Tbilisi to Kazbegi Guide
Day 1: From Tbilisi to Kazbegi
Traveling from Tbilisi to Kazbegi is an absolute must for anyone visiting Georgia, especially solo female travelers looking for adventure, stunning mountain views, and a bit of culture (plus, it’s super safe – well, the whole country is). Here’s how my journey went and what you need to know.
Insert photo of Tbilisi skyline or breakfast stop at Nikora
Getting to Kazbegi:
I hopped on a group tour from Tbilisi to Kazbegi, but used it to my advantage! For 12.50$ USD, I got a ride from Tbilisi to Kazbegi + all the stops mentioned here on the guide + a knowledgeable guide that gives you a history lesson at all stops, which is nice as you get to learn more about the country. This is a great way to save money and avoid paying for a private driver as a solo traveler, or getting to a bus straight to destination but missing out on so many little spots on the way. Private drivers and tours are just out of reach and unnecessary when you have better and more fun options like these. Once at destination, I just stayed there and they returned to the city. Everything on day 1 was done with this tour group I booked on Get My Guide, and our guide was Hercules. The tour started at 8:30 am at the Bicycle Monument, but before really starting the long journey ahead us, we made a quick stop at Nikora to grab a quick thing to eat, water or snacks.
Stop 1: Zhinvali Reservoir
Our first stop was Zhinvali Reservoir, a breathtakingly calm, blue lake surrounded by mountains. It’s a great spot to learn more about the history of the country and take some shots of the beautiful nature.
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Stop 2: Ananuri Fortress Church
Next, we hit Ananuri Fortress. For just 5 GEL, you can tour this historical gem with stunning views of the reservoir. It’s a peaceful spot, though I was mostly here for the pics (solo selfies, anyone?).
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Lunch Stop:
At a cozy restaurant along the way, I grabbed a simple salad for 14 GEL. The food is fresh and cheap, and you can’t beat the mountain views. Just don’t expect anything fancy – this is Georgia!
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Stop 3: The Russian-Georgian Friendship Monument
Our guide called this monument “sarcastic” because there’s no friendship between the two countries. The view here was stunning, but a bit crowded with tourists, loud music, and some fog. Tip: Find a quieter corner to enjoy the scenery in peace.
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Final Stop: Gergeti Trinity Church
Ah, the famous Gergeti Trinity Church. I paid 20 GEL for the jeep ride up (trust me, you don’t want to hike this. I really thought I would until I saw it). The views of Mount Kazbegi from up here are amazing and you get a great view from the whole valley and village, with a beautiful range of mountains in the background. It was the perfect way to end Day 1 before heading to my guesthouse.
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Where to Stay in Kazbegi:
I stayed at GuestHouse Relax, a lovely guesthouse with warm hospitality from a local family, for just $55 CAD for two nights. The views from the Rooms Hotel, however, are unbeatable if you want to splurge or have a higher budget. Their hot chocolate is to die for… so imagine yourself sipping on the best hot chocolate you ever had and will ever have while having the best sunset view of Kazbegi Mountain ?
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Day 2: Exploring Kazbegi at Your Own Pace
Breakfast & Local Finds
I started my morning with another hot chocolate at Rooms Hotel (because why not?), enjoying that unbeatable view of Mount Kazbegi. Then, I stocked up on snacks at the local Spar for my day of exploring.
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Exploring Kazbegi
Kazbegi is small but full of charm. After a stroll around town, I found Beba, a small restaurant run by the sweetest babushka. For dinner, I had a filling meal for just 21 GEL. Georgian hospitality is unmatched, and solo female travelers will feel safe and welcomed wherever they go.
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Getting Back to Tbilisi
When it was time to head back, I took a marshrutka (minibus) from Kazbegi to Tbilisi. It’s a bit of an adventure because there’s no real schedule (I waited 20 minutes for mine). For just 15 GEL, though, it’s an easy, budget-friendly way to return to the city.
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