Stepantsminda how to get from tbilisi. Stepantsminda (Kazbegi), Georgia

There are many beautiful and interesting places in Georgia, with their own history and ancient culture. The high mountainous region of Kazbegi is one of them. The most beautiful nature combined with the unique flavor of Georgian traditions and hospitality attract many people. Among the tourists there are many residents of Georgia itself, but even more tourists from different countries... Sputnik has prepared a material that contains information for those who want to visit this region of Georgia.

How to get there

The easiest and cheapest way to get from Tbilisi to the village of Stepantsminda (the regional center of Kazbegi), if a person wants to get there on his own, is to take a minibus at the bus station near the Didube metro station. It will cost only ten lari (about four dollars). You can also use the services of a private driver or taxi. In this case, you will have to pay 120-150 GEL for the flight (if the car is on gas) and 220-250 GEL if the car with a more powerful engine runs on gasoline. Participants in a trip in the same car can save money by dividing transportation costs among themselves.

At the same time, travel by private car or taxi, unlike a minibus, is more comfortable and more convenient, since passengers at any time can ask for a stop to walk through the picturesque surroundings or take pictures of them. The path is only 160 kilometers long, but most of the road runs through the mountains. There are many turns on the track, a lot of dangerous sections. Therefore, it will take more than two and a half hours to get from Tbilisi to Stepantsminda.

WHAT IS WORTH TAKING WITH YOURSELF

Even in summer, when heading to Kazbegi, you should take warm clothes and a rain jacket with you. The weather in Stepantsminda often changes even during the day. A calm summer day can unexpectedly surprise you with coolness or heavy rain. At the same time, the mountains surrounding the village are even colder. And those who are going to climb high in the mountains or conquer the peak of Mkinvartsveri (Kazbegi) will need to stock up on climbing equipment.

But even those who are not going to climb mountain peaks should have comfortable clothes, at least sweatpants, and take shoes designed for walking on rocks. And when going to the mountains, do not forget to take water with you. Often people, climbing to great heights, do not notice how dehydration can occur - after all, the body spends a lot of energy.

In general, it is best to take a small backpack with you when you go for a walk, where you can put water, a couple of sandwiches, and other necessary things, since you will most likely have to walk a lot and for a long time.

WHERE TO STAY AND EAT

Accommodation prices in Stepantsminda vary greatly depending on what conditions are offered to potential clients. Prices start at 30 GEL per person per day. For this money he receives Single Room v guest house(usually a separate room with a shared shower and toilet) and breakfast.

Further, the prices for accommodation only grow and reach more than 400 GEL per day for a stay in a comfortable and prestigious four-star hotel, but there is only one such hotel in Stepantsminda. There is also a restaurant and a bar that is open until one in the morning. By the way, only here in all of Stepantsminda you can rent a mountain bike, but for this you need to be a guest of this hotel.

There are several restaurants and a dozen cafes in the village itself. The prices for food and drinks in them are higher than in Tbilisi, on average by 15 percent, and for wine - by almost 50 percent if you buy it by the glass. You can also purchase groceries from shops and local market vendors.

WHAT TO SEE

Those who travel to Kazbegi on vacation should understand that the main attraction of this region is the beautiful nature and stunning mountain views. But besides the majestic mountain peaks and the most important - Kazbek (Mqinvartsveri) - there is something to see and where to spend time. It is also worth considering that the top of Kazbek is often hidden in the clouds, and you can see it mainly in the morning.

In Stepantsminda itself there is the Kazbegi Museum of Local Lore. It is located in a house that once belonged to the writer Alexander Kazbegi. In addition to the museum's exposition itself, you can see how Georgian aristocrats lived in the 19th century. The museum itself has two floors. and the first of them contains exhibits associated with the Betlem (Bethlehem) cave, discovered in 1947 - it is located on sheer cliff on the slope of Kazbek at an altitude of about 4000 meters above sea level. Monks lived in this cave, and ancient church utensils were found there. The museum contains the gate from the cave and the chain along which the monks climbed into it.

Not far from Stepantsminda on the mountain, at an altitude of more than 2,200 meters above sea level, there is the Church of the Holy Trinity of the XIV centuries, at the foot of which the village of Gergeti is located. Therefore, the church is also called Gergeti. For a long time, the inhabitants of the village were the keepers of the church and from generation to generation passed on to the descendants the key to the entrance gate.

