Stepantsminda

Gergeti Trinity Church and a chapel - Holy Trinity Church in the mist

Stepantsminda (Georgian phrasebook|Georgian: სტეფანწმინდა; formerly Kazbegi, Georgian phrasebook|Georgian: ყაზბეგი) is based in the north of Georgia (country)|Georgia, popular for the trekking opportunities in the visually spectacular surrounding mountains, its views of the mighty Mount Kazbeg, and for the beautiful view from the town of the Holy Trinity Church outlined against Mount Kazbeg itself.

Stepantsminda Halal Travel Guide

The town of Kazbegi—officially named Stepantsminda (სტეფანწმინდა: st'eh-pahn-ts'meen-dah), but better known under the old name of Kazbegi) -- is a mountain town on the Georgian Military Highway. The town is 10 kilometers south of the border with Russia, which is open again for some nationalities. On the western side of the river and the town is known as Gergeti (გერგეტი: gehr-geh-t'ee), but for all intents and purposes of a visitor, it is one town.

This pretty town is getting the increased attention it deserves, so there are increasing numbers of hotels, restaurants and tourist facilities, but prices are inflated compared with the rest of the nation.

Travel to Stepantsminda

Kazbegi map - 480px

Marshrutkas leave more or less hourly the Didube bus station of Tbilisi several times per day. From the Didube metro station, go down, turn right, cross the underway, cross the first parking lot (full of marshrutkas), and the marshrutkas to Kazbegi are in the second parking lot. Fare: 10 lari. Duration: 2h45.

If you have a bunch of people in your party, you can almost always find a driver hanging around the marshrutka who is going there anyway, and hitch a ride for a fare lower than the total your group would pay on the marshrutka.

Note and these marshrutka's do not tend to stop and cram over 20 people in them. Note, it's worth looking around the bus station at Didube station, as many drivers will take you in a much smaller group (8 people) with 2 stops on route at the Ananuri|Ananuri Church of the Mother of God and Russia–Georgia_Friendship_Monument|Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument for 15 lari (5 more than the standard rate - and well worth it for the comfort!) (2022).

To get to the Sno Valley take a jeep from Kazbegi. It's a long and pretty scary way but really worth it.

Get Around

The town is easily covered on foot.

What to see in Stepantsminda

• Gergeti Trinity Church (გერგეტის სამების ეკლესია: gehr-geh-t'ees sah-meh-bees ek'leh-see-ah), commonly called Tsminda Samebis Church, towering over the city at a height of 2170 meters. Free entrance. No smoking, no photography inside the monastery. Decent clothes required. Can become very busy, as crowds of people are brought there by 4x4 taxis.
• Alexander Kazbegi Museum
• Sno Valley: Juta town.

Best things to do in Stepantsminda

Gergeti Trinity Church

Take a Hiking Tour in Stepantsminda

Hiking is the best option, since you enjoy the view. This can be done throughout the year. It takes between 1 and 2 hours one way, and the difficulty depends on the path. Although the easiest way is very easy, keep in mind that there is more than 400 m to climb. All four paths are easy to follow.

• By following the road: after the bridge, turn left, and follow the road until the end, about 6km further. Duration: about 2 hours.
• By the (relatively) easy trail: after the bridge, turn left, and follow the road for about one kilometer, almost at the end of the small village. You will see a sign for cars to turn right; don't turn right, but go until the end of your street, about 100 meters. Then, turn right, walk 10 meters, turn left, and walk about 500 meters. Then you will meet the road again; turn left, follow the road for about 2 kilometers, until the trees suddenly disappear (and you have a wonderful view on Mount Kazbeg). You will see a path on the left; this is quite steep, though not difficult. In winter, avoid this part (keep going on the road). After 5 minutes on this path, you will reach the "summit", and see the church. Just go to the end. There are green/blue signs at each crossroads, so the path is extremely simple to find. Duration: 1hr 45min.
• By the steep path. After the sign for cars to turn right, don't turn right, but go until the end of your street, about 100 meters. Then turn left, and walk up! This path is very steep, and cannot be used in winter. Duration: 1 hour.
• There is a fourth path to the left of the "(relatively) easy trail" along the river. It seems counterintuitive as there is no incline to start with, but you can navigate around the mountain, slowly making progress uphill, following a beautiful stream and the helpful arrows painted onto the rocks. Looking up you'll see the other 2 non-road paths and feel like you have done it wrong, but upon finishing you'll have a terrific view of the church from a distance with the mountain backdrop and you'll be easily able to join the other 2 paths and feel smug that you didn't have to navigate too many steep hills compared to everybody else.

Anyone planning on hiking will likely benefit from reading this wander-lush.org/hiking-georgia-kazbegi-gergeti-trinity/|helpful blog post].

Best way to travel in Stepantsminda by a Taxi

Many taxis (mostly in the main square) offer a return trip to Gergeti Trinity Church from Kazbegi for 40 lari. This is almost a scam, since this is 6 kilometers from the city, and it is much nicer to climb yourself (see above). But if you are unable to walk that distance, or in a hurry, why not. Try to bargain as much as feasible!

