Travelling to Caucasus Mountains Range in Gudauri and Kazbegi is the main reason why I was convince to visit Georgia. It is the number 1 tourist attraction in my bucketlist and the main highlights of my tour in Georgia. As an adventure seeker and nature lover, searching for a magnificent landscape and off beaten path is one of my goal and surely this place never disappoint to amaze me.
About Gudauri & Kazbegi
Gudauri is a popular ski resort destination located in Caucasus Mountain range of Geogia in the municipality of Kazbegi. It is about 120 km to the north of Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. Gudauri has an elevation of 2196 m above the sea level. It is also the location for paragliding activity in Georgia.
Kazbegi is a destrict of Georgia located in the Mtskheta-Mtianeti region of the north-eastern part of the country. It is known for its scenic location in the Greater Caucasus Mountain; hence, the center of trekking and mountain climbing activity. The main settlement and famous town is in Stepantsminda, formerly known as kazbegi. Home for the famous and historical Gergeti Trinity Church, nestled at the top of the hill.
How to get to Gudauri & Kazbegi?
Travel time from Tbilisi going to Gudauri is around 2 hours and from there, another 45 minutes to reach Stepantsminda, or still famously known as Kazbegi.
Option 1: DIY: Drive using your personal car and enjoy the ride in the Caucasus Mountain. Otherwise, use the public transportation by riding in a Marshrutka (Minibus) in Didube Bus Station or booking a taxi directly going to Gudauri & Kazbegi. Though, I don’t recommend booking a taxi, because it might be expensive and finding one might be difficult also since it’s on mountain side.
Option 2: Rent a Car in Tbilisi, Georgia. The vehicle rental starts around 20 USD per day for economy class. This vary depends on the type of car you will select. This option is great if you are planning to explore many places in Georgia and would like to travel at your own pace and time. This is also an excellent option for a group, just ensure that at least one or two of you have driver license that is accredited in Georgia. Use Google Maps for route guide.
Option 3: Tour with Transfer: For convenience, join a day trip from Tbilisi available in any travel agency tours offering this experience to reduce your cost. It is by far the easiest way to travel to Gudauri & Kazbegi. Highly recommended especially for someone who is traveling alone and would like to join a group tour.
If you are curious, I book my tour in G7 Euro Travel & Tours or known in Filipino community as Kabayans and Pinoys in Tbilisi, Georgia, highly recommended. Their tour package is well organized, so I can confidently say that they are one of the best Travel & Tour agency providers in Georgia. One more advantage is that they pick you up and drop in your hotel, so no hustle.
If you plan to book here, you can use my code: “LAN Wandered with G7 Kabayans in Georgia & Armenia
And get 3% to 20 % discount depending on length of stay or number of people booking at same time. You can message their FB page: Kabayans and Pinoys in Tbilisi, Georgia or their whatsapp number +995579128007.
3 Steps to avail discount:
- Mention the code above when booking.
- Screenshot this blog where you read my article.
- Simply like their Facebook Page: Kabayans and Pinoys in Tbilisi, Georgia
By the way, I opted to book for private tour with a guide as I wanted to wander in this place solo as well as to cover my paragliding experience.
Advantage of Booking solo: Time is flexible and can easily be change as weather permits. I also completed and finished my tour early so going back to Tbilisi is smooth.
Where to stay?
If you plan to visit different places in Georgia, booking and staying in Tbilisi is the best option since this is the center in the country. From there, you can join the day trip going to Gudauri & Kazbegi. However, if you are planning to spend a night in the Kazbegi, you can check out hotels in Stepantminda or near the Gudauri Ski Resorts depending on the season you visit and activity you will do. And since it is located in the Caucasus Mountain, most hotels offer a spectacular view of the mountain. I hope I can stay here soon too. For more details, you can check booking.com or Agoda for prices and availability.
In my case, I stayed in Envoy Hostel in Tbilisi. Although, my initial plan was to book also an accommodation in Stepantsminda, I opted to book a day tour instead and return back to Tbilisi since my time is short and my itinerary are full packed.
Pick-up time in Hotel:
Tours in Georgia Normally starts at 9 am, however, G7 Euro Travel ask me if I want to start early so that I can reach there early and to give time for my paragliding experience. On my side it is advantage as I don’t like crowd when taking videos and pictures also to finish all the tours included in the package without rushing it.
Shout to out to my Driver and Tour Guide by the way, they are very nice and accommodating, highly recommended.
Best Time to visit Gudauri & Kazbegi
You can never go wrong in visiting Caucasus Mountains either spring, summer, autumn or winter. In my case I visited it during autumn season as I wanted to experience colorful vibes. But I heard winter season is also magical so perhaps I will plan coming back here during snowy season to experience fairy tale vibe.
