Tbilisi: Family Tour — Bears, Chronicle, Jvari & Sabaduri Forest
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
Four of Tbilisi's most iconic stops. One half-day that covers more than most full-day tours.
You start at the Chronicle of Georgia — sixteen stone pillars carved with kings, saints and warriors, standing above the city with the Tbilisi Sea stretched out behind them.
Then Sabaduri Forest and the wildlife sanctuary. Hidden among the trees, a small shelter cares for rescued bears, wolves, dogs and horses. Bring apples or carrots — your guide shows you exactly how to feed the animals safely. Completely safe, entirely unforgettable, and the moment kids talk about for the rest of the trip.
Jvari Monastery comes last — 6th century, perched above the exact point where the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers meet below Mtskheta. A UNESCO World Heritage site that has drawn pilgrims and photographers for 1,500 years.
Small or private groups. English-speaking local guide who actually knows the history.
Rated 5.0 by every traveler. Viator Badge of Excellence.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Snow: While we aim to provide a winter wonderland experience, please be aware that we cannot guarantee snowfall. Snow presence is subject to natural conditions, and weather can vary.
Weather — We run year-round in all conditions. Snow is possible in winter but never guaranteed. Layers and waterproof shoes recommended whatever the season — forest terrain gets muddy after rain.
Footwear — Solid walking shoes. The forest paths and sanctuary area are uneven. No heels, nothing precious.
Food — No lunch stop. Bring snacks especially with children. If you have dietary needs (halal, vegan, gluten-free) plan ahead — no food options on the route.
Time and Traffic: Be aware that traffic in Tbilisi can vary, potentially affecting the tour's duration. Your understanding of possible delays due to traffic conditions is greatly appreciated.
Arrive on time — We start promptly out of respect for all guests. Arrive 5 minutes early — your guide will be there waiting. Late arrivals cannot join a tour in progress.
Seating — First to arrive chooses first. Early is always better.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Europe Square
We designed our starting process to be as smooth as possible, whether you prefer the exclusivity of a private car or the fun of a shared group experience. For Small Group Tour Guests: Join us at our easy-to-find meeting location in the historic center: Europe Square. We meet specifically at the open parking area next to the Cafe Tramway (a distinct vintage tram car). It is a central, accessible spot perfect for starting our journey. For Private Tour Guests: Enjoy maximum comfort with our complimentary door-to-door pickup service. Your guide will meet you directly at the lobby of your hotel or residence in Tbilisi, ensuring a stress-free start to your day. Important Note: To ensure we catch the best light and maximize our time at the bear sanctuary and forest, we kindly ask all guests to arrive 10 minutes prior to departure. Our tours leave promptly to respect the schedule of all participants.
Chronicles Of Georgia
The Chronicle of Georgia isn't on most tourist maps — which is exactly why it's worth starting here. Sixteen massive stone pillars rise above the city, carved with the life of Christ, Georgian kings and the saints who shaped this country. The sculptor was Zurab Tsereteli — the same artist behind some of the largest monuments in the former Soviet world. The scale is genuinely hard to prepare for until you're standing in front of it. From the hilltop, the Tbilisi Sea reservoir stretches toward the horizon behind the pillars. In the morning light it looks like a painting. Photographers arrive early and stay late. Most tour groups skip this entirely. The ones who do stop rarely spend enough time. You get 45 minutes — enough to walk around, read the carvings, and take the panoramic view shot that will make everyone at home ask where you were.
What‘s Included
Entry/Admission - Bear shelter
English-speaking friendly guide
Comfortable door-to-door transport (for the private tours)
Lunch
Gratuities
Personal expenses
Food for animails
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Private tour
Private tour with pick-up
Pickup included
Join-in tour
Join-in tour with tickets: Small group—perfect for singles & couples to meet new friends! Includes entrance tickets. Meeting point at Europe Square
Reviews
21 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
An excellent tour for everyone - Especially traveling with families and children
ameerk599,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I believe this tour was one of the best decisions I made during my visit to Tbilisi. The places are different than what other tours generally offer. That is why it makes this tour special. Price is fair and the hidden gems they show you during this tour are beautiful and priceless. Nini is an admirable tour guide. She is lovely and knowledgeable (and a great photographer as well). I am sure that you’ll instantly like her too. Special thanks to Mr. Nukri. He’s an excellent driver and a good man.
