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Kinchkha Waterfall, Kutaisi

Kinchkha Waterfall dropping from a tall layered limestone cliff onto a rocky slope among autumn trees
Photo: Paata vardanashvili, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
20 GEL for foreign visitors
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Hours
From 10:00; until 18:00 in spring and winter, 19:00 in autumn
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
1 h 30 min
With kids
Fine with kids
Foreign visitors
20 GEL
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Georgian citizens and residents
12 GEL
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Children
Under 6 free; 6–18 — 5.50 GEL
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Summer
Agency portal says “until 24:00”, Kutaisi Travel says 18:00 — plan for 18:00
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Closed
Never — open every day
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Payment
Unofficial: card terminals on site are unreliable — bring cash in lari
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Getting there
Car or taxi from Kutaisi, ≈ 1 h 10 min; no direct marshrutka
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Zip line
Separate paid ride at the falls
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Address
Kinchkha village, Khoni Municipality, Imereti
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Coordinates
42.49564, 42.55053YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

≈ 70 mthe main, middle drop — the biggest of the three
3 sourcesAgency of Protected Areas of Georgia (nationalparks.ge)Georgia TravelEnglish Wikipedia
3 tiersupper ≈ 25 m, main ≈ 70 m, lower 20–35 m depending on the source
3 sourcesAgency of Protected Areas — 20 mKutaisi Travel — 30 mGeorgia Travel — 35 m
56 kmby road from Kutaisi, about 1 h 12 min by car
2 sourcesAgency of Protected Areas of Georgia (nationalparks.ge)Kutaisi Travel — 55 km
843 mabove sea level
2 sourcesGeorgia TravelEnglish Wikipedia
Satsikvilothe river whose gorge the falls drop into, also called the Okatse
2 sourcesAgency of Protected Areas of GeorgiaEnglish Wikipedia
Natural Monumentan IUCN Category III protected area run by the Agency of Protected Areas
2 sourcesAgency of Protected Areas of GeorgiaEnglish Wikipedia
1.1 million GELof state money paid for the visitor centre, trails and viewing decks
SourceCBW (Caucasus Business Week), citing the Government of Georgia
≈ 5 kmfrom Okatse Canyon (Gordi village) to the falls
2 sourcesGeorgian Tour — 4–5 kmAgency of Protected Areas — 5 km
Khonithe nearest town and the municipality the falls belong to
2 sourcesGeorgia TravelEnglish Wikipedia
Zip lineacross the gorge — a separate ride at the falls
2 sourcesAgency of Protected Areas of GeorgiaKutaisi Travel

Kinchkha Waterfall entrance fee and opening hours

Foreign visitors pay 20 GEL, Georgian citizens and residents 12 GEL; under-6s are free and 6–18-year-olds pay 5.50 GEL. That is the Agency of Protected Areas tariff, but its page is currently offline, so we mark the price as verifying — fees at neighbouring sites reportedly rose in 2026.

The site opens every day from 10:00. It closes at 18:00 in spring and winter and 19:00 in autumn. For summer the agency portal says midnight while the regional tourism office says 18:00 — plan to arrive by early afternoon either way.

Bring cash in Georgian lari. Cards work almost everywhere in Kutaisi, but unofficial reports say the terminal at the falls is unreliable, and village taxi drivers expect cash. The zip line is paid separately.

How to get to Kinchkha Waterfall from Kutaisi

Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.

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Where are you starting from?

We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.

More tips

  1. From David the Builder Square (Colchis Fountain), drive or take a taxi north towards Khoni — about 56 km, roughly 1 h 10 min. Bolt and other ride apps work in Kutaisi (unofficial); agree a day rate with the driver for the return.
  2. After Khoni, follow the signs for Gordi and Okatse Canyon, then for Okatse Waterfall — the falls are about 5 km beyond the canyon. Navigation apps sometimes get the last stretch wrong, so trust the signs.
  3. No car: take a taxi to Kutaisi Central Bus Station by McDonald's (a few minutes), then a marshrutka to Khoni.
  4. In Khoni, change to a Gordi marshrutka (a few departures a day, unofficial) or take a local taxi to the falls.
  5. Buy your ticket at the visitor centre, then walk the trail of walkways and stairs to the viewing decks — allow 1–1.5 hours.
  6. Head back via Okatse Canyon or straight to Kutaisi.

