Kazbegi, Gudauri & Ananuri: Day Trip from Tbilisi with Tastings

Summary

From Tbilisi to Kazbegi—mountain roads, rivers merging and honey tastings along the way

You’ll wind through Georgia’s Caucasus mountains on this day trip from Tbilisi, stopping at ancient fortresses and watching rivers merge in Pasanauri. Taste fresh honey and local chacha with your guide before reaching Gergeti Trinity Church above Stepantsminda—a view you might not forget soon.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the road out of Tbilisi to feel so dramatic so quickly—one minute it’s city chatter and then suddenly you’re winding past Zhinvali Dam, that turquoise water just sitting there quietly against all the green. Our guide, Giorgi, kept pointing out little things I’d have missed: old towers peeking through trees, or how the air smells sharper up here. At Ananuri Fortress, I ran my hand over the cold stone wall and tried to imagine what it must’ve been like centuries ago. There was this odd mix of silence and distant voices from other travelers—somehow it made the place feel more alive.

We stopped in Pasanauri where two rivers meet—one black, one white—and I stared longer than I meant to at how they didn’t mix right away. Lunch was khinkali (those dumplings are trickier than they look) and a glass of something strong that Giorgi called chacha. He laughed when I tried to say it in Georgian—probably butchered it. The honey tasting in Zemo Mleta was sweeter than I expected; sticky fingers and all. The woman selling it smiled but didn’t say much—just nodded as if she knew we’d remember that taste later.

The drive up to Gudauri felt endless but in a good way. We stopped at the Friendship Monument—windy as anything up there—and took in these wild views you can’t really photograph properly (I tried). My shoes got muddy but honestly, who cares? By the time we reached Gergeti Trinity Church near Stepantsminda, clouds were curling around Kazbegi mountain and everything felt hushed for a moment. Thirty minutes isn’t long enough up there but maybe that’s why I keep thinking about it now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Kazbegi, Gudauri, and Ananuri

• Visit Ananuri Fortress by Aragvi River
• Explore Pasanauri and its rivers
• Enjoy honey and chacha tasting in Zemo Mleta
• See Zhinvali Dam and turquoise waters
• Spend free time at Gudauri Ski Resort
• Visit Friendship Arch in Gudauri
• Explore Stepantsminda town and Kazbegi Mountain
• Visit Gergeti Trinity Monastery near Stepantsminda

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Tbilisi to Kazbegi?

The tour is a full-day trip with multiple stops between Tbilisi and Kazbegi, including Gudauri and Ananuri.

Is hotel pickup included for this Kazbegi day trip?

The tour includes pickup; check with your provider for exact details.

What food or drinks are included on this tour?

You’ll have a honey tasting and sample chacha (Georgian grape brandy) during the tour.

Can infants join this day trip from Tbilisi?

Yes, infants can join; strollers are allowed and infants can sit on an adult’s lap.

Do you visit Gergeti Trinity Church on this tour?

Yes, there is a stop at Gergeti Trinity Church near Stepantsminda with free time to explore.

Are entry fees included for all attractions?

An entrance fee may apply at Gergeti Trinity Monastery (around $8), supporting site preservation.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English and Russian in person during the tour.

Is lunch included on the Kazbegi day trip?

Lunch is not specifically included but there are stops where you can buy traditional Georgian food.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup in Tbilisi, travel by air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi onboard, guided stops at Ananuri Fortress, Pasanauri riverside, Zhinvali Dam, Gudauri Friendship Monument, Stepantsminda town and Gergeti Trinity Church—with tastings of local honey and chacha along the way before heading back in the evening.