Now it is a working church, where services are regularly held. There is also located observation deck with an impressive view of mountain peaks surrounding her from all sides. Walking way to the church from Stepantsminda will take more than two hours, you can also get here by jeep.

A little further from Stepantsminda there is a two-stage Gveleti waterfall. To get to it, you need to spend an hour by car or four hours on foot. The road to the waterfall can be overcome only by off-road vehicles. Or you will have to leave the car at the beginning of the ascent, not far from the Georgian Military Highway. A mountain path leads to the waterfall itself from the place where the rocky country road ends.

The Kazbegi region is also known for natural mineral lakes in the Trusov gorge, a waterfall in the village of Arsha, a church in the village of Sioni. You can take a horse ride in the Sno gorge, where there are the remains of a 16th century fortress, or to the meteorological station located at an altitude of 3650 meters above sea level. In the mountains on the Kelsk plateau - a chain extinct volcanoes... And on the way to Stepantsminda, not far from the central road, there is an artificial pool, which locals fill in mineral water and bathe in it.

In the region, you can also find the ruins of ancient buildings - there were many watchtowers on the mountain tops, in the Darial Gorge in the mountains there are ancient altars and prayer stones, and near the Georgian-Russian border, if you face the Kazbegi CCI, on the left on the top of the mountain you can see the ruins of the castle, which is known from Ilf and Petrov as "Tamara's castle".

There are also several trekking routes in the area. The most famous is from Gergeti to Kazbek or, in an abbreviated version, to a weather station. The route from Juta to the east is very interesting - either through the pass to Lower Khevsuretia or through the pass to the Khevsurian Arkhoto. More difficult route- from the Trusov gorge to the Kelskoe plateau.

HOW MUCH DO THE ENTERTAINMENT AND FACILITIES COST

The guides joke that the most important basic necessities that you need to have with you when going on vacation to Kazbegi is money.

The average cost of a two-day tour, which includes the ascent to the Gergeti church and the inspection of the Gveleti waterfall, is $ 85 - this price includes the services of a guide and a transfer of a group of several people from Tbilisi, as well as travel by car around the region. It should be noted that this cost is added to the cost of food, accommodation and gasoline. As a result, the trip will cost no less than $ 130 per person for two days.

Local guide and sightseeing services can be negotiated. For example, for 60-80 GEL in Stepantsminda, you can hire a car to go up to the Gergeti Church. For 100-120 GEL, the car will go to the Gveleti waterfall, and maybe even to the church. If you need a guide, then for 30 GEL you can walk to the church from Gergeti village together with a group of 10-15 people. But climbing Kazbek is much more expensive - to enter a group of several people, which will be led by an accompanying person, you will have to pay 600-700 euros.

The abundance of Mitsubishi Delica cars on the streets of Stepantsminda amazes everyone who gets into this mountain locality.

They say that the locals jokingly call Stepantsminda "Delikatsminda" for the abundance of all-wheel drive Mitsubishi Delica off-road vehicles, which have gained popularity among the residents of the village for their driving performance and spaciousness. Almost every family here has such a car, or a jeep. This is both convenience for moving around the region and the opportunity to earn extra money.

Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) is a small village 12 km away. from the checkpoint "Verny Lars". This is the first settlement, which is passed by tourists traveling by car from Russia. Spetantsminda itself hardly deserves attention: old Soviet buildings, minimal infrastructure and packs of stray dogs. So why is the village so popular with tourists?

One of the main attractions is the Trinity Church in Gergeti, near Stepantsminda. Ancient church is located high in the mountains and attracts travelers with its landscapes and views of Mount Kazbek.

There is one of the best hotels Georgia - Rooms Hotel Kazbegi. The highlight of the hotel is its terrace with a panoramic view of the snow-capped mountain peaks.
Several trekking routes start from Spepantsminda: to Mount Kazbek, to the meteorological station, to the high-mountain village of Juta, to the Gveleti waterfall and others.

The purpose of our trip was trekking to the village of Dzhuta, but the weather was against, so we chose an easier route - the ascent to the Trinity Church.