Is Kinchkha Waterfall worth it?

Yes, if you are already going to Okatse Canyon: it is 5 km away and one of the tallest waterfalls in Georgia, for about an hour of your day. As a separate trip from Kutaisi it is harder to justify — over two hours of driving for an hour at the falls.

Timing matters. Spring, with snowmelt and rain, brings the most water. After weeks of dry weather the flow thins noticeably, though the layered cliff is striking even then. In heavy rain or fog the trail gets slippery, so postpone if you can.

What is Kinchkha Waterfall?

A cascade of three steps on the limestone slopes of the Satsikvilo gorge. The upper drop is about 25 m, the main one about 70 m, and the lower one 20 to 35 m — sources disagree. Together that is well over 100 m of falling water.

For years only rough paths led here. The Agency of Protected Areas then built a visitor centre, trails and viewing decks for 1.1 million GEL of state money, and the falls are now a protected natural monument with a ticket desk — and a standard stop on day trips to Okatse Canyon.

What to see

  • The main drop, about 70 m — best from the lower decks, where the spray reaches you.
  • The upper cascade — wider and gentler, where the trail starts down along the river.
  • The layered cliff — pale limestone bands that fan the water out.
  • The metal walkway across the gorge, with views of the tiers from several angles.
  • The zip line over the gorge, if the viewing decks are not enough.
  • The wooded slopes of the gorge — gold and rust in autumn, bright green in spring.

Okatse Canyon and Kinchkha Waterfall in one day

This is how most people do it. Start with Okatse Canyon and its cliff-hanging walkway in the morning, when fewer groups are there, then drive 5 km to the falls after lunch. Both take 5–6 hours including the drive from Kutaisi if you leave before 10:00.

Still have energy? Martvili Canyon fits on the way back, but you will be returning after dark. Guided day tours from Kutaisi usually bundle all three; entrance fees are normally extra.

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Kinchkha vs Okatse vs Martvili

Kinchkha Waterfallyou are hereThree-tier waterfall, main drop ≈ 70 mKinchkha village, Khoni1–1.5 hTrail with stairsWaterfall and view lovers
Okatse CanyonHanging walkway over a deep canyonGordi village, Khoni, 5 km away2–3 hLongest walkAnyone fine with heights
Martvili CanyonTurquoise canyon with a boat rideMartvili, Samegrelo1–1.5 hEasiestEveryone, toddlers included

Kinchkha and Okatse are one trip — do them together. If you want just one canyon in a day, Martvili is simpler and closer to the main road.

Waterfalls and canyons near Kutaisi

Every waterside place near Kutaisi rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Colchis Fountain4515 minFree28.0 km
White Bridge4420 minFree28.1 km
Motsameta Monastery3940 minFree29.3 km
Prometheus Cave231 h 15 min40 GEL, boat +30 GEL13.8 km
Kinchkha Waterfallyou are here221 h 30 min20 GEL for foreign visitors—
Martvili Canyon221 h 30 minEntry 40 GEL, boat ≈ 20 GEL15.0 km
Okatse Canyon212 h30 GEL for foreign visitors5.0 km

Canyons and a waterfall in a day

Okatse Canyon in the morning, Kinchkha Waterfall after lunch and Martvili on the way back. Add them to your route in one tap — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.

