Kazbegi & Juta Village: Private 2-Day Trek with Driver

Summary

Mountain roads to Kazbegi, Juta village hike and Georgian stories

You’ll leave Tbilisi behind for two days of winding mountain roads, old monasteries like Jvari, homemade food in Juta village, and an easy trek toward Chaukhi Mountains. With a local guide handling every detail—hotel pickup, overnight stay—you’ll get time to breathe in Georgia’s high country air and maybe find your own quiet moment along the trail.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the way our driver kept humming along to the radio as we left Tbilisi — not a care in the world, just winding up into the mountains. Our guide Nino pointed out Jvari Monastery perched above the valley, with that kind of quiet pride locals have. The air started smelling different after Jinvali Lake, sort of crisp and piney, and by the time we stopped at the Gudauri monument (it’s actually called “Friendship” but it’s this wild concrete curve overlooking a huge drop), I could feel my ears pop from the altitude. I tried to take a photo but honestly, none of them really caught it.

By afternoon we reached Stepantsminda — or Kazbegi, depends who you ask — and Nino insisted we try churchkhela from a roadside stall before heading up to Gergeti Trinity Church. The church itself is just… there’s something about standing on that hill with wind tugging at your jacket and clouds moving fast over the mountains. We drove further to Juta village for the night. Dinner was simple, homemade khinkali and bread; I still think about how quiet it got after dark except for someone’s laughter drifting from another guesthouse.

Next morning felt colder than I expected. Breakfast was strong tea and cheese that squeaked between my teeth (I didn’t know cheese could do that). The hike from Juta towards Chaukhi Mountains took us over soft grass wet with dew — five hours round trip but it didn’t feel long. We passed a shepherd who waved without stopping; Nino chatted with him in Georgian and translated bits for us (“he says weather changes fast here — don’t trust blue sky”). I kept stopping just to listen to nothing but wind and cowbells. At some point my boots got soaked crossing a little stream but honestly, I didn’t care much.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Drive to Kazbegi with sightseeing

• Visit Jvari Monastery
• Stop at Jinvali artificial lake
• See Gudauri ski resort and monument
• Visit 14th century monastery
• Overnight in Juta or Kazbegi

Day 2 — Hiking from Juta to Chaukhi glacier

• Visit village Sno
• Hike from Juta to Chaukhi glacier and back

Top questions

How long is the trek from Juta Village to Chaukhi Mountains?

The hike is around 5 hours round trip from Juta towards Chaukhi glacier.

Is hotel pickup included in this Kazbegi & Juta tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the tour price.

Where do you spend the night during this 2-day tour?

You’ll stay overnight either in Juta village or in Kazbegi (Stepantsminda).

Are meals provided on this tour?

Breakfast is included; dinner may be available at your accommodation but isn’t specifically listed as included.

What sites do you visit on day one?

You stop at Jvari Monastery, Jinvali Lake, Gudauri ski resort with its Friendship Monument, and Gergeti Trinity Church before reaching Juta or Kazbegi.

Do you need special fitness for the trek?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended for the hiking portion.

Is this private tour suitable for pregnant travelers?

No, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers due to terrain and altitude.

Will there be a local guide during the trek?

Yes, your driver also serves as your guide throughout both days of the tour.

What’s included

Your two days include hotel pickup and drop-off in Tbilisi, all taxes and fees covered up front, bottled water along the way, fuel surcharge so you don’t worry about extra costs, an overnight stay in either Kazbegi or Juta village with breakfast included each morning—and a local driver-guide who handles both driving those mountain roads and sharing stories as you go.