Things to Do
From Ananuri Fortress on the Aragvi River to the Russian border at Upper Lars, the mountain road is lined with castles, monasteries, waterfalls and mountain trails, and Gudauri sits right in the middle of it. Here is what you can do and see from Hotel Monte.
Distances are by road from the hotel. Use the filters to plan by season, hiking effort and cost, and open any place in Google Maps.
Prices, opening hours and seasons are approximate and change often, so please ask at reception before you set off. In winter the road can close for hours after heavy snow: check road conditions. Carry your passport near the border (Truso, Dariali). Mountain trails need proper footwear and a weather check; take a guide for glaciers, ski touring and ice.
Example day trip: along the road to Kazbegi
- Friendship Monument: a cliff-edge monument with a ceramic mosaic above a deep gorge.
- Jvari (Cross) Pass and Jvari Pass Travertines: the 2,379 m summit with an obelisk, then the mineral-spring terraces beside the road.
- Sno Stone Heads: granite heads carved by a local sculptor.
- Sno Castle: a 16th to 17th-century fortress in the same village.
- Gergeti Trinity Church: a 14th-century church famous for its view of Mount Kazbek.
- Gveleti Waterfalls: two waterfalls reached by a short hike.
- Dariali Monastery: a working monastery in the gorge near the border, where you will also find the border with Russia.
- Back to the hotel
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Ananuri Fortress
Ananuri to Pasanauri
- ❄️☀️ Year-round
- 🚗 No hiking needed
- Free
57 km · about 58 min by car from the hotel
A 16th–17th-century fortress and church complex on the shore of the Zhinvali Reservoir, once the seat of the Dukes of Aragvi. Climb the tower for views over the water.
Good to know: Entry is free; opening hours vary by source. Cover shoulders and knees inside the church. Icy in winter.
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Arsha Waterfalls
Kobi to Kazbegi and Dariali
- ❄️☀️ Year-round
- 🥾 Moderate hike · 15–45 min
- Free
26 km · about 23 min by car to the starting point
Two cascades on the Arshistskhali River near the village of Arsha, a short drive from Stepantsminda. The first waterfall appears suddenly as you approach; the second, called “Woman’s Hair”, flows down a large boulder. The ruins of Arsha Fortress stand on the ridge above.
Good to know: The first waterfall is about 15 minutes on foot from the parking area, an easy walk. The second waterfall is another 30 minutes from the first, a moderate hike. Wear sturdy shoes. Best in summer and autumn; possible in other months if there is little snow. The distance shown is to Arsha village, where the trail starts.
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Dariali Monastery
Kobi to Kazbegi and Dariali
- ❄️☀️ Year-round
- 🚗 No hiking needed
- Free
42 km · about 38 min by car from the hotel
A modern working monastery of the Holy Archangels at about 1,300 m, set in the gorge close to the Russian border.
Good to know: Open daily, about 09:00–18:00, with limited access during services. Strict dress code. Near the border: carry your passport.
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Downhill Mountain Biking
Gudauri area
- ☀️ Summer
- 🚗 No hiking needed
- Paid
2.1 km · about 11 min by car to the starting point
A marked downhill track of roughly 3.5–5 km from the lift top, riding down the slopes in summer.
Cost: Paid: lift ticket and bike hire; ask at reception for current prices.
Good to know: Summer, while the lifts run. Helmet and pads required. Directions lead to the lower gondola station, where you ride up.
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Friendship Monument
Gudauri area
- ❄️☀️ Year-round
- 🚗 No hiking needed
- Free entry, paid extras
3.7 km · about 4 min by car from the hotel
A 1983 semicircular monument with a ceramic mosaic, standing on a cliff edge above a deep gorge with dramatic views.
Cost: Free to visit; parking may cost extra.
Good to know: The viewing balcony has a low railing: take care, especially with children. Horse riding may also be available here, depending on the season.
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Gergeti Glacier and Mount Kazbek
Kobi to Kazbegi and Dariali
- ☀️ Summer
- 🥾 Hard hike · 8–9 h
- Free entry, paid extras
38 km · about 40 min by car to the starting point
A demanding full-day hike to the foot of the Gergeti Glacier from Gergeti village; the 5,054 m summit is a multi-day guided expedition.
Cost: The glacier hike is free; Kazbek expeditions need a paid guide (price on request).