Like most Orthodox churches in Georgia, the Trinity Church is quite ascetic in appearance and does not differ in chic and luxury. However, the place has a very strong energy. A few hours will be enough to overload and gain strength for new achievements and victories.

I felt something similar in. I don’t know whether the Georgian shrines really have a special power, or the power of the mountains affects. It's hard for me to explain why this is so, probably everyone finds something of their own here ...

How to get to the Trinity Church in Gergeti

Trinity Church is 4 km away. from Stepantsminda. You can climb to it on foot along a steep slope, or call in by car. We chose the hike to enjoy not only the end point, but also the road. True, "to enjoy" is a very conditional concept. Already halfway down the road, I prayed to be abandoned, as there was no strength to go further. The climb is really difficult, consider this fact!

Somewhere in the last kilometer I got a second wind and without noticing it, I climbed to the cherished peak. It is difficult to describe what feelings overwhelmed me: fatigue, happiness that I finally got there, or delight from the indescribable landscapes. Would I repeat this experience again? Definitely yes, every calorie burned was worth it!

And, of course, a way for lazy people is to drive up to Trinity Church by car. I want to make a reservation right away, it is a bad idea to go to Gergeti in your car. In addition to the fact that the road is difficult and winding, its condition is deplorable. By saving a little money, you risk damaging your car.

There are many taxi drivers in Stepantsminda who will take you by off-road vehicle for 80-100 GEL (in both directions). The capacity of the car is 6-7 people, not including the driver.

A good way to save money is to share the costs with other travelers. Feel free to ask!

Buy an excursion to Kazbegi in one of travel agencies capital, or online. As a rule, the program includes visits to several roads, including the Trinity Church in Gergeti. The price depends on the richness of the program, but the average cost of an excursion is 40-60 GEL per person.
You can get to Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) on your own. Buses depart from to. Despite the fact that the ride is almost 3.5 hours, the road promises to be pleasant. The entire route passes along the Georgian Military Highway, which fascinates with its landscapes. Remember this and take your window seat! Several buses leave at one o'clock. The fare is 10 GEL.
From the same bus station, you can go to Stepantsminda by taxi for 20 GEL per person. That is, besides you, there will be 3 other tourists in the car. Taxis leave every 15-30 minutes, depending on the workload. The advantage of such a trip is that the driver often makes a stop near the Ananuri fortress.

How to get from Tbilisi to Kazbegi, tourists who want to see not only beautiful nature of this mountainous region, but also to visit the historical monuments... Judging by the map, the distance from the Georgian capital Tbilisi to Stepantsminda (earlier this regional center was called Kazbegi) is about 156 km. But do not flatter yourself, because even having your own car, a tourist will be able to get from Tbilisi to Kazbegi in only 2.5-3 hours, since Georgia is Mountain country, and the entire path actually passes through mountain passes and gorges. If there is a landslide on the road, the trip time may increase. For example, 1 group of tourists by their own car reached their destination for about 9 hours.

There is a good road surface on the Tbilisi-Gudauri section, and subsequent sections of the route are constantly being repaired due to frequent landslides. It is best to travel in a group, as this will distribute the costs to all tourists.

Some tourists from Moscow want to get first to the regional center, and then, without going through the capital of the republic, get to Batumi. There is a way out for such travelers, as there are fixed-route taxis in the village that go to Kutaisi for 30 GEL (1 $ = 2.3 GEL) without visiting the capital. From Kutaisi you can take a train or other fixed-route taxi leaving the city, for 15-20 GEL you can get on black sea coast to visit the capital of Adjara.

How to get from the capital to the regional center?

There are several ways to get to Stepantsminda, proven by tourists:

Ride on own car.
Regular shuttle minibus.
An ordinary passenger taxi.
Pre-ordered tourist route.

1 way of transportation allows you to stop along the way for taking photos, visit the historical and cultural monuments, for example, the Zhinvali reservoir (40 km from Tbilisi), the Ananuri fortress (70 km from the capital). But the driver of the car must be extremely careful, as the road in some places runs along the edge of the abyss, and the turns on the serpentine are quite sharp. The road rises almost all the time to the very high point- Cross Pass.

Flocks of sheep can cross the road, so traffic slows down from time to time. After reaching the village, you can drive to the Gergeti church or the Gveleti waterfall, Mount Kazbek. But it must be taken into account that to get to these places you may need an SUV.

