Kazbegi 2-Day Private Tour: Gergeti Church & Ananuri

Hike to a medieval church on Mount Kazbegi's slope, then walk to waterfalls in a river gorge further north.

A 2-day private tour from Tbilisi to Kazbegi follows the Georgian Military Highway through the Great Caucasus Mountains, with hotel pickup and overnight accommodation included. Day one covers Mtskheta's two UNESCO sites (Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral), then Ananuri fortress before reaching Kazbegi. Day two is a 2.5-hour walk uphill to Gergeti Holy Trinity Church, followed by an easy trek to Gveleti Waterfall in Dariali Gorge, with return to Tbilisi in the evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Tbilisi to Kazbegi via historic sites

• Pick up from hotel in Tbilisi
• Visit Jvari Monastery in Mtskheta
• Explore Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
• Tour Ananuri fortress and Jinvali reservoir
• Drive over Jvari pass and taste travertine waters
• Arrive in Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)

Day 2: Kazbegi hiking and return to Tbilisi

• Walk to Gergeti Holy Trinity Church
• Return walk to Kazbegi town
• Drive to Dariali gorge and walk to Gveleti Waterfalls
• Visit Dariali Monastery
• Drive back to Tbilisi and drop off at hotel

The experience

The tour departs from your Tbilisi hotel and heads north on the former Silk Road, now called the Georgian Military Highway. Your first stop is Mtskheta, the ancient capital of East Georgia, where you'll visit Jvari Monastery, a 6th-century UNESCO site perched above the town, and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, an 11th-century structure that anchors the old city. From there, the route continues to Ananuri fortress, a 14th- to 17th-century complex built by the Aragvi Dukes to guard the country from the north. The fortress overlooks Jinvali Reservoir and sits at a natural vantage point along the highway. You'll cross Jvari Pass at 2,395 meters above sea level and stop at travertine springs where mineral water flows down from the mountains before arriving in Kazbegi (officially Stephantsminda) for the night.

The second day begins with breakfast at your hotel, then a 2.5-hour walk uphill to Gergeti Holy Trinity Church, a 14th-century altar on the slope of Mount Kazbegi itself. The church's stone facade preserves carvings of ancient religious rituals, and on clear days Mount Kazbegi's peak (5,047 meters) dominates the view. After walking back to town, you'll drive into Dariali Gorge, an ancient crossing point of the Caucasus range fortified in 150 BC. An easy 20- to 25-minute uphill walk takes you to Gveleti Waterfall along the river, with views of green valleys opening below. You'll also visit Dariali Monastery, nestled in the river gorge itself, before the evening drive back to Tbilisi and drop-off at your hotel.

A professional certified guide drives the private vehicle throughout, handling all logistics so you can focus on the landscape and the sites. Breakfast is included both mornings. The tour is subject to favorable weather, particularly during April, May, and October. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can reschedule or receive a full refund.

What’s included

• Transport by private vehicle with a professional certified guide.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Tbilisi.
• overnight accommodation in a double, twin or single room in Kazbegi.
• breakfast both mornings.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour (Double/Twin Room)Up to 15 per booking · Guide in English · 09:00Double or twin room with one breakfast, pickup is included

Tour (Single Room)Up to 11 per booking · Guide in English · 09:00Single room, includes pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDeparts at 09:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Child (2 to 6 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Georgian Holidays

Is this one for you?Choose the double or twin room if traveling with a partner, or the single room if you prefer your own space, each books separately.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 6 years); Infant (under 2).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Gergeti Holy Trinity Church and why is the walk to it worth the effort?

Gergeti Holy Trinity Church is a 14th-century altar built on the slope of Mount Kazbegi itself, at high altitude with views of the 5,047-meter peak on clear days. The 2.5-hour walk uphill is the main activity of day two, and the church's stone facade preserves carvings depicting ancient religious rituals and beliefs that few other sites in the region display.

How difficult is the hike to Gveleti Waterfall, and what does the walk involve?

The walk to Gveleti Waterfall is easy, taking 20 to 25 minutes uphill along the river in Dariali Gorge. It is a gentle trek that opens onto views of green valleys and the gorge's picturesque landscape, and it comes after the longer morning walk to Gergeti Church, so it is a lighter activity for the afternoon.

What are the two UNESCO World Heritage sites I'll visit on day one?

Jvari Monastery, dating to the 6th century, sits above Mtskheta and is one of the oldest churches in Georgia. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, built in the 11th century, is the other UNESCO site in Mtskheta and served as the spiritual center of the ancient capital of East Georgia.

What is Ananuri fortress and what can I see there?

Ananuri fortress is a 14th- to 17th-century complex built by the Aragvi Dukes to guard Georgia from the north. The site includes fortifications and residential buildings, and it overlooks Jinvali Reservoir, offering views across the landscape as the highway climbs toward the mountains.

Where do I stay overnight, and what should I expect from the accommodation?

You stay at a hotel or guesthouse in Kazbegi with fantastic views of the mountains. Rooms are double or twin beds. If you are traveling alone, a single room is available as a separate booking option. Breakfast is included both mornings of the tour.

Does the tour operate in winter, and what happens if weather cancels the hike to Gergeti Church?

The tour is subject to favorable weather, particularly during April, May, and October. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you will be offered an alternative date or a full refund, so you are not charged if the hike cannot safely proceed.