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Compare 10 guided and private day tours from Tbilisi to Kazbegi along the Georgian Military Highway, with prices from $11.47 and ratings up to 4.97. Most tours visit Zhinvali Reservoir, Ananuri Fortress, Gudauri, and Gergeti Trinity Church, and include free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Free Cancellation 12-hour group tour from Tbilisi: Jinvali, Ananuri, Gudauri, Gergeti Trinity Church, with an English guide.
Free Cancellation 10.5-hour group tour from Tbilisi to Ananuri, Gudauri and Gergeti Trinity Church with a Russian or English guide.
Free Cancellation 12-hour group tour from Tbilisi: Ananuri, Gudauri, Friendship Arch and Gergeti Church, with tastings included.
Free Cancellation 12-hour group tour from Tbilisi to Ananuri, Gudauri and Gergeti Church, with 4WD ride up to Kazbegi.
Free Cancellation Private full-day Kazbegi tour from your Tbilisi hotel with guide, honey tasting and Gergeti Church ride included.
Free Cancellation 11-hour guided day trip from Tbilisi to Ananuri, Pasanauri, Gudauri and Stepantsminda with honey tasting.
Free Cancellation Private Tbilisi day tour: Ananuri, Gudauri monument, and Gergeti Trinity with flexible photo stops.
Free Cancellation 11-hour guided group tour from Tbilisi with stops at Zhinvali Dam, Ananuri, Gudauri and Gergeti Trinity Church.
Free Cancellation 9-hour guided mini-bus tour from Tbilisi to Gergeti Trinity via Ananuri, Gudauri and the Friendship Monument, with honey tasting.
Free Cancellation 10-hour private tour from Tbilisi: Zhinvali, Ananuri, lunch on the Aragvi, Gudauri, Friendship Arch, Gergeti Church by 4x4.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Kazbegi — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Most Kazbegi tours are 9–12 hour day trips from Tbilisi covering the 152 km Georgian Military Highway each way, with stops at Zhinvali Reservoir, Ananuri Fortress, and the Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument before reaching Stepantsminda town at 1,740 m. From there, a 4×4 shuttle or a 3.5 km hike gets you to Gergeti Trinity Church at 2,170 m, directly beneath Mount Kazbek's 5,054 m snow cone. Expect a long day — 6–8 hours of driving plus stops — and weather that can flip from sunshine to fog in minutes.
The 14th-century church sits 420 m above town and is Georgia's most photographed building. Entry is free, open 9:00–17:00 daily, and wraps are handed out at the entrance. The 4×4 ride up costs about 40 GEL return if the hike doesn't appeal.
A 17th-century castle complex on the Aragvi River, about halfway from Tbilisi, with its main church built in 1689. Tours give it 30–90 minutes; entry is free with a 3 GEL parking charge. You can climb the tower for views over the turquoise Zhinvali Reservoir.
At 2,379 m on the Jvari Pass, this 1983 curving tiled archway hangs over a sheer drop. Most tours stop 30–50 minutes here. Bring a layer — even in July it's cold and windy at the pass.
Nearly every tour includes a tasting stop in Gudauri — mountain honey, and often chacha or wine too. It takes 20–25 minutes and is included in the tour price. Buy a jar if you like it; the honey comes from the surrounding valleys.
At Pasanauri, the Black and White Aragvi rivers meet without mixing for a stretch, and many tours pause here 40–90 minutes, usually with lunch. This is the standard spot for a Georgian meal on the drive north.
Kazbek hides in cloud more often than it shows itself, so tour timing matters. Morning visits give the best odds of seeing the peak behind the church; by afternoon, fog can swallow the church in minutes. Have realistic expectations and you won't be disappointed.
Kazbegi tours from Tbilisi range from about $15 to $110 per person depending on group size and what's included, and almost all follow the same route. Know what you're paying for before you book.
