Excursion mountain region Kazbegi

Practical information about the excursion

This excursion is a full day trip from Tbilisi

You have to be able to walk 1-2 hours, also up the hill

It is advised to have comfortable shoes and protection for the sun

Guides for this excursion available in English, Georgian, Dutch and Russian

This excursion can start any day of the week during the whole year

Destinations of the excursion: Ananuri fortress, mineral water springs, the viewpoint and the Gergeti Trinity Church.

The excursion 'Top of the world' takes you to the mountain region Kazbegi and has three parts: on the way, half way and final destination. In the part 'on the way' we will visit the Ananuri Fortress and the red mineral water springs; in the part 'half way' we will stop at the viewpoint above Devil's Valley; in the part 'final destination' we will visit the Gergeti Trinity Church.

Why Me Travel - Excursion Ananuri fortress, mineral water springs, the viewpoint and the Gergeti Trinity Church.

On the way: Ananuri fortress and the red mineral water springs

On the way to our final destination we drive along the Georgian Military Road and our first stop is at the Ananuri Fortress, a stronghold strategically located between the mountains; and the next stop is at the red mineral water springs near Gudauri that paint the surface of the hill in beautiful colors where tourists stop to take interesting pictures.

Ananuri fortress

Ananuri fortress is one of the Georgian medieval castles. Ananuri castle is found in the same-name village on the Georgian Military Road, not far from Pasanauri. The castle was built in the valley between the two rivers Aragvi and Vedzatkhevi, so that no enemy army could pass, but found themselves caught in a “gate” formed by nature itself at gunpoint of the defenders. In the 16 - early 19 century Ananuri was the main stronghold on the way from Russia to Georgia. It played a critical role in numerous wars between dukes (eristavis).

Red mineral water springs near Gudauri

One of the many mineral water springs in the Kazbegi region is near Gudauri and it is also called Red Water Spring. The source of this spring can be found on top of the mountain and what makes it so special is that all mineral water finds its way down leaving a beautiful color behind. This is a favorite place of tourists to make photos with surrealistic backgrounds.

Half way: Viewpoint at the Devil's Valley and the Russia–Georgia Friendship monument

In this part of the excursion we will visit a viewpoint at the Devil's Valley and see the Russia–Georgia Friendship monument.

Viewpoint at Devil's Valley

If you want to fully enjoy the beauty of Kazbegi, you should visit the viewpoint. Here you can see paragliders flying in the Devil's Valley. If you dare, you can go paragliding too. The view point is called Russia–Georgia Friendship monument. This monument was built in 1983 to celebrate the bicentennial of the Treaty of Georgievsk and the ongoing friendship between Georgia and Soviet Russia...

Russia–Georgia Friendship monument

The Russia–Georgia Friendship monument is located on the Georgian Military Highway between the ski resort Gudauri and the Jvari pass. It is a large round building overlooking the Devil's Valley in the Caucasus Mountains. Inside the monument is a large mosaic that spans the whole circumference of the structure and depicts scenes of Georgian and Russian history.

Final destination: Stepantsminda and the Gergeti Trinity Church

Our final destination is the capital of Kazbegi, Stepantsminda and the Gergeti Church of the Holy Trinity located on top of a mountain with stunning views.

Stepantsminda

Stepantsminda is a small town located in the north-east of Georgia in a valley of the Causasus mountains. It is one of the must see destinations in Georgia, mostly due to amazing hiking routes and stunning nature. For about 100 years till 2007 it was always known as Kazbegi and only recently it received its historic name, Stepantsminda. It is located 165km north of Tbilisi and only 11km from the Russian border. The views of Stepantsminda are precious. There is a river Tergi running through the town. In the background you will see Mount Kazbek with its height of 5047 m.

Gergeti Trinity Church

Way up in the Caucasus mountains, where eagles fly and where you can touch the clouds with your hand, as if you are on top of the world, the Gergeti Church of the Holy Trinity is located. The serpentine path leads pilgrims, poets, local believers and tourists to Gergeti for many centuries. The church is located 2170 m above sea level, right at the foot of Kazbek Mountain, so loved by climbers. Usually climbers begin their hike from a weather station located near Gergeti. Ascent to Gergeti begins from the town of Stepantsminda. Many tourists hike to the church, but we will go by jeep safari as this path is not easy. The weather condition is not always good for hiking. Once on the top of the mountain, in the courtyard of the church you will enjoy beautiful views of the high Caucasus Mountains. Here you can make one of the most popular photos of Georgia with Mount Kazbek on the background.