David Gareja is a monastery complex built into a series of cliffs and caves in a remote semi-desert landscape about 65 km southeast of Tbilisi. Founded in the 6th century by the monk David, one of the Thirteen Assyrian Fathers who brought monasticism to Georgia, the complex includes the main Lavra monastery and the cave churches of Udabno across the ridge.
The journey itself is part of the experience — the road passes through increasingly arid scrubland that feels nothing like the rest of Georgia. The Lavra monastery is still inhabited by monks; the Udabno cave churches contain extraordinary medieval frescoes, though access has been complicated by the border dispute with Azerbaijan. Tours from Tbilisi run daily in summer; a full day is needed.