Georgia · Monuments

Day Trip to Kazbegi and Gudauri

11 Hours Round trip from Tbilisi Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Travel the Georgian Military Highway from Tbilisi to Kazbegi
  • 02 Photo stop at Jinvali Water Reservoir
  • 03 Visit the historic Ananuri Fortress Complex
  • 04 Take in mountain views from Panorama Gudauri
  • 05 Ride up to Gergeti Trinity Church by local 4WD
  • 06 See Mount Kazbegi and the Stepantsminda valley
  • 07 Stop at Rooms Hotel Kazbegi with scenic mountain views

Discover the dramatic mountain landscapes of northern Georgia on a full-day journey from Tbilisi to Kazbegi and Gudauri. Travel along the Georgian Military Highway, stop at the scenic Jinvali Water Reservoir and historic Ananuri Fortress, and take in sweeping Caucasus views from the Panorama Gudauri viewpoint.

The day continues to Stepantsminda, where you’ll head up to the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church for unforgettable views of the valley and Mount Kazbegi. Along the way, hear stories from your guide, enjoy time for lunch, and pause at Rooms Hotel Kazbegi to relax with mountain scenery before returning to Tbilisi.

You will get an epic panoramic view of the whole valley from the church.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 11 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Tbilisi, Gudauri, Mtskheta, Stepantsminda, Mount Kazbek
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

08:30 AVLABARI metro station

Our guide meets you in front of Avlabari metro station with our company's branded flag.

09:00 Start the Tour

Congratulations! Your experience has just started!

10:10 Jinvali Water Reservoir

Duration: 20 minutes
Jinvali Water Reservoir, also known as a lake, is located on the Georgian Military Highway. Soviets constructed the dam in the 1980s—a wonderful place to take amazing pictures.

10:40 Ananuri Fortress Complex

Duration: 1 hour
Ananuri Fortress dates to the XVI-XVII centuries and is situated on the foreland by the Aragvi River. Ananuri was a castle and seat of the Eristavis (Dukes) of Aragvi, a feudal dynasty that ruled the area from the 13th century. The fortress was the scene of numerous battles. Ananuri is a perfect place for landscape photography, and there are stunning views of the fortress and Jinvali Reservoir. The fortress remained in use until the beginning of the 19th century. In 2007, the complex was on the tentative list for inclusion into the UNESCO World Heritage Site program.

12:00 Lunch

Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
We have lunch in a pleasant atmosphere to try many different traditional Georgian dishes.

14:30 Panorama Gudauri

Duration: 45 minutes
Friendship Monument of Georgian and Russian people was built in 1983 to celebrate the bicentennial of the Treaty of Georgievsk and the ongoing friendship between Soviet Georgia and Soviet Russia. Located on the Georgian Military Highway between the ski resort town of Gudauri and the Jvari Pass, the monument is a large round stone arch and concrete structure overlooking the Devil's Valley in the Caucasus mountains. Gudauri is a ski resort located in the heart of the Caucasus Mountains. It belongs to Stepantsminda district (2,200 meters above sea level), with a skiing area enjoying maximum exposure to the sun. In addition, the resort takes you on a whole new life as a fabulous sightseeing destination with fresh air.

16:00 Arrive in Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) and depart to Gergeti Trinity Church

After arriving in Kazbegi, we need to change the transport and hire a local driver with a 4WD car to take us to Gergeti Trinity Church. Local drivers wait for 30 minutes at the church and take us back to our transport.

16:30 Gergeti Trinity Church

Duration: 30 minutes
Gergeti Trinity Church is a popular name for Holy Trinity Church near Gergeti village. The church's location is the right bank of the Chkheri river under Kazbegi Mountain, 2170 meters above sea level. Gergeti Trinity Church was built in the 14th century, and this is the only cross-cupola church in Khevi province. In times of danger, precious relics from Mtskheta, including Saint Nino’s Cross, were brought here for safekeeping. During the Soviet Era, soviets prohibited religious services, but the church remained a popular tourist destination. The church is an active establishment of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church. You will get an epic panoramic view of the whole valley from the church. Due to the church’s isolation in the steep mountainous area full of nature remains Georgia's most iconic tourist attraction. You will be impressed with the view of Mount Kazbegi, which is 5047 meters above sea level.

17:30 The Rooms Hotel Kazbegi

Duration: 30 minutes
Rooms Hotel Kazbegi is an excellent choice for travelers visiting Stepantsminda, offering a luxury environment alongside many helpful amenities designed to enhance your stay. The Rooms Kazbegi's stylish restaurant, decorated with wooden furnishings, serves international cuisine. Guests can read a book and drink in the lobby bar, while meals can be enjoyed on the terrace with the mountain view.

18:00 Departure from the Rooms Hotel Kazbegi to Tbilisi

Departure from the Rooms Hotel Kazbegi to Tbilisi

21:00-21:30 AVLABARI metro station

Tour will end at 21:00-21:30 at AVLABARI metro station.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Tbilisi 5 cities · 11 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • A professional guide service
  • Transportation service

What's Not Included

  • Food and drink
  • 4X4 drive from to Gergeti Trinity Church, 20 GEL (around $7 per person in cash onsite)

Know before you go

  • Be on time.
  • The tour operates in all weather conditions. Therefore, please dress according to the weather.
  • Dress code for a church - No one can enter a church in shorts, and women need to cover their heads.
  • It is not recommended for pregnant women.
  • There is a slight possibility that traffic will be challenging due to the snow during the winter season.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Tbilisi, GE
Tour start
Tbilisi, GE
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 11 hours finish where they began, in Tbilisi.

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