—Ananuri fortress on the turquoise Zhinvali reservoir
—The Jvari pass at 2,395 m and the Gudauri panorama
—4×4 up to Gergeti Trinity church at 2,170 m — no two-hour walk unless you want it
—Gveleti waterfall or the Dariali gorge, depending on the season
—Lunch in Stepantsminda with khinkali made the mountain way

Itinerary

08:00Leave Tbilisi north on the Military Highway. Stop at Ananuri, the 17th-century fortress and churches above the reservoir.

Late morningClimb through Pasanauri to Gudauri; the Friendship Monument viewpoint on the pass.

MiddayStepantsminda. Lunch, then 4×4 to Gergeti Trinity church. Time at the top — the glacier of Kazbek, 5,054 m, is straight ahead when the sky is clear.

AfternoonShort walk to the Gveleti waterfall (summer) or a look into the Dariali gorge towards the border. Return to Tbilisi by around 19:00.

Route map

Map: OpenStreetMap · Road route and driving times: OSRM · Times exclude stops.

Included

✓ Private car with driver
✓ English-speaking guide
✓ 4×4 transfer to Gergeti church

Not included

— Lunch
— Optional horse ride or mineral spring visit at Truso

Good to know

· Bring a warm layer even in July — the church sits at 2,170 m
· The pass can close for a few hours after heavy snow (December–March); we monitor and reschedule
· Best light at Gergeti is between 12:00 and 15:00

Questions

Is the road safe?
It is a paved highway used daily by tourists and trucks; our drivers know it in every season.

Can I stay overnight?
Yes — see our two-day Kazbegi journey, which adds the Juta valley and a night in the mountains.

Prices are per person for two travelling together, in euros; solo travellers and larger groups are quoted on request. Every departure is private and adjusted to you. Hotels, wineries and restaurants on our routes are verified by GTour.

Verified places on the route

Vaso-Levani Kazbegi Cottage

Guest House · Verified

Vaso-Levani Guest House

Hotel · Verified

Gudauri Hills Residence

Hotel · Verified

Gudauri Hills Apart Hotel

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Read before you go

taste

Mountain khinkali vs Tbilisi khinkali: the argument every Georgian has

Georgia's dumpling has two schools — the one from the mountains where it was born, and the one…

landmark

Ananuri: the fortress on a lake that shouldn’t exist

An hour from Tbilisi, a 17th-century castle sits above turquoise water. The castle is real. The lake arrived…

road

The Jvari pass: the road that took three empires to build

The Georgian Military Highway climbs to 2,395 metres over the Jvari pass — a road begun by Georgian…

landmark

Gergeti Trinity Church: why a 14th-century church was built where no one lives

On a bare ridge at 2,170 metres, under the glacier of Mount Kazbek, stands the most photographed building…

Questions about this tour

How long does the tour take and what time does it start?

The tour runs about 10u201311 hours, leaving Tbilisi at 08:00 (or a time you prefer, since every departure is private). You return to your Tbilisi hotel around 19:00.

What is included and what isn't?

Included are a private car with driver, an English-speaking guide, and the 4x4 transfer up to Gergeti Trinity Church. Lunch and optional extras like a horse ride or a visit to the Truso mineral springs are not included.

Do we have to hike up to Gergeti Trinity Church?

No, the tour uses a 4x4 transfer to reach the church at 2,170 m, so the usual two-hour walk is optional rather than required. This makes it manageable for travellers who prefer not to hike.

Is this tour suitable for children or older travellers?

Yes, since the walking is optional and the main sights are reached by car and 4x4, it suits children and older travellers reasonably well. There is some time on foot at Ananuri and possibly to the Gveleti waterfall, but nothing strenuous is required.

What should we bring and what's the weather like?

Bring a warm layer even in July, as the church sits at 2,170 m and temperatures can be cool. The route crosses the Jvari Pass at 2,395 m, so conditions can change quickly regardless of season.

Can the pass close, and what happens then?

Between December and March, heavy snow can close the Jvari Pass for a few hours. GTour monitors conditions and will reschedule the departure if needed.

Can pickup be arranged from somewhere other than Tbilisi, like Kutaisi or Batumi?

The standard pickup is from your hotel in Tbilisi. Starting from Kutaisi or Batumi isn't mentioned in the tour details, but it can likely be arranged on request when booking — just ask.

Is this a private tour, and how is pricing structured?

Yes, every departure is private with your own car, driver and guide. The listed price of €160 per person is based on two travellers; solo travellers or larger groups are quoted on request.