Please pay attention that this is a 320km journey that will last for 10-11 hours with 6 hours drive.
The Caucasus mountains, with Kazbegi at 1740 metres, are over 160 km from Tbilisi. We'll need to leave early to take full advantage. We meet at 9.00 a.m. at your hotel.
After an hour's drive and a few fine photos of the 300 Aragvi monument and the Zhinvali reservoir, we'll arrive at the Ananuri fortress. This fortified complex dates back to the 13th century, when the rulers decided to protect the capital upstream. We'll take 45 minutes to visit the complex.
If you're hungry, we can stop off in Pasanauri at one of the many cafés. However, I recommend taking a small picnic and stopping here on the way back to try the best Khinkali in Georgia. That way, you'll get the most out of the day. We now attack the climb via the Gudauri ski resort. On reaching the Monument of Friendship between Georgia and Russia, we'll pause to contemplate one of the region's most beautiful panoramas.
Crossing the Jvari pass, we plunge into the valley towards Kazbegi / Stepantsminda. The Trinity Church of Gergeti is just around the corner. We're almost there.
Crossing the Jvari pass, we plunge into the valley towards Kazbegi / Stepantsminda. The Trinity Church of Gergeti is just around the corner. We're almost there.
Now it's time for the final stage, the ascent of Gergeti. At the summit, you'll have time to appreciate the snow-capped mountains of the Caucasus range and breathe in the pure mountain air.
If you still have some energy left, we'll make a short detour to the village of Sno, which hides some gigantic outdoor sculptures.
Now that we've had our fill of oxygen, it's time to return slowly to Tbilisi. The road back is long, so it's worth stopping off in Pasanauri at this point to sample the local specialities.