Good to know: Summer only (guided Kazbek ascents run roughly mid-July to mid-September). The distance shown is to the Gergeti trailhead.
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Gergeti Trinity Church
Kobi to Kazbegi and Dariali
- ❄️☀️ Year-round
- 🚗 No hiking needed
- Free
38 km · about 40 min by car from the hotel
The 14th-century church at 2,170 m above Stepantsminda, famous for its view of Mount Kazbek.
Good to know: The road is good all the way to the church, so you can drive up without a 4x4, or walk up in about 1–1.5 hours. Best May–October; snow in winter. Modest dress; no photos inside. Go early for the clearest Kazbek view.
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Gudauri Lake
Gudauri area
- ☀️ Summer
- 🥾 Moderate hike · 2 h
- Free entry, paid extras
4.5 km · about 25 min by car from the hotel
A mountain lake above Gudauri, reached by the gondola lift from the New Gudauri area, by a dirt road, or on foot.
Cost: Free; the gondola ticket is extra if you use it.
Good to know: One way is the gondola lift from the New Gudauri area, which runs in summer. A dirt road also starts there, so you can drive up in a 4x4 car, or hike up in about 2 hours.
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Gudauri–Kobi Summer Gondola
Gudauri area
- ☀️ Summer
- 🚗 No hiking needed
- Paid
2.1 km · about 11 min by car from the hotel
Four connected gondolas climb across the pass towards Kobi for sweeping Caucasus views, no hiking needed.
Cost: Paid: about 35 GEL return in summer (approx.; sources conflict).
Good to know: Runs roughly July–September (maintenance closures otherwise); wind can pause it. Hours and prices are reported inconsistently, so check first.
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Guided Freeride and Ski Touring
Gudauri area
- ❄️ Winter
- 🥾 Moderate hike
- Paid
Off-piste runs and ski-touring routes from the Kudebi, Sadzele and Bidara ridges, led by certified local guides.
Cost: Paid; a guided intro ski-tour is about 70 EUR (approx.).
Good to know: January–April. Avalanche risk: go only with a guide and rescue gear.
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Gveleti Waterfalls
Kobi to Kazbegi and Dariali
- ❄️☀️ Year-round
- 🥾 Easy walk · 30 min
- Free
40 km · about 44 min by car from the hotel
Two waterfalls in the Dariali Gorge reached by a short, easy path; they freeze in winter and are used for ice climbing.
Good to know: About 300 m to 1 km of easy walking, depending on the route.
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Heli-skiing
Gudauri area
- ❄️ Winter
- 🚗 No hiking needed
- Paid
In the Gudauri resort area; ask at reception about pick-up.
Helicopter-accessed powder runs in the surrounding Caucasus peaks, weather permitting, with an experienced guide.
Cost: Paid: from about 550 EUR per day for 3 runs (approx.; prices vary).
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Horse Riding
Gudauri area
- ☀️ Summer
- 🚗 No hiking needed
- Paid
19 km · about 19 min by car from the hotel
Guided horseback rides through the Khada Valley, and from Stepantsminda up towards Gergeti.
Cost: Paid: about 70 GEL in the Khada Valley and roughly 110–130 GEL to Gergeti (approx.).
Good to know: Summer. Operators are based in Kvesheti and Stepantsminda.
Book a ride: Riding Kazbeg Instagram
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Ice Climbing at Gveleti Waterfall
Kobi to Kazbegi and Dariali
- ❄️ Winter
- 🥾 Easy walk
- Paid
40 km · about 44 min by car from the hotel
Beginner ice climbing on the frozen Gveleti waterfalls in the Dariali Gorge, with a guide.
Cost: Paid: guided ice climbing.
Good to know: Roughly December–March. Ask at reception to arrange a guide.
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Juta and the Chaukhi Massif
Kobi to Kazbegi and Dariali
- ☀️ Summer
- 🥾 Hard hike · 3–5 h
- Free entry, paid extras
42 km · about 47 min by car to the starting point
A high village at about 2,200 m beneath the jagged Chaukhi peaks, with hikes to the Chaukhi valley, waterfall and lakes.
Cost: Free to hike; parking is about 10 GEL a day and a taxi or shuttle is extra (approx.).
Good to know: Hiking roughly June–October. After a landslide in 2025 the road is reported closed before the village (walk or take a shuttle); check locally before you go.
