Gudauri, at over 2,000 meters above sea level, is situated on the Georgian military road near the Cross Mountain Pass of the main Caucasus range, about 120km from Tbilisi. Even in mild winters, Gudauri offers reliable snow cover from November through April. The total length of groomed ski runs are over 20km and are suitable for all skiers, from beginners to experts. Gudauri is well known for its winter activities and hosts ski and snowboard competitions and sports festivals every year. Gudauri is also a great summer destination, offering bird watching, trekking, horseback riding and rafting.

This spectacular building says “Georgia” like no other buildings can. The Tsminda Sameba or Gergetis Thrinity Church has been the subject of a million tourist photos, book covers and postcards. Built of massive granite blocks at a height of 2,170 meters, the 14th century cross-domed church and bell tower are an amazing feat of architecture and sheer human dedication. The exterior is richly carved with grape vines, animals and the sun, all of which is covered in a thick layer of startling yellow lichen, almost as old as the church itself. Framed by the magnificence of the snow covered Mount Kazbegi, it’s easy to see why this is one of the highlights of any trip to Georgia. To truly appreciate the view, we recommend hiking from the town of Stepantsminda. Leaving the town, you’ll cross the bridge over the raging torrent of the river Tergi, through the village of Gergeti, and arrive at the church grounds in over an hour. For an easier approach, 4x4 vehicles (which can be rented in the centre of Stepantsminda) take a much quicker route of just half an hour.

This 5047m extinct volcano towering west of Kazbegi has much folk history. The Greek Prometheus was supposedly chained up here for stealing fire from the gods, as was the Georgian Amirani, for challenging God’s omnipotence. Amirani’s legendary abode was somewhere near the Betlemi (Bethlehem) cave, 4000m above sea level, where resided a hermit and many very sacred objects – Christ’s manger, Abraham’s tent and a dove- rocked golden cradle whose sight would blind a human being. There were taboos against hunting on the mountain and climbing it. Not surprisingly, the first to conquer Kazbek’s peak were foreigners: Freshfield, Tucker and Moore of the London Alpine Club in 1868. There is indeed a cave at 4000m, near the Meteo Station, which serves as the base for Kazbek ascents today. Somewhere around 5000 people a year climb to Kazbek’s summit but it’s not for everyone: this is a challenging mountaineering experience that requires fitness and acclimatisation to altitude. At the Meteo Station you may be able to join a group heading to the summit for 50 GEL to 100 GEL – but to ensure guide services you should organise them beforehand with our Company. The ascent is technically straightforward, though there is some danger in crevasses. It generally takes three or four days from Kazbegi, with nights spent at the Meteo Station. The second day is usually spent acclimatising with climbs to the Maili Plateau (4500m) or Ortsveri Peak (4365m). On day three you start for the summit from the Meteo Sta- tion in the early hours of the morning. The ascent takes around six hours, with the steep final 150m involving about three rope lengths of 35- to 40-degree ice. The descent to the Meteo Station for the third night takes up to another six hours.

Right on the banks of the river Sno, an estuary of Tergi River, sits the village and impressive fortress of Sno. The fortress is in a great position on a stony hilltop, with a pyramidal tower in the centre. Sitting so high up and surrounded by an almost circular wall, it is almost inaccessible. Scholars estimate that it was built in the 16-17th centuries to defend the gorge that contained shorter routes to Khevsureti, Pshavi, and Mtiuleti. The fortress belonged to the Ghudushauri family.