Mtskheta-Mtianeti

Off the beaten track

After departing from Tbilisi to Kazbegi early in the morning, you will travel 160 kilometers along the Georgian Military Road. This famous road runs between Tbilisi, Georgia and Vladikavkaz, Russia, and on the way, there are some very interesting places to visit. You will begin by visiting Sabaduri Forest, a place which is breathtaking and is reminiscent of scenery from a children's fairy tale. Afterwards, you will reach the Ananuri Fortress, a 16th-century castle complex on the Aragvi River. The fortress stands beside the famous Georgian Military Highway, overlooking a large Jinvali lake. Its high, turreted stone walls protect two churches, a watchtower, and a reservoir. The main church facade is beautifully carved with animal, floral and Celtic style patterns. Your next stop will be Gudauri, a remarkable ski resort in Georgia. The resort is at the altitude of 2,200 meters-above-sea-level, and offers high-quality skiing opportunities between December and April. In Gudauri, you can enjoy beautiful views, ski, or glide up the mountain with the cable car to a height of almost 1,000 feet. Adrenaline seekers can even try paragliding.

The journey takes place in Khevi, a unique region in the Caucasus Mountains, located in the Northeastern part of Georgia. Visit Stepantsminda by crossing the famous Georgian Military Road, Gudauri ski resort, and Jvari Pass. Then, take delight in the panoramic views of the Caucasus Mountains. Visit Ananuri Church and Fortress, which dates back to 16th Century, and stop at the Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument to enjoy breathtaking views. Visit Gergeti Trinity Monastery, built in the 14th Century, located at a height of 2200 meters above sea level. There are two ways to get to the church - approximately three hours of hiking or driving. See and admire one of the highest peaks of Georgia – Kazbegi (5047m). Afterwards you can, of course, taste and enjoy delicious dishes of rich Georgian cuisine.

In the morning depart from Tbilisi and discover the treasures of northern Georgia. First, you will stop at Zhinvali Water Reservoir, where you will find the beautiful Ananuri castle complex. Explore the complex and admire the stunning panoramic views over the reservoir from one of the towers.  Later, visit the resort town of Gudauri, where you will discover the People’s Friendship Arch. Afterward, travel to the town Pasanauri, where you will taste delicious traditional khinkali paired with local wine and Georgian chacha. Next, take an off-road vehicle to the Monastery of St. Trinity, located in the city of Gergeti. At the monastery, you will find the perfect observation deck that will allow you to admire Mount Kazbegi and Stepantsminda. In the evening, after a full day touring northern Gerogia you will return to Tbilisi.

In the morning, at 9:00 am, you meet at your hotel and drive to Mtskheta. You will visit Jvari Monastery – the early medieval age church (VI-VII centuries) that was built on the top of the hill where St. Nino erected a wooden cross in the 4th Century. The church overlookes the confluence of two rivers and amazes its visitors with its beautiful facades and geographical locations. Next up, Mtskheta – the ancient capital of the early Georgian kingdom located 20 km away from Tbilisi and offering visitors lovely streets, shops and houses with balconies for exploring and enjoyment. The city’s history dates to the 4th Century BC and includes various historical monuments. You can explore an archeological site where excavations found the ruins of old baths, king’s palaces, and a mediaeval fortress designed to protect Mtskheta from invasions and mediaeval churches. Then of to Svetitskhoveli cathedral, literally the “Life’s giving pillar", an 11th Century church and one of the most important churches or architectural monuments in Georgia. The burial place for Jesus’ mantle, the birthplace of Christianity in Georgia and various legends links to the cathedral. See its beautiful architecture, facades and frescoes that leave an astonishing impression. Visit Stalin’s Museum afterwards, the birthplace of the Soviet dictator and leader, Joseph Stalin. Explore his family house where he lived as a child and teenager and visit a museum dedicated to Stalin’s life. The museum includes different photos, gifts and documents linked to Stalin’s life. Walk into the railway coach which was used as a Stalin’s private coach after World War II. Finally, go to Uplistsikhe – literally "the lord's fortress", an ancient rock-hewn town which was carved in the 1st millennium BC. It was a main religious site for paganism and later became an important Christianity site. A mixture of different cultures, civilizations and religions that gives visitors the chance to travel across centuries. As a visitor, you can walk around and explore the ancient theater, wine cellar, altars, pharmacy, prisons, pagan temples, ritual pits, and secret tunnels.

This one day tour to Kazbegi & Gergeti Trinity Church offers stunning natural landscapes with must-see cultural sights. You will travel to the Ananuri castle complex which unites two medieval defensive towers, two churches, and defensive walls. Afterwards, you travel to Gudauri and enjoy panoramic views over the Caucasus mountains. From here, you depart for Kazbegi town and take a 4X4 drive to Gergeti Trinity Church or take an optional hike to the church (Distance 10 km). You also visit Gveleti waterfalls in Dariali gorge near the Russian border. In the evening, you travel back to Tbilisi.