Journey to the Foot of Mount Kazbek

"High above the family of mountains,
Kazbek, your regal tent
Shines with eternal rays,
Your monastery beyond the clouds,
Like an exultant ark in the sky
Soars, barely visible, above the mountains..."
A.S. Pushkin

What to Expect

🏰 Zhinvali Reservoir Mysteries and Ananuri Fortress
The first stop on the way to Kazbek will be the artificial reservoir. You will learn about how 18 villages were flooded for the construction of the power plant, and archaeological expeditions never took place, resulting in cult structures, documents, weapons, icons, and other valuable artifacts from the ancient city of Queen Tamar remaining underwater. Right by the shores of Zhinvali Reservoir lies the beautifully preserved Ananuri Castle, which you will visit on the tour. I will tell you about the history of the residence of the Georgian princes, preserving the memory of the rich events that enrich this place due to its strategic location on the Military-Georgian Road. You will learn why the fortress was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, explore the temples on the territory of Ananuri, and take beautiful photos from the best angles.

⛲ Legends of Pasanauri, Arch of the People's Friendship, and Mineral Spring
The next stop on the route will be the place where the White and Black Aragvi rivers merge into a single stream—here you will hear a sad legend about two sisters and take in the picturesque surroundings. Near the Arch of the People's Friendship, built according to Zurab Tsereteli's project in honor of the 200th anniversary after the signing of the Georgievsk Treaty, you will be greeted with another impressive panoramic view. Along the way, you will also encounter the famous mineral spring. I will tell you about the beneficial properties of the water from this spring and explain the origin of the travertine terraces, which are definitely worth seeing.

🏔 Gergeti Church at the Foot of Mount Kazbek
The ascent to the Church of the Holy Trinity is the culmination of the journey along the Military-Georgian Road. Located at an altitude of 2170 m, this small church always leaves a strong impression: despite the lack of frescoes inside and the only decoration being the 6th-century iconostasis, its atmosphere conveys the spirit of antiquity, wisdom, and mystery. Against the backdrop of the mighty mountains, this place becomes an embodiment of the spiritual and cultural values of the Georgian people. In addition, the church holds special sacred significance, as it was here that the cross of St. Nino was kept during a Persian invasion.

🖋 Many famous creative individuals traveled along the Military-Georgian Road: Pushkin, Lermontov, Dumas, Griboedov, Tchaikovsky, Chekhov, and many others. Maxim Gorky, with a knapsack on his shoulder, trekking along this path, later wrote: "It was the majestic nature of the Caucasus that gave me the push that turned a vagabond into a writer."

Who Is This Tour For?

We will cover 300 km, with most of the road being a serpentine route. We will reach an altitude of 2400 m above sea level at the pass. The tour is not recommended for children under 3 years old, or for people with blood pressure issues.