Therefore, if the own car of independent tourists does not have the ability to move along a mountain road without asphalt, transport can be hired to visit these places. It will cost 40-60 GEL. If you take a mountain bike, the price of a trip to a church or a waterfall will be 15-20 GEL, but such a voyage will take much more time than a trip by car.

With such a movement from Tbilisi to the regional center and back, the main financial losses will result in the purchase of gasoline for the car and the purchase of food and souvenirs on the way.

Other travel options

If a tourist arrives in Georgia by plane, then it is easiest to get from the capital to the regional center if a tour of visiting this area has been booked in advance. Then a minibus with a guide and a driver will be waiting for the tourist at the hotel. On the way, according to the ordered route, there will be stops in interesting places. It will be possible to take photographs, as at the request of the tourist the driver will stop the car. But the cost of such a tour depends on the travel company.

If a person prefers to get there on his own, then in Tbilisi he will have to take the metro and get to Didube station. There is a bus station next to it. I will have to find route taxi that goes to the desired point. It is better to do this early in the morning, because if a tourist has time for 1 minibus (8 hours local time), then he has a chance to return back in the last car that leaves the village at 17:00 or 18:00 on the same day. The fare for one end will be 10-15 GEL. But it must be borne in mind that the route taxi will not stop anywhere. Often tourists have to stand on their feet for the entire flight, since the seats are usually occupied. If a person does not have time to see all the sights in 1 day, then you can stay in the village until the next morning. It is easy enough to find a room for 20 GEL in the private sector. There is also modern hotel, but there the cost of a room reaches 100 or more lari per day.

If a person wants to visit other attractions on the way, then you can hire a taxi. If the car is on gas, then the flight to the regional center and back will cost 120-150 GEL. If you want to visit the waterfall and the church, you will have to add another 40-50 GEL. On the way, you can ask the driver to stop for a meal or take pictures. In the event that the car is on gasoline, the flight will cost 250-300 GEL, along with sightseeing and photography.

Subjective photo-review of Kazbegi (Stepantsminda). Where to stay, what to see, how to get to the Gergeti church (temple on the mountain), is it worth going.

Stepantsminda, aka Stepantsminda (former Kazbegi) – urban-type settlement in Georgia, built at an altitude of 1744 m above the sea at the foot of Mount Kazbek (5034 m).

Where? on the Georgian Military Highway 165 km north of Tbilisi, 11 km south of the border with Russia ("Upper Lars" crossing), 43 km from Vladikavkaz.

If you are driving from Russia, then Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) – the first town on your way. Here you can exchange money, eat and stay overnight.

What to see in Stepantsminda

The north of Georgia is interesting for a traveler for a number of reasons:

▫ See mountain Kazbek

▫ Climb up to Gergeti churches of the holy trinity(2170 m) and look at Kazbek from there

▫ Commit climbing Mount Kazbek(rare target for the bravest)

▫ Go down To Kazbek glaciers, but do not climb the mountain. Trails to the glaciers start from Stepantsminda and Gergeti, available in maps.me. If you want non-standard routes, you can go hiking.

▫ Stay at the Rooms Kazbegi hotel. You can not live in a hotel, but just go for breakfast (48 GEL). Or drink coffee on the terrace.

This hotel was promoted by instabloggers. Now, many consider it their duty at least to take a photo on the terrace, at the maximum - to stay here overnight. Thank gods, Rooms Kazbegi has an alternative.

View of Kazbek

▫ Spend the night on the way from Russia to Georgia. Stepantsminda – the nearest settlement to the border point "Upper Lars".

Crossing the border in summer takes 6-10 hours, so people stay overnight in Kazbegi. In the morning they wake up, watch the Gergeti Church and Kazbek, then continue their way to Tbilisi along the Georgian Military Highway.

▫ Stepantsminda – Purpose of Travel by from Tbilisi. The road itself – beautiful, inspiring. But there must be some ultimate goal.

If you go to Kazbegi from Tbilisi without spending the night, you can see the Gergeti Church and the waterfalls (Gveleti or Arshinskie). If with an overnight stay, then I recommend reading what to do in.

