-info/georgia-border-crossings-guide/) in minutes on a normal day; on Turkish public holidays and July and August weekends the pedestrian hall fills up. Minibuses to Hopa, 20 km away, wait on the Turkish side. Since 1 January 2026, foreign tourists entering Georgia must hold health and accident insurance of at least 30,000 GEL ([Government decree No. 602](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/6728816)), and the Patrol Police may check it at the border. That includes your re-entry after a quick hop into Turkey.

A private car for the whole coast costs 92 GEL on [GoTrip](https://gotrip.ge/en/transfer/from-batumi-to-gonio-to-kvariati-to-sarpi-to-batumi) (Batumi-Gonio-Kvariati-Sarpi-Batumi, 34 km, driver waits), but bus 16 does the same for the price of a city fare.

## What can you see north of Batumi: Petra, Kintrishi and Kolkheti?

Three trips run up the coast road towards Kobuleti and Poti. Petra fortress is on the way to both Kintrishi and Kolkheti, so add it to either day.

### Petra fortress

The ruins of Petra fortress stand on the sea at Tsikhisdziri, by the Batumi-Kobuleti road, 21 km from Batumi and 5 km before Kobuleti. Batumi-Kobuleti marshrutkas leave throughout the day from the lot by the Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit and pass the gate, about an hour in all. [Visit Ajara](https://visitajara.com/en/sights/45) lists the tickets: 15 GEL for foreigners, 10 GEL for Georgian adults, 3 GEL for students, 2 GEL for ages 6-18 and free under 6, with a foreign-language guide at 35 GEL. The site is open 10:00-17:00 all year.

> **Petra Fortress** (Tsikhisdziri, Kobuleti (Adjara))
> Fortress ruins on the sea 21 km north of Batumi, on the marshrutka road to Kobuleti and on the way to Kintrishi and Kolkheti.
> Season: All year · Google 4.6 (3164)
> Pros: On the Batumi-Kobuleti marshrutka road; Sea views from the ruins
> Cons: Several Sept 2026 reviews mention inattentive staff; A short stop: pair it with Kintrishi or Kolkheti
> [website](https://nationalparks.ge/en/site/kintrishinp) · [map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJFW6A9cR7XUARoFxoG14nPtc)

### Kintrishi Protected Areas

Kintrishi is 49 km from Batumi by road, between 300 and 2,500 m. The easy day walk is the [Tamara arch bridge and box-tree trail](https://apa.gov.ge/en/eco-tourism/Trails/kintrishis-daculi-teritoriebis-turistuli-bilikebi-satesto/1-tamaris-tagovani-xidi-da-bzebis-koromi): 1.2 km, about 1.5 hours, open all year, with an 11th-12th century bridge, St George church, 300-year-old box trees and a waterfall. Lake Tbikeli is a two-day route, April to November. By public transport, take a Batumi-Kobuleti marshrutka (1.50 GEL), then the [Kobuleti-Chakhati minibus](https://www.nationalparks.ge/en/site/kintrishinp/getHere) (about 40 minutes), then walk or take a taxi the last 8 km to the visitor centre. The visitor specialist answers on +995 577 59 21 12, 10:00-18:00.

> **Kintrishi Protected Areas ranger station** (Tskhemvani, Kobuleti (Adjara))
> Ranger station at the start of the Tamara bridge trail, 49 km from Batumi. Visitor specialist: +995 577 59 21 12, 10:00-18:00.
> Season: All year · Google 4.7 (7)
> [website](https://nationalparks.ge/en/site/kintrishinp) · [map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJy_6QMC9vXUARKKC7jG96M4c)

### Kolkheti National Park

The Kolkheti visitor centre is in Poti, 63 km from Batumi and about 1 hour 10 minutes by car. Go for the boats on Lake Paliastomi: [Visit Samegrelo](https://www.visitsamegrelo.ge/en/activity/Boat-Tour-at-Paliastomi) lists a 1-hour pontoon for up to 16 people at 160 GEL per boat, a 3-hour pontoon to the Pichori river at 300 GEL, and a 2-hour motorboat for 3 people at 100 GEL. Boats run all year; call the visitor specialist on +995 591 96 87 85 to book.

