2 days trip to kazbegi overnight in stepantsminda or gudauri

• Drive through Georgian Military Road to Ananuri Fortress (14th to 18th-century) situated at the bank of the picturesque Jinvali Lake
• Explore the summit of Mount Kazbegi
• Continue towards the village Juta, one of the highest villages in Europe

Day 1: Tbilisi - Jvari - Ananuri - Jinvali lake - Gudauri - Cross Pass - Stepantsminda (1740 meters) Depart from your hotel in Tbilisi at 09:30, driving a distance of 180 kilometers. Begin your tour by visiting Jvari Monastery (6th-century), built on the top of the hill above Mtskheta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After visiting Jvari Monastery, drive further through Georgian Military Road to Ananuri Fortress (14th to 18th-century) situated at the bank of the picturesque Jinvali Lake. Enjoy great panoramic views. This Ananuri architectural complex belonged to the House of the Eristavi of Aragvi - a violent local ruler. The characteristic architectural design of the late medieval period includes a fortress, two churches, an old watch tower, prison and civic buildings. On the way to Stepantsminda visit Gudauri Ski Resort, located on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range, along the Georgian Military Highway near the Crosss Pass, at an elevation of 2,196 meters above sea level. Arrive to the village Stepantsminda (1.740 meters) at the foot of Mount Kazbegi (5.047 meters). Here, you can either hire a 4WD car and drive up to the Gergeti Trinity Church (2.170 meters) or one can go for a walk and reach the church (it takes about 1 to 1.5-hours for a walk). Gergeti Trinity (Sameba) Church was built in the 14th-century. From the church on one side, you can explore the summit of Mount Kazbegi and from other side, find a wonderful view of the river Tergi Gorge and its surrounding area. Overnight in Stepantsminda. Either in a family type guesthouse or 3-star/plus hotel. Day 2: Stepantsminda - Beautiful Waterfalls - village Juta - Stepantsminda - Mtskheta - Tbilisi (approximately 180 kilometers) Visit beautiful waterfalls near Kazbegi and continue your way towards the village Juta (on 4WD car), one of the highest villages in Europe (2100 meters).The main attraction in this area, except for the above mentioned village, is a mountain Range Chaukhi. On the way back to Tbilisi, visit old capital of Georgia, Mtskheta. Some monuments found in the city are UNESCO World Heritage Site listed. In Mtskheta, visit Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, built in the 11th-century, the main church of Mtskheta and a sacred place where the robe of Christ is being kept. Though the site itself is even older dating back to the early 4th-century and surrounded by a number of legends associated primarily with the early Christian traditions. At the end of the tour, arrive back to Tbilisi and be dropped off at your hotel in Tbilisi.

What to bring

• Comfortable shoes