Stepantsminda on the map

Red icons - destination

Infrastructure

✓ Yes cafes and restaurants, wine store"House of Wine"

✓ Yes guest houses and new cool hotels

✓ There are ATMs and currency exchange, hotels and cafes accept cards

✗ Food prices 1.5 times higher than the average in Georgia

City center

Hotels in Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)

It used to be like this: pay for the night 200$ or sleep on grandma's bed for 20-30$ in a guest house with a shared bathroom.

Hooray! The situation with hotels in Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) is improving every year. Comfortable options appear for the average budget.

Where to stay, top hotels:

Trinity Church in Gergeti

Gergeti Trinity Church, now an asphalt road

Coordinates: 42.662735, 44.620498

Trinity Church – the main destination and purpose of the trip to Stepantsminda. Is it worth the climb? Definitely yes!

The Church of the Holy Trinity in Gergeti was built in the 14th century. According to unconfirmed reports, the temple was erected on the site of an idol temple, and a pagan idol (silver ram) is still kept inside.

The place is sacred and prayed, although you can't tell from the outside. Both inside and outside the temple looks quite simple.

How long does it take? Allocate to church attendance 2-2.5 if you go on foot. If by car, then 1-1.5 hours(the road to stay there).

We've gone 2 hours 50 minutes... Ascent on foot from Stepantsminda along the mountain path, stops for photos, inspection of the church, picnic, descent on foot.

Take an empty bottle. Near the church there is a source with very tasty water, you can collect. There is no food there, we carried with us and had a picnic in the mountains.

How to get to the church in Gergeti?

By car

Paved to the church new asphalt, from April to October, any passenger a car. In winter, the road is not cleaned, because of the snow, the passage is difficult.

Minibuses do not go to the church. You must take a taxi if you are without a car. In the center of Stepantsminda, at the stop of Tbilisi minibuses, there are dozens of Delicas. Every first person offers to take him up the mountain, wait there and lower him back.

Standard price 50+ lari($ 20) per car. During the season, you can easily find a company and ride a car together (6 people fit into the business).

On horseback

It is better to check this point on the spot. There is such a service, but I don't know the prices and conditions.

On foot

When there is time, strength and love for hiking, then definitely only hiking. You can climb along the serpentine for cars - it is more gentle, but 6 km... We walked vertically up the mountain along the trails, they are also in maps.me.

Directly obtained 3 km There and back again. Climbing in wet weather is not the easiest, it took 1 hour... Descent in time is the same.

We climb along such paths

You just come by car, see the church and go downstairs. Yes, beautiful, but not that. Hiking allows you to feel the mountains, breathe, see cows and carpets of wild flowers.

More fun on foot

When to go to Kazbegi?

It's nice to be in Stepantsminda in sunny weather in summer. Funny statement :) Nobody can predict this very weather. It will not work to guess in advance what awaits upstairs.

For example, you leave Tbilisi: the forecast portends +9 in the mountains and rains. During this day in Kazbegi you see rain, snow and bright sun. This is all within 2 hours. The opposite situation also happens, when, according to the forecast, +15 and the sun, but in fact, +7 and a downpour.

It's never hot in Stepantsminda. Summer average temperature + 14 + 15C... May-June may be + 9 + 12C... July-August + 20 + 25C(sometimes). The weather changes forty times a day.

Even if showers are predicted, the sky may clear up in the afternoon. We walk and wait for a miracle. We take warm clothes, sports shoes and a raincoat with us.

The likelihood of seeing the top of Kazbek increases at dawn and dusk.

It's still beautiful in the rain

My reviews about Stepantsminda

Stepantsminda fell victim to tourism. Although no, not like that. Tourists fall victim to tourism in Stepantsminda.

I was in the village for the first time 6 years ago. Since then, hotels have been built, prices in cafes have been raised, dealers have been bought, and people began to be transported en masse to the Gergeti Church. Every first person offers to ride up the mountain with him.

On the inner streets, as there was chaos and devastation, everything remained. When the sun, everything is ok, but if you are unlucky and arrived in cloudy weather, the question arises in my head: “WTF? Is this really a popular paradise town in the mountains? "

Stepantsminda outside the 4-5 * hotel looks like this

The city does not change over the years

My martyr was very surprised because he came here for the first time. In the rain. Why did they stop so far? What is there to do in general?

