Mount Kazbek

Head north from Tbilisi along the Georgian Military Highway, the only road connecting Georgia to Russia through the high Caucasus Mountains. First you'll visit Zhinvali Dam, a hydroelectric dam on the Aragvi River. Despite its artificial origins, the reservoir blends in with the surrounding environment perfectly and delights visitors with its turquoise waters. As you descend to the shores of the reservoir you will notice the ruins of a church from a settlement that was relocated out of the flooding area of the dam.   Next, visit Ananuri Fortress, known for its stunning panoramic views. It was built by the Dukes of Aragvi and its earliest parts date back to the 13th century. After this, you'll explore Gudauri, a ski resort located in the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range. The slopes of Gudauri are completely above the tree line. Discover the Treaty of Georgievsk Monument, built in 1983 to celebrate the bicentennial of the Treaty of Georgievsk and ongoing friendship between Georgia and Russia. Inside the monument is a large tile mural that spans the whole circumference of the structure and depicts scenes from Georgian history. Finally, you'll visit Gergeti Trinity Church. The church is located under Mount Kazbek, and served as a popular waypoint for travellers on the road connecting Russia and Georgia. At the end of the day, return to Tbilisi.

You will depart from Tbilisi early in the morning, in the direction of Kazbegi. On the way, there will be some very interesting places to visit. Ananuri Fortified Castle Ensemble is a sixteenth-century castle complex on the Aragvi River. The fortress stands beside the famous Georgian Military Highway, overlooking the large Jinvali Lake. Its high, turreted stone walls protect two churches, a watchtower, and a reservoir. The main church facade is beautifully carved with animal, floral and Celtic style patterns. Next stop on the way is Gudauri, a remarkable ski resort in Georgia. The resort is at the altitude of 7,217 feet (2,200 meters) above sea level. The first lower lift station is at 6528 feet (1,990 meters ) above sea level and the last, or top, the station is at a 3,306-meter called summit Sadzele. The resort offers high-quality skiing opportunities, with the ski season lasting from December through April. From Gudauri, you'll continue your trip to Gergeti Trinity Church. At an altitude of 7,119 feet (2,170 meters), the twelfth or thirteenth-century monument was erected on the southern slopes of Mkinvarcveri. Gergeti Trinity Church is an important temple, remarkable for its beautiful scenery. The Gergeti Trinity Church is set poignantly on a hill directly below the towering white massif of Mount Kazbek, which sits at 5,033 meters. On top of all this, you will also have the opportunity to partake in the best tandem paragliding in Georgia. The spectacular views and stable weather conditions put it right up there. From the perfect take-off sites close to the spots around Gudauri, your flight will take you over the ridges with a birds-eye view of the places above Jvari pass or Aragvi Valley. After a 20 to 25 minute flight, you will smoothly land close to the takeoff area or near the road in the valley after your exhilarating cross-country flight.

After meeting your driver, take an exciting drive north along the Georgian Military Highway into the high Caucasus Mountains. This spectacular highway winds its way through sheer mountains on a route that runs for 220 km from Tbilisi to Russia and dates back to the 1st century BC. Pass by the Zhinvali Dam hydroelectric dam and reservoir on the Aragvi River which blends in with the surrounding environment perfectly. Enjoy the view of the turquoise waters from Ananuri Fortress, a popular tourist sight with stunning, panoramic views. Descend to the shores of the reservoir until you reach Ananuri fortress, built by the Dukes of Aragvi and eith parts dating back to the 13th century. Admire the two fortifications joined by a crenelated curtain wall and the well-preserved, large square tower, known as the Sheupovari. Continue along the highway towards the Gudauri ski resort situated in the Stepantsminda District at an elevation of 2,200 meters above sea level. Visit the Georgievsk Monument which was built in 1983 to celebrate the ongoing friendship between Georgia and Soviet Russia. Peek inside the monument to see a large tile mural that spans the whole circumference of the structure and depicts scenes of Georgian history. Travel onward to the 14th-century Gergeti Trinity Church, located under Mount Kazbek above the town of Stepantsminda and which has for a long time served as a popular way-point for travelers on the road connecting Russia and Georgia.

Take off from Tbilisi to the Zhinvali reservoir, Kazbegi National Park, Gudauri, and more on this multi-stop guided trip. Take in unbeatable views of local spots, village landscapes, and Mount Kazbegi. The trip starts with a 40-minute drive from Tbilisi to the Zhinvali reservoir. The huge lake around the forest-rich hills offers beautiful landscapes at any time of the year. From here you can already smell the mountains. Not far from the lake, visit the historical sights of Ananuri Fortress. Built in the Middle Ages, this fortress complex served the most important defensive function in the region. This is the only complex in Georgia that has survived to this day and is almost in its original form. Stop near the friendship monument in Gudauri next and get some free time to explore. You can join paragliding with local instructors (costs not included) or just relax and take photos. Enjoy panoramic views of beautiful mountain systems in several directions around. The road continues in the direction of Kazbegi through a pass with a maximum altitude of 2,379 meters above sea level. There, you'll see only high mountains and small villages around. Finally, visit Stepantsminda, the administrative center of the municipality. Choose to visit Gergeti Church, which is not only an important religious place but also a place with scenic views of Kazbegi. Before returning to Tbilisi, you can have a relaxing time on the veranda of a hotel, drink coffee or tea, and see the Mkinvartsveri (Mount Kazbegi).

What are the best places to have a date in the city? Where can you take lovely photos? Feel spellbound absorbing the charming atmosphere, and be surprised at how many historical love stories are hidden in the streets, buildings, and parks of the city. From heartbreaking and tragic, to the hilarious or spicy ones. What sacred relics and treasures are said to be buried in the caves of the ancient Betlemi monastery? How is Mount Kazbek tied to the Greek Mythology and Prometheus? The answers to these questions and more await you. This tour is especially recommended for the period of St. Valentine's Day.

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.