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Jvari (Cross) Pass
Gudauri area
- ❄️☀️ Year-round
- 🚗 No hiking needed
- Free
5.8 km · about 5 min by car from the hotel
The 2,379 m watershed summit of the mountain road, with an obelisk and sweeping mountain views.
Good to know: The road can close for hours in heavy snow; check road conditions before you go.
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Jvari Pass Travertines
Gudauri area
- ☀️ Summer
- 🚗 No hiking needed
- Free
10 km · about 9 min by car from the hotel
White and orange iron-stained terraces fed by a mineral spring beside the road on the Kobi side of the pass.
Good to know: A short roadside walk. Please do not climb on the travertine.
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Khada Valley
Ananuri to Pasanauri
- ☀️ Summer
- 🥾 Moderate hike · 2–3 h
- Free
19 km · about 19 min by car to the starting point
A scenic side valley above Kvesheti, known as the valley of towers. Things to see include old stone defensive towers, the 10th–11th-century Korogho church, an iron-rich mineral spring and a small waterfall, with views over the gorge. Reached on foot or by a dirt track from Kvesheti.
Good to know: Best in summer; nearly impassable in winter. You need an off-road (4x4) car for the dirt track. The distance shown is to Kvesheti, where the track starts.
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Khevi Sioni Basilica
Kobi to Kazbegi and Dariali
- ❄️☀️ Year-round
- 🚗 No hiking needed
- Free
25 km · about 24 min by car from the hotel
A 9th–10th-century domeless basilica with a tower and wall, with faint wall paintings inside and a watchtower on the cliff beside it.
Good to know: Dress modestly: covered shoulders and knees, and a headscarf for women.
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Lomisa St George Church Hike
Ananuri to Pasanauri
- ☀️ Summer
- 🥾 Moderate hike · 2–3 h
- Free
14 km · about 15 min by car to the starting point
A 9th–10th-century hilltop church above Mleta with wide views of the Aragvi valley, reached by a hike of about 8 km and 900 m of climbing.
Good to know: Usual window May–October. Stay on the path. The distance shown is to the trailhead in Kvemo Mleta.
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Mount Sadzele
Gudauri area
- ☀️ Summer
- 🥾 Hard hike · 5–6 h
- Free entry, paid extras
Starts from Hotel Monte.
The highest summit in the resort at 3,307 m, with views of Kobi Pass and Mount Kazbek.
Cost: Free; a lift ticket is extra if you use the lift.
Good to know: About 5–6 hours on foot from Hotel Monte. The trail is unmarked and wind can be strong. Best July–September.
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Pasanauri and Khinkali
Ananuri to Pasanauri
- ❄️☀️ Year-round
- 🚗 No hiking needed
- Free entry, paid extras
34 km · about 33 min by car from the hotel
A small town famous for khinkali, the Georgian dumplings, and dambalkhacho cheese. A classic lunch stop on the mountain road.
Cost: Free to visit; meals are paid.
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Rafting on the Aragvi
Ananuri to Pasanauri
- ☀️ Summer
- 🚗 No hiking needed
- Paid
32 km · about 30 min by car from the hotel
Beginner-friendly grade II–III rafting below Pasanauri, with 6, 8 or 12 km runs of about 40–90 minutes.
Cost: Paid: about 200–400 GEL per person depending on distance (approx., confirm at reception).
Good to know: There are several rafting places along the road to Pasanauri, on the riverside. Season roughly May–October; confirm with the operator. Minimum age 5.
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Rock Climbing in Arsha
Kobi to Kazbegi and Dariali
- ❄️☀️ Year-round
- 🥾 Easy walk · 5 min
- Paid
28 km · about 38 min by car from the hotel
A sport-climbing crag near the village of Arsha with roughly 25 to 50 bolted routes from easy to hard (about 5a to 7a), up to about 30 m high, on south-facing rock at around 1,850 m. The approach is about 5 minutes uphill.
Cost: Paid: guided climbing; ask at reception.
Good to know: Climbing needs proper equipment and experience. Ask at reception to arrange a guide. Check the weather and rock conditions first.
