Mtskheta-Mtianeti
At the heart of Georgia: Mtskheta's UNESCO-listed churches, Ananuri Fortress, Gudauri ski resort and Kazbegi beneath Mt Kazbek (5,054 m).
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Mtskheta-Mtianeti lies at the heart of Georgia. The Caucasus splits it in two, and the Jvari Pass joins the halves.
Mtskheta, Georgia's oldest capital, is where Georgia became a Christian nation at the beginning of the 4th century. Its Jvari Monastery, Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Samtavro Monastery are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In Dusheti stands the 16th–18th-century Ananuri Fortress, and further north lie the medieval villages of Khevsureti, such as Shatili and Mutso.
In the north, Kazbegi has the village of Stepantsminda and the 14th-century Gergeti Trinity Church (2,170 m) beneath Mt Kazbek (5,054 m). Nearby are the Truso valley, Juta, one of the highest settlements in Georgia, and Gveleti Waterfall in the Dariali Gorge. In winter, skiers head to Gudauri.
On the map
Places to visit
Kazbegi
Stepantsminda, still widely called Kazbegi, is the mountain town at about 1,740 m on the Georgian Military Highway, 152 km north of Tbilisi…
Ananuri Fortress
Ananuri is a 17th-century fortress of the Dukes of Aragvi above the turquoise Zhinvali reservoir, about 70 km (1–1.25 h) north of Tbilisi…
Trinity Church Gergeti
Gergeti Trinity Church (Tsminda Sameba) stands alone on a grassy ridge at 2,170 m above Stepantsminda, about 152 km north of Tbilisi…
Mtskheta
Mtskheta, about 25 km (30 min) north of Tbilisi where the Aragvi meets the Mtkvari, was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kartli…
Gudauri Ski Resort
Gudauri ski resort, the largest in Georgia, is on the Georgian Military Highway about 120 km north of Tbilisi, just below the Jvari Pass.
Juta
Juta is a small mountain village at about 2,200 m at the head of the Sno valley, south-east of Stepantsminda (Kazbegi), under the jagged…
Jvari Monastery
Jvari Monastery stands on a rocky hilltop above Mtskheta, about 20 km north of Tbilisi, where the Aragvi river flows into the Mtkvari.
Gveleti Waterfall
The Gveleti waterfalls are in a side valley of the Dariali gorge, about 7 km north of Stepantsminda (Kazbegi) off the Georgian Military…
Truso Valley
Truso is a high valley of the upper Terek river, starting near Kobi on the Georgian Military Highway about 20 km south of Stepantsminda.
Château Mukhrani
Château Mukhrani is the restored 19th-century palace and wine estate of Prince Ivane Mukhranbatoni in the Mukhrani valley of Kartli…
Mutso
Mutso is a largely deserted fortress village of slate towers and houses clinging to a steep ridge at about 1,880 m in the Ardoti valley of…
Pasanauri
Pasanauri is a village at about 1,050 m on the Georgian Military Highway, where the White (Tetri) and Black (Shavi) Aragvi rivers meet…
Shatili
Shatili is a fortress village of about 60 joined stone towers and dwellings at about 1,400 m in the Argun gorge of Khevsureti…
Tours that stop here
Private tours with a stop in this region, with a car and a driver-guide.
- Kazbegi Tour from Tbilisi — Private Day Trip to Gergeti Trinity$76 pp for 4
- White Aragvi Rafting & Ananuri Fortress — Private Day Trip from Tbilisi$89 pp for 4
- Juta Valley Hike under the Chaukhi Peaks — Private Day Trip from Tbilisi$89 pp for 4
- Kazbegi & Truso Valley by 4x4 — Private Day Trip from Tbilisi$93 pp for 4
- Mtskheta, Jvari & Château Mukhrani — Private Half-Day Wine Trip$94 pp for 4
- Kazbegi with a Truso or Juta Valley Hike — 2-Day Private Tour$225 pp for 4
- Shatili & Mutso: Khevsureti by 4x4 — 2-Day Private Tour$265 pp for 4
- Kazbegi Adventure Weekend: Rafting, Hiking & Paragliding — 3-Day Private Tour$575 pp for 4
- Gudauri Ski Tour — Private Transfers & Hotel, 7 Days$610 pp for 4
- Caucasus Endemics Birding in Kazbegi — 4-Day Private Tour$660 pp for 4
- Georgia 4x4 Tour: Tusheti, Khevsureti & Kazbegi — 8-Day Private Trip$1,095 pp for 4
- Romantic Georgia for Two — 4-Day Private Tour$615 pp for 4
- Mtskheta Tour with Gori & Uplistsikhe — Private Day Trip from Tbilisi$69 pp for 4
- Georgia Highlights in 5 Days — Private Tour: Tbilisi, Kakheti & Kazbegi$640 pp for 4
- Georgia in Winter — 6-Day Private Tour: Tbilisi, Kakheti & Gudauri Snow$755 pp for 4
- Classic Georgia — 8-Day Private Tour$1,035 pp for 4
- Grand Tour of Georgia — 10-Day Private Tour, Mountains to the Black Sea$1,365 pp for 4
- Heart of Georgia — 5-Day Private Heritage Tour$650 pp for 4
- Georgia and Armenia Tour — 12-Day Private Trip$1,840 pp for 4
- Georgia in 14 Days — Private Tour incl. Svaneti & Batumi$2,025 pp for 4
- Georgia Wine Tour: Kakheti & Kartli — 7-Day Private Tour$1,115 pp for 4
- Georgia Jewish Heritage Tour — 7-Day Private Trip$1,175 pp for 4
- Georgia Archaeology Tour — 5 Days, Private: Cave Cities & Dmanisi$670 pp for 4
Good to know
Best time to visit
Gudauri's ski season runs from early December to mid-April. In the mountains spring comes late and autumn early, and in Khevsureti snow usually lies for four to five months. In summer, many travellers head for the cool of highland areas such as Khevsureti.
Getting there
Mtskheta is about 20 minutes by road from Tbilisi. Gudauri is about 120 km from Tbilisi (2–2.5 hours by car), and Stepantsminda is 152 km away (3–3.5 hours each way). For Khevsureti, follow the Mtskheta–Stepantsminda–Larsi highway, then turn towards the Zhinvali Reservoir and Barisakho; the drive takes about four hours.
Food and wine
In Stepantsminda, try the local khinkali, or pkhlovana, a khachapuri with a vegetable filling. Khevsur khinkali is usually made with beef and lamb, and Khevsur beer is brewed with mountain herbs. Mtianeti is known for dambalkhacho, a strong mould-ripened cheese.
Travel tips
In winter the Jvari Pass can close after snow, for a few hours or for one to three days. Stepantsminda is always a little chilly, especially at night, so pack warm clothes in any season. In the Truso valley, bring your ID: you need it for the permit to go beyond Zakagori Fortress, as the Russian border is close.
Plan your trip
Tell us the places you want to see and we'll build a private tour around them, with a car and a driver-guide.
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