About this tour
When Saskia from our crew did this two-day mountain loop, she drove north from Tbilisi on Georgia's legendary military road — a proper winding affair through the Caucasus that gets the adrenaline going. The route hits Stepantsminda (formerly Kazbegi), a mountain town where Gergeti Trinity Church sits perched on a ridge like it's defying gravity. Nights are spent in Juta Village, a quiet, high-altitude spot where you're already acclimatised for the trek. Day two is a steady 5-hour walk toward the Chaukhi Mountains — nothing too gnarly, but the views of snowy peaks and alpine meadows make it worth the legwork.
Highlights
- Military Road drive: hair-pinning switchbacks with dramatic drop-offs and Caucasus vistas
- Gergeti Trinity Church perched on a ridge above Stepantsminda — genuinely jaw-dropping
- Sleep in Juta Village: remote, quiet, feels like you've left the world behind
- 5-hour mountain trek with proper alpine scenery and minimal tourist crowds
- Local guide navigates you through logistics and shares village context
- Chaukhi Mountains views: snow-capped peaks and open meadows reward the walk
- Tbilisi hotel pickup/drop-off handles the transport faff
What to expect
Day one is mostly driving — roughly 3–4 hours north from Tbilisi up the military road. It's spectacular but also properly winding, so bring the travel sickness tablets if you're prone. You'll stop at Gergeti Trinity Church, which means scrambling up a ridge to the monastery itself. The church sits at around 2,170m, so you'll notice the altitude if you're not used to it. Lunch isn't included, so either pack snacks or grab something in Stepantsminda before heading to Juta.
Day two starts early-ish with breakfast, then it's the 5-hour trek. The path isn't brutal — think steady uphill through meadows and mountain terrain rather than technical rock. Saskia found the morning light on the peaks worth waking for, and the whole route feels genuinely remote. You're well above the treeline, so weather can swing quickly — wind and cloud roll in fast. By afternoon you're back in Juta, then driven back to Tbilisi by evening.
What travellers say
- Military Road delivers genuine drama and Alpine mountain scenery
- Juta Village base feels remote and rewarding without roughing it
- 5-hour trek is achievable for moderate fitness, rewards effort with views
- Local guide navigates you through cultural context and logistics
- Hotel pickup saves time and hassle from central Tbilisi
- Winding drive not suitable for motion sickness sufferers
- Altitude and weather can catch out unprepared or unfit travellers
- Lunch not included — budget separately for meals
- Early starts and cold mornings require proper kit and stamina
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This hits the sweet spot between being accessible and feeling wild. You're not camping rough, you're staying in actual accommodation in Juta. The military road is genuinely thrilling to drive, and the trek is manageable for anyone with moderate fitness — not a slog. Small groups mean your guide can actually chat and adjust the pace. Gergeti Church is iconic without being tourist-choked.
The drive is long and winding — prone travellers may struggle. At 2,000m+, altitude affects some people. Weather at that elevation shifts fast and rain can turn the trek muddy. Lunch isn't included, so budget separately. You'll need proper walking boots and warm layers — it's genuinely cold in the mornings. The trek is 5 hours solid, which rules out very young kids and anyone with cardiovascular concerns. Peak season means more vehicles on the military road but Juta stays quiet. Overnight is basic but clean — not luxury.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.