Stepantsminda trekking tour: Gergeti Trinity Church & Kazbegi

Walk to a medieval monastery at the foot of Mount Kazbegi

A full-day private tour from Stepantsminda along the Georgian Military Highway takes you to Ananuri fortress on Lake Zhinvali, through the ski resort at Gudauri, and up a 3-kilometer trek to the Gergeti Trinity Church—a 14th-century cross-domed monastery built at 2,170 meters. Hotel pickup and private transportation are included; lunch is optional.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ananuri, Gudauri, and Kazbegi

• Visit Ananuri fortress by Zhinvali lake
• See medieval tower near Gergeti Trinity Church
• Trek 3 km to Gergeti Trinity Church
• Enjoy views and activities at Gudauri ski resort

The Experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel and a drive north along the Georgian Military Highway toward Mount Kazbegi. You'll stop first at Ananuri fortress, a medieval stronghold that once belonged to the Aragvi Eristavs, one of Georgia's most powerful feudal clans in the late medieval period. The fortress sits on the shore of Lake Zhinvali, where you can see how it was positioned to defend the road from the Daryal gorge into the Caucasus. From there, the route continues through Gudauri, a ski resort on the south-facing plateau of the Greater Caucasus, where you'll have views across the mountain range before heading toward Stepantsminda.

The main event is the trek to Gergeti Trinity Church. The walk covers 3 kilometers uphill to the church, which stands at 2,170 meters near the foot of Mount Kazbegi. Built in the 14th century, it's the only cross-domed church-monastery in the Hevi region, and a medieval tower is still preserved nearby. The altitude and the views across the Caucasus make this the centerpiece of the day. Your guide leads the trek and provides context about the church's history and the landscape around it.

Private transportation means you travel in your own vehicle with a guide who speaks English or Russian, and the driver handles the route so you focus on the stops and the trek itself. The full day runs 8 to 10 hours from pickup to drop-off. Lunch is available but optional, so you can decide whether to eat along the way or bring your own provisions.

What’s included

• Private transportation along the Georgian Military Highway.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a guide in English or Russian.
• stops at Ananuri fortress, Lake Zhinvali and Gudauri.
• the 3-kilometer trek to Gergeti Trinity Church at 2,170 meters.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Individual Entrepreneur Vazha Gakharia

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Stepantsminda or nearby without a car—the private transport and guide handle the route and the timing, so you walk the trek to the church without organizing the drive or navigating the mountain road yourself.

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Top questions

What is the Gergeti Trinity Church and why is it significant?

The Gergeti Trinity Church is a 14th-century cross-domed monastery located at 2,170 meters near Mount Kazbegi, the only structure of its kind in the Hevi region. A medieval tower stands preserved beside it, and the church sits at the foot of the mountain with views across the Caucasus.

How long is the trek to the church from Stepantsminda?

The trek to Gergeti Trinity Church covers 3 kilometers uphill. The full day, including stops at Ananuri fortress, Lake Zhinvali and Gudauri, runs 8 to 10 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off.

What is Ananuri fortress and where is it located?

Ananuri is a medieval fortress that belonged to the Aragvi Eristavs, one of Georgia's strongest feudal clans in the late medieval period. It sits on the shore of Lake Zhinvali and was built in the early feudal era to defend the road from the Daryal gorge into the Caucasus Mountains.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is optional on this tour, so you can choose whether to eat along the way or bring your own food.

What languages does the guide speak?

Your guide speaks English or Russian throughout the day.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to start the tour?

No—the tour includes private transportation and hotel pickup, so the driver collects you from your accommodation and handles the route to all stops and back.