Other outdoor activities

• Hike further into the mountains via a path starting behind the ridge to the start of the Gergeti Glacier (at 3000 m).

View climbing up to Gergeti Glacier, flowers - |Summer flowers nearing the Gergeti Glacier

• Climb mount Kazbeg (5033 m) with a guide.
• Hike in wonderful nearby Juta valley.
• Kazbegi Marathon]
• Rent a mountain-bike (Mountain Travel Agency - +995 55 64 92 91) and cycle towards the castle by the Russian border, and visit the small valleys south of the town.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Stepantsminda

There is now a new ATM in town at the bank branch of 'Liberty Bank'. Its 200 m from the main square, next to the Mini-Markets. The bank also exchanges money and opens around Monday to Friday 10:00 - 17:30 also open Saturdays but a bit shorter. The money changers right on the main square has horrible rates.

Halal Restaurants in Stepantsminda

There are few restaurants in the town, it's easier and affordableer to get the food at your hotel. Hotel Stepantsminda has a restaurant and the hotel next door as well.

There are some small shops just of the main square, in the direction of the 'center' (big sign on the side of the square).

Bar - Karaoke - Restaurant "COZY CORNER" in Kazbegi does some excellent barbeque skewers (the vegetable ones are incredible so there are Vegetarian options!) and of course karaoke for later in the night. The café Shorena's hotel & bar restaurant (right on the main square) has decent prices for food and fruit drinks, and provides free Wi-Fi. English-speaking and French-speaking staff. Update: The place is rather nice but the prices are unexpectedly high and the portions are very small (but food itself is good as usual). For example - Chicken shish costs 9 laris but only contains 4 small pieces of Chicken.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Stepantsminda

Stepantsminda - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Stepantsminda, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Stepantsminda. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Stepantsminda and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Stepantsminda. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Stepantsminda. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inStepantsminda: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Stepantsminda.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Stepantsminda: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Stepantsminda, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Stepantsminda.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Stepantsminda, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Stepantsminda, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Stepantsminda and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Stepantsminda, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Stepantsminda, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Stepantsminda without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Stepantsminda is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Stepantsminda.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Stepantsminda is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Stepantsminda, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Stepantsminda Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Kazbegi view - |View back over Kazbegi

Plenty of homestays, with older ladies swarming any arriving mashrutka. Expect to pay 15 lari/person/night for a bed, 30 lari to include dinner and breakfast. Most of the cheaper guesthouses and hostels are on the other side of the river. Walk a few hundred meters north, cross the bridge to the left and then take another left after three hundred meters.

• Hotel Stepantsminda on the main square.
• B&B Iago Arabuli in Juta (nice homestay in remote Juta in Sno Valley, 40 lari per person with delicious Georgian food, tel 593422951.) Great starting point for hiking tours.
• Anano's Guesthouse: newly added top floor with several rooms, private and shared bathrooms. Less than 5mins walk from the main square. Family provides breakfast and dinner and they even pack some lunch for your day trips. 40 lari per person. email: phone: +995 593 34 42 74.

• Rhezo Guest House | Gergeti ☎ +995 599404090 - 35 lari The Rhezo guest house - very good location and exceptionally tasty food. Solo Kazbek climbers choice!
• Kazbegi Mountain Hut | Gergeti Village ☎ +995 99 180806, +995 99 497764 - Accommodation for climbers; can arrange guides, horses, porters, etc.
• Ketino's Guesthouse - Qvemo Gergeti Street Head across the river and take first left. ☎ +995 571 032439, +995 571 032439 - US$15-25 - One of the best guest houses in all of Georgia. The older rooms are spacious and have cool artwork. The value though is in the food and Ketino herself. A stay can include a huge breakfast and Georgian Supra (dinner) that includes flowing and chacha and hilarious amounts of food. Ketino is like the Georgian grandmother you never had that will fret about your lack of socks and speaks good English. Tip: discuss the prices and what that includes with Ketino on your arrival.
• Alpenhaus - At the back of the town ☎ +995 571 032439, +995 571 032439 - US$70+ - Very peaceful bed and breakfast with mountain views and balconies to enjoy them from and the sounds of cows to lull you to sleep as you look out the window from your bed at the starry night.

Stay safe

Stepantsminda Medical Centre is tucked behind a couple inactive-looking buildings on the main main (opposite Mountain Freaks Agency). You can get crucial medical services here, but very little English is spoken. There is open Wi-Fi so you might use a translator app to describe your symptoms.

Telecommunications in Stepantsminda

Wifi is generally available and good.

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Stepantsminda

• Russia - be sure that your citizenship allows you to cross the border before attempting
• Tbilisi - marshrutkas depart from the main square. Several departures in the morning. In the afternoon, departures at 1:30PM, 3:30PM and 5PM (last one). Price: 10 lari.

Gergeti Trinity Church (1) - Kazbeg looming over the church]

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