The question is removed when you walk up to the church. Then it becomes generally all the same. And on the weather, and on the roads, and on the appearance of the village. There comes bliss and Zen, which can only be felt in the mountains on deserted paths.

Does the travel experience deteriorate due to appearance Kazbegi? No, if you arrived in your car, walk and enjoy nature, you live in good hotel, then the memories remain the most positive.

Kazbek this time appeared only for a couple of seconds

How to get to Stepantsminda from Tbilisi

The way to Stepantsminda runs along the Georgian Military Highway. The track passes through the mountains and gives an unreal pleasure when there is an opportunity to stop anywhere.

Better to go by taxi, with a guided tour or by car. Yes, it will be more expensive. But there is more joy and impressions.

Minibus, 10 GEL

From Tbilisi from the bus station by metro Didube there is a minibus.

Summer from Tbilisi with 8.00 before 19.00 every hour. Price 10 GEL, on my way 3-4 hours

Back from Kazbegi in Tbilisi: 7.00, 8.00, 9.00, 10.00, 11.00, 12.00, 13.30, 14.00, 15.30, 17.00, 18.00

Check with the driver when the last minibus in Tbilisi will be, and come early to get a seat. Better not wait until evening. Transport may leave earlier if all seats are occupied, or not at all.

Taxi costs from 47$ for a trip from Tbilisi to Kazbegi.

If you book a car with a driver online on gotrip, then the return transfer on the same day is free.

The driver will pick you up at your hotel in Tbilisi, on the way to Stepantsminda he will stop for a photo, wait near the sights, and in the evening he will return you back to Tbilisi.

Stops and waiting for the driver are included in the price.

The money will be cheaper than renting a car without a driver + gasoline. I wrote about the service in detail.

Freedom in everything. If you are coming from the Russian side, fill the tank full before the border. In Georgia, gasoline is more expensive ( 55-60 RUR/ liter).

If you are coming from Tbilisi, you can refuel in the city, somewhere on the highway, in Gudauri, in Kazbegi (the choice of gas stations in Kazbegi is small, prices are too high).

The navigator is not needed, the maps.me or google maps application on the phone is enough – all the main roads are there.

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One of the most popular excursions in Georgia is a journey along the Georgian Military Highway. Every year tens of thousands of tourists pass through it, both in their own car from Upper Lars, and within or on.

In this detailed article, we will tell you not only about the route worth taking, but also about the key attractions and stops. You can easily repeat our trip. Just in case, and in gratitude for the excellent excursion, the article will contain the contacts of the guide who took us.

Travel route along the Georgian Military Highway

There are two popular routes along the Georgian Military Highway, depending on how you plan to get to Georgia: by plane or by car from Russia:

1 In the first one, you leave Vladikavkaz in your own or rented car, cross the border in Upper Lars and slowly descend to. In this case, you can not be in a hurry, because, firstly, you need to overcome half the distance, and secondly, descending from the mountains is always faster than going up.

2 The second travel option is, and only then look for or rent a car with a driver. It should be borne in mind that in this version you will have to cover almost 2 times the distance (there and back), and even half the way to go uphill. Therefore, the stops will be shorter and the number of stops will have to be reduced.

Interesting fact

It is well known that the Georgian Military Highway can be used to get from Russia to Georgia. But few people think that the route from Russia to Armenia and Turkey goes along the same road.

Departure from Tbilisi, our company and guide Lydia

As usual in Georgia, our first trip by a small group of 4 people along the Georgian Military Highway was quite spontaneous. The second, two years later, was already more conscious, although no less unexpected - an acquaintance advised me to go with Lydia, who had just come out of vacation. He promised that we would like it and was not mistaken.

OUR GUIDE IN KAZBEGI

A more economical option is a group excursion. See the same sights (without visiting Mtskheta), but in a shorter time. As with the private tour, the guide and the driver are different people.
If you don't really need a guide, you can save money by ordering a car with a driver on the Gotrip.ge service from 140 GEL COURSE OF GEORGIAN LARI:
140 lari = 46.34 euros;
140 lari = 53.2 dollars;
140 lari = 3530.8 rubles;
140 lari = 1489.6 hryvnia;
140 lari = 119 Belarusian rubles.
for the car. We have already laid out an approximate route to the most interesting points for you (easily edited): a comfortable trip along the Georgian Military Highway.