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Rock Climbing in Gveleti
Kobi to Kazbegi and Dariali
- ☀️ Summer
- 🚗 No hiking needed
- Paid
40 km · about 35 min by car from the hotel
A sport-climbing crag near the Gveleti waterfalls with bolted routes about 22 to 28 m long, graded around 6a to 6a+. The rock is in the shade from about 13:00, which makes it a good choice for hot summer days. The walk from the parking spot is only about 50 m.
Cost: Paid: guided climbing; ask at reception.
Good to know: Bring a 60 m rope, about 15 quickdraws and a helmet. Ask at reception to arrange a guide. Gveleti is also known for ice climbing in winter (see the Ice Climbing card).
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Ski and Snowboard Lessons
Gudauri area
- ❄️ Winter
- 🚗 No hiking needed
- Paid
Ask at reception and we will help arrange your lesson.
Private instructors and ski-school teams give lessons for beginners and improvers right on the Gudauri slopes.
Cost: Paid; there is no official price list, so ask at reception.
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Skiing and Snowboarding in Gudauri
Gudauri area
- ❄️ Winter
- 🚗 No hiking needed
- Paid
0.9 km · about 1 min by car from the hotel
Gudauri's lifts open up slopes for every level, from the Shino chairlift at 2,200 m up to freeride terrain above 3,000 m.
Cost: Paid: day pass about 70 GEL per adult (approx.; 2026/27 tariff unconfirmed).
Good to know: Season generally from mid-December to mid-April, depending on snow (the 2026/27 opening has been announced for December 20th). Night skiing on weekends under the Pirveli lift; there is also a snow park.
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Sno Castle
Kobi to Kazbegi and Dariali
- ❄️☀️ Year-round
- 🚗 No hiking needed
- Free
30 km · about 30 min by car from the hotel
A 16th–17th-century defensive fortress in the village of Sno, built of stone and black slate to guard the Sno valley, with a single tower and an almost circular wall with gunports.
Good to know: The tower itself is not open to visitors; the grounds are an open historic site in the village park. The Sno stone heads are close by.
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Sno Stone Heads
Kobi to Kazbegi and Dariali
- ❄️☀️ Year-round
- 🚗 No hiking needed
- Free
30 km · about 29 min by car from the hotel
Granite heads of Georgian cultural figures carved by a self-taught local sculptor and set in the village of Sno, a short detour off the highway.
Cost: Free; the sculptor welcomes a small donation (about 5 GEL).
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Snowmobile Tour
Gudauri area
- ❄️ Winter
- 🚗 No hiking needed
- Paid
In the Gudauri resort area; ask at reception about pick-up.
A guided ride over snowy trails towards New Gudauri.
Cost: Paid: prices start from 150 GEL per person.
Good to know: December–March, snow permitting.
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Tandem Paragliding
Gudauri area
- ❄️☀️ Year-round
- 🚗 No hiking needed
- Paid
A 10–20 minute tandem flight from the Kudebi or Bidara take-off over the Gudauri valley, landing near the first lift station.
Cost: Paid: a standard Gudauri flight is about 350 GEL with Cloudbase (approx.; check the operator's site).
Good to know: Year-round when the weather allows; summer and clear days are best.
Book a flight: Cloudbase Paragliding Xcaucasus
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Truso Valley
Kobi to Kazbegi and Dariali
- ☀️ Summer
- 🥾 Moderate hike · 1.5–7 h
- Free entry, paid extras
15 km · about 15 min by car to the starting point
A high, almost flat valley of white travertine terraces, mineral springs, stone towers and abandoned villages, reached on a dirt road from Kobi. On the way you can see the Abano mineral lake, the village of Ketrisi with its nunnery, old stone towers and, at the far end, the ruined Zakagori fortress.
Cost: Entry is free; a taxi or guided 4x4 is paid (roughly 40 GEL one way by taxi, approx.).
Good to know: Open roughly late May–October. The travertines are about 1.5 hours on foot from the road end; the whole valley out and back takes 5–7 hours. Carry your passport: border guards check it at the valley entrance. The distance shown is to Kobi, where the Truso road turns off.
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Tsetskhlisjvari Tower
Ananuri to Pasanauri
- ☀️ Summer
- 🥾 Moderate hike · 45 min
- Free
6.4 km · about 9 min by car to the starting point
A ruined stone watchtower near Gudauri, reached on foot from the road in about 45 minutes.
Good to know: Steep, with no proper path. The masonry is unstable, so do not climb inside.