(Once again the app messes the order of the Picts)
Results of not taking the easy path…
Zoom in the middle of the picture: modern art monastery:
Rock and holes inside 
Monastery Varlam from below
Just a bridge over “nothing”…. wouldn’t have expected here 
One of the two entry doors of Varlam
If I can recommend:stay to what I’ve marked in blue if you want walk to the two main monasteries and walk up the rock (good shoes!)
Cool pics! Reminds me a bit of Cappadocia. I guess, on your way to the east, you’ll pass there as well sooner or later;-) Cheers, M