You're choosing between group day tours (9–12 hours, $15–39, up to ~50 people in a bus) and private tours ($69–110, your own car and driver-guide, pickup from your hotel, stops timed to you). The cheapest group tickets go as low as $11.47. All tours run the same Military Highway route; private ones let you linger where you want.
The most popular group tours carry 3,000+ reviews and fill up in peak summer months, so book 2–3 days ahead from June to September. Winter departures are easier to get but riskier — two operators explicitly warn that road closures from late November to mid-April can make Kazbegi and Gergeti Church unreachable. Book winter trips with refund flexibility in mind.
Gergeti Trinity Church and Ananuri Fortress are free to enter, so a tour listing 'all entrance fees included' isn't adding much value. What matters is whether the 4×4 ride from Stepantsminda to the church is included — only some tours include it, otherwise budget about 40 GEL return in cash for the local driver.
The road from town up to the church is steep, bumpy dirt track, and tours either include a 4WD transfer or leave you to hike. The Day Trip to Gudauri and Kazbegi Including 4WD ($39) has it built in; the cheaper group tours usually don't. If walking 7 km round-trip with 500 m of climb doesn't appeal, pay attention to this line in the inclusions.
Every tour listed here uses the same policy: full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure. Weather doesn't count as a cancellation reason for you, though — if the road stays open, the tour runs, so check the forecast yourself.
Group tours are marked suitable for all fitness levels, but several are not recommended for pregnant travelers or people with spinal injuries — the Military Highway is winding and the 4×4 track is rough. The church trail is unsuitable for wheelchairs, and the 4×4 is the only real option for limited mobility. Infants ride on laps on most tours; a few offer infant seats.
Guides work in English, and most tours also offer Russian. Wi-Fi and air conditioning come with some vehicles, and tastings (honey, chacha, wine, cognac) are common inclusions. Lunch at Pasanauri, around 40 GEL, is nearly always extra.
One budget tour ($21) offers a useful trick: it organizes your return transfer on any later day, so you can use it as a one-way ride and spend a night in Stepantsminda. That's how you get clear morning Kazbek views before 8 AM instead of gambling on midday clouds with the day-trip crowd.
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| Budget Group Tour | Classic Group Tour | Group Tour with 4WD Included | Private Day Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 9–11 hours | 10.5–12 hours | 12 hours | Flexible, ~10–12 hours |
| Price from | $11.47–$21 | $23–$29 | $39 | $69–$109.50 |
| Best for | Travelers on a tight budget who mainly want the drive and photo stops | First-time visitors who want the full Military Highway experience with a guide | Anyone who doesn't want to hike 7 km to the church or negotiate a 4×4 fare | Families and small groups who want their own schedule and hotel pickup |
| Includes | Guide (English/Russian), honey or chacha tasting, air-conditioned bus; 4×4 to church extra (~20 GEL one-way, cash) | Guide, transport, honey tasting, Ananuri and Friendship Monument stops; church 4×4 usually paid on the spot | Transport, guide, and the 4WD ride from Kazbegi up to Gergeti Church in the price | Private car and driver-guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, scenic stops timed to you; the Karlo private tour throws in the church ride when the road allows |
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Gergeti Trinity Church is open daily 9:00–17:00. Outside those hours the churchyard gates may be locked, but you can still walk the grounds — useful for photographers wanting the 7–9 AM soft light before the crowds arrive.
Stepantsminda History Museum runs Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00–17:30, closed Mondays. Entry is 5 GEL for adults.
Ananuri Fortress is an open site with no posted hours; the churches there close in the evening, and one listing gives 9:00–19:00. Arrive in daylight.
Tour departure times from Tbilisi cluster between 8:15 and 9:15 AM, returning between 6:00 and 8:00 PM depending on traffic and the tour length (9–12 hours total).
The only road is the Georgian Military Highway (S3/E117), 152 km from Tbilisi via Ananuri, the Jvari Pass at 2,379 m, and Gudauri. It takes 3–3.5 hours without stops.
Lorries queue through narrow tunnels along the route, and delays from rockslides and avalanches are frequent in winter and spring. Take motion-sickness medication if you're prone to it.
Mid-June to late September is the prime window: snow-free valleys, wildflowers, open trails and guesthouses, and road closures are unlikely.
While Tbilisi bakes at 38°C in July, Kazbegi sits at a crisp 15°C — pack a warm layer and windproof jacket even in midsummer. September and October add autumn colour and the rtveli harvest season, though facilities on the pass begin winding down in October.
Avoid March and April if you can: rain, snow, slush or mud depending on the year, and trails get unpleasant. From November to February, avalanche risk at the Jvari Pass closes the road temporarily several times each winter — usually for hours, occasionally for 1–3 days. January daytime highs average -4°C. Winter visitors should check road conditions before setting out and know the 9.5 km Kobi–Gudauri cable car exists as a backup crossing.
Kazbegi is not wheelchair-friendly overall. The trail to Gergeti Trinity Church is rough dirt and rock, and the 4×4 track is steep, bumpy and narrow. New ramps and viewpoint platforms have been under construction around the church in recent years, which is gradually improving access to the main platforms.
Healthy older visitors can manage the church walk at a slow pace or take the 4×4 almost to the churchyard. The descent challenges knees and ankles more than the climb. Town itself is walkable, and the history museum and roadside viewpoints are easy.
Families: the church trail is doable for older children in trainers, and Gveleti's lower waterfall (a 20–30 minute walk) and the flat Truso Valley track are easier options. GoTrip transfers provide free child car seats. Keep children close at the unfenced churchyard edges, and remember the altitude — town at 1,740 m, church at 2,170 m.
Several group tours state they're not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.
Getting up to the church: local 4×4 drivers charge around 40 GEL return (tours cite ~20 GEL one-way, cash only). Agree the fare before setting off. The alternative is the 3.5 km trail, roughly 60–75 minutes up and 90 minutes down.
At the church: entry is free, donations optional, and wraps and headscarves are provided at the entrance. Note that the church has been under restoration in recent years, so parts may be closed or wrapped in scaffolding when you arrive.
Eating: lunch on tours typically happens at Pasanauri on the Aragvi rivers, around 40 GEL per person, or in Stepantsminda itself. Honey and chacha tastings are included in most tours.
In town: guesthouses, restaurants and shops operate year-round in Stepantsminda. The Stepantsminda History Museum (5 GEL, Tue–Sun) occupies the birth house of writer Alexander Kazbegi. Ananuri Fortress charges 3 GEL for parking.
Dress code: Gergeti Trinity Church is a working Orthodox monastery. Women must cover head, shoulders and knees; men wear long trousers and remove hats. Wraps are handed out at the entrance, so arriving in shorts won't block you from the grounds. The same applies at Ananuri's churches.
Photography: no photos inside the church — outside and on the grounds it's fine. Drones of 250 g or more must be registered online at gcaa.ge, and in the border zones near Truso and Dariali, drone flying is effectively prohibited: travelers report being stopped by border guards. Ask locally before flying anywhere in the region.
Border zone: carry your passport for Truso Valley and Dariali — guards check documents at the checkpoint. Going beyond Zakagori Fortress in Truso requires a free permit issued at the checkpoint near the Dariali border post. Never wander off marked routes toward the Russian frontier.
No permits or bookings are needed for the church, the town, or the standard Gergeti, Juta and Gveleti hikes. Keep voices down inside the church; it's an active place of worship.
You don't have to hike. Local 4×4 drivers take you up the steep dirt road for about 40 GEL return, cash, and some tours — like the Day Trip to Gudauri and Kazbegi Including 4WD ($39) — include the ride in the price. Otherwise it's a 3.5 km trail each way with 420–500 m of climb, about 60–75 minutes up. Hikers get better views of the Terek valley with every switchback, so walk it if your knees allow.
It's 152 km along the Georgian Military Highway, taking 3–3.5 hours each way without stops. With the standard tour stops — Zhinvali Reservoir, Ananuri Fortress, Pasanauri, the Friendship Monument — a day tour runs 9 to 12 hours total. That's why many tours leave Tbilisi between 8:15 and 9:15 AM and return around 8 PM. Take motion-sickness medication if you're prone; the road winds and lorries queue through narrow tunnels.
Entrance fees barely matter here — Gergeti Trinity Church and Ananuri Fortress are both free (Ananuri charges 3 GEL for parking). When a tour advertises 'all entrance fees included,' the real thing to check is the 4×4 transfer to the church, which costs around 40 GEL return and is only included on some tours. Lunch at Pasanauri, roughly 40 GEL, is almost always extra.
No. Kazbek is often hidden in cloud, and afternoon fog can swallow the church in minutes. Day tours usually reach the church around midday, which is the worst timing for views. If seeing the peak matters to you, stay a night in Stepantsminda and head up before 8 AM — one budget tour ($21) even arranges a return transfer on a later day so you can do exactly that.
A day trip gives you the full Military Highway drive plus a couple of hours in Kazbegi, and that's enough for many people. But 6–8 hours of your day goes to travel. Staying one night lets you catch Kazbek in clear early-morning light and add hikes like Truso Valley or Juta the next day. If you can only day-trip, pick a tour that stops properly at Ananuri and the Friendship Monument so the drive itself is the sightseeing.
The route is nearly identical — the difference is group size, inclusions, and flexibility. Budget group tours run $11–29 with 20–50 people, a shared guide, and tasting stops. The $39 version adds the 4×4 ride to the church. Private tours ($69–110) give you your own car, hotel pickup, and stops timed to you — worth it for families or anyone who wants to skip the rigid group schedule.
They operate year-round, but from late November to mid-April several operators warn that government road closures can make Kazbegi and Gergeti Church unreachable — in that case the tour turns around at Gudauri. The Jvari Pass at 2,379 m closes for avalanche control several times each winter, usually for a few hours, sometimes 1–3 days. Winter tires are compulsory. Book winter tours knowing the itinerary may shrink.
All the tours listed use the same policy: free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. If the road is open, the tour runs regardless of clouds over Kazbek. So check the forecast the day before and decide then — once you're inside the 24-hour window, a foggy summit won't get you a refund.
Bring a warm layer and windproof jacket even in July — Kazbegi highs are around 15°C while Tbilisi sits at 38°C, and it's cold and windy at the church. For the church itself, women need covered head, shoulders and knees, men long trousers; wraps are provided at the entrance if you forget. Wear trainers or boots for the church trail, carry water, and bring GEL in cash for the 4×4 and lunch.
Most group tours allow children from age 5, and infants ride on laps; a few offer infant seats. The church trail is fine for older children in trainers, though the final stretch is steep. Keep kids close at the unfenced churchyard edges and watch for fast-changing weather at altitude. Families wanting a slower pace should consider a private tour ($69–110), where stops adjust to the kids rather than the group.
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This 12-hour group tour leaves from Rose Revolution Square (First Republic Square) in Tbilisi, meeting at 8:15 AM in front of the giant bicycle monument — look for the guide in a red scarf. It runs the Georgian Military Highway with an English-speaking guide, stopping at Jinvali Reservoir (20 min), the 16th–18th-century Ananuri fortress above the Aragvi river (40 min), and the Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument at Gudauri, built in 1983 (optional, 60 min). Around midday there's a 90-minute stop where you can go rafting before lunch, with homemade Georgian dishes including khinkali. At Gudauri you get about 2 hours of free time — weather permitting, paragliding is available at your own cost, roughly as marked by local operators. The last stretch is Stepantsminda (30 min) and Gergeti Trinity Church at 2,200 m under Mount Kazbegi (30 min). The price covers transport, the guide, all entrance fees, a honey tasting, and luggage space up to 40 kg per person. Rafting and paragliding cost extra. You're back at Rose Revolution Square before 10 PM, or the operator can drop you at Rooms Hotel Kazbegi around 5 PM if you'd rather stay the night. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This 10h 30min group trip leaves from Tbilisi: your guide meets you at 08:30 in front of Avlabari Metro Station, holding the company flag, and check-in happens at the nearby office. The first stop is the green Zhinvali Water Reservoir (15 minutes), then Ananuri Fortress for 40 minutes, where the late-medieval castle complex includes stone carvings on its church facades. Lunch is a 65-minute stop in Pasanauri, at a traditional Georgian restaurant — khinkali are the local specialty here, and the meal is at your own expense. In Gudauri you get a 10-minute honey tasting of alpine varieties from mountain slopes, followed by 40 minutes at the Friendship Monument, a round stone arch built in 1983 above the Devil's Valley. The last major stop is Gergeti Trinity Church, the highest cross-cupola church in Georgia, for 30 minutes. Transport and the guide's services are included, in Russian or English. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Meals and the 4x4 ride up to Gergeti, if you'd rather not hike the last stretch, are paid separately.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Russian, English
A 12-hour group day trip from Tbilisi running along the Georgian Military Highway. Stops run in this order: the Zhinvali reservoir, a 40-minute walk through Ananuri fortress — the only Georgian fortress that survives in its original form — then 90 minutes at the confluence of the White and Black Aragvi rivers, with a 15-minute stop at a mineral spring that runs golden. Gudauri ski resort gets 30 minutes, the Friendship Arch (the highest point of the pass) 40, and Gergeti Church a full hour. The day ends back at Tbilisi's Maidan Square at 9 pm. Included: an air-conditioned vehicle, a guide in Russian or English, a free wine and cognac tasting, and 24-hour online support. Lunch isn't included, so budget for a meal stop yourself. Bring your e-ticket on your phone or on paper on the day. One caveat worth knowing: in winter, heavy snow can close the road to Kazbegi. If that happens, the extra time goes to the Georgian chronicle instead. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Russian, English
A 12-hour group tour running from Tbilisi along the Georgian Military Highway: Zhinvali Reservoir photo stop (20 min), Ananuri Fortress (50 min), lunch in Pasanauri (75 min), honey tasting in Gudauri (25 min), the 1983 Friendship Monument (50 min), and Gergeti Trinity Church (30 min). Pickup is from your address in Tbilisi, with check-in at the office near the sulphur baths before departure. A 4WD vehicle takes you from Kazbegi up to Gergeti Church, so there's no hike on the final stretch. The price covers transportation, the 4WD transfer, driver, and an English-speaking professional guide. Lunch in Pasanauri — khinkali and other mountain dishes — is bought separately. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
Karlo, your English- or Russian-speaking guide, picks you up at your Tbilisi hotel at 9:00am in a private Mercedes minivan (5-8 people) or a sedan/SUV for smaller groups of 1-4. The route runs north up the Georgian Military Highway, with the first stop at Ananuri castle (40 minutes), then a 40-minute panoramic viewpoint stop and a honey tasting along the way. The core of the day is Stepantsminda (the official name of Kazbegi), about two hours of your schedule, including the 2,200-meter Gergeti Trinity Church — the 4x4 ride up is included when the road is passable, but in winter it costs about 60 lari per car for up to 6 passengers. A roughly 90-minute, 1 km hike to Gveleti waterfall is optional and not offered in winter. Lunch is an hour at a local restaurant. In snowy conditions the itinerary can flip: the group may skip Kazbegi for ski-resort activities instead — paragliding, snow bikes, cable car — all optional. Included are private transportation, church entrance fees, the honey tasting, the guide, fuel surcharges, and the Gergeti ride when the road is good. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Russian, English
This 11-hour guided tour runs from Tbilisi along the Georgian Military Highway, with an English- or Russian-speaking guide on board and WiFi plus air conditioning in the vehicle. Stops include Zhinvali Reservoir (90 min), Ananuri Fortress (90 min), Pasanauri where the Black and White Aragvi rivers meet (60 min), Zemo Mleta with a honey and chacha tasting (60 min), Gudauri and the Friendship Monument panorama (120 min), and Stepantsminda (120 min). Gergeti Trinity Church is an optional add-on: the 4x4 jeep transfer up isn't included in the price and is paid in cash on site, with an additional entrance fee of about $8. Meal stops are made along the way, but food isn't included. From roughly December 20 to February 20, heavy snowfall can block access to Gergeti; if that happens, the tour continues to all safely reachable stops. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Russian, English
This is a private tour — your own car and driver-guide, pickup from any Tbilisi hotel or apartment (just give the name and address), and stops timed to you rather than a group schedule. Guides speak English or Russian. The route follows the Georgian Military Highway north. First stop is the turquoise Zhinvali Reservoir for about 15 minutes, then 30 minutes at Ananuri Fortress, a walled complex with towers and churches above the water. There's a quick 10-minute stop near Pasanauri where the Black and White Aragvi rivers run side by side before merging — you can see the color line from the bridge. After that it's the climb through Gudauri, with a 30-minute stop at the circular Russian-Georgian Friendship Monument and its Soviet-era mosaics, overlooking the valley. In Stepantsminda you get 30 minutes in town and 45 minutes at Gergeti Trinity Church on the hill above it, with Mount Kazbek straight across — the church visit is weather permitting. An optional 1-hour lunch stop is possible, usually at Rooms Hotel Kazbegi, though lunch isn't in the price. Included: the private car, petrol and parking, the driver-guide, hotel drop-off, and photo stops along the highway. Cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Russian, English
An 11-hour guided group tour from Tbilisi along the Georgian Military Highway, with a Russian- or English-speaking guide. The route runs Zhinvali Dam (120 min), Ananuri Fortress (90 min), the Black and White Aragvi rivers confluence at Pasanauri (140 min, with a restaurant stop), a honey-tasting session in Kvesheti village (70 min), the Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument at Gudauri (90 min), Stepantsminda (90 min), and finally Gergeti Trinity Church at 2,170 m for 60 minutes. Entrance fees, air-conditioned vehicle transport, and a honey and chacha tasting are included. Lunch at the Pasanauri restaurant stop is not; budget around 40 GEL per person. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before departure.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Russian, English
This 9-hour tour runs by mini-bus from Tbilisi, departing 9:15 AM and returning around 8:00 PM, with a guide in English or Russian. The route follows the Georgian Military Highway north with stops at Zhinvali Reservoir (15 min), Ananuri Fortress (30 min), Gudauri (60 min), the Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument (30 min), and Stepantsminda (60 min), plus a 60-minute dinner stop in Mleta along the way. At Stepantsminda you switch to a 4WD off-road vehicle to reach Gergeti Trinity Church, at an extra cost of 20 GEL per person paid on the spot. Dinner at the Mleta restaurant is also not included; the kitchen serves traditional dishes, with khinkali as the local mountain specialty. A honey tasting is included in the tour price, as are the guide service, all transportation, free time at stops, and 40 kg of luggage space per person. If you decide to stay overnight in Gudauri or Kazbegi instead of returning, the operator arranges your return transfer on any later day. Full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Russian, English
A 10-hour private tour running the full Georgian Military Highway, with your own vehicle and a guide in Russian or English. Stops go in order: 25 minutes at Zhinvali Reservoir, 50 minutes at Ananuri Fortress, then an 80-minute lunch of Georgian dishes at Black and White Aragvis, on the river. Dinner isn't included; the meal is at your own cost. The afternoon climbs to Gudauri Ski Resort (45 minutes) and the Friendship Arch, a mosaic-covered arch on a cliff edge, before the final stop: Gergeti Trinity Church, at 2,170 meters, reached by 4x4 jeep. You get an hour there. Honey tasting plus Georgian wine and cognac degustation are included along the way. It runs year-round. Traffic can shift the timing, and in bad weather the road to Kazbegi or Gergeti sometimes closes — that time gets spent in Gudauri instead. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Russian, English