Stepantsminda

Ski & Snowboard

Start the day with pickup from your hotel in Tbilisi and then head to Jinali, the largest reservoir of eastern Georgia. Marvel at the stunning landscape of the scene and then travel to the fortress of Ananuri, which is one of the best monuments of late feudal Georgia. The impressive fortress provides and interesting insight into how the people lived in that long-ago time, and from your guide, learn about how this period of history influenced the country. The Ananurian structures at the fortress are perfectly preserved, unlike other similar historic structures. This feature evokes interest in the fortress of both tourists and historians, and since 2012 the fortress has held the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the fortress, enjoy a lunch break at a nearby restaurant, or opt for a tasting of the traditional Georgian Khinkali. Following lunch, head to Gudauri, a ski resort situated on a south-facing plateau of the greater Caucasus Mountain. After wandering around the resort, discover the People's Friendship Arch, a creation of the famous sculptor Tsereteli. The Arch was built at an altitude of 2,384 meters in the Kazbegi district, on the cross pass near the Military Georgian Road. Next, visit the Stepantsminda Trinity Church in Gergeti, built on the slopes of the majestic Kazbek Mountain, among the snow-covered ranges. The church is located at an altitude of 2,170 meters near the town of Stepantsminda and the village of Gergeti and provides stunning views across the snow. Towards the end of your tour, enjoy dinner in a Gudauri restaurant before heading back to your accommodation in Tbilisi.

After being collected from your hotel in the morning, you will venture to Jinvali, which is the largest reservoir of eastern Georgia. Following this, you will head toward the fortress of Ananuri, which is one of the best monuments of late feudal Georgia, and although there are not so few of these monuments in Georgia, it is Ananuri that helps people understand exactly how people lived at that distant time. Ananurian structures, unlike other similar cultures, are perfectly preserved. This particular feature evokes interest in the fortress of both tourists and historians, and since 2012, the fortress has the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the early afternoon, you will experience Gudauri, a ski resort situated on a south-facing plateau of the greater Caucasus Mountain, 2,200 meters above sea level (in the winter season you can even enjoy skiing). Later on, you will see the People's Friendship Arch, which was the inspiration of the famous sculptor Tsereteli. It was built at an altitude of 2,384 meters in the Kazbegi district, on a cross pass near the Military Georgian Road. Later in the afternoon, you will tour Stepantsminda (Kazbegi), a Trinity Church in Gergeti. Among the snow-covered ranges and on the slope of the majestic mountain of Kazbegi, you will find the ancient Georgian Trinity Church. It is located at an altitude of 2,170 meters near the town of Stepantsminda and the village of Gergeti, in honor of which it was named. It is widely known as the Trinity Church in Gergeti, but the Georgians refer to it as "Gergetis Tsminda Sameba". Following this church trip, you will have free time in Kazbegi, before you are dropped off at your accommodation.

After departing from Tbilisi to Kazbegi early in the morning, you will travel 160 kilometers along the Georgian Military Road. This famous road runs between Tbilisi, Georgia and Russia, and on the way, there are some very interesting places to visit. You will begin by visiting Sabaduri Forest, a place which is breathtaking and is reminiscent of scenery from a children's fairy tale. Afterwards, you will reach the Ananuri Fortress, a 16th-century castle complex on the Aragvi River. The fortress stands beside the famous Georgian Military Highway, overlooking a 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. Your next stop will be Gudauri, a remarkable ski resort in Georgia. The resort is at the altitude of 2,200 meters-above-sea-level, and offers high-quality skiing opportunities between December and April. In Gudauri, you can enjoy beautiful views, ski, or glide up the mountain with the cable car to a height of almost 1,000 feet. Adrenaline seekers can even try paragliding.