  1. Okatse Canyon2 h · 30 GEL for foreign visitors
  2. 87 min walk from the previous stopKinchkha Waterfallyou are here1 h 30 min · 20 GEL for foreign visitors
  3. 260 min walk from the previous stopMartvili Canyon1 h 30 min · Entry 40 GEL, boat ≈ 20 GEL

3 places · about 10 h 47 min with walks · 347 min on foot in total

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How to do it right

  • Pair it with Okatse Canyon — they are only about 5 km apart.
  • Come in spring for the strongest flow; after a dry summer there is much less water.
  • Carry cash in lari — cards don't always work at the falls.
  • Book your Kutaisi taxi for the whole day; finding one back from the village is hard.
  • The best photos are from the lower decks, but it is wet — keep your phone pocketed on the way down.
  • Skip swimming: the rocks are slippery and the mountain water is cold even in summer.

Questions

How much is the Kinchkha Waterfall entrance fee?

20 GEL for foreign visitors, 12 GEL for Georgian citizens and residents, free for under-6s. We are verifying it, as fees at nearby sites reportedly rose in 2026.

What are Kinchkha Waterfall opening hours?

Daily from 10:00; until 18:00 in spring and winter and 19:00 in autumn. Summer closing times differ between sources — plan for 18:00.

How do I get to Kinchkha Waterfall from Kutaisi?

By car or taxi, about 1 h 10 min via Khoni. There is no direct marshrutka — only to Khoni, then a Gordi marshrutka a few times a day or a taxi.

Can I visit Okatse Canyon and Kinchkha Waterfall on the same day?

Yes — they are about 5 km apart. Allow 5–6 hours for both including the drive from Kutaisi, starting with the canyon in the morning.

How tall is Kinchkha Waterfall?

Three drops of about 25 m, 70 m and 20–35 m — sources disagree on the lowest one. Well over 100 m in total.

How long do you need at Kinchkha Waterfall?

1–1.5 hours for the trail and viewing decks; about half a day with the round trip from Kutaisi.

Is Kinchkha Waterfall worth it?

Yes, combined with Okatse Canyon. As a separate trip from Kutaisi, two hours of driving for one hour at the falls is a harder sell.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring, when there is the most water. It is open all year, but the flow drops after dry spells, and heavy rain or fog makes the trail slippery.

Is Kinchkha Waterfall suitable for kids?

Yes — the trail is built up, though there are stairs and wet decks. A baby carrier works better than a stroller.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia (nationalparks.ge): Okatse (Kinchkha) Waterfall — seasonal hours, tiers, distances, zip line, 30.10.2026
  • Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia (apa.gov.ge): Okatse Waterfall tariff — seen in search results; the page returned 404 on 30.10.2026
  • Frontnews: Entrance fees to Georgia's protected areas increase, January 2024
  • Georgian National Tourism Administration (Georgia Travel): Kinchkha Waterfall
  • Kutaisi Travel (Imereti DMO): Kinchkha waterfall; Okatse waterfall
  • English Wikipedia: Kinchkha Waterfall Natural Monument; Wikidata Q87457166
  • CBW (Caucasus Business Week): new eco-tourism infrastructure at Okatse Waterfall
  • Madloba: Okatse Canyon and Kinchkha Waterfall, 2026; Georgian Tour: Kinchkha Waterfall, Okatse Canyon & Lomina Lake
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 30.10.2026 ·
How we checkedSeasonal hours, the absence of a closing day, the tier heights, the distance from Kutaisi and the zip line come from the Agency of Protected Areas portal and are marked official. For summer the portal says “until 24:00” while Kutaisi Travel says 10:00–18:00, so summer closing is marked verifying. The agency's tariff page returned a 404 on 30.10.2026; the 20 and 12 GEL fares appear in its search listing and match the tariff in force from 1 March 2024 reported by Frontnews. Kutaisi Travel quotes 40 GEL without explanation, and fees at nearby sites rose in 2026, so the price is marked verifying. Sources give the lowest drop as 20, 30 or 35 m, so we show the range. The designation year differs (Wikipedia 2007, Wikidata 2011), so we leave it out. Marshrutka and payment details are unofficial, from travel guides.

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