Ancient Mtskheta: the spiritual capital of Georgia

Immediately on the outskirts of Tbilisi, you can see the old one. It's religious and Cultural Center Georgia, because it was there that St. Nino installed the first Georgian cross. Several ancient temples have survived on the territory of Mtskheta, some of them are included in the excursion program.

Already in the region of Mtskheta begin mountain landscapes, from which it is very difficult to take your eyes off. But after all, it is even more beautiful!

The first stop on the route was the majestic Svetitskhoveli Temple. Through its territory and the Shrines located inside, Lydia kindly led us through, telling interesting facts and answering our many questions along the way. At the end we had enough free time to look around and stroll through the shops with goods.

The next stop was a temple no less famous in Georgia, built on a mountain above the beautiful confluence of the Aragva and Kura rivers, Jvari. The monastery is cozy and quiet, even despite the huge number of tourists and not always good weather... WITH observation platforms both sides of the temple offer stunning views of the surrounding green mountains. In sunny weather, small geckos like to bask on the walls of the monastery.

You can also visit Mtskheta from Tbilisi during a separate short group excursion: A trip to the Shrines of the ancient capital of Georgia. It includes three temples: Jvari, Svetitskhoveli and Samtavro, and the trip ends with a tasting of white and red wine in a wine cellar on the territory of Mtskheta.

Zhinvali reservoir: a beautiful place and an opportunity to swim

If you choose a standard excursion along the Georgian Military Highway, then the first stop on the route is usually the Zhinvali reservoir, which is very picturesque. Such to myself beautiful lake among the mountains. For us, this stop has become another interesting place on the route and a coffee break. There is a small stall next to the parking lot where you can order drinks and even a little snack.

Lydia knows good places for photo shoots and takes good pictures, our photos turned out to be just excellent.

Some guides on excursions along the Georgian Military Highway offer to swim in this reservoir. A little further along the route, behind the Anannuri fortress, there is a convenient beach, where often in summer time you can meet locals. After the sultry summer heat, plunge into the cool water is very pleasant. Feelings are indescribable.

Ananuri castle or fortress: one of the most popular places in Georgia

Delicious lunch in Pasanauri village

Separately, it is worth talking about lunch at a local restaurant in the village of Pasanauri, which is famous throughout Georgia for the most delicious meat khinkali. The institution, if correctly translated, is called "Dukan Caucasus". It is located right on the highway, at the place where excursion groups travel. In addition to khinkali, you can choose kebabs, various khachapuri and others. By the way, the meat khinkali there really turned out to be the most delicious, as well as the kebab - one of the most successful that we tried.

Trinity Church in Gergeti at an altitude of 2170 meters above sea level

The main attraction on the entire Georgian Military Highway seemed to us and majestic mountain Kazbek. But getting there is not easy. If you walk from the center of Stepantsminda, then in good weather the road will take at least an hour, or even all two. Especially if you stop often to take pictures and get some rest.

At the time of our last trip, the road to the church was being actively repaired and it was simply impossible to get up by excursion car - it was difficult and very broken. The first time we hired a car (there were 4 of us) and we drove part of the road in it, and the last small section we went up on our own. During individual excursion with Lydia, we overcame the ascent and descent in a jeep (the road became even more bumpy, plus we began to lay a new, even more long route, and the old one was closed).

What about Mount Kazbek? Will you be able to see her?

Unfortunately, Kazbek is very whimsical. Due to the high mountain climate, most of the time, sometimes weeks in a row, it is hidden either by clouds or impenetrable fog.

During short excursion to see even the edge of Kazbek is already a great luck. We're out of luck yet. But nothing, there will be a reason to come back here again, or maybe even live in these places.

Our reviews about the Georgian Military Highway and excursions with Lydia from Tbilisi

It's one thing to tell you about an excursion, and another to review. If in the story you want to describe the sights and interesting places, then in a review - to express a personal opinion and talk about the nuances of the organization.

Victor's review of the trip along the Georgian Military Highway

The excursion was liked first of all by the organization. We had a great car (right-hand drive Japanese) with a first-class driver, which allowed the guide to tell a lot of interesting things right on the road.

