Overview
- Ski in Europe's highest mountains at Georgia's premier resorts - Gudauri, Bakuriani, and Mestia
- Enjoy professional ski instructor support at every resort
- Explore Mestia’s snowy landscapes on a guided snowshoe walk
- Cross the High Caucasus by Kobi cable car on the way to Stepantsminda
- Stand beneath Mount Kazbek at the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church
- Discover UNESCO heritage in Mtskheta, Kutaisi and Upper Svaneti
- Enjoy a hassle-free private journey with a meticulously planned itinerary combining skiing and cultural discoveries
Four ski areas, three mountain regions and 13 days of winter adventure—Grand Ski Journey connects Gudauri, Bakuriani, Hatsvali and Tetnuldi in one unforgettable route. At Tetnuldi, lifts carry you to 3,160 metres (10,367 feet), revealing sweeping views across the Greater Caucasus. Two of Georgia’s legendary 5,000-metre peaks shape the journey: Mount Kazbek at 5,054 metres (16,581 feet) above Stepantsminda and Mount Shkhara at 5,203 metres (17,070 feet) beyond Ushguli.
This is much more than a conventional ski holiday. Four dedicated ski days are balanced with Tbilisi’s atmospheric Old Town, the dramatic landscapes of Kazbegi, the cultural treasures of Kutaisi and the medieval towers of Upper Svaneti. Scheduled sessions with a professional ski instructor provide practical support and resort orientation, while leaving ample time to explore the slopes independently.
Beyond the pistes, discover Mestia’s snow-covered surroundings on a two-hour guided snowshoe walk. With a maximum of eight travellers, private transportation, a dedicated English-speaking tour guide, carefully selected hotels and daily breakfast, the journey offers a comfortable and richly varied introduction to winter in Georgia.
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Itinerary
- Tbilisi — Tbilisi
- Tbilisi
- Tbilisi — Gudauri
- Gudauri
- Gudauri — Stepantsminda — Gudauri
- Gudauri — Bakuriani
- Bakuriani — Kutaisi
- Kutaisi — Mestia
- Mestia
- Mestia
- Mestia — Ushguli — Mestia
- Mestia — Tbilisi
- Tbilisi — Tbilisi
Touchdown in Tbilisi
Arrive at Tbilisi International Airport, where a representative will welcome you and provide a private transfer to your hotel. After check-in, the remainder of the day is free to relax or begin discovering the Georgian capital independently.
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Unmasking Tbilisi
Begin your exploration of Georgia with a guided walking tour through Tbilisi, a city where medieval architecture, colourful wooden balconies and contemporary landmarks exist side by side.
Explore the historic Metekhi district before continuing into the atmospheric streets of the Old Town. Walk through Meidani Square and the Abanotubani district, famous for its domed sulphur bathhouses, and discover the city’s multicultural heritage near the Jumah Mosque.
Continue towards Narikala Fortress and the Mother of Georgia monument, where elevated viewpoints reveal the rooftops, churches and winding streets of the historic centre. The tour also introduces modern Tbilisi through Rike Park and the Bridge of Peace.
After the tour, enjoy a free evening in the capital.
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The Ascent to Gudauri, Jvari Monastery Visit and Ananuri Discovery
After breakfast, leave Tbilisi and travel north towards the Greater Caucasus.
The first stop is Jvari Monastery, one of the monuments included within the UNESCO World Heritage property of Historic Mtskheta. Standing above the meeting point of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, the monastery offers wide views across Mtskheta and the surrounding valley.
Continue along the Georgian Military Road towards the Zhinvali Reservoir and the Ananuri Architectural Complex. Once the residence of the influential Aragvi dukes, Ananuri combines defensive towers, churches and finely carved stonework in a striking waterside setting.
The journey then follows the mountain road through increasingly dramatic scenery towards Gudauri. Situated at approximately 2,200 metres above sea level, Gudauri is Georgia’s largest and best-known ski resort. Check in to the hotel and prepare for the following day on the slopes.
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Gudauri Glory
Spend the day skiing or snowboarding in Gudauri, which offers a broad selection of groomed pistes across green, blue, red and black difficulty levels.
The ski day begins with a scheduled session led by a professional on-piste ski instructor. The session provides an introduction to the resort, assistance with selecting suitable pistes and practical guidance according to the group’s general skiing ability.
Afterwards, continue exploring Gudauri’s slopes at your own pace. Experienced skiers can enjoy the resort’s higher and more demanding terrain, while beginners and intermediate participants can remain on the gentler prepared pistes.
Return to the hotel after skiing and enjoy a free evening. Sauna use may be arranged as an optional service, subject to availability and payment locally.
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Across The Caucasus To Stepantsminda
When weather conditions and lift operations permit, begin the day with a journey across the mountains using the Gudauri–Kobi cable-car system. The ride offers remarkable winter views before reaching Kobi on the northern side of the Caucasus watershed.
From Kobi, continue by private vehicle to Stepantsminda, a mountain town surrounded by some of Georgia’s most dramatic alpine scenery. A local four-wheel-drive vehicle will take you to Gergeti Trinity Church, standing at approximately 2,170 metres above sea level.
From the church, enjoy views towards Mount Kazbek, one of Georgia’s highest mountains at 5,054 metres. After exploring the church and its surroundings, return to Stepantsminda and continue back to Gudauri.
The cable-car journey is dependent on weather conditions and lift operations. If the system is not operating, the excursion will be completed by road, provided the mountain route is open and safe.
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Gudauri to Bakuriani — A Journey Through Winter Wonderlands
Depart Gudauri early in the morning and travel directly to Bakuriani, exchanging the high-alpine landscapes of the Greater Caucasus for the forested slopes of the Lesser Caucasus.
