Stepantsminda tour: Mount Kazbegi & Russian border

A day of Caucasus mountain views, from Gergeti Trinity Church to the Russian border.

This private day trip runs through the Caucasus mountains, starting early and stopping at Ananuri Fortress with its two churches overlooking the Jhinvali reservoir, the Friendship Monument at Cross Pass, Gergeti Trinity Church facing Mount Kazbegi, and Dariali gorge leading to the Georgian-Russian border. Transport, entrance fees, bottled water and a live guide are included, and the day has a lunch stop at one of the restaurants in Kazbegi.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Caucasus mountains and border

• Visit Ananuri Fortress
• Stop at Gudauri ski resort
• See Friendship Monument at Cross Pass
• Visit Gergeti Trinity Church
• Travel through Dariali gorge to border

The experience

The day starts early in the morning and covers a lot of ground. Ananuri Fortress is the first stop, with two churches inside and views down to the Jhinvali reservoir. Next you pass through Gudauri, a ski resort on the way up, where the guide can arrange a ski lift ride if you want to cross the gorge that way, and then reach the Friendship Monument at Cross Pass, where the guide explains what that name actually conceals. The vehicle is air-conditioned and carries bottled water for the drive.

Gergeti Trinity Church is a 14th-century structure built into the mountainside with Mount Kazbegi (5,000 meters high) filling the view behind it. From there, the road drops into Dariali gorge, where the Tergi river cuts through the mountains and the landscape narrows toward the border. At the end of the gorge you reach the Georgian-Russian border. The guide walks you through what you're looking at and the history of the place.

There is a lunch stop at one of the many restaurants in Kazbegi, also known as Stepantsminda. The tour suits all fitness levels, though the day is long and the altitude climbs steadily.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• entrance fees to Ananuri Fortress, Gergeti Trinity Church and all sites along the route.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• a live guide in English, German or Russian.
• pickup from any hotel in Tbilisi or from Tbilisi International Airport.

Options for this experience

3 options

Kazbegi hiking excursionUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English, German or Russian · 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00Hike to Gergeti Church: this tour covers the hike to Gergeti Trinity Church and leaves out every other stop apart from one optional stop, because of limited time. Pickup is included

Day trip to the Caucasus mountains and the Russian border, privateUp to 4 per booking · 18 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 23:00Pickup is included

Juta hiking excursionUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English, German or Russian · 08:00Hiking tour to Juta: this tour covers the hike to Juta and leaves out every other stop apart from one optional stop, owing to limited time. Tour by TRAVELIST GEORGIA. Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day18 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 23:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 95 years) · Child (5 to 17 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Travelist Georgia

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to cover the Georgian-Russian border, Dariali Gorge, and Mount Kazbegi views in one loop: the early morning start and fixed route fit all five stops into a day, though you can customize the itinerary and pause for lunch in Kazbegi.

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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 (5 to 17 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How high does Mount Kazbegi actually reach, and where do you see it from?

Mount Kazbegi stands at 5,000 meters and dominates the view from Gergeti Trinity Church, a 14th-century church perched on the mountainside where the peak fills the backdrop behind the structure.

What is the Friendship Monument, and why does the guide call it something else?

The Friendship Monument sits at Cross Pass near Gudauri and is officially named to celebrate connection between nations, but the guide explains it actually marks an occupation. The history is more complicated than the name suggests.

What happens at Dariali gorge and the border?

The road follows Dariali gorge, where the Tergi river cuts through the mountains, all the way to the Georgian-Russian border, and the guide explains the landscape and history along the way.

Is there a ski lift option on the way, or does the tour stick to the road?

Yes: at Gudauri, a ski resort along the road to Kazbegi, the guide can arrange a ski lift ride across the gorge and pick you up on the other side. Otherwise the road continues straight.

Do I need to be fit or experienced to do this tour?

The tour suits all physical fitness levels, though the day is long and the altitude climbs steadily, so stamina for a long drive matters more than hiking ability.