Kazbegi is known for its scenic location in the Greater Caucasus mountains in Northern Georgia. Stepantsminda is the town’s historical name. Kazbegi was its Soviet-era name but after Georgia regained independence, the town’s original name, Stepantsminda, was officially restored in 2006.
Many people still call it Kazbegi, especially tourists, because of the nearby Mount Kazbek (also called Mount Kazbegi), which is a major attraction.
This blog covers the day tour itself, including its stops and interesting views along the way.
Day tour to Kazbegi
One full day in my trip to Georgia was dedicated to travel from Tbilisi to the gorgeous Cascasus mountains until the small town of Kazbegi, almost in the border with Russia..
A typical day trip goes back and forth to Tbilisi on the same day. You can take the same tour and stay in the mountains. This crossed my mind for some time, but I wanted to take it easy and be back to the capital every night, also not having a clue about the real possibilities to hike during April. Hiking is rather a summer activity, so in the spring time may not always be feasible.
Below some photos of the different parts of the journey.
The highlight for me was the journey itself. It´s incredible how you go from a sunny and warm Tbilisi to cold weather and snowed mountains just in a few hours. I joke to myself time after time, that people traveling with me on these tours must think: “This woman has never seen snow in her life”..
Ananuri Fortress
Our first stop was Ananuri Fortress, located on the Aragvi River. This 13th-century fortress was once the stronghold of the Dukes of Aragvi, a powerful feudal dynasty. It played a key role in defending the region against invasions and was the site of several battles.
It´s currently on the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The fortress is a testament to Georgia’s rich heritage.
The complex includes churches, towers, and defensive walls. There are two churches inside built in the 17th century. The main church of the castle is the Church of the Assumption.
The facade of the church reflects a deep connection between faith, power, and life, expressed through intricate stone carvings.The carvings are done in relief, showcasing traditional Georgian medieval art, blending spiritual themes with nature and royal symbolism.
As you see also in the photos, some background mountains but nothing yet like the mountains we were about to see in just a matter of hours.
Heading to the mountains…
The road from Ananuri Fortress to Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) is one of the most scenic routes in Georgia, following the historic Georgian Military Highway
When it´s about nature, sometimes there isn´t that much to say but images and videos can express better. I took some “road videos” to share what the views are like.
Insane truck traffic
Yes, this is an unusual suspect for its own section, but it´s deserved. I don´t think I have EVER seen that many trucks on the same day. It turns out, the same route needed to go to Kudari and then Kazbegi is the same that thousands, but I mean, thousands of trucks have to pass to go to Russia and viceversa.
It´s like drivig in this fairy-tale road but at the same time the trucks -and as a consequence the dirt they leave behind against the snow-, ruin a little bit the perfect landscape. But then again, it´s about where in the world you are, the circumstances, the way of living... and in this case I was in the middle of an intense commercial route!
It its own weird way, it was a reminder of how nature can often be “the same” in many places, but traveling if often about understanding the context and what happens around that nature in real life. In fact, these are the little things you tend to remember over time -and if not, this blog will remind me and my nephews in the future-
Russia – Georgia friendship monument
Also known as the Gudauri Viewpoint, this colorful Soviet-era monument sits on a cliff and provides panoramic views of the Devdoraki Gorge and surrounding mountains. Built in 1983 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Treaty of Georgievsk signed in 1783 between the Russian Empire and the Kingdom of Georgia,
The artwork shows colorful scenes from Georgian and Russian history, culture, and folklore, with images of heroic figures, peasants, warriors, and peaceful life symbolizing cooperation, shared struggles, and prosperity as Soviet propaganda.
Today, it stands more as a incredible viewpoint and historical curiosity than a symbol of current relations. Understanding the complex present, I also saw it more as a natural attraction and a good reminder of the recent history. Photos below are more about the views:
Gergety Trinity Church
Gergety Trinity Church is the crown of Kazbegi / Stepantsminda and an outstanding example of Georgian architecture. The cathedral itself was built during the 14th century. In the old days, whenever Georgia was attacked by an enemy, the church’s treasury was kept here to preserve it, since the road leading to it was extremely difficult.
Nowadays there is a paved road from Stepantsminda to Gergeti you can walk up, or you can also take a taxi or jeep tour with a guide.
The town is located in Mtsheta-Mtianeti region of north eastern Georgia, along the banks of the Terek River, 157 kilometers north of Tbilisi at an elevation of 1,740 meters. The actual church is located at 2,170 meters above sea level
Mount Kazbek, visible from Gergeti Trinity Church, stands at approximately 5,033 meters above sea level.
The dramatic view of Kazbek rising behind the church is one of the most iconic and photographed scenes in Georgia.
Zhinvali Reservoir
Also called Zhinvali Dam or Lake, is a man-made lake located about 70 km north of Tbilisi.
Fun fact: We were supposed to stop in this reservoir on our way to Kazbegi, but due to the heavy traffic our guide decided to stop on our way back instead.
As described above, the traffic all day long and especially on the mountain was something incredible, hence it was almost dark by the time we came back and properly stopped.
On the bright side, beautiful light and not crowded!
Conclusions
For a quick visit and just to enjoy the scenery, it is definitely worth it. Ideally with more time, it´s a very nice place to spend couple of days for hiking or winter activities like skiing in Gudari. Compared to western European prices this should be a lot cheaper. The extreme traffic kills a little bit of the magic, but again every place is different 😉
I had an amazing time and absolutely recommend!
Until next time! Nat
