Kazbegi Day Trip: Gergeti Church, Waterfall Hike & Monastery

High Caucasus tour: castle ruins, church, waterfall hike, and border monastery in one day

A private full-day tour from Tbilisi to Kazbegi and the Georgian Military Road covers Ananuri Castle Complex, Gergeti Holy Trinity Church (built in the 14th century at 2,170m), a 4km hike to Gveleti Waterfalls, Dariali Monastery near the Georgia-Russia border, and the village of Sno with its giant portrait sculptures. A private English-speaking guide and all entrance tickets are included. The total drive is 345 km roundtrip.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kazbegi full day sightseeing tour

• Visit Jinvali Water Reservoir
• Explore Ananuri Castle Complex
• See Black and White Aragvi rivers
• Stop at Jvari Pass Travertine
• Visit Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument
• Visit Dariali Monastery near border
• Visit village Sno and sculptures
• Visit Sioni Basilica and watchtower
• Stop for lunch in Stepantsminda
• Hike to Gveleti Waterfalls
• Visit Gergeti Holy Trinity Church

The experience

How do you fit the high Caucasus into a single day from Tbilisi? This tour strings together the landmarks most visitors come to Kazbegi to see, but adds stops most tours skip: Dariali Monastery right at the border, the IX-X century Sioni Basilica with its pyramidal watchtower, and the village of Sno where sculptor Merab Firanishvili carved giant portraits of Georgia's prominent figures into the mountainside. The route follows the Georgian Military Road north, so you move through the landscape rather than jumping between isolated sites.

The day starts at Jinvali Water Reservoir, then moves to Ananuri Castle Complex: a 13th-century seat of the Aragvi dukes with a church, bell-tower, and seven-storey tower still standing. From there you climb toward Kazbegi and Gergeti Holy Trinity Church, built in 1414 at 2,170m on the slopes of Mount Kazbek (5,054m). The church sits high enough that in medieval times, when danger came, precious relics from Mtskheta, including Saint Nino's Cross, were brought here for safekeeping. The hike to Gveleti Waterfalls is 4 km roundtrip and takes about 1.5 hours. The path climbs through the village of Gveleti to a narrow canyon where two waterfalls drop into a gorge. You stop for lunch in Stepantsminda (Kazbegi town), then visit Dariali Monastery in its gorge near the Russia-Georgia border, Sioni Basilica with its watchtower, and finish at Jvari Pass Travertine (2,197m) and the Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument at Panorama Gudauri for views across the range.

The tour runs 12 hours total, including the 345 km drive. A private English-speaking guide travels with you, and all entrance tickets are covered. Two options exist at checkout: the Tour with Lunch includes a meal at a local family home with traditional mountainous cuisine, while the Budget Tour stops at a restaurant where you order from the menu. Comfortable shoes and a warm jacket are essential. The high elevation and mountain weather change quickly. Women should bring or wear a headscarf and dress for the churches. Men should avoid short trousers. If you have dietary restrictions, let the operator know when you book the lunch option.

What’s included

• Private English-speaking guide and private transportation with air conditioning.
• all entrance tickets to Ananuri, Gergeti Church, Dariali Monastery, Sioni Basilica, and other sites.
• bottled water throughout the day. If you book the Tour with Lunch option, lunch at a local family home with traditional mountainous cuisine is included.
• the Budget Tour option includes a restaurant stop where you order from the menu.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private Budget TourGuide in English · 08:00Includes pickup

Lunch-inclusive private tourGuide in English · 08:00Sample local food and wine; pickup is included

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (under 12)

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 today

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by SelectGeorgia-For Holiday

Is this one for you?Choose the Tour with Lunch option if you want to eat with a local family and taste traditional mountainous dishes. Choose the Budget Tour if you prefer to order from a restaurant menu. Either way, you travel privately with your own guide and vehicle, so the pace and stops adjust to your interests and fitness level within the 12-hour day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).

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 Ananuri Castle and why does it matter?

Ananuri Castle Complex was the seat of the Aragvi dukes, a feudal dynasty ruling the area from the 13th century. The complex sits on the tentative UNESCO list and includes a church, bell-tower, prison cell, a seven-storey tower, and two churches: the older Church of the Virgin and the larger Church of the Mother of God built in 1689. It is the first major stop on the drive north from Tbilisi.

How high is Gergeti Church and what makes it significant?

Gergeti Holy Trinity Church sits at 2,170m elevation on the slopes of Mount Kazbek. Built in the 14th century, it served as a refuge for precious relics during times of danger, including Saint Nino's Cross, brought here from Mtskheta for safekeeping. A small council chamber from the XV-XVI centuries still stands on the south wall, where the Council of Elders of Khevi resolved community matters.

What is the Gveleti Waterfalls hike like?

The hike to Gveleti Waterfalls (also called Snake's Waterfall) covers 4 km roundtrip and takes about 1.5 hours total. The path climbs through the village of Gveleti to a narrow canyon where two waterfalls drop into a gorge, with views across the Caucasus Mountains. It is rated easy and suitable for all fitness levels.

Where is Dariali Monastery and what is it?

Dariali Monastery sits in Dariali Gorge near the Georgia-Russia border at 1,300m elevation. The monastery complex was completed in 2011 and overlooks the Khde river flowing through the mountainous gorge. It is one of the few stops on this tour that most Kazbegi day trips do not include.

What should I wear and bring for this tour?

Comfortable hiking shoes and a warm jacket are essential: the high elevation and mountain weather change quickly. Women must wear a headscarf and dress when entering Georgian Orthodox churches. Scarves and dresses can be found near some church entrances. Men should avoid short trousers in the churches. Bring layers, as temperatures drop significantly at altitude.