Gudauri Ski Week — Private Transfers & Hotel, 7 Days

Tbilisi airport to Gudauri about 2–2.5 hours; longer in heavy snow.

1. Airport pickup

2. Ananuri photo stop

   • Ananuri FortressDay 1: a 20-minute photo stop at Ananuri, the 17th-century fortress above the Zhinvali reservoir, on the drive up.

     Day 1: a 20-minute photo stop at Ananuri, the 17th-century fortress above the Zhinvali reservoir, on the drive up.

     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 on the Georgian Military Highway. Inside its walls stand two churches, one with richly carved façades from 1689, and a square watchtower you can climb for a view down the reservoir. It is the usual first stop on the way to Kazbegi or Pasanauri, and 30–45 minutes is enough to see it.

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3. Check in near the lifts; rental fitting and lift pass

4. Dinner at the hotel (included)

5. Overnight: Gudauri (hotel, breakfast and dinner)

   • Gudauri Ski ResortSix nights near the lifts; the ski area runs from about 1,990 m to 3,279 m, almost all of it above the tree line.

     Six nights near the lifts; the ski area runs from about 1,990 m to 3,279 m, almost all of it above the tree line.

     Gudauri is Georgia's largest ski resort, on the Georgian Military Highway about 120 km north of Tbilisi, just below the Jvari Pass. The resort village sits at about 2,200 m, and its lifts, including gondolas, run from about 1,990 m to 3,279 m, serving wide open pistes above the tree line and large freeride slopes. The ski season usually runs from late December to mid-April. In summer the same slopes are used for hiking and tandem paragliding, and Gudauri is a common stop on the way to Kazbegi.

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Your first day on the snow; lessons as booked.

1. Ski or snowboard; lessons with the ski school as booked

2. Dinner at the hotel (included)

3. Overnight: Gudauri (hotel, breakfast and dinner)

Book instructors a day ahead; the ski school fills up at weekends and holidays.

1. Ski or snowboard

2. Dinner at the hotel (included)

3. Overnight: Gudauri (hotel, breakfast and dinner)

The optional Kazbegi day runs only if the Jvari Pass (Gudauri–Kobi) is open; we decide the evening before.

1. Ski, or a Kazbegi and Gergeti day (quoted separately)

   • KazbegiOptional non-ski day: Stepantsminda, about 40 km beyond Gudauri over the Jvari Pass (2,379 m), only when the pass is open (quoted separately).

     Optional non-ski day: Stepantsminda, about 40 km beyond Gudauri over the Jvari Pass (2,379 m), only when the pass is open (quoted separately).

     Stepantsminda, still widely called Kazbegi, is the mountain town at about 1,740 m on the Georgian Military Highway, 152 km north of Tbilisi (3–3.5 h) and 15 km from the Russian border. Above it the 14th-century Gergeti Trinity Church stands at 2,170 m with Mount Kazbek (5,054 m) behind. It is the base for walks to Gergeti, the Gveleti waterfall and the Dariali gorge, and by 4x4 for the Truso and Juta valleys. Come as a long day trip, or stay a night or two to walk in the morning light.

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   • Trinity Church GergetiOptional non-ski day: Gergeti Trinity Church (14th century, 2,170 m) in snow, by local 4x4 when the road allows.

     Optional non-ski day: Gergeti Trinity Church (14th century, 2,170 m) in snow, by local 4x4 when the road allows.

     Gergeti Trinity Church (Tsminda Sameba) stands alone on a grassy ridge at 2,170 m above Stepantsminda, about 152 km north of Tbilisi, with the glaciated cone of Mount Kazbek (5,054 m) behind it. The 14th-century church and its bell tower are a working Orthodox site and the classic view of the Georgian Caucasus. You reach it by car on the paved road from town or on foot in about 1–1.5 hours up through meadows, 430 m of climbing. Most people stay 45–60 minutes for the church, the views and the photos.

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2. Dinner at the hotel (included)

3. Overnight: Gudauri (hotel, breakfast and dinner)

Optional tandem paragliding flight, weather permitting (quoted separately).

1. Ski or snowboard

2. Dinner at the hotel (included)

3. Overnight: Gudauri (hotel, breakfast and dinner)

Last full day on the snow; return rental equipment in the evening.

1. Ski or snowboard

2. Dinner at the hotel (included)

3. Overnight: Gudauri (hotel, breakfast and dinner)

We leave at least 6 hours before your flight in case snow or avalanche warnings close the Gudauri–Mleta road.

1. Morning check-out

2. Transfer to Tbilisi airport or your hotel