Welcome to Stepantsminda
This is most people’s destination on the Georgian Military Hwy: a valley town with the famous hilltop silhouette of Tsminda Sameba Church and the towering snowy cone of Mt Kazbek looking down from the west. Now officially named Stepantsminda, but still commonly known as Kazbegi, it's a base for some wonderful walking and mountain-biking.
Top experiences in Stepantsminda
Stepantsminda activities
Private Tour to Kazbegi from Tbilisi
In the morning the guide and driver will pick you up from your place of stay in Tbilisi and you’ll start your journey to Caucasus Mountains. Your first stop is Ananuri complex, a 16th-17th c fortress and church, which used to be the residence of the “Eristavis” (Dukes) of Aragvi. The complex comprises fortification, churches and other cult and civic buildings. Explore the fortress and enjoy beautiful views of Jinvali reservoir from the complex. Continue the drive north via Jvari (Cross) Pass at the elevation of 2395 meters above sea level and arrive at the town of Stepantsminda, the administrative center of Khevi province. Here we’ll change the transport to a local 4x4 vehicle and start an off-road drive to the top of Gergeti Mountain, where a lone church, Gergeti Holy Trinity, stands. Ancient wall carvings are well-preserved on the facade of the church. If we are lucky with weather you will see Mount Kazbegi peak. At 5,033 meters above sea level it's the third highest peak in Georgia. Drive back to Stepantsminda and take a lunch break in a restaurant with local specialty dish, Khinkali. After lunch get back in your vehicle and drive to Dariali gorge. Take an easy hike (20-30 minutes) along the river to Gveleti waterfalls, and enjoy the calmness of untouched nature. Drive back to Tbilisi and arrive at your place of stay in the evening.
Kazbegi Tour
In the morning we drive up the famous Georgian Military Highway (leading to the Georgian-Russian border). The drive is very scenic through high Caucasus Mountains. On the way visit Ananuri architectural complex (17th century), the two churches and the fortress overlook the Zhinvali water reservoir. The carvings on the churches are one of the best samples of the Georgian art. In Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) 1.5 hour walk up through beautiful valleys and woodland that leads us to Gergeti Trinity. We also enjoy the beautiful views of one of the highest glaciers in the Caucasus - Mt Kazbegi (5047m). We then drive through the dramatic Dariali Gorge. The given price is per car. NOT per person. Price includes: Hotel pickup/drop-off Fuel surcharge Driver (English speaking) Bottled water per person Transport by air-conditioned vehicle Note: There are not any entrance fees or taxes during our tour.
Mountain tour to Mtskheta and Kazbegi from Tbilisi
Kazbegi Tour will start from Tbilisi and drive through military road and on the way.Visit Mtskheta - Jvari Monastery, which means Monastery of the cross(6th c.) & Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century).visiting Ananuri fortress. The complex of the feudal era consists of two churches and a castle. Ananuri belongs to the XVI - XVII centuries (overlook the Zhinvali waterreservoir). The drive is very scenic through the high Caucasus Mountains.Arrive in Gudauri ski resort (2200m), the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful views. In the center of Kazbegi- in Stepantsminda can see mountain Mkinvartsveri and the church of the Holy Trinity, which is located on the 2200 m above the sea level.Price includes : Proffesional Guide Driver and car service Hotel pick up and drop off Fresh drinks Private jeep tour (safari)
Kazbegi, Gudauri, Mtskheta & Ananuri Full Day Private Tour From Tbilisi
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, Mtskheta, Mtskheta-Mtianeti RegionThe Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (Georgian: სვეტიცხოვლის საკათედრო ტაძარი, svet'icxovlis sak'atedro t'adzari; literally the Cathedral of the Living Pillar) is an Eastern Orthodox cathedral located in the historic town of Mtskheta, Georgia, to the northwest of the Georgian capital Tbilisi. A masterpiece of the Early Middle Ages, Svetitskhoveli is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is currently the second largest church building in Georgia, after the Holy Trinity Cathedral.Duration: 40 minutesStop At: Jvari Church, Mtskheta, Mtskheta-Mtianeti RegionJvari Monastery (Georgian: ჯვრის მონასტერი) is a sixth century Georgian Orthodox monastery near Mtskheta, eastern