Kazbegi day trip from Tbilisi: Military Road with private guide

The monastery at Kazbek rises from the clouds above a river gorge.

A private guided day trip from Tbilisi to Kazbegi along Georgia's Military Road, with an English, German or Russian-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport and stops at Zhinvali reservoir, Ananuri fortress, the Arch of Friendship and a mineral spring. The tour ends at Gergeti Church, where you transfer to a jeep to climb to the monastery at the foot of Mount Kazbek. The 11-hour route covers 16th-century fortifications, river confluences and mountain landscapes. Jeep transport to the monastery and meals are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Georgian Military Road highlights

• Travel from Tbilisi to Zhinvali reservoir
• Admire turquoise reservoir and learn history
• Visit 16th-century Ananuri fortress
• See confluence of White and Black Aragvi rivers
• Enjoy views at Arch of Friendship
• Discover unusual mineral spring
• Drive to Stepantsminda village
• Take jeep to Gergeti Church monastery

The experience

If you've just landed in Tbilisi or have a free day before heading north, this route takes you from the city through the Aragvi River gorge to the foot of the Caucasus. The drive itself is the first attraction: the road runs alongside the turquoise Zhinvali reservoir, where you stop to see how the dam shapes the landscape and the water below. From there the route passes the 16th-century fortress of Ananuri, where the local rulers, the Aragwa eristavs, held power behind its walls, and continues to the confluence where the White and Black Aragvi rivers meet.

The Arch of Friendship marks the border between the lowlands and the mountains proper. Beyond it sits an unusual mineral spring that locals say resembles a golden river. By midday you reach the village of Stepantsminda at the base of Mount Kazbek, where the day shifts from driving to climbing. You transfer into a jeep for the ascent to Gergeti Church, the ancient monastery that appears in postcards and Pushkin's poems: standing on a hilltop with snow-capped peaks behind it. The jeep ride is not included in the tour price, and lunch is arranged separately, so you control what you spend on those parts of the day.

Your guide travels the whole route with you in the air-conditioned vehicle, speaking English, German or Russian depending on which language you choose at booking. The 11-hour day means an early start from Tbilisi and a return in the evening, so plan for a full commitment but no overnight travel.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transport from Tbilisi.
• a highly qualified guide in your choice of English, German or Russian.
• stops at Zhinvali reservoir, Ananuri fortress, the Arch of Friendship and a mineral spring.
• and transfer to the village of Stepantsminda at the base of Mount Kazbek.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, German and Russian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by ushba travel

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so the driver and guide work only for your group: no shared stops or waiting for other travelers. It suits anyone arriving in Tbilisi who wants to see the Military Road and Kazbegi in a single day without renting a car or navigating the route themselves. The 11-hour commitment means you need a full day free, but the fixed itinerary and included transport mean the day holds together without you building it.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, German and Russian.

What is the Zhinvali reservoir and why do we stop there?

Zhinvali reservoir is a large dam on the Aragvi River that supplies water to the region. The stop lets you see the turquoise water and learn how the dam functions in the landscape you're driving through.

Can I visit Gergeti Church and the monastery at Kazbek on this tour?

Yes, you reach Gergeti Church in the village of Stepantsminda, then transfer to a jeep to climb to the monastery at the foot of Mount Kazbek. The jeep ride costs 15 GEL per person and is paid separately from the tour.

How long is the full day trip from Tbilisi?

The tour runs 11 hours total, including all stops, driving time and the jeep ascent to the monastery. You depart Tbilisi early and return in the evening.

What is the Arch of Friendship and where is it on the route?

The Arch of Friendship is a landmark on the Military Road that marks the transition from the lowlands into the mountains. It sits between Ananuri fortress and the mineral spring, roughly midway through the drive north.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included and is arranged separately, so you can choose where and what you eat during the day.