Kazbegi Day Trip from Tbilisi: Monasteries & Mountain Pass
What fits into a single day: ancient capitals, UNESCO monasteries, and a mountain pass at high altitude
A private day trip from Tbilisi visits the ancient capital Mtskheta, Jvari Monastery (VI century UNESCO site), Ananuri Fortress, and the mountain town of Kazbegi, ending at Gergeti Trinity Church at 2,200 meters above sea level. The itinerary spans roughly 10 hours with hotel pickup and drop-off included, an English-speaking guide, and lunch at a terrace overlooking Kazbegi glacier. Winter weather can close the mountain pass. The operator notes the drive itself totals around 7 hours.
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The experience
The day starts with pickup from your Tbilisi hotel and a drive to Mtskheta, Georgia's ancient capital, where you spend 45 minutes at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral: an XI-century UNESCO monument built over a site Christians believe holds the robe of Christ. From there, Jvari Monastery sits on a ridge overlooking the old city. The VI-century church is another UNESCO listing and the stop lasts about 30 minutes. Both sites anchor the early part of the route before the landscape opens up.
The drive toward Kazbegi follows the Georgian Military Road, a route that climbs steadily and passes through several waypoints. You stop at Ananuri Fortress, which sits on the Jinvali Dam (30 minutes), then pass the Gudauri Ski Resort, the Geo-Russian "friendship" monument, and the Cross Pass before arriving in Stepantsminda, the town also known as Kazbegi. Lunch happens at Rooms Hotel Kazbegi on a terrace that faces the Kazbegi glacier at 5,047 meters above sea level. The meal lasts about an hour. An alternative is an authentic Georgian restaurant in the nearby village of Arsha if you prefer a different setting.
After lunch, the route climbs to Gergeti Trinity Church, a monastery perched at 2,200 meters. The ascent, time at the site, and descent take roughly 1.5 hours. Winter weather can make this section impassable, so availability depends on snow and road conditions in the colder months. The return to Tbilisi follows the same route in reverse. Vehicles carry bottled water, WiFi (limited data, on request), a fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit. Drivers have completed advanced first aid training.
What’s included
- Private vehicle and English-speaking guide for the full day.
- hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Tbilisi.
- bottled water throughout.
- lunch at Rooms Hotel Kazbegi or an alternative Georgian restaurant.
- entry to all sites (Mtskheta, Jvari Monastery, Ananuri Fortress, and Gergeti Trinity Church).
Options for this experience
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Before you book
Prices and times updated 13 days ago
Operated by Traffic Travel LLC
Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to see Georgia's oldest Christian sites and a high-altitude monastery in a single day without renting a car or navigating the mountain road yourself. The private format means the pace stays yours, and the guide handles the route while you focus on the landscape and the history. Book the early morning departure if you want the best light at Jvari and time to linger at Gergeti before the afternoon clouds roll in.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 18 years); Child (4 to 8 years); Infant (under 4).
How much time do I actually spend driving versus walking around the sites?
You spend around 7 hours in the car over the full 10-hour day. The stops (Mtskheta, Jvari, Ananuri, lunch, and Gergeti Trinity Church) account for the remaining time, with the monastery visit at the end taking the longest at roughly 1.5 hours.
What happens if snow closes the road to Kazbegi in winter?
Gergeti Trinity Church has limited availability in winter because the pass between Gudauri and Kazbegi can close due to extreme weather and snow. If conditions block the route, the operator will adjust the itinerary, though the specific alternative is not fixed in advance.
Is lunch included, and where do we eat?
Lunch is included and lasts about an hour. The default is a terrace at Rooms Hotel Kazbegi with views of the glacier, or you can choose an authentic Georgian restaurant in the village of Arsha instead.
Can I arrange a private transfer from Tbilisi airport instead of my hotel?
Yes, private airport transfers are available as an add-on for $35. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the tour price. The airport transfer is optional at checkout.
What is Jvari Monastery, and why is it worth the stop?
Jvari is a VI-century church perched on a ridge overlooking Mtskheta, Georgia's ancient capital, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The 30-minute stop includes the monastery itself and a panoramic view over the old city below.
How many people can book this tour together?
The tour is private, so you choose your group size at checkout: options range from 1 to 8 travelers. The vehicle and guide are reserved for your party alone, and the price adjusts based on group size.
Kazbegi Day Trip from Tbilisi: Monasteries & Mountain Pass
10h · EN · at your hotel
from US$ 125 per person
4.9759 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider