If you are visiting Georgia and have a day to spare outside Tbilisi, I highly recommend heading into the mountains.
During my trip to Georgia, I joined the Kazbegi, Gudauri & Zhinvali Guided Group Tour, which took us from Tbilisi through some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the country.
I booked the tour through Klook just one day before, so it was quite a last-minute decision during my trip.
The booking process was straightforward. I did not have to worry about planning the route or figuring out how to get from one place to another. I just needed to make my own way to the meeting point in Tbilisi. In my case, it was around a 25-minute walk from where I was staying, which was manageable.
It turned out to be a fun full-day trip, and I enjoyed the journey almost as much as the places we stopped at.
As we travelled further from Tbilisi, the scenery kept changing, and every stop showed me a different side of Georgia. It was one of those days that made me glad I decided to venture beyond the city.
✅ Kazbegi, Gudauri & Zhinvali Tour at A Glance
Tour: Kazbegi, Gudauri & Zhinvali Guided Group Tour
Starting point: Tbilisi
Tour type: Guided group tour
Language: English-speaking guide
Price I paid: RM98.19
Hotel pick-up: No
Insurance: Included
Honey tasting: Included
Lunch: Not included
Jeep ride to Gergeti Trinity Church: Around US$7, not included
It was a small-group tour with about 10 people. Our guide was friendly and highly knowledgeable about Georgian history. She did more than simply take us from one attraction to another. At the historical sites, she took the time to explain what we were looking at and share stories about the places we visited.
The tour was also very punctual and well organised. We were given a specific amount of time at each destination, so we had to keep an eye on the schedule and make sure we were back at the meeting point on time. This is something worth knowing before booking because you will not have much freedom to linger at a particular place for as long as you want.
✅ Zhinvali Water Reservoir
The reservoir is an artificial lake located along the Georgian Military Highway, framed by the Caucasus Mountains and surrounded by green mountain slopes and the Aragvi River valley. The turquoise colour of the water was what caught my attention first. On a clear day, the contrast between the blue-green water and the mountains makes the whole place look almost unreal.
Zhinvali Reservoir is more of a scenic stop than a full-day attraction. Most tours stop here briefly before continuing towards Ananuri and Kazbegi, so you will not have hours to explore the area. For a group tour, the short stop is enough to enjoy the scenery and take a few photos before moving on.
There are also small local stalls around the tourist stops, where you may find snacks, drinks, souvenirs and even some warm clothing.
You may also come across small photo spots with swings or props. Some may charge a small fee, so having a few Georgian lari with you can be useful.
My tip: Take your photos first, then have a quick look around the stalls if you are interested in souvenirs. Since this is usually a short tour stop, I would not spend too much time shopping and miss the view.
✅ Aragvi River
The river flows through the mountain valleys of eastern Georgia, surrounded by beautiful scenery that makes the journey so enjoyable.
There is also an interesting legend connected to the Aragvi River. According to one Georgian legend, the Black Aragvi and White Aragvi are said to represent two sisters whose tragic story became part of the landscape. The sisters were both in love with the same man, and after a heartbreaking turn of events, their tears were said to have formed the two rivers.
There are different versions of the story, so I would take it as a local legend rather than historical fact. Still, I thought it added an interesting layer to the landscape. Knowing the story behind the rivers made the scenery feel a little more meaningful.
This is more of a quick scenic stop than somewhere you need several hours to explore.
My tip: Keep your camera ready during this part of the journey. Some of the best views are not at official attractions, but along the road as you travel through the mountains.
✅ Ananuri Fortress Complex
The first thing that caught my attention was the setting. The fortress sits above the Zhinvali Reservoir, with the blue-green water and mountains creating a beautiful backdrop behind the old stone walls.
Ananuri is a historic fortified complex that dates back several centuries and was once an important stronghold for the Duchy of Aragvi. Inside, you will find fortress walls, towers, churches and other historic buildings.
One of the most recognisable buildings is the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which was built in the 17th century. If you enjoy old architecture, take a closer look at the stone carvings on the exterior. The detailed carvings are one of the things that make Ananuri stand out.
I was glad we had a guide with us here because there is quite a lot of history behind the fortress. Without the explanation, I probably would have walked around, taken a few photos and moved on without knowing much about what I was actually looking at.
If you plan to enter the churches, remember to dress respectfully. Comfortable shoes are also useful because you will be walking over uneven stone surfaces and around the fortress.
My tip: Do not rush straight through after taking your first few photos. Walk around the walls, look closely at the church carvings and towers, and give yourself a little time to take in the setting.
✅ Gudauri View Point
Located along the Georgian Military Highway, the viewpoint is best known for the Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument, also called the Georgian-Russian Friendship Monument. The large circular monument was built in 1983 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Treaty of Georgievsk.
The monument itself is quite striking. Inside the curved structure are colourful tiled murals depicting scenes from Georgian history and culture. It overlooks a huge mountain valley, so even if you are not particularly interested in the monument itself, the view makes the stop worthwhile.
This was one of my favourite parts of the journey because the landscape became increasingly dramatic as we travelled higher. The drive was almost an attraction in itself. I kept looking out the window as the road climbed through the mountains, watching the landscape change around us.
If you are travelling during the colder months, bring proper warm clothing. It can be considerably colder and windier here than in Tbilisi, and the open viewpoint offers little protection from the weather.
My tip: Give yourself a few minutes to simply enjoy the view before getting back on the bus. The landscape is the main reason to stop here.
✅ Lunch at Kyemo Mieta
We stopped at Kyemo Mieta to take a short break before continuing to Gergeti Trinity Church. The restaurant was conveniently located along our route.
Lunch was not included in the tour price, so this is one of the extra costs to keep in mind when booking.
