A trip to Kazbegi can be an exciting and adventurous experience! Kazbegi, also known as Stepantsminda, is a small town located in the mountains of Georgia, near the Russian border.
It offers stunning natural landscapes, picturesque villages, and the iconic Mount Kazbek.
Kazbegi is approximately a 3-hour drive from the capital city, Tbilisi. You can either hire a car or join a guided tour.
The route from Tbilisi to Kazbegi follows the Georgian Military Highway, which is a historic road connecting Georgia with Russia.
The highway winds its way through the rugged terrain, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
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Kazbegi tours
Wondering which tour to book? We chose the tour operator Gamarjobageorgiatours as their reviews were quite good. Apart from that, they stop at various attractions and keep you entertained throughout the day.
This shared guided tour starts at 8.00 am in a minivan. Our guide Shoti was excellent. During the trip, he gave us valuable insights.
Midway through the tour, the organizer Elle on WhatsApp asked for feedback to make sure we were happy in our journey. I highly recommend booking with them as their team is young and fast in responding to your queries.
Which attractions are included in this Kazbegi tour?
- Jvari Monastery
- Zhinvali Water Reservoir
- Ananuri Fortress
- Gergeti Trinity Church
- Entrance to Rooms Hotel Kazbegi
- The Friendship Monument
Tour cost
This day trip cost 45€ per person, a tour guide accompanies your group throughout the trip. The tour also includes a 4×4 wheel drive which you take to the mountain top. The entire journey is around 10-12 hours depending on the weather and traffic conditions.
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Alternate Kazbegi tours
If you aren’t interested in Jvari Monastery, then select this alternative tour that costs ~36 € and you start the tour an hour late.
Note: You pay ~7€ for the 4×4 wheel drive separately to the driver (only cash).
Where does the Kazbegi tour start?
The tour starts at Avlabari metro station. Usually, a guide picks you up at this metro station and takes you to his local office which is 50m away. Alternatively, you can directly go there. Here is the google maps location.
At the office, they provide bottled water, tea, and coffee. There is also a washroom. The tour organizer confirms your reservation and gives an overview of what to expect in the tour. We started around 8.10 am.
1. Jvari Monastery
30 minutes into your drive, you reach the first stop – Jvari Monastery. Located near Mtskheta (Georgia’s old capital), the Monastery is a world UNESCO heritage site.
The hilltop location of Jvari Monastery offers magnificent views of the Mtkvari River valley, the town of Mtskheta.
2. Zhinvali Water Reservoir
As we continued our journey, the next stop was Zhinvali Water Reservoir. The guide gave us a short break of 20 minutes to admire the 360° view. The stunning views are the prime reason that makes this attraction a popular spot for photography and relaxation.
There are a few souvenir stores, fresh coffee, and juice points. The prices are on the higher side.
3. Ananuri Fortress
About halfway through your journey, we reached the Ananuri Fortress, a medieval complex located on the shores of the Zhinvali Reservoir. Shoti gave us a briefing about the Fortress and we had about 30 minutes time to explore on our own.
The fortress consists of multiple towers, walls, and structures. So you can explore different parts of the complex to get different perspectives and enjoy the surrounding scenery.
Take your time to wander through the historic walls, visit the churches, and discover hidden corners within the fortress.
Pro-tip: Don’t forget to climb to the top of one of the towers. The view isn’t great but the route to the top is unique as you pass through some narrow passages.
Lunch
Around 12 pm, it was lunchtime and we stopped at Restaurant Pasanauri. They serve traditional dishes like khinkali (dumplings), khachapuri (cheese-filled bread), and chashushuli (meat stew) and it is a must-try.
You can even see the workers making khinkali live on the ground floor.
4. Gergeti Trinity Church
Post lunch, we continued for an hour. As you proceed, you may find yourself surrounded by majestic peaks, and lush forests, finally reaching the Kazbegi base parking area.
At the parking, we had to exchange our current minivan with a 4×4 wheel drive.
One of the highlights of Kazbegi is the Gergeti Trinity Church. Perched on a hilltop overlooking the town, this 14th-century church offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, including Mount Kazbek.
It’s a popular spot for tourists and can be reached by a moderate hike or by hiring a 4×4 vehicle.
4×4 wheel drive
The 4×4 wheel drivers in this region operate more of the mafia type where the price is fixed, tourists must use their transport, and zero flexibility with timings.
Once you reach the top, the driver gives you exactly 30 minutes of leisure time for the visit. Personally, we would have loved to spend more time at the top to enjoy nature.
Don’t forget to visit the 360 ° view from this parking. The scenery is splendid with the church as the backdrop amidst the snow-capped mountains. If your group spends longer time inside the church, the driver would skip this viewpoint and drive back to the base directly.
5. Entrance to Rooms Hotel Kazbegi
After a completely busy day, you will get your much-needed rest at Rooms Hotel restaurant. The hotel is situated in a picturesque setting, surrounded by the majestic Caucasus Mountains.
It offers stunning views of the iconic Mount Kazbek and the surrounding natural landscapes. You have an hour’s time to relax, soak in nature, and have a cup of coffee.
6. The Friendship Monument
Since our return travel was on time, Shoti made a short stop at the Friendship Monument, a significant landmark located on the Georgian Military Highway, between Tbilisi and Kazbegi.
The monument is an imposing structure made of concrete and stone. It consists of a round platform with a tall cylindrical column at its center. The views from this monument are truly mesmerizing.
You’ll find small souvenir shops where you can purchase traditional Georgian crafts and other local products.
Additionally, there are usually vendors selling snacks (corn, potato twisters) and refreshments, allowing visitors to take a break and enjoy a refreshment while admiring the views. There is also paid washroom (3 GEL ~ 1€) at this attraction.
Kazbegi travel tips
- The Kazbegi weather at the top (Gergeti Trinity Church) can surprise you. It can be cold and extremely windy. So select your outfit accordingly.
- There a quite a lot of street dogs throughout your trip. If you are someone who is scared of street dogs, be prepared. But they don’t trouble you.
- In the base parking lot where you change your minivan to a 4×4 wheel drive, there is a toilet. I don’t remember seeing one at the top.
- During winter, delays may occur as the roads may be blocked by snow.
- Heavy trucks returning from Russia often go slow. So expect significant traffic when you return
- If you hire a car, start early ~7 am. You could easily beat the organized tourist buses/vans that come in large numbers.
Is Kazbegi worth visiting as a day trip?
Absolutely Yes, your trip in Georgia is never complete without a visit to Kazbegi. Having only 3 days in Tbilisi, we weren’t sure if we to take this day trip. But it was worth the money.
The 3-hour drive goes through different landscapes. You follow the Aragvi River, against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Kazbegi offers a unique blend of natural beauty, adventure, and cultural experiences.
If you have more time, then consider doing activities like Hiking to Gergeti Glacier at Mount Kazbegi or enjoying a night stay at one of the stunning Kazbegi accommodations. Other things to do in Kazbegi include a visit to the Kazbegi museum, Horseback riding, paragliding, and mountain biking.
Time of visit: May 2023
Overall experience: 