After arriving in Bakuriani, proceed to the selected ski area for a focused afternoon of skiing or snowboarding. Bakuriani has three principal skiing areas—Didveli, Kokhta and Mitarbi—and the day’s location will be selected according to snow conditions, lift operations and the group’s general ability.
A scheduled session with a professional on-piste ski instructor will provide an introduction to the chosen area, assistance with selecting suitable pistes and practical support on the slopes. Continue skiing independently until the lifts close before transferring to the hotel.
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From Bakuriani To The Second Largest City in Georgia — Kutaisi
After breakfast, leave Bakuriani and travel west through the changing landscapes of central Georgia towards Kutaisi, one of the country’s oldest cities and the historic centre of the Imereti region.
Begin with Gelati Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded during the reign of King David the Builder. The monastery was one of medieval Georgia’s most important religious, educational and cultural centres and remains celebrated for its architecture, mosaics and wall paintings.
Continue to Bagrati Cathedral, positioned on a hill above Kutaisi and offering panoramic views across the city and the Rioni Valley. Afterwards, explore central Kutaisi, including its lively Green Bazaar and the streets surrounding the city’s historic centre.
Check in to the hotel and enjoy a free evening in Kutaisi.
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Kutaisi to Mestia — Journey into the Land of Fairytales
Leave Kutaisi after breakfast and travel north-west through Samegrelo towards the mountains of Upper Svaneti. The principal route to Mestia is now paved, although snow, ice and changing winter conditions may affect the journey time.
Stop near the Enguri Dam, an impressive engineering landmark rising approximately 271.5 metres above its foundation. From here, the road follows the Enguri Valley deeper into the Greater Caucasus, with the scenery becoming increasingly dramatic as it approaches Mestia.
Arrive in Mestia, the administrative and cultural centre of Svaneti and the main gateway to the UNESCO-listed cultural landscape of Upper Svaneti. Medieval defensive towers rise between the town’s traditional houses, set against the snow-covered peaks of the Caucasus.
After checking in, enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure. If arrival time and opening hours permit, a visit to the Svaneti Museum of History and Ethnography may be arranged separately.
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Mestia — Skiing Among The Forests Of Hatsvali
After breakfast, make the short transfer from Mestia to Hatsvali Ski Resort. Set on the slopes of Mount Zuruldi, Hatsvali combines prepared pistes with distinctive forest scenery and panoramic views across the mountains of Upper Svaneti.
Begin with a scheduled session led by a professional on-piste ski instructor. The session will introduce the resort layout, identify suitable pistes and provide practical guidance according to the group’s general skiing ability.
Continue skiing or snowboarding independently, enjoying Hatsvali’s quieter mountain atmosphere and views towards the distinctive twin summits of the Ushba Massif. Return to Mestia following the afternoon’s skiing.
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Mestia — In the Lap of Majestic Tetnuldi
Travel from Mestia to Tetnuldi Ski Resort for the fourth and final ski day of the journey. Tetnuldi is known for its high-altitude setting, open mountain scenery and extensive views across the Greater Caucasus.
The resort’s cable-car system reaches 3,160 metres above sea level, providing access to 13 kilometres of prepared pistes. Begin with a scheduled on-piste session with a professional ski instructor before continuing to explore the resort independently.
Tetnuldi’s prepared pistes are particularly well suited to intermediate and experienced skiers. Participants should remain within the operating ski area and select terrain appropriate to their ability.
Return to Mestia after skiing and enjoy a free evening among the town’s medieval towers and snow-covered streets.
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Mestia — In the Land of Thousand Towers
Enjoy a flexible day dedicated to the cultural heritage and mountain communities of Upper Svaneti.
When weather, snow and road conditions permit, an optional four-wheel-drive excursion can be arranged to Ushguli. Located at approximately 2,100 metres above sea level, Ushguli is widely described as one of Europe’s highest continuously inhabited settlements.
The community forms part of the UNESCO-listed cultural landscape of Upper Svaneti. Its villages preserve traditional stone houses, medieval defensive towers and historic churches, with Mount Shkhara—Georgia’s highest mountain at 5,203 metres—rising beyond the valley.
The excursion may include the village of Chazhashi and Lamaria Church, depending on local access conditions. If the road to Ushguli is closed or guests prefer to remain in Mestia, the day can instead be spent exploring Mestia’s historic neighbourhoods and local museums.
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Snowshoeing In Mestia And Return To Tbilisi
Begin the morning with a two-hour guided snowshoe walk through the winter landscapes surrounding Mestia. The route will be selected by the local guide according to snow depth, weather conditions and the group’s physical ability.
Walk through peaceful snow-covered surroundings away from the ski pistes, experiencing a slower and more tranquil side of winter in Svaneti. No previous snowshoeing experience is required, although participants should be comfortable walking on uneven snowy terrain.
After the activity, depart Mestia for the long journey back to Tbilisi. Travel from the high mountains of Svaneti through the Enguri Valley and the lowlands of western Georgia before continuing east towards the capital.
Arrive in Tbilisi in the evening and check in to the hotel for the final night of the journey.
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Departure Day
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out. At the appropriate time, a private transfer will take you to Tbilisi International Airport for your departure flight.
Leave Georgia with memories of four distinctive ski areas, three mountain regions, historic cities, UNESCO-listed heritage and the winter landscapes of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus.
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Our tour program's list of attractions is a guide, not exhaustive. Unlisted sites may be visited, and listed ones might be viewed from a distance. Conditions like operating hours, weather, or local rules may affect access. Thank you for your understanding.
Brochure
Want the Full Story on Grand Ski Journey?
More than just a PDF, this brochure is your first step into the journey. It includes practical travel tips, what to pack, how to prepare, and a visual experience that brings Grand Ski Journey to life.