Before we arrived, our tour guide shared the menu with us so we could order our food in advance. Since the restaurant is known for its khinkali, a traditional Georgian dumpling, I decided to give it a try. There were two options available, beef and cheese, and I went with the beef.
To be honest, I didn’t really like the khinkali. The texture was a little too slimy for me, and I also found the flavour quite bland. I know khinkali is a popular Georgian dish, so this is definitely just my personal preference. I ended up not finishing it, although I did enjoy the lemonade. If you enjoy wine, there is also free wine tasting available.
If you have never tried khinkali before, I would still recommend giving it a try and deciding for yourself. You do not need to order one each, as the portions are quite filling and two people can easily share a few if you are travelling with friends.
My tip: Keep some Georgian lari in cash with you for lunch, drinks and other small expenses.
✅ Honey Tasting
One of the little extras included in the tour was a honey tasting. It was not the main highlight of the tour, but it was a nice little addition that made the day feel less like a checklist of tourist attractions.
We had the chance to try different types of Georgian honey and learn a little more about the local varieties. It was quite a simple experience, but I enjoyed having something different to do between all the sightseeing stops.
If you enjoy bringing local food products home from your travels, this is also a good opportunity to see what Georgian honey is like. You may find varieties that you like enough to buy as a little souvenir.
✅ Stepantsminda
You may also see this place referred to as Kazbegi, a name many travellers still use when talking about the area. Stepantsminda is the name of the town, while Kazbegi is commonly used for the wider region.
By this point, the scenery had completely changed from the city views of Tbilisi. Mountains surrounded us from almost every direction, and the whole area had a much quieter, slower feeling.
Stepantsminda sits in a valley surrounded by the Greater Caucasus Mountains, with Mount Kazbek towering above the area. On a clear day, you may even catch a glimpse of its snow-covered peak, although the weather can change quickly and clouds can easily cover the mountains.
The town itself is fairly small, with restaurants, cafés, small shops and guesthouses around the centre. Since we were visiting as part of a day tour, we did not have much time to explore, so for us, it was mainly a stop before continuing to the main highlight of the day.
For most visitors on this particular tour, Stepantsminda is important because it is the gateway to Gergeti Trinity Church, which sits high above the town. From here, we would continue further up the mountain to reach the famous church.
✅ Gergeti Trinity Church
Perched high above Stepantsminda, with the Caucasus Mountains stretching out behind it, Gergeti Trinity Church is easily one of the most recognisable sights in Georgia. Dating back to the 14th century and sitting at around 2,170 metres above sea level, its mountain setting is what makes it so famous. An old stone church surrounded by the enormous Caucasus range is quite a sight.
Getting there requires a jeep ride, which was an additional cost of around US$7 when I visited. The road up is steep, uneven and quite bumpy in places, so I would definitely recommend taking the jeep rather than trying to walk up.
The church itself? Honestly, it was okay for me.
I know Gergeti Trinity Church is one of the most photographed places in Georgia, and I can understand why. The church is beautiful in its own way, especially because of its age and location. For me, though, the view was something else. That was the part I really loved.
Standing there with the mountains surrounding me was far more memorable than the church itself. I could have stayed much longer just taking in the landscape. It was one of those travel moments where you take a photo, look at it afterwards and realise that the picture does not quite capture what you were actually seeing.
Depending on the weather, you may also get a clear view of Mount Kazbek, one of the highest peaks in Georgia. Clouds can easily cover the mountains, so a clear day can make a big difference.
You can also enter the church, although remember that this is an active religious site and visitors should dress respectfully. Having a scarf with you can be useful if you need to cover your head inside.
If you are visiting as part of a day tour, your time here may feel a little short. Take your photos, walk around the church and give yourself a few minutes to simply enjoy the view before heading back down.
My tip: Bring a jacket even if Tbilisi feels warm that day. It can be much cooler and windier at this altitude. Keep some cash with you for the jeep ride too.
✅ What To Bring For The Tour
Since this is a full-day mountain trip, I would keep your bag practical.
Bring:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A jacket or extra layer
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Drinking water
- Some Georgian lari in cash for lunch, the jeep ride and small purchases
- Your camera or phone
- Motion sickness medication if you get carsick on winding mountain roads
The weather can be quite different from Tbilisi, especially at higher elevations, so having an extra layer is a good idea.
✅ Is The Kazbegi, Gudauri & Zhinvali Tour Worth It?
For me, yes, it was worth it.
What I enjoyed most was how much we managed to see in a single day. From Zhinvali Water Reservoir and Ananuri Fortress to Gudauri, Stepantsminda and Gergeti Trinity Church, the scenery kept changing throughout the journey.
There were moments when I was more interested in looking out of the window than taking photos because the mountain scenery was simply beautiful. The journey itself became part of the experience.
📍 Who Is This Tour Good For?
I think it is a good option if you are:
- Staying in Tbilisi and want to see the mountains without renting a car
- Visiting Georgia for the first time
- Looking for an affordable day trip
- Interested in seeing several famous sights in one day
- Comfortable spending a good part of the day on the road
- Happy to follow a group itinerary
If you prefer a slower trip where you can spend hours at one particular place, a private tour would probably suit you better.
For me, the biggest advantage was being able to experience the mountains without having to worry about driving, directions or arranging transportation between each stop. The entire journey was beautiful, from the reservoir and old fortress to the winding mountain roads and huge Caucasus landscapes. The trip itself left a lasting impression on me, and I have a feeling it is something I will remember for a very long time.
If you have only one day to escape Tbilisi and experience the Georgian mountains, I think this is a pretty good way to spend it.
Georgia has plenty of beautiful places, and I am glad I did not limit my trip to Tbilisi.
The mountains were definitely worth the journey.
Wanderhoney Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5.0/5.0)
Love,
Auri Duham 🌻