Off beat Tbilisi- must do!
manpreet s,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We loved this experience- seeing many beautiful places!! Seeing animals made my heart full! Forest was lil disappointing as guidr mentioned its difficult to get same weather there - its a rare phenomenon! But still it was amazing times - Oksana was super friendly, knowledgeable guide - she explained everything in detail!! She was very patiently with us! Chronicle n jvari monastery are masterpieces 🫶🏻 Highly recommended this tour n Oksana ofcourse ❤️
Excellent tour guide MS khatuna
Odyssey48327700364,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an excellent tour in Tbilisi Georgia . We booked an our tour to sabudari forest, chronicle of Georgia and jvari forest with FRIENDLY.GE and our tour guide was Ms khatuna.She was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and made everyone feel welcome. We loved the mix of history, local culture, and amazing food, everything was explained very clearly and thoughtfully throughout the entire trip.This tour was a highlight of our visit. I highly recommend this experience if you are visiting Georgia be sure to book a local tour with FRIENDLY.GE. And thank you once again To Ms khatuna to make our tour very nice.
The itinerary was very well planned — relaxed, scenic, and not physically demanding, which made it ideal for all age groups.
ManiKanta M,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful experience on the Family Half-Day Tour to Sabaduri, Georgian Chronicles, and Jvari, especially traveling with an infant and senior family members. The itinerary was very well planned — relaxed, scenic, and not physically demanding, which made it ideal for all age groups. Our guide Guram truly made the trip special. He was extremely professional, knowledgeable, and patient, and he genuinely cared about everyone’s comfort. Guram explained the history and culture in a clear and engaging way, never rushing us, and he was always happy to adjust the pace to suit our family’s needs. He was especially considerate with the baby and very respectful toward the seniors, which we greatly appreciated. The locations were beautiful and easily accessible, with plenty of time to enjoy the views at Jvari, learn about the Georgian Chronicles, and relax in the peaceful Sabaduri area. The drive was smooth, and transportation was comfortable throughout the tour. Overall, this was a stress-free, enjoyable, and enriching experience. We highly recommend this tour to families, especially those traveling with infants or elderly members — and if you get Guram as your guide, you’re in excellent hands!
Great experience and the...
Danai C,Jan 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience and the duration was ideal. Khatuna was an excellent guide, cheery and kind. Would definitely recommend it.
Beautiful Georgia 🇬🇪
SolPadszzz,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.0010/10 excellent tour. Enjoyed the magnificent views. Overjoyed meeting and feeding the bears and wolves on the Sanctuary. Nini, our tour guide, did a great job explaining things and telling the history of the places we visited. She was great at taking photos and knows where the best area to take them. She was very kind and approachable.
A great day spent in Tbilisi
carinecC6292CL,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Nina was very friendly and patient with us. The tour is so much fun, not tiring at all. 10/10 Chronicles of Georgia are legendary and the bears and wolves sanctuary was so much fun. Nina also got us carrots to feed them and taught us few tricks to play with the animals
A great 4 hours exploring surrounding sights!
Yves D,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Khatuna was a wonderful guide, friendly and knowledgeable and with a spacious comfortable vehicle. This is a good trip for a family and not to daunting time wise.
Worth every cent! Highly recommended.
Mohammad S,Feb 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an amazing experience with Ms Khatuna. She's well informed, passionate about her work and country. She answered all the questions we had and it was very enlightening and entertaining. The snowy forest walk was truly a moment picked out of a fairytale. Feeding the bears and wolves was also a unique experience. We truly enjoyed and would highly recommend booking this tour. We've already booked another tour for tomorrow and plan to book their walking tour as well. Kudos to the entire team!
Nice trip
C9555BOmanishk,Feb 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This trip was one of the best experiences we’ve had! The Chronicle of Georgia was an architectural masterpiece, and the scenic beauty of Sabaduri Forest left us in awe. Visiting Jvari Monastery was a surreal experience, especially with its stunning panoramic views. Our guide, Khatuna, was warm, engaging, and full of knowledge, making the trip even more enjoyable. From start to finish, everything was perfectly planned. A must-do in Georgia!
-5% off
From US$17.95Was US$18.90
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by Friendly.ge: Transfers & Tours in Georgia