Bakuriani ski resort and the legendary Borjomi (Group Tour)

Bakuriani gives this day trip its spark: you leave Tbilisi for pine forests, snowy peaks, and a resort where you can ski, snowboard, ride a snowmobile, or simply stroll in crisp mountain air. I like the Kukushka narrow-gauge railway, which turns the journey from Borjomi into part of the day rather than dead travel time. I also like the chance to pair a winter resort with Borjomi’s famous mineral springs.

The main thing to consider is the long day. You start at 9:00 a.m. and spend about 11 hours on the road and at the two destinations. The listed plan also includes several optional costs, so the $55 price is a good base fare, not the final cost if you rent equipment, take a cable car, hire an instructor, and buy dinner.

Key points to know before booking

• Kukushka railway: The narrow-gauge train from Borjomi to Bakuriani is one of the most