პრომეთეს მღვიმე
Georgia's largest show cave with an underground river boat ride
Prometheus Cave (Kumistavi) is the largest show cave open to visitors in Georgia. Located in the village of Kumistavi, Tskaltubo municipality, 20 km from Kutaisi. The explored underground system stretches about 22 km, of which 1.4 km are equipped for tours. Six illuminated halls, an underground river, and a constant temperature of +14 °C year-round.
Reach it by taxi from Kutaisi in 30–40 minutes (15–20 GEL / ~$6–7) or by marshrutka to Tskaltubo with a transfer. Pairs well with Sataplia Nature Reserve – both sites are in the same direction from the city.
Admission with a guided tour costs 25 GEL (~$9), the boat ride is an additional 20 GEL (~$7). Allow 1.5–2 hours including wait time. Suitable for children and visitors of all ages – the path has railings and steps throughout.
The route starts from the visitor centre, with groups departing every 20–30 minutes. The 1,400-metre trail passes through six halls: Argonauts, Kolkheti, Medea, Love, Prometheus, and Iberia. Each hall is lit with coloured lamps set to classical music – stalactites and stalagmites shift from red to blue. Ceilings reach up to 20 metres; in some spots you can see petrified waterfalls and stone curtains. Humidity inside sits at 96–98%, and surfaces glisten with moisture. Underfoot is a concrete walkway with railings, slippery in places.
At the end of the route the group splits: some climb stairs to the exit, others board a boat on the underground Kumi River. The boat ride takes 10–15 minutes through a narrow, lit tunnel with ceilings just 2–3 metres above. Boat tickets must be purchased at the ticket office in advance – they are not sold at the river. The exit is not at the same location as the entrance; a free shuttle takes you back to the visitor centre.
In summer the cave is a welcome escape: it can be +35–40 °C outside while staying a steady +14 °C inside. In winter the contrast is less dramatic, but the cave operates year-round. Tours are conducted in Georgian, Russian, and English – the guide moves quickly, so stay near the front of the group.
Scale – 22 km of explored passages, 6 halls open to tourists, 1,400 m walking route
Age – the cave formed 60–70 million years ago in the Sataplia-Tskaltubo karst massif
Temperature – constant +14 °C with 96–98% humidity year-round
Boat ride – 10–15 minutes on the underground Kumi River through a lit tunnel
Lighting – coloured illumination with classical music across all six halls
Infrastructure – paved trail with railings, free shuttle from exit to entrance
The cave was discovered in 1984 when Soviet geologists were surveying karst systems near Tskaltubo. By the late 1980s several halls and an underground river had been explored, but after the USSR collapsed all work stopped. Throughout those years, a local guard named Giorgi Tkabladze protected the cave from vandals – without pay, accompanied only by his dog.
Rehabilitation began in 2007 with new infrastructure and detailed surveys. The cave officially opened to visitors in 2011 and was named Prometheus Cave – after the Titan chained to a rock in the Caucasus for giving fire to humans. A statue of Tkabladze and his dog stands at the exit. To date, 22 halls have been discovered, but only six are accessible to tourists; the rest remain under exploration.
Entrance (guided tour included):
Foreigners (18+): 25 GEL (~$9)
Children 6–18: 5.50 GEL (~$2)
Children under 6: free
Underground river boat ride:
Foreigners: 20 GEL (~$7)
Additional:
Civil marriage ceremony inside the cave: 100 GEL
Tickets sold at the visitor centre cash desk; card or cash accepted. Boat tickets must be purchased together with entrance tickets – not sold at the river. Guide service included in the ticket price. Tickets are non-refundable.
Entry only with an organised group – independent visits are not allowed. Groups form every 20–30 minutes. Photography permitted; flash prohibited. The trail is slippery in places – non-slip footwear required. A light jacket or sweater recommended (+14 °C inside). Boat rides may be cancelled if water levels in the underground river rise.
On site:
Visitor centre with ticket office and waiting area
Toilets near the visitor centre
Small café and souvenir shop at the entrance
Free shuttle from exit to visitor centre
Parking: Free, large lot in front of the visitor centre. Fills up by midday on summer weekends.
Connectivity: 4G works at the visitor centre. No signal inside the cave.
Accessibility: The trail inside has steps and railings but includes steep sections. Not wheelchair accessible.
From Kutaisi (20 km, 30–40 min):
– Taxi (Bolt/Maxim) – 15–20 GEL (~$6–7) one way
– Round-trip taxi with waiting + Sataplia – 35–50 GEL (~$13–18)
– Shared minibus (marshrutka) to Tskaltubo (1–2 GEL), then taxi 8 km to the cave – 5–7 GEL
From Tbilisi (240 km, 3.5–4 hours):
– Rental car via the highway through Zestaponi
– Marshrutka from Didube station to Kutaisi (15–20 GEL / ~$6–7, 3.5 hrs), then taxi
– Organised day tours – often combined with Martvili Canyon
From Batumi (140 km, ~3 hours):
– By car via Samtredria
– Taxi ~100–120 GEL (~$37–44)
On site: 2-minute walk from the parking lot to the visitor centre. Free shuttle from exit back to entrance.
Season: The cave operates year-round. Inside it's always +14 °C regardless of outside weather. In summer (June–August) the contrast with the heat above ground makes the visit especially refreshing.
Time of day: Morning (10:00–11:00) – fewer tourists, shorter wait for a group. On summer weekends the queue can reach 30–40 minutes.
Duration: 1–1.5 hours for the tour + 15 minutes for the boat. Including travel from Kutaisi and back – half a day.
Avoid: Summer weekends (July–August) – maximum crowds. Mondays – the cave is closed.
Practical answers about visiting, routes and time on site.
Entrance with guided tour: 25 GEL (~$9) for adult foreigners, children 6–18: 5.50 GEL (~$2), under 6 free. Boat ride on the underground river: additional 20 GEL (~$7). Boat tickets must be purchased at the ticket office together with the entrance ticket.
The walking part takes about 1 hour (1,400 m). Add 10–15 minutes for the boat ride. Including wait time and shuttle back – 1.5–2 hours total.
No, tickets are sold at the cash desk. Groups form every 20–30 minutes. On summer weekends expect a 30–40 minute wait.
Yes. Floating through the illuminated underground tunnel is the most memorable part of the visit. Buy the ticket at the ticket office in advance – it's not sold at the river.
Non-slip shoes are essential – the trail is wet. Bring a light jacket or sweater: it's +14 °C with 96–98% humidity inside. In summer the temperature contrast with the heat outside is significant.
Yes. The trail has railings throughout, climbs are moderate. Children under 6 enter free. Kids enjoy the lighting and music, but the 1-hour tour may be tiring for very young children.
Sataplia Nature Reserve is 15 km away – easy to pair on the same day. Martvili Canyon is 55 km away – also doable in one day by car or via an organised tour.
Yes, year-round. Inside it's always +14 °C. Winter means fewer tourists and minimal wait times. Winter hours are shorter: 10:00–17:00.