Georgia. Along with other historic structures of Mtskheta, it is listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Jinvali Water Reservoir, TbilisiThe Zhinvali Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Aragvi River in the Caucasus Mountains in Zhinvali, Georgia. The Zhinvali Hydroelectric Power Plant has two turbines with a nominal capacity of 65 MW each having a total capacity of 130 MWDuration: 10 minutesStop At: Ananuri Fortified Castle Ensemble, Ananuri, Mtskheta-Mtianeti RegionAnanuri (Georgian: ანანური) is a castle complex on the Aragvi River in Georgia, about 45 miles (72 kilometres) from Tbilisi.Duration: 40 minutesStop At: Gudauri Ski Resort, Gudauri, Mtskheta-Mtianeti RegionGudauri (Georgian: გუდაური) is a ski resort located on the south-facing plateau of The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range in Georgia. The resort is situated in the Stepantsminda District, along the Georgian Military Highway near the Jvari Pass, at an elevation of 2,200 meters (7,200 ft.) above sea level with skiable area enjoying maximum exposure to the sunDuration: 30 minutesStop At: Gergeti Trinity Church, Stepantsminda, Mtskheta-Mtianeti RegionGergeti Trinity Church (Georgian: წმინდა სამება - Tsminda Sameba) is a popular name for Holy Trinity Church near the village of Gergeti in Georgia. The church is situated on the right bank of the river Chkheri (the left tributary of the river Terek), at an elevation of 2170 meters (7120 feet), under Mount Kazbegi.Duration: 30 minutesPass By: TripsInGeo, TbilisiTour operator
Kazbegi tour
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Ananuri Fortified Castle Ensemble, Ananuri, Mtskheta-Mtianeti RegionAnanuri Castle on the Aragvi River. Ananuri served as the residence of the Aragvi princes from the XIII century. The castle was the scene of numerous battles and served as a shelter for the local population during the wars. Ananuri is considered one of the most beautiful historical monuments of Georgia.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Aragvi River, Gudauri, Mtskheta-Mtianeti RegionThe place where white and black Aragvi rivers confluence in one riverDuration: 15 minutesStop At: Russian Georgian Friendship Monument, Gudauri, Mtskheta-Mtianeti RegionThe Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument or Treaty of Georgievsk Monument is a monument built in 1983 to celebrate the bicentennial of the Treaty of Georgievsk and the ongoing friendship between Soviet Georgia and Soviet Russia. Located on the Georgian Military Highway between the ski resort town of Gudauri and the Jvari passDuration: 40 minutesStop At: Stepantsminda History Museum, Stepantsminda, Mtskheta-Mtianeti RegionStepantsminda (Kazbegi) is a small town that historically and ethnographically belongs to the Hevi province of Georgia. The main attraction here is the Church of the Holy Trinity – the Gergeti Monastery that is located at an altitude of 2170 meters under the mountain pick of Kazbegi. Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Gergeti Trinity Church, Stepantsminda, Mtskheta-Mtianeti RegionThe monastery was built in the XIV century in the shape of the cross-domed church. Due to its location on the top of a steep mountain, surrounded by very harsh nature, the church became the symbol of preservation of the Georgian relics: in times of wars and raids, precious and holy relics of Georgia, including the Cross of Saint Nina, were kept hidden here.Duration: 1 hour
Hike to Gveleti waterfall by Kazbegi in a private day trip
Enjoy a ride along the legendary Georgian Military highway up to Stepantsminda village. On the way you will see the Jinvali water reservoir, the impressive Ananuri fort, stop by some mineral water springs for refreshment and of course enjoy the scenic views from the Friendships monument in Gudauri. Our final destination is Gveleti, a small village some 7km away from Kazbegi towards the Georgian-Russian border. Here we start our hike to the mysterious Great Gveleti waterfall - the path becomes narrow as it leads you through a beautiful gorge along a wild mountain river. The hike takes about 1 hour one way and includes a little bit of elevation gain. The water in the river offers a perfect source of refreshment along the trek.After the trek we stop at Daryal gorge to enjoy the view over the mountains and a valley. On the way back we recommend to stop at a restaurant which is famous among locals for its khinkali, Georgian dumpllings, and finish the day with a good and authentic dinner.