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Tbilisi & the High Caucasus: the Day-by-Day Itinerary
Georgia fits cave monasteries, 5,000-metre peaks and the world's oldest winemaking into a country you can cross in a day. The Military Highway climbs to Kazbegi's hilltop church, and every evening ends the same way: at a supra table being toasted by strangers.
Tbilisi & the High Caucasus is a 700 km loop (self-drive). It works best as 5–8 days; the plan below is the 6-day version for June, built from 286 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.
Customize this plan → 5-day plan · 6-day plan · 8-day plan · best time to go
6
days
851 km
distance
17.0 h
driving
36
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Green valleys, open mountain passes and wine harvest in Kakheti — Georgia at full strength.
- Heavy transit: day 4 (6h08) runs over 6 hours on the road. Around 7 days would keep daily driving comfortable on this route — or keep the dates and start each of those days by 08:00.
Day 1 Tbilisi → Mtskheta
🌡 4.1–37.1°C · 🌧 ~8 rain days · ☀ 15.0h light
09:00
Sameba Cathedralchurches & landmarkslocal & traditionalhistory & sagas
Be awed by the towering synthesis of Georgian church architecture.
50 min · Tbilisi
09:50
Open Air Museum of Ethnographymuseums & heritagecraft beer & pubs
Explore 70 traditional Georgian houses and ancient crafts.
50 min · Tbilisi · Adults 25 lari, guided tour 60 lari
open: Tu-Su 10:00-18:00
10:40
Tbilisi History Museummuseums & heritagehistory & sagas
Journey through Tbilisi's rich history in this engaging museum.
50 min · Tbilisi · Adults 3 lari, students 1 lari
open: Tu–Su 10:00–18:00
12:05
Shio Mgvime Monasterychurches & landmarkshistory & sagas
Take in spectacular views from a 6th-century monastery.
50 min · Mtskheta
12:55
Svetitskhoveli Cathedralchurches & landmarkshistory & sagas
Feel reverence in one of Georgia's holiest sites.
50 min · Mtskheta · free
13:45
Zedazeni Monasterychurches & landmarkshistory & sagas
Admire city views from an 8th-century church.
50 min · Mtskheta
14:35
Cafe Gugacoffee & bakes
Savor outstanding Georgian cuisine in private huts.
60 min · Mtskheta
18:30
"Salobie"
Dine in a large restaurant with exceptional food.
75 min · Mtskheta
Overnight: Mtskheta
e.g. Mtskheta Sanapiro Guest House · Guesthouse Lizi
Day 2 Around Mtskheta
🌡 4.1–37.1°C · 🌧 ~8 rain days · ☀ 15.0h light
09:00
Jvari Monasteryhistory & sagas
Marvel at early Christian Georgian architecture with clear views.
50 min · Mtskheta
09:50
Samtavrochurches & landmarks
Ponder where St. Nino once prayed in ancient churches.
50 min · Mtskheta
10:40
Armaztsikhe-Bagineti Archaeological Sitehistory & sagas
Explore ancient fortress excavations above the river.
50 min · Mtskheta · Free
11:30
Bebris Tsikhe
Climb ruins for sweeping valley overlooks.
50 min · Mtskheta · free
12:20
Kashveti Church of St. Georgechurches & landmarkshistory & sagas
Admire this replica of the medieval Samtavisi Cathedral.
50 min · Tbilisi
13:10
Norashen Armenian Churchchurches & landmarkshistory & sagas
Gaze at boarded windows hiding centuries of Armenian heritage.
50 min · Tbilisi
14:00
Restaurant
Enjoy a big meal with mediocre taste.
60 min · Mtskheta · 8-13 lari
Overnight: Mtskheta
e.g. Mtskheta Sanapiro Guest House · Guesthouse Lizi
Day 3 Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
🌡 -3.8–26.6°C · 🌧 ~13 rain days · ☀ 15.1h light
11:30
Gergeti Trinity Churchchurches & landmarkshistory & sagas
Towering over the city with breathtaking mountain views.
50 min · Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
12:20
Alexander Kazbegi Museummuseums & heritage
Currently closed, awaiting reopening in the future.
50 min · Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
open: Tu-Su 10:00-18:00
13:10
Jvari Pass Travertine Natural Monumentchurches & landmarks
Feel the cold sulphur water of a unique mountain hill.
50 min · Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
14:00
Mineral Spring Pool
Chill in freezing mountain mineral water under summer skies.
50 min · Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
14:50
Sno Valley
Wander through serene, sleepy villages nestled in nature.
50 min · Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
15:40
Kazbegi Marathon
90 min · Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
18:30
Shorena's hotel & bar restaurantcoffee & bakescraft beer & pubs
Enjoy small but flavorful portions in a cozy café setting.
75 min · Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
Overnight: Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)
e.g. Ketino's Guesthouse · Anano's Guesthouse
See the remaining 3 days of the 6-day plan →
Route map
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