Explore Ananuri-Kazbegi Mountains: Visit Jinvali Lake, Ananuri Fortress, and the Arch of Friendship
4.6
126 Ratings
T'bilisi
Embark on a thrilling tour of the Ananuri-Kazbegi mountains in Georgia. Explore Jinvali Lake, Ananuri Fortress, and the Arch of Friendship, and marvel at the breathtaking beauty of Gergeti Trinity Church.
Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

During the 9-hour guided day trip from Tbilisi, you will see important locations of Georgian culture and history.

The Zhinvali Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Aragvi River in Zhinvali, Georgia in the Caucasus Mountains. Despite its obviously artificial origins, the reservoir blends in with the surrounding environment perfectly and delights visitors with its turquoise waters.

Ananuri is a fortress situated on the foreland by the Aragvi River, not far from Zhinvali water reservoir and about 70 km from Tbilisi, Georgia. It was built by the Dukes of Aragvi and its earliest parts date from the 13th century. The fortress is on the UNESCO Tentative list. The fortress consist of two fortifications joined by a crenelated curtain wall.

Stopping at Gudauri, this ski resort is located on the south-facing plateau of The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range in Georgia. The resort is situated in the Stepantsminda District, along the Georgian Military Highway near the Cross Pass, at an elevation of 2,200 meters, above sea level with ski-able area enjoying maximum exposure to the sun. The resort offers high quality skiing opportunities. The slopes of Gudauri are completely above the tree line and are best for free-riders and are generally considered to be avalanche-safe. The ski season lasts from December to April.

Monument or Treaty of Georgievsk Monument is a monument built in 1983 to celebrate the bicentennial of the Treaty of Georgievsk and ongoing friendship between Georgia and Soviet Russia. Located on the Georgian Military Highway between the ski resort town of Gudauri and the Jvari pass, the monument is a large round stone and concrete structure overlooking the Devil’s Valley in the Caucasus mountains.

IMPORTANT: Gergeti Trinity Church - You can visit from March to November (in winter, the road is not safe). There is a separate entrance charge for this attraction.

Points of Interest

  • 44 Kote Afkhazi St
What's Included
  • All taxes, fees, and handling charges included
  • Guided by a professional
  • Air-conditioned vehicles
  • Live commentary during the tour
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Ascending fee on Trinity Church for 4X4 SUVs. Approx. 10-15 GEL per person. Optional for tourists willing to stay at the Kazbegi village
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

Embarking on our expedition to the Ananuri-Kazbegi mountains, you’ll enjoy a thrilling journey as we drive northwards on the Georgian Military Highway that cuts through the towering Caucasus Mountains. Spanning the Aragvi River in Zhinvali is the hydroelectric Zhinvali Dam. Standing as a testament to the history of the Dukes of Aragvi is the Ananuri fortress, whose earliest foundations can be traced back to the 13th century. This fortress is included in the UNESCO Tentative list. The Monument of the Treaty of Georgievsk, constructed in 1983, celebrates 200 years of the Treaty of Georgievsk and commemorates the enduring bond between Georgia and Soviet Russia.
The Gergeti Trinity, perched 2200 meters above sea level and just a kilometer away from the village of Gergeti, is enclosed in the Kazbegi municipality. This location is Georgia’s most frequented tourist attraction. The Gergeti Trinity Church, nestled amidst awe-inspiring nature, symbolizes Georgia with its rich history and unique location, and stands as a beacon of Christianity.

