Day trip from Tbilisi · Greater Caucasus
Kazbegi tour from Tbilisi
A full day north from Tbilisi along the Georgian Military Road into the Greater Caucasus, to Stepantsminda and Gergeti Trinity Church, and back to Tbilisi the same evening. Private car, your group only.
- Starts and endsYour hotel or address in Tbilisi
- DurationFull day
- With youEnglish-speaking driver; guide on request
- SeasonAll year; in winter it depends on the road over the pass
Kazbegi tour price
Price for the whole vehicle, in Georgian lari (GEL), with pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Tbilisi.
| Sedan 1–3 pax | Minivan 4–7 pax | Van 8–18 pax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 300 GEL | 350 GEL | 400 GEL |
Highlights
- Zhinvali Reservoir and Ananuri: a fortress and its churches on the edge of a turquoise reservoir, the first big stop on the road north
- The Gudauri viewpoint: the semicircular monument above a deep valley, just below the pass
- The Jvari Pass: the highest point of the road, at about 2,380 metres
- Stepantsminda: the mountain town most people still call Kazbegi, below Mount Kazbek
- Gergeti Trinity Church: the 14th-century church alone on a ridge above the town, at about 2,170 metres
Staying overnight in the mountains rather than coming back the same day? Ask for a one-way trip: it costs the same as the day trip. Short on time? The Mtskheta tour is a half day close to Tbilisi. For all the trips we run from the capital, see day trips from Tbilisi.
Getting from Tbilisi to Kazbegi
Stepantsminda is roughly 150 kilometres north of Tbilisi on the Georgian Military Road, the old route over the Caucasus toward the Russian border. Shared minibuses (marshrutkas) leave from Didube bus station and take around three and a half hours, without stops. A private car lets you stop at Ananuri, the Gudauri viewpoint and the pass on the way, which is most of the reason to make the trip.
The day, step by step
A typical day looks like this. The exact order and timing are agreed with you.
- Morning Pickup from your hotel in Tbilisi and the drive north out of the city.
- Zhinvali and Ananuri Viewpoint over the reservoir and time at the fortress.
- Gudauri viewpoint A stop above the valley before the road climbs to the Jvari Pass.
- Stepantsminda and Gergeti The town, the church on the ridge and lunch in the mountains.
- Evening Drive back to Tbilisi, with drop-off at your hotel.
Getting up to Gergeti
The church sits on a ridge well above Stepantsminda. Depending on the season and the road, you go up by car, by local 4×4 or on foot. We will tell you what to expect for your date.
Weather, season and the pass
Mountain weather changes fast. In winter the Jvari Pass can close after heavy snow, and a trip may have to change route, turn back early or move to another day. Bring warm layers even in summer: it is much colder at Gergeti than in Tbilisi.
If the pass is closed on the day, we contact you to agree a new date or a different route.
Who it suits
It is a long day with a lot of time in the car and some uphill walking at Gergeti. Most families and older travellers manage it well if the pace is right. Tell us about your group and we will suggest a realistic plan.
Children are welcome. Bring snacks and something to do for the drive, and tell us the ages so a suitable seat can be arranged if one is available.
Driver or guide: what you get
Your driver speaks English, drives, waits and helps with the logistics of the day. A guide explains the history and leads you around the sites. They are different jobs, and the driver is not automatically a guide.
If you would like a guide as well, ask when you request a quote and we will arrange one for your date.
Included and not included
Included
- Private car with driver for the day
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tbilisi
- Fuel
Not included
- Meals and drinks
- Guide, unless agreed in the quote
- Local 4×4 to Gergeti, if needed
Kazbegi tour questions
Is Kazbegi the same as Stepantsminda?
Yes. The town’s official name is Stepantsminda, but it is widely known as Kazbegi, after the old district name and the mountain above it.
Does the tour come back to Tbilisi the same day?
Yes. It starts and ends in Tbilisi. For a one-way trip to stay in the mountains, say so in your request.
Can we add Mtskheta?
Yes, at no extra cost. Mtskheta is near the start of the road north, so it fits into the same day, though it makes a long day longer.
What should we wear?
Layers and comfortable shoes. For the churches, shoulders and knees should be covered, and women are usually asked to cover their hair.
Plan your trip
Tell us where you are going
Send your date, pickup point and group size on WhatsApp. We reply with a price for your vehicle. Asking does not commit you to anything.