Kazbegi Full Day Private Tour: Gergeti Church & Lunch

Hike to a mountain church, then eat Georgian food at a working restaurant

A full-day private tour from Tbilisi to Kazbegi includes a professional guide, lunch at Guda restaurant, and hotel pickup in an air-conditioned minivan. The route covers the Zhinvali water reservoir, Ananuri fortress, the Gudauri Friendship Monument, and ends at the Gergeti Trinity Church, a 13th-century stone structure perched on a hilltop above the Kazbegi mountain range. The church requires a short hike or four-wheel drive to reach. The tour operates with English, German or Russian-speaking guides and runs 9 to 12 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Kazbegi and surroundings

• Visit Zhinvali Dam and reservoir
• Explore Ananuri Fortress and village
• See Gudauri Friendship Monument
• Visit Gergeti Trinity Church
• Enjoy traditional lunch at Guda restaurant

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your Tbilisi hotel and a drive north along the Georgian Military Highway. The first stop is the Zhinvali water reservoir, a 75-meter-deep Soviet-era dam on the Aragvi River that supplies electricity and water to the capital. The landscape shifts as you move toward Ananuri, a fortress hidden among lush green forests and overlooking the shimmering waters of the reservoir. Inside the fortress grounds, winding staircases and stone chambers tell the story of ancient Georgia's defensive architecture. This is where the guide walks you through the layout and history rather than leaving you to wander alone.

The route continues to Gudauri, where you stop at the Friendship Monument: a concrete landmark built in 1983 to mark the bicentennial of the Treaty of Georgievsk between Georgia and Russia. You can climb to the top for panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the highway below. From there, the minivan carries you higher into the Kazbegi region, where the air cools and the peaks close in. Lunch happens at Guda restaurant, a working establishment in the area where you taste traditional Georgian dishes. Vegetarian options are available if you request them when booking.

The final and most memorable stop is the Gergeti Trinity Church. Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Kazbegi mountain range, this 13th-century stone structure with its distinctive dome and cross-topped steeple sits at the end of a hike or a short four-wheel drive ride: the guide arranges which one suits the group. The church is an important pilgrimage site for Orthodox Christians, and the panoramic views from its grounds make it a natural stopping point for photography. By the time you return to Tbilisi, you've covered roughly 200 kilometers and seen four distinct landmarks, each with its own story about Georgia's history, faith and landscape.

What’s included

• Professional guide in your choice of English, German or Russian.
• private air-conditioned minivan transport.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Tbilisi.
• lunch at Guda restaurant with vegetarian options available.
• entry and access to all four stops: Zhinvali reservoir, Ananuri fortress, Gudauri Friendship Monument and Gergeti Trinity Church.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 09:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Child (1 to 13 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, German and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Wonderful Travel

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling as a couple, a family or a small group and want the route, timing and stops arranged without building the day yourself. The private vehicle means no waiting for other travelers, and the guide handles the logistics of reaching each site, including whether the church hike or the four-wheel drive option suits your group.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, German and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 13 years).

How do I get to the Gergeti Trinity Church from the parking area?

The Gergeti Trinity Church sits on a hilltop and can be reached on foot via a hiking trail or by hiring a four-wheel drive vehicle for the final stretch. Your guide will arrange the option that works for your group's fitness level and time.

What is the Ananuri fortress and what can I do there?

Ananuri is a historic fortress surrounded by lush forests and overlooking the Zhinvali Reservoir. You walk through the fortress grounds, explore its winding staircases and stone chambers, and learn about its role in ancient Georgia's defensive architecture from your guide.

Is lunch included, and can I request vegetarian food?

Yes, lunch at Guda restaurant is included in the tour price. Vegetarian options are available. Let the operator know your dietary requirements when you book.

What is the Gudauri Friendship Monument?

The Gudauri Friendship Monument is a concrete landmark built in 1983 on the Georgian Military Highway to celebrate the bicentennial of the Treaty of Georgievsk between Georgia and Russia. You can climb to the top to see panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

How long is the full tour and what time does it start?

The tour runs 9 to 12 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off. Your guide will confirm the exact departure time when you book, based on your hotel location in Tbilisi.