Kazbegi Adventure Weekend: Rafting, Hiking & Paragliding — 3 Days, Private

Rising above the Aragvi River, Ananuri is a fortified complex that once served as the stronghold of the Dukes of Aragvi, a feudal dynasty whose battles shaped this corner of Georgia. Within its walls stand two churches and a defensive tower, adorned with the intricate carvings and frescoes that define Georgian sacred art. From the ramparts, the view opens across the turquoise Zhinvali Reservoir and surrounding mountains, making it one of the country's most rewarding historical stops.

A village on the Georgian Military Highway where the White and Black Aragvi rivers meet, about 20 km above Ananuri. It is the base for rafting on the White Aragvi and a traditional lunch stop, known across Georgia for its khinkali.

High in the Greater Caucasus, Gudauri is Georgia's biggest ski resort, with lifts rising from about 1,990 to 3,279 meters and a season that usually runs from late December to mid-April. When the snow melts, the same peaks open up to paragliders and hikers, with the Gudauri Viewpoint and a climb to Sadzele Peak rewarding you with panoramic mountain views. Cap each day with khinkali, khachapuri, and mulled wine, and a lively apres-ski scene warmed by genuine Georgian hospitality.

Stepantsminda, still widely called Kazbegi, is the base for Georgia's high Caucasus. The 14th-century Gergeti Trinity Church sits alone at 2,170 meters with Mount Kazbek—the country's third-highest peak at 5,054 meters—rising behind it. Reach the area on the 152 km drive from Tbilisi along the Georgian Military Highway (about 3-3.5 hours), then hike to the Truso Valley's mineral springs or walk the cliffs of the Dariali Gorge.

High in the Caucasus, Juta is a Mokheve mountain village where traditional stone houses and a pastoral way of life have carried on for centuries. The reward for the rugged 4x4 climb from Sno is a valley of scenic hiking trails leading toward the dramatic Chaukhi peaks, with the Fifth Season Hut and the small Chaukhi (Juta) lakes within an easy walk. Evenings bring genuine mountain hospitality, homemade khinkali and khachapuri, fresh dairy from local herds, and stories shared over local honey.

A high valley west of Kobi at the head of the Terek, with mineral springs, orange-white travertine terraces, the Zakagori fortress and the ruins of abandoned villages. Most visitors walk or ride a 4x4 along the mostly flat valley road; the upper valley ends at the occupation line of the Tskhinvali region.

Set against the snowcapped cone of Mount Kazbek, this 14th-century church is one of Georgia's most photographed sights and a living Orthodox pilgrimage site. We walk you up from Stepantsminda, about 60-75 minutes up through meadows that bloom with wildflowers in summer (about 430 meters of climb), or drive up the sealed road for those who'd rather save their legs. Once a refuge that safeguarded Georgia's religious treasures during invasions, it still holds travelers spellbound with its alpine isolation.