Tbilisi to Kazbegi in one day

About this experience

You meet at Vakhtang Gorgasali Square in the old town of Tbilisi, board an air-conditioned bus and head north on the Georgian Military Road. The first stop is the Zhinvali Reservoir, a sheet of turquoise water between green hills, and then Ananuri Fortress on its shore, with towers, churches and a wall you can walk around. Higher up comes Gudauri and the painted arc of the Friendship Monument, built in 1983 (Wikipedia), hanging over a deep valley with the Caucasus all around.

Then the road climbs over the Jvari Pass and drops to Stepantsminda, still called Kazbegi by most people. The listing is clear about the last leg: the 4x4 up to Gergeti Trinity Church is optional and costs 20 GEL per person in cash, paid to the local drivers on the spot. Up there, the 14th-century church stands alone on a green ridge at about 2,170 m, with the glacier of Mount Kazbek (5,054 m, Georgia Travel) behind it. Later in the day comes a tasting of mountain honey and Georgian wine.

Included: a professional guide, the bus and the wine and honey tasting. Meals and drinks are not included: there is an optional lunch at a family-run restaurant, with khinkali and khachapuri on the menu, which you pay yourself. Plan on about 10.5 hours in all. A friendly tip: luggage is allowed on this tour, which helps if you check out of your hotel that morning.

• The turquoise Zhinvali Reservoir and Ananuri Fortress on its shore
• The Friendship Monument at Gudauri, high above the valley
• Gergeti Trinity Church on its ridge below Mount Kazbek
• A tasting of mountain honey and Georgian wine
• A professional guide with the history of the Military Road
• An air-conditioned bus, and luggage allowed on board

How the day runs

1. StartVakhtang Gorgasali Square

   Meet in the old town of Tbilisi, board the bus and head north on the Georgian Military Road.

2. First stopZhinvali and Ananuri

   Photos over the turquoise reservoir, then time to walk round the fortress, its towers and churches.

3. Higher upGudauri viewpoint

   The Friendship Monument and its painted panels, with views over the Caucasus.

4. KazbegiStepantsminda and Gergeti

   Optional 4x4 up to Gergeti Trinity Church for 20 GEL per person in cash, with Kazbek behind.

5. LunchA family-run restaurant

   An optional Georgian lunch, paid on the spot: khinkali, khachapuri and the rest.

6. About 10.5 hoursTastings and back

   Mountain honey and Georgian wine on the way, then the drive back to Tbilisi.

What's included

Who it suits

What guests say

Tips before you book

• Bring 20 GEL per person in cash for the 4x4 up to Gergeti. The local drivers take cash only.
• Lunch is not included, so carry some cash for the restaurant as well, and a snack for the drive.
• No 4x4? Georgia Travel puts the walk up from Stepantsminda to the church at 30 to 40 minutes uphill, a hike of intermediate difficulty, so only try it if your guide gives you the time.
• Mountain weather sets the plan. After heavy snow the road over the Jvari Pass can close for safety, and the guides then swap or shorten stops; check the forecast the evening before and pack a warm layer in any season.
• Planning the day? Our Kazbegi day trip guide runs through every stop.

Read next:

• Kazbegi day trip
• Gergeti 4x4
• Kazbegi vs Gudauri

Frequently asked questions

Compare with

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