Seasons & Months in Georgia
- Spring: March to May
- Summer: June to August
- Autumn: September to November
- Winter: December to February
You are maybe wondering what are the tours included in this one day tour in Gudauri & Kazbegi, let’s see one by one the popular tourist destination we visited along the way.
Jinvali Water Reservoir
Our first stop was visiting this beautiful turquoise lake dam located in the Mtskheta-Mtaineti region, Dusheti Municipality, north of the small town of Zhinvali, in the middle of the Aragvi River is a sight to behold. In 1980, as Tbilisi was rapidly growing, an additional water supply was needed, hence, this dam was constructed in the Aragvi Gorge rich with glacier water making it the perfect spot with a maximum depth of 75 meters.
Aragvi River
Second stop was in Aragvi River in Georgia known for a natural phenomenon where two of its tributaries, the white Aragvi and the black Aragvi, flow side by side without mixing for a certain distance. This phenomenon is caused by the difference in the water’s temperature, speed, and density in the two rivers.
The “white” Aragvi River gets its name from the light-colored sediments and minerals it carries, giving it a milky appearance. The “black” Aragvi River, on the other hand, is darker in color due to the different types of sediments it carries.
Legend says that long ago two sisters with blonde and brunette hair fell in love with a brave knight .The Knight chose the blonde sister to marry, so the brunette-haired one jumped into the gorge, killing herself, not to interfere with sister’s happiness. However, blonde sister could not bear the weight of what happened to her so she killed herself by flinging herself from the cliffs. So, from the tears of these sisters, Aragvi was born.
Ananuri Fortified Castle Ensemble
Third stop was in Ananuri fortified castle located in the Aragvi River about 72 kilometers away from Tbilisi. This castle complex was a scene of numerous epic battles and once a fortress of feudal family residing in Aragvi River who ruled the area from the 13th century.
Russian Georgian Friendship Monument
I was amazed to see the transformation for the mountain landscape as we are droving the road going Gudauri. I started to see more of yellow tree leaves along the way and river on the side of the road. My eyes are full of excitement and satisfaction while wandering the highway.
Around 10 am we make a short stop at Soviet time “People Friendship Monument” with magnificent Mountain View point overlooking a deep gorge of Caucasus mountain range.
This location is also the meeting place if you want to experience paragliding. The activity I’ve been waiting for. One of my bucket list to do in Georgia.
Experience Paragliding in Caucasus Mountain-Gudauri
As an adventure seeker as myself, I did not miss this chance as I have been looking forward to fly like a bird and adore in the breathtaking views of Caucasus mountain from above. Fortunately, the weather is perfect during my time, it was a thrilling and amazing experience that I will never forget.
I am really thankful for G7 Euro travel for monitoring the weather condition in Gudauri and adjusted the day for my Gudauri & Kazbegi Tour, instead of Friday they change it to Thursday just to make sure I will be able to experience paragliding. The cost for tandem paragliding experience is 350 Georgian Gel and you will pay directly to the recommended paragliding company of G7 Euro Travel, don’t worry you will be guided by professional pilot. Over-all experience is amazing and again one bucket list fulfilled.
Check out my Paragliding Experience for more details.
Gergeti Trinity Church, Stepantsminda
After a fulfilling experience in Guduari, our last stop was the famous Gergeti Trinity Church in Stepantsminda.
Due to the steep and very rough road, the church is only accessible by means of 4 WD vehicle going to top otherwise you have to trek rigorously up the front of the hill. The cost for car service is 100 Gel going up and down, if you are more than 1 then you can divide it depends on how many are you in a group.
Luckily, even in autumn season, snow cap can still be seen in the spectacular view of Caucasus Mountain.
The Church was constructed in the 14th century by an unknown architect, and is the only cross-cupola church in Khevi province. Its geographical location makes its more dramatic and magnificent as it is built on top of hill surrounded by the massive & stunning mountains of Caucasus with overlooking view of the town of Stepantsminda.
Late Lunch in Gudauri
Mostly Filipinos like to eat lunch during the tour, so, initially I was ask by my tour guide & driver if I wanted to take lunch along the way or after we finished all the tours. I choose after since I want to return back early in Tbilisi, and also I notice that they like to complete first before lunch so all of us agreed.
For your info, we finished all the tours around 2:30 pm so we are able to take late lunch around 3 pm. So if you happen to follow my schedule, take a heavy breakfast and bring light snacks. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I am more satisfied in nature than in food, nevertheless we still have to eat to have energy (hehe).
My Verdict for Gudauri & Kazbegi Excursion
Over-all the tour is outstanding and well organize. All tourist attraction that we visited are spectacular and breathtaking. I will surely coming back, hopefully to experience next time staying for a night in Gudauri and experience snow activity in winter season.
So have you been to Gudauri & Kazbegi Georgia? please share your experience.
CINEMATIC SHORT VIDEO OF GUDAURI & KAZBEGI
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