> **Kolkheti's National Park** (Poti (Samegrelo))
> Wetland park around Lake Paliastomi, 63 km from Batumi; the boat trips are the reason to go.
> Price: Boat 160 GEL per boat · Season: All year · Google 4.7 (1021)
> Pros: Boat trips all year; Petra fortress on the way
> Cons: Boats priced per boat, best for groups; A full day from Batumi
> [website](https://www.nationalparks.ge/en/site/kolxetinp) · phone +995 577 10 18 37 · [map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJAyvQZyiuXUARurXhVRK8Xk8)

## Can you do Green Lake, Khulo or Goderdzi in a day from Batumi?

You can, but it is a long day: Green Lake is 117.5 km by road, at 2,060 m, and the mountain road takes about 3 hours each way. [Travel Batumi](https://travel-batumi.com/en/green-lake) prices an individual Green Lake trip at 820 GEL per group for 14 hours. Spend a night in the mountains instead and the lake becomes a half day.

Goderdzi is on the way: the ski area sits 2.3 km off the Green Lake road, at 1,724-2,366 m, and the pass is at 2,025 m. Skiing runs from late December to April; the gondola also turns in summer. In winter the road is paved all the way but needs winter tyres or a 4x4 in snow, and the drive grows to [up to 4 hours](https://orbitrip.ge/guide/batumi-to-goderdzi-transfer-guide).

> **Goderdzi** (Danisparauli, Khulo (Adjara))
> Ski and four-season resort at 1,724-2,366 m, 111.6 km from Batumi and 2.3 km off the Green Lake road.
> Season: Skiing late December-April; gondola in summer · Google 4.7 (718)
> Pros: On the way to Green Lake; Gondola runs in summer too
> Cons: Winter tyres or 4x4 in snow; Up to 4 hours from Batumi in winter
> [website](https://goderdzi.ski/) · phone +995 577 90 90 93 · [map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJO2RbSz9KXUARWpI_hzHP1j8)

> **Green Lake** (Khulo municipality (Adjara))
> Alpine lake at 2,060 m, 117.5 km from Batumi and 7 km from the Goderdzi pass. A half day from Tago, a 12-14 hour day from Batumi.
> Price: Free · Season: Spring to October · Google 4.9 (251)
> Pros: Free, no ticket; Goderdzi on the way
> Cons: About 3 hours each way from Batumi; No bus to the lake
> [website](https://visitajara.com/en/sights/55) · [map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJx1a5ZBM2XUARy8bCHqcSaKw)

Our full [Green Lake guide](/blog/green-lake) covers the road section by section, the 4x4 options from Khulo and where to eat near the pass.

### Stay a night in the mountains: Glamping Tago

Glamping Tago is our camp on the hill above Village Tago in Khulo municipality, at about 1,200 m. It is a 14.7 km side climb off the Green Lake road, so it works as a base rather than a stop: arrive in the afternoon, see Green Lake and Goderdzi the next morning with our jeep tour, and drive back down via Makhuntseti. The camp is open from 1 April to the end of October.

> **Glamping Tago** (Village Tago, Khulo (Adjara)) - our venue
> Our camp above Village Tago at about 1,200 m: the base that turns Green Lake and Goderdzi into a half day instead of a 12-hour round trip from Batumi.
> Season: 1 April to the end of October · Google 4.9 (648)
> Pros: Green Lake and Goderdzi as a half-day jeep tour; Wood-stove Lotus Belle tents and a 9-bed dorm; Vegetarian yurt restaurant, campfire and a sauna that is free for staying guests
> Cons: Last stretch from Khulo is a 4x4 road; Closed November to March; Tents, not hotel rooms
> [website](https://glampingtago.ge/) · [Instagram @glampinggeorgia_tago](https://instagram.com/glampinggeorgia_tago) · phone +995 555 56 24 83 · [map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJCWibuR1PXUARUTua5xy7clc)

To get there without a car, take the Batumi-Khulo marshrutka from the Batumi bus station: every 30 minutes from 08:00 to 20:00, about 2 hours 30 minutes, about 10 GEL, with ბათუმი - ხულო on the window. From Khulo, a 4x4 taxi takes up to 4 people to the camp in 30-35 minutes for 75 GEL per car. A private 4x4 from Batumi straight to Tago costs 265 GEL per car. All the options are on our [how to get here](/how-to-get-to-glamping-tago) page. Coming with our transfer from Batumi, you can ask for a picnic stop at a waterfall on the way.