Lydia is a very entertaining storyteller. She knows a lot about Georgia and has a keen sense of her audience, adjusting to her interests. For example, when on the way back we are already tired of interesting facts- she just talked with us about life, answering our questions.

I liked that the human attitude is very well felt, these excursions are not only a way to make money, but also a desire to show your country and its beauty. It is interesting to talk with Lydia about life in Georgia, you can ask to show a good exchanger, a restaurant or help with advice.

We traveled for about 10 hours and returned back only late in the evening - the excursion did not have a clear schedule, we were in no hurry, no one urged us on, on the contrary - we tried to show more.

Alina's review of the excursion along the Georgian Military Highway

Personally, I liked the trip along the Georgian Military Highway to madness. Fantastic views outside the window, a wonderful and very educated guide Lydia, who is able to answer any question, a comfortable car in which the journey itself does not feel sick at all, successfully combining two full-fledged excursions.

Of the sights that we saw along the way, the greatest impression was made with unusually strong energy and secretive Kazbek, as well as, oddly enough, the Zhinvali reservoir, where during the first trip we managed to swim.

I would like to express special thanks to our guide Lydia for the great opportunity to touch the culture of the magnificent country of Georgia and the driver George, for the virtuoso driving mountain roads and serpentines.

Georgian Military Road and its attractions on the map of Georgia

We marked the route of the excursion we visited on the map. On it you can see the main attractions we visited: the Svetitskhoveli and Jvari temples, the restaurant where you dined, the People's Friendship Arch, and Mount Kazbek.

Stepantsminda coordinates for GPS navigator in popular formats (use depending on your model):

How to get along the Georgian Military Highway

It is not difficult to drive along the Georgian Military Highway. It is enough to leave the highway E117(Georgian classification ს-3 ) and drive along it until you get to Kazbegi. The main attractions are located right next to the road and cannot be missed.

The road to Stepantsminda takes about 3 hours (without stops), and back - 2 hours, because it is easier to descend from the mountains.

It is not more difficult to travel along the Georgian Military Highway and from Russia - you can leave Vladikavkaz by the highway P301, cross the border in Upper Lars, and then there is one road. are located 10 km from the border.

Georgian Military Road in winter

As you already understood, the Georgian Military Road is located high in the mountains. This means that a lot of snow falls there. Avalanches, mudflows or other cataclysms occur regularly, which make travel on the road impossible.

Therefore, before you plan to leave, we recommend reading about the condition of the road on the Internet. News sites regularly write that the road has been closed or that you can only drive there in an SUV. It is useful that if the road is closed, about 70 km away. This, of course, is far from a guided tour, but they stop at the main attractions, do not drive them anywhere, and often also show unusual places along the route that are little visited by tourists.

How to rent a car and travel along the Georgian Military Highway on your own?

A good option would be to go on your own trip. After the renovation, even the site to the Gergeti Church became quite good and passable by passenger cars. You can drive along the entire Georgian Military Highway without much difficulty. Only large trucks queuing tens of kilometers from the border interfere.

Georgian military road by minibus

You can also go to Kazbegi by minibus. They go from the Didube bus station in Tbilisi. The first minibus usually leaves at 8:00, and the last from Kazbegi - at 18:00 in summer and 17:00 in winter. It is not difficult to find the required minibus at the bus station - ask the drivers and they will show you everything at once.

This option is rather tedious, because minibuses in Georgia are broken, and drivers often pretend to be Schumachers. In addition, be prepared both mentally and financially to stay overnight in the village of Kazbegi - public transport does not always adhere to the schedule.

Travel time- 3.5 or 4 hours, and approximate ticket price 15 GEL COURSE OF GEORGIAN LARI:
15 lari = 4.97 euros;
15 lari = 5.7 dollars;
15 lari = 378.3 rubles;
15 lari = 159.6 hryvnia;
15 lari = 12.75 Belarusian rubles.
Course and prices may not be accurate.... They say that there are also minibuses that run with stops at the main attractions. They cost a little more and take longer.

Georgian Military Road on video

Of course, the photo is good, but it is much better to see everything in the video. While traveling along the Georgian Military Highway, we filmed tiny fragments of video, which we then edited into a full-length film with a voiceover. We hope you find it useful. Is this so - write in the comments!