  • Tour may be canceled or modified due to unfavorable weather conditions, public road works, group of less than 3 travelers, or other unforeseen circumstances. In such cases tourists will be offered refund or substitute tours
  • Minimum numbers apply
  • Dress code is smart - no casual clothes
  • From 10 December 2018 ascent to the Gergeti Trinity Church will not be carried out! Tour changes are seasonal!
Location
44 Kote Afkhazi St
Kote Afkhazi Street
Tour starts from the joint of Meidan square and Metekhi bridge,and the main clock located in the heart of old Tbilisi town. There, you can find CitySightseeing Tbilisi office and our mini bus-stop.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(126 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Heich3
May 9, 2024
Highly recommend - We had an excellent day trip with Tao! She’s an amazing host and extremely knowledgeable of the surroundings and her English was perfect. The day was long, but so so worth it. The car was very clean (with an incredible and safe driver) and I enjoyed that it was a small tour group. Highly recommend! Only tip - bring snacks as lunch isn’t until about 3-4pm, so eat a big breakfast beforehand and having some snacks handy.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christost677
May 9, 2024
Fantastic trip! - Amazing views, a fantastic trip not to be missed by anyone visiting Georgia. Our guide Georgi was very friendly and gave us so much info on the places we visited. Good driving, comfortable van, good driver. Unforgettable!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
596reemh
Apr 16, 2024
Breath taking - It was an amazing trip our guide Anna is such a nice and friendly person. She was really helpful and did an excellent job. I highly recommend her to be ur tour guide and recommend visiting kazbegi mountains because the view there is breath taking.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G5194wgcarloss
Mar 28, 2024
The Best Tours Company in Tbilisi - Without a doubt, Georgia is one of my favorite countries, many positive things to discover, my experience with this agency was wonderful, the quality/price ratio is very successful and of course the added value of Guide Steven on the tour was very professional, he knows a lot of history and always with a good humor throughout the trip, making this an unforgettable experience. Greetings from Qatar 🇶🇦 Carlos Santodomingo (Colombian 🇨🇴)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Peterallanp
Mar 6, 2024
Memorable and life changing - It was a memorable experience for me and my family and Giorgi our tourist guide was very informative and sincere WST is a legit tourist company and you’ll have a peace of mind as they have an office in the center of the city We will come back here 200%
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kristel797018
May 11, 2024
Great trip to the Gergeti trinity church - We had a great trip and Tao told us a lot of useful information about the Georgian culture, history and places that we visited. We would book it again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jilana2024
Apr 10, 2024
Good experience - The trip was amazing but felt tired little bit 😅 The instructor Ana was more than amazing 🫶🏼 I do recommend to buy the souvenirs from the last stop , the price was very nice and affordable
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maha
Mar 2, 2024
Winter experience - I did almost all the daily trip with this company and since it is winter a lot of spots are closed however they don’t inform before definitely it is there business to have tour in low season however I would like to have information before booking plus need full information about when the places close to have the maximum advantage from each tour…. The best tour guide is Galina did 2 tours with her one long day one half day however what make enjoy it is the information she always give , her love to the country it shows from her explanation she made it very special tours to me and she know in details what ever u ask she is welling to help and advise taking pic sharing information she is super women wish y all the best my dear
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elbarodi
Mar 29, 2024
Mixed Experience with WST Tbilisi - Great Tour Guide, but Disappointing Behavior - My wife and I recently spent five days in Tbilisi, Georgia, and opted for the services of WST (World Sightseeing Tour) to explore the city and its surroundings. We stayed at the Wyndom Hotel, conveniently located near Freedom Square, and embarked on our journey with high hopes. Upon arrival at Freedom Square, we were greeted by one of the most delightful tour guides I've ever encountered, Ms. Natia. Her warmth and friendliness immediately captivated us as she introduced us to the offerings of WST. Excited by her presentation, we decided to book three tours: a city tour, a trip to Kutaisi, and a journey to Gudauri. The city tour was a highlight, with informative commentary provided through headsets in multiple languages. It offered a comprehensive insight into Tbilisi's history and landmarks, making for a memorable experience. I must express my gratitude to Ms. Natia for her exceptional service. She went above and beyond to assist us, even helping us find a new hotel closer to Freedom Square when we expressed our desire to relocate. Her assistance was invaluable, and her professionalism was commendable. Unfortunately, our experience took a sharp turn during our trip to Gudauri, largely due to the behavior of one staff member, Steven. His attitude was disappointing and tarnished the reputation of WST. When I urgently needed a restroom break during the journey back from Gudauri, Steven's uncooperative demeanor became evident. Despite my pleas, he failed to communicate effectively with the driver, leaving me in discomfort for an extended period. The driver's reckless driving upon returning to the city only exacerbated the situation, despite our repeated requests for him to slow down. As a result of this distressing experience with Steven and the driver, I regret to say that I will not be utilizing WST's services again, nor would I recommend them to others, particularly those traveling with children. The inconsistency in service quality greatly diminishes the overall appeal of the company.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Northstar39241147823
Feb 27, 2024
Not promising as explained - It was one of the worst as the tour man is controlling where we eat and where to do activities. If need to to do it then use the bus for transport only and find your way for activities and restaurants.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1
Adult
June 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today