# Kinchkha Waterfall, Kutaisi > Kinchkha Waterfall, also signposted as Okatse Waterfall, is a three-tier cascade in the Satsikvilo river gorge, 56 km north of Kutaisi; the main drop is about 70 m. Foreign visitors pay **20 GEL** (verifying). It opens daily from 10:00 and closes at 18:00–19:00 depending on the season. Allow 1–1.5 hours on the trail, half a day with the drive — ideally combined with [Okatse Canyon](https://yesgo.io/georgia/kutaisi/okatse-canyon), 5 km away. Web page: https://yesgo.io/georgia/kutaisi/kinchkha-waterfall - City: [Kutaisi](https://yesgo.io/georgia/kutaisi), Georgia - YesGo score: 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 1 h 30 min - Entry: 20 GEL for foreign visitors - With kids: Fine with kids - Foreign visitors: 20 GEL - Georgian citizens and residents: 12 GEL - Children: Under 6 free; 6–18 — 5.50 GEL - Hours: From 10:00; until 18:00 in spring and winter, 19:00 in autumn - Summer: Agency portal says “until 24:00”, Kutaisi Travel says 18:00 — plan for 18:00 - Closed: Never — open every day - Payment: Unofficial: card terminals on site are unreliable — bring cash in lari - Getting there: Car or taxi from Kutaisi, ≈ 1 h 10 min; no direct marshrutka - Zip line: Separate paid ride at the falls - Address: Kinchkha village, Khoni Municipality, Imereti - Coordinates: 42.49564, 42.55053 - Facts checked: 30.10.2026 ## Key facts - **≈ 70 m** — the main, middle drop — the biggest of the three (source: Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia (nationalparks.ge); Georgia Travel; English Wikipedia) - **3 tiers** — upper ≈ 25 m, main ≈ 70 m, lower 20–35 m depending on the source (source: Agency of Protected Areas — 20 m; Kutaisi Travel — 30 m; Georgia Travel — 35 m) - **56 km** — by road from Kutaisi, about 1 h 12 min by car (source: Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia (nationalparks.ge); Kutaisi Travel — 55 km) - **843 m** — above sea level (source: Georgia Travel; English Wikipedia) - **Satsikvilo** — the river whose gorge the falls drop into, also called the Okatse (source: Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia; English Wikipedia) - **Natural Monument** — an IUCN Category III protected area run by the Agency of Protected Areas (source: Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia; English Wikipedia) - **1.1 million GEL** — of state money paid for the visitor centre, trails and viewing decks (source: CBW (Caucasus Business Week), citing the Government of Georgia) - **≈ 5 km** — from Okatse Canyon (Gordi village) to the falls (source: Georgian Tour — 4–5 km; Agency of Protected Areas — 5 km) - **Khoni** — the nearest town and the municipality the falls belong to (source: Georgia Travel; English Wikipedia) - **Zip line** — across the gorge — a separate ride at the falls (source: Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia; Kutaisi 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. > **Hard to reach without a car** No marshrutka runs to the falls: public transport means two changes, in Khoni and Gordi, and a taxi for the last stretch. Without a car, hire a taxi or driver for the day from Kutaisi and add Okatse Canyon — it saves you half a day. ## How to get to Kinchkha Waterfall from Kutaisi 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](https://yesgo.io/georgia/kutaisi/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. ## Before you go: checklist - [ ] Car, taxi or driver booked for the whole day - [ ] Cash in lari for tickets, taxis and snacks - [ ] Shoes with grip — the decks and rocks are wet - [ ] A light rain jacket for the spray - [ ] Leaving in the morning to beat closing time - [ ] Time set aside for Okatse Canyon next door - [ ] Water and a snack of your own ## Kinchkha vs Okatse vs Martvili | | Kinchkha Waterfall | Okatse Canyon | Martvili Canyon | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | What it is | Three-tier waterfall, main drop ≈ 70 m | Hanging walkway over a deep canyon | Turquoise canyon with a boat ride | | Where | Kinchkha village, Khoni | Gordi village, Khoni, 5 km away | Martvili, Samegrelo | | Time needed | 1–1.5 h | 2–3 h | 1–1.5 h | | Effort | Trail with stairs | Longest walk | Easiest | | Best for | Waterfall and view lovers | Anyone fine with heights | Everyone, 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. - [Colchis Fountain](https://yesgo.io/georgia/kutaisi/colchis-fountain) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 15 min · Free - [White Bridge](https://yesgo.io/georgia/kutaisi/kutaisi-white-bridge) — YesGo score 44/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 20 min · Free - [Motsameta Monastery](https://yesgo.io/georgia/kutaisi/motsameta-monastery) — YesGo score 39/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · Free - [Prometheus Cave](https://yesgo.io/georgia/kutaisi/prometheus-cave) — YesGo score 23/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · 40 GEL, boat +30 GEL - [Kinchkha Waterfall](https://yesgo.io/georgia/kutaisi/kinchkha-waterfall) — YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · 20 GEL for foreign visitors - [Martvili Canyon](https://yesgo.io/georgia/kutaisi/martvili-canyon) — YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Entry 40 GEL, boat ≈ 20 GEL - [Okatse Canyon](https://yesgo.io/georgia/kutaisi/okatse-canyon) — YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · 30 GEL for foreign visitors ## Canyons and a waterfall in a day Okatse Canyon in the morning, Kinchkha Waterfall after lunch and Martvili on the way back. 1. [Okatse Canyon](https://yesgo.io/georgia/kutaisi/okatse-canyon) — YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · 30 GEL for foreign visitors 2. [Kinchkha Waterfall](https://yesgo.io/georgia/kutaisi/kinchkha-waterfall) — YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · 20 GEL for foreign visitors 3. [Martvili Canyon](https://yesgo.io/georgia/kutaisi/martvili-canyon) — YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · Entry 40 GEL, boat ≈ 20 GEL ## Good to know Okatse Waterfall and Kinchkha Waterfall are the same place. Okatse Canyon is a different site in neighbouring Gordi, with its own ticket and walkway. Guesthouses with “Kinchkha” in their name are in the same village but have nothing to do with the falls. ## Tips - 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. ## How we checked Seasonal 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. ## Sources - 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 --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.