Gudauri - Georgia

It was time to embark on the journey to the Georgian Caucasus mountains, and the first leg was an overnight in Gudauri, about 3 hours from Telavi.

Gudauri is a ski resort located on the south-facing plateau of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range in the Stepantsminda District, along the Georgian Military Highway near the Jvari Pass, at an elevation of 2,200 meters above sea level, and only one hour from our final destination, Kazbegi.

As we hadn't quite packed for the 0 °C or below temperatures that were coming, we sourced a local clothing shop; there was only one on the way to the mountains (based on Google). So we popped this as a stopover in our nav. As we approached the shop, we were in a residential area, but we did see a small sign on the garage window, so we attempted to enter. It appeared no one was home; as we pulled away, a young lady popped out, and we were in luck. She opened her garage and presented us with a boutique store with an excellent range of items on the racks, something for everyone. We quickly retrieve a few layers to keep us cosy in the mountains. We made each other's day as we walked out with a bag full of clothes between us, and we were eternally grateful for her entrepreneurial skills. Thank you, LIVI Clothing Store in Kvemo Alvani, a small village with a population of 2,500, for keeping the locals and visitors looking their best and staying warm.

We were back on the road for Gudauri, embarking on another eventful and fun drive, navigating the hairpins, animals, and traffic. We were impressed with the infrastructure; the roads on this side of Gudauri are well-maintained, providing peace of mind as we travelled.

Partway through the trip, it was time for coffee, perfect timing on our behalf as up ahead was Zhinvali Water Reservoir, one of the most beautiful places in Georgia. We were thrilled with the majestic views, turquoise waters and, of course, coffee. We spoke with the store owner, and the reservoir supplies drinking water to approximately half of Tbilisi's population. As we paid, we left a little tip, but he wouldn't accept it, so he loaded us up with a collection of bottled water from the reservoir and a few snacks; he was super kind and made our day.

Upon arriving in Gudauri, our trusty Google Maps, although in this case, incorrectly assumed we had a 4WD, not a Camry, took us via the back roads (which were not fit for anything other than a tractor), and we ended up at a chairlift, thanks to masterful driving by my hubby! We pulled into a nearby hotel and asked for directions; they claimed to be unaware of the hotel we were inquiring about, although it was in sight and a few resorts away. We soon discovered we had asked the oldest hotel on the slopes for directions, which appeared displeased with the new neighbouring competition!

After settling into our stunning ski resort, Gudauri Lodge (without the snow), as it is still too early in the season, we had the hotel almost to ourselves. So, we sat back and enjoyed an afternoon beverage, followed by a delicious dinner and the breathtaking views.

Gudauri Lodge

Gudauri Lodge

We were in awe of the surroundings, and they were just as impressive without the snow. You have beautiful churches perched up on the mountains, and upon waking and opening the curtains with the clouds capturing the mountaintops, you also have wild horses grazing. We were at peace, and Georgia was showing us her beauty. We were only too eager to get to our final destination, Kazbegi.

Gudauri, Kazbegi

Date visited: 10 November 2023