Driving yourself? Fill up and take cash in Khulo, about 6.5 km below the camp: the town has fuel stations, Liberty and Credo Bank ATMs and an Aversi pharmacy. In summer, booking a week or two ahead is usually enough, and most guests stay one night on the way between Batumi and Green Lake.

> **Watch out:** The Khulo-Tago cable car is closed and has no reopening date. Bolt and Yandex reach Khulo only; the last stretch from Khulo needs a 4x4, but minibuses can reach the camp by the Skhalta valley road (the Zamleti-Cheri road).

## What can you stop at on the road from Batumi to Khulo?

Four stops sit on the main Batumi-Khulo road and each adds 15 minutes or less: Makhuntseti waterfall at 34 km, the Keda wine villages around 40-60 km, Chateau Iveri in Varjanisi and Dandalo bridge at 60 km. Driving Batumi to Glamping Tago via Makhuntseti and Dandalo is 96.3 km instead of 92.4.

[Dandalo](https://visitajara.com/en/sights/25) is a medieval arch bridge 7.6 m above the Adjaristskali, right on the road. It is a quiet riverside picnic spot without the Makhuntseti crowds, worth ten minutes, not a trip on its own.

> **Dandalo Bridge** (Dandalo, Keda (Adjara))
> Medieval arch bridge right on the Batumi-Khulo road, 60 km from Batumi: a quiet ten-minute stop.
> Price: Free · Season: All year · Google 4.7 (225)
> Pros: On the Batumi-Khulo road; Quiet riverside picnic spot
> Cons: Not worth a trip on its own
> [website](https://visitajara.com/en/sights/25) · [map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJI-hStMFcXUARB26s7b9chNU)

Keda is the centre of Adjarian wine, made mostly from Tsolikouri and Chkhaveri grapes. [Visit Ajara](https://visitajara.com/en/mountainous-ajara/1) lists tastings in Pirveli Maisi, Vaio, Dandalo, Gegelidzeebi and Koromkheti, and minibuses to Keda leave the old bus station every hour for 3-4 GEL. The [KTW winery](https://ktwgroup.ge/en/winery/keda-winery/) at 4 Akaki Tsereteli St in Keda has a wine shop on site (+995 595 49 93 05).

Chateau Iveri in Varjanisi is an organic winery hotel 0.9 km off the road, with tastings of its own Tsolikauri, Chkhaveri and Satsuri. Reviews praise the views, rooms and hosts; two August 2026 reviews complain about the restaurant and the service, so come for the wine and the view.

> **Hotel Chateau Iveri** (Varjanisi, Keda (Adjara))
> Organic winery hotel 0.9 km off the Khulo road, with tastings of its own Adjarian wines.
> Season: All year · Google 4.7 (294)
> Pros: Organic Tsolikauri, Chkhaveri and Satsuri; A 5-minute detour on the Khulo road
> Cons: Two Aug 2026 reviews complain about the restaurant and service
> [website](https://chateauiveri.ge/) · phone +995 599 71 62 63 · [map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJhQ1e74ZdXUARosk_efxaS-g)

If you would rather not drive, [Explorevia](https://www.explorevia.com/georgia/batumi-to-adjara-waterfalls-wine-cellar-folklore-feast_p-380710) sells a 5-hour waterfalls and wine tour, rated 4.92 from 171 reviews, that takes in Mirveti, Makhuntseti, Queen Tamar bridge and a family wine cellar with hotel pickup, and [Georgian Holidays](https://georgianholidays.com/tour/wine-tours/adjara-wine-tour) runs a private 8-hour Adjara wine tour of three wineries from US$162 per adult in a group of four or more.

## Tour, taxi or marshrutka: what does each cost in 2026?

Marshrutkas cost 1 to 10 GEL, a taxi with waiting 60 to 115 GEL per car, and a shared group tour 65 to 80 GEL per person. Fares below are one way unless the row says otherwise.

| 2026 prices | What you pay | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Marshrutka inside Batumi | 0.70 GEL | Cash to the driver |
| Marshrutka to the Botanical Garden | 2 GEL | Cash |
| Minibus 77 to Makhuntseti or Keda | 3 GEL | Cash, old bus station |
| Marshrutka Batumi-Kobuleti | 1.50 GEL | For Petra and Kintrishi |
| Marshrutka Batumi-Khulo | about 10 GEL | Every 30 min, 08:00-20:00 |
| Taxi to Makhuntseti | 50-70 GEL; 60-100 GEL return with waiting | Agree the waiting time first |
| Taxi or Bolt to Mtirala | 35-45 GEL | Agree the waiting time first |
| GoTrip car, Batumi-Mtirala-Batumi | 114 GEL per car | 54 km, driver waits |
| GoTrip car, Gonio-Kvariati-Sarpi loop | 92 GEL per car | 34 km, driver waits |
| Travel Batumi group tour with Makhuntseti, 7 h | 65 GEL per person; 350 GEL individual | [Travel Batumi](https://travel-batumi.com/en/makhuntseti-waterfall) |
| Travel Batumi mountain day, 10 h | 80 GEL per person; 400 GEL individual | Same operator |
| Green Lake day trip, 14 h | 820 GEL per group | Individual |
| Kolkheti pontoon boat, 1 h | 160 GEL per boat | Up to 16 people |
| 4x4 taxi Khulo-Glamping Tago | 75 GEL per car | Up to 4 people, 30-35 min |
| Private 4x4 Batumi-Glamping Tago | 265 GEL per car | Up to 4 people, 2 h 30 min |

> **Cost:** For two or more people, a taxi with waiting to Makhuntseti (60-100 GEL per car) costs less per head than a shared tour (65 GEL per person) and leaves when you want. Alone, take the minibus for 3 GEL.

## Which day trips work in winter, and which only from May to October?

The waterfalls, the Botanical Garden, the Kolkheti boats and the Kintrishi bridge trail work all year. Mtirala's services and Machakhela's season run May to October, and the high mountains above Khulo are a spring-to-autumn trip unless you come to ski.

- **Spring (April-May):** rhododendrons flower in Mtirala from April, and the waterfalls run strong after rain. Glamping Tago opens on 1 April.
- **Summer (June-August):** beach days at Kvariati, and the mountain road to Green Lake and Goderdzi at its easiest. Go to Gonio early for the heat.
- **Autumn (September-October):** the best birdwatching in Mtirala, and Mtirala and Machakhela still in season. Glamping Tago closes at the end of October.
- **Winter (November-March):** the Botanical Garden, the waterfalls, the Kolkheti boats and the Kintrishi bridge trail still work. Goderdzi skiing starts in late December and runs to April. At the Mtirala visitor centre snow usually covers the ground in January and February and nights drop just below freezing, so bring boots with a grip.

## What mistakes do people make on day trips from Batumi?

> **Watch out:** Missing the last minibus back. Schedules at the old bus station are [often out of date](https://madloba.info/en/blog/transport-in-georgia/guide-to-batumi-bus-stations/) and minibuses leave when full. Ask the driver for the last return run before you get off.

> **Watch out:** Paying the wrong way. City buses take only cards; marshrutkas take only cash. Carry small notes for minibuses, parking and the waterfall cafes.

> **Watch out:** Taking a one-way taxi to Mtirala. There are few cars at the visitor centre for the ride back, so agree the waiting time and the price before you set off.

> **Watch out:** Sending a city car up to Gonio Cross. The road is rough even for an SUV; walk up from Gonio instead.

> **Watch out:** Turning up for the Kokoleti trail in Machakhela without a permit. Request it 10 working days ahead.

> **Tip:** Pack for rain on any green day trip. Mtirala means "to cry" in Georgian and the Colchic forests around Batumi get frequent rain: at Mtirala and Makhuntseti it rains on 12 to 16 days a month from March to May and again in September and October. Bring a rain layer and shoes with a grip, plus water and a snack: cafes at the waterfalls work in season only, and card terminals are rare outside the city.

> **Watch out:** Planning Green Lake as an easy day. It is 117.5 km each way on a mountain road. Sleep up there, and do not count on the Khulo cable car: it is closed.

## Turn the Green Lake day into a night in the mountains at Glamping Tago

Glamping Tago is our camp on the hill above Village Tago in Khulo municipality, at about 1,200 m. Instead of 6 hours in a car for one lake, you come up in the afternoon, stop at Makhuntseti and Dandalo on the way, and see Green Lake and Goderdzi on a half-day jeep tour with our own drivers.

You sleep in a Lotus Belle tent with a wood stove or in the nine-bed Half Dome dorm, eat in Yurtalicious, our vegetarian yurt restaurant, and end the day at the sauna, which is free for staying guests, and the campfire. Prices change with the date: see [today's prices](https://glampingtago.ge/book?from=blog_text), and the jeep tours on [/tours](/tours).

We are Jonas and Lisa, a Belgian couple who fell in love with these mountains and opened Glamping Tago in 2021.

- **From Batumi:** About 2.5-3 hours: 85 km of asphalt to Khulo, then 30-35 minutes up
- **By marshrutka:** Batumi-Khulo every 30 minutes, 08:00-20:00, about 10 GEL
- **4x4 taxi from Khulo:** 75 GEL per car, up to 4 people
- **Private 4x4 from Batumi:** 265 GEL per car, up to 4 people
- **Size:** Built for one group of about 30 at a time: weddings and retreats book the whole camp; 12 Lotus Belle tents and a 9-bed dorm
- **Season:** 1 April to the end of October
- **Hiking guide:** From 150 GEL

## FAQ

**What is the best day trip from Batumi without a car?**

Makhuntseti waterfall and Queen Tamar bridge. Minibus 77 leaves the old bus station at 1 Mayakovsky St, takes about 40 minutes and costs 3 GEL in cash, and the waterfall is a five-minute walk from the stop. Entry is free.

**How much does Gonio Fortress cost in 2026?**

Foreigners pay 15 GEL, Georgian citizens 10 GEL, children aged 6-16 pay 2 GEL, students 3 GEL and children under 6 go free. The fortress is open 10:00-17:00. A guide costs 35 GEL and an audio guide 15 GEL. City bus 16 stops at the fortress, 15 km south of Batumi.

**How much is the entrance to Petra Fortress?**

Foreigners pay 15 GEL, Georgian adults 10 GEL, students 3 GEL and children aged 6-18 pay 2 GEL; under 6 is free. The fortress at Tsikhisdziri is open 10:00-17:00 all year, and any Batumi-Kobuleti marshrutka passes the gate.

**Is there an entrance fee for Mtirala National Park?**

No. You pay only for extras: the zip-line is 15 GEL from May to October, the rope park 15 GEL and a horse 50 GEL a day. The visitor service answers on +995 577 10 18 89.

**Can I see Makhuntseti and Mirveti waterfalls on the same day?**

Yes by car or taxi: Mirveti is a 6.9 km, 16-minute detour off the Makhuntseti road. By minibus it is awkward, because no minibus links the two, so pick one.

**Can you visit Green Lake in Adjara as a day trip from Batumi?**

Yes, but it is a 12-14 hour day: 117.5 km and about 3 hours each way on the mountain road. Sleeping in the mountains, for example at Glamping Tago above Khulo, turns the lake and Goderdzi into a half-day trip.

**Does a Bolt or Yandex taxi go from Batumi to Khulo?**

Yes, the apps reach Khulo, about 2 hours away, and our how-to-get page puts the fare at up to 175 GEL. They cannot drive the last 4x4 road up to Tago, and private drivers often ask more than the app price.

**Do I need insurance to come back into Georgia after a trip to Turkey at Sarpi?**

Yes. Since 1 January 2026 every foreign tourist entering Georgia must hold health and accident insurance covering at least 30,000 GEL, and the Patrol Police may check it at the border, including on re-entry.

**Which day trips from Batumi work in winter?**

The waterfalls, the Botanical Garden, the Kolkheti boat trips and the Kintrishi Tamara bridge trail all work in winter. Mtirala and Machakhela are at their best from May to October, and Goderdzi has skiing from late December to April.

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Source: https://glampingtago.ge/blog/day-trips-from-batumi
Glamping Tago, Village Tago, Khulo, Adjara (Georgia) · hello@glampingtago.ge · WhatsApp +995 555 56 24 83