Kazbegi day trip from Tbilisi: Jvari, Ananuri & Gergeti Church

Gergeti Trinity Church perched 2,170 meters above the Georgian Military Highway, with Mount Kazbek rising behind it.

A private day trip from Tbilisi to Kazbegi and Gudauri with an English-speaking guide covers four major stops across ten hours: Jvari Monastery, built on the site of a 4th-century cross; the turquoise Zhinvali reservoir and Ananuri Fortress overlooking it; Gudauri ski resort at 2,200 meters; and Gergeti Trinity Church at 2,170 meters on the slopes below Mount Kazbek. Air-conditioned 4x4 transport, bottled water and fuel are included. Lunch and dinner are not.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Kazbegi and Surroundings

• Visit Jvari Monastery
• View Zhinvali Dam and reservoir
• Tour Ananuri Fortress
• See Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument in Gudauri
• Visit Gergeti Trinity Church

The experience

You're picked up from your Tbilisi hotel and driven north on the Georgian Military Highway toward the Caucasus. The route climbs steadily, and the first stop is Jvari Monastery, 24 kilometers from the city: a 4th-century site built where Saint Nino erected a wooden cross in the early 300s. From there, the road follows the Aragvi River valley to Zhinvali, where a hydroelectric dam has created a turquoise reservoir that sits oddly beautiful against the mountain slopes. The Ananuri Fortress overlooks this lake from a ridge, its high stone walls and two churches carved with animal and floral patterns. You can descend to the shore and see the ruins of a church from an older settlement that was relocated when the water rose.

The drive continues higher into Gudauri, a ski resort at 2,200 meters with its top station at 3,306 meters. The landscape opens into alpine terrain, and the Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument marks the road. The final and most photographed stop is Gergeti Trinity Church, standing at 2,170 meters on a hillside directly below the white mass of Mount Kazbek (5,033 meters). The church dates to the 12th–14th centuries and has weathered centuries of weather and conflict. The setting (the stone building against the mountain backdrop) is why photographers return to this spot. The ten-hour tour gives you time at each site without rushing, though the drive itself takes up most of the day.

Your guide speaks English throughout and travels with you in a private air-conditioned 4x4, which is essential for the mountain sections. Bottled water is provided. The tour does not include lunch or dinner, so plan to eat before you leave Tbilisi or bring food with you. There are limited options at altitude. The itinerary suits all fitness levels, though the stops involve walking on uneven ground and climbing to viewpoints. Nothing technical, but the altitude and terrain mean a steady pace.

What’s included

• Private 4x4 transport with an English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water.
• fuel surcharge.
• hotel pickup in Tbilisi.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to7h before

AgesAdult (8 to 89 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 17 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Kartutours

Is this one for you?At ten hours, this tour fills most of a day and leaves little room for other activities in Tbilisi. Book it if you have a full day free and want to see the high Caucasus and its major monasteries without renting a car or navigating the mountain highway yourself.

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Top questions

What is Jvari Monastery and why is it on this tour?

Jvari Monastery sits 24 kilometers north of Tbilisi on a site where Saint Nino erected a large wooden cross in the early 4th century. It is one of Georgia's oldest religious monuments and marks the beginning of the route into the Caucasus.

Can I see Mount Kazbek from Gergeti Trinity Church?

Yes. Gergeti Trinity Church stands at 2,170 meters on the southern slopes of Mkinvarcveri, directly below Mount Kazbek's white peak at 5,033 meters: the mountain dominates the view and is the reason the church location is so photographed.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes private 4x4 transport, an English-speaking guide, bottled water and fuel surcharge. Lunch and dinner are not included, so you'll need to arrange or bring your own food.

How long is the drive from Tbilisi to Kazbegi?

The full tour runs ten hours from pickup to return, covering the four main stops (Jvari, Zhinvali reservoir and Ananuri Fortress, Gudauri, and Gergeti Church) with travel time between them.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not an experienced hiker?

Yes. The tour suits all fitness levels. The stops involve walking on uneven ground and climbing to viewpoints, but nothing technical: the altitude and terrain require a steady pace rather than climbing skill.