Mtskheta, Ananuri, Kazbegi tour from Tbilisi: Private guide

Four mountain monasteries and a castle in one day, with a guide who stays focused on you

A private full-day tour from Tbilisi to Mtskheta, Ananuri, Gudauri and Kazbegi with a professional guide and separate driver. You visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery, both UNESCO World Heritage sites near Mtskheta, then travel north through the Caucasus to Ananuri castle and the Gergeti Trinity Church high on the mountainside near Kazbegi. The guide speaks English or Russian and hotel pickup is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral1h 30m
2. Jvari Monastery40m

Explore Mtskheta and Kazbegi highlights

• Visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral
• Tour Jvari Monastery
• See Zhinvali Dam views
• Explore Ananuri castle complex
• Visit the bicentennial monument
• View mineral water source and travertine rocks
• Visit Gergeti Trinity Church

The experience

You start from your Tbilisi hotel and head northwest to Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, the second largest church building in Georgia, sits in the heart of the town: a masterpiece of the Early Middle Ages and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From there, you climb to Jvari Monastery, a sixth-century structure perched on a rocky mountaintop at the confluence of two rivers. The monastery stands on the spot where Saint Nino, credited with converting Georgia to Christianity in the 4th century, erected a wooden cross that drew pilgrims from across the Caucasus.

The route north takes you past the Zhinvali Dam and its distinctive V-shaped reservoir, then to Ananuri castle complex on the Aragvi River. The fortress dates from the 13th century and contains two churches: the older Church of the Virgin with its tall square tower, and the larger Church of the Mother of God, built in 1689 with carved stone details and remnants of frescoes. You'll also stop at a monument built in 1983 to mark the bicentennial of the Treaty of Georgievsk, which sits with views across the mountains and valley.

The final stop is Gergeti Trinity Church near Kazbegi, built in the 14th century and set at 2,170 meters on the mountainside beneath Mount Kazbegi itself. Reaching the church requires a separate local vehicle (80 GEL, about 30 USD, arranged on-site and not included in the tour price). Because you have a dedicated driver and guide, not a shared bus, the guide can answer questions throughout the day without managing other passengers, and you move at your own pace between sites.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• professional driver and guide speaking English or Russian throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 09:30

Book up to10h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tour2georgia

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Russian, so you'll follow the commentary comfortably in your language. A private tour means the guide stays with your party alone, not managing a larger group, so questions get answered without delay and the pace fits your interests.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

What is Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and why is it significant?

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta is the second largest church building in Georgia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built as a masterpiece of the Early Middle Ages, it stands in the ancient capital and is one of the two major stops on the tour.

Can I visit Gergeti Trinity Church, and what does it cost?

Gergeti Trinity Church is included as a stop on the tour itinerary, but reaching it requires a separate local vehicle ride up the mountain. That vehicle costs 80 GEL (approximately 30 USD) and is arranged and paid on-site. It is not included in the tour price.

What is Jvari Monastery and where is it located?

Jvari Monastery is a sixth-century Georgian Orthodox monastery near Mtskheta, standing on a rocky mountaintop where the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers meet. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and marks the spot where Saint Nino erected a wooden cross in the early 4th century that became known for miracles.

What can I see at Ananuri castle?

Ananuri is a feudal castle complex on the Aragvi River about 45 miles from Tbilisi. It contains two churches: the Church of the Virgin from the first half of the 17th century with a tall square tower, and the Church of the Mother of God built in 1689 with carved stone details and remnants of frescoes.

How long is the tour and what is included in the price?

The tour runs 11 to 12 hours and includes private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a professional driver and guide. Food and drink are not included. The separate vehicle fee to reach Gergeti Trinity Church is also paid on-site.