Prometheus Cave
Western Georgia's biggest show cave, near Tskaltubo: six lit halls of stalactites and stalagmites and an optional underground boat ride.
Prometheus CavePhoto: Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA 4.0Prometheus Cave, also known as Kumistavi Cave, lies beside the village of Kumistavi in Tskaltubo municipality, about 20 km north-west of Kutaisi. It is one of the most visited natural sites in Georgia. About 11 km of passages and 22 halls are known, and six halls are open to visitors along a lit, paved route of roughly 1.8 km. The halls are filled with stalactites, stalagmites, curtains, petrified waterfalls and underground lakes, lit in changing colours, and the temperature stays around 14°C all year.
Visits are in guided groups and take about an hour. The route has many steps but no difficult sections. When the water level allows, you can finish with a short boat ride along the underground river, sold as a separate ticket. Expect queues on summer weekends. The cave is easy to combine with Sataplia, 20 minutes away, and Okatse Canyon, about 45 minutes north.
History
The cave system was explored in the 1980s by Georgian speleologists led by Jumber Jishkariani. Work to adapt it for visitors began in 1985 and small groups came by 1989, but the project stopped after 1990. It was fully equipped and opened to the public in 2011 and renamed after Prometheus, whom local legend places chained on the nearby Khvamli cliffs. A statue at the entrance honours a local man who guarded the cave from vandals during the years it lay closed.
What to see and do
- Six lit halls with stalactites, stalagmites and underground lakes
- A boat ride on the underground river, when the water level allows
- A constant 14°C, welcome on hot summer days
- An easy combination with Sataplia and Okatse Canyon
How to visit
Getting there
About 20 km north-west of Kutaisi (around 35 minutes by car) and 10 minutes from Tskaltubo. Marshrutkas run from Kutaisi to Tskaltubo, from where a taxi is easy. From Tbilisi allow 3.5 to 4 hours by car.
When to go
Year-round; weekday mornings are quietest. Plan 1–1.5 hours here.
- Bring a light jacket, as it is about 14°C inside
- Wear shoes with grip; the paths are damp
- Ask at the ticket office whether the boat ride is running that day
- Arrive early in summer to avoid waiting for a tour slot
Prometheus Cave: FAQ
Is Prometheus Cave worth visiting?
Yes. It is the largest and most impressive show cave in western Georgia, with big halls and easy paved paths. It is especially good with children and on hot days.
Is the boat ride in Prometheus Cave always available?
No. It runs only when the underground river is at a suitable level and stops when the water rises, usually after heavy rain. Ask when you buy your ticket.
Tours that include Prometheus Cave
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Nearby places
Straight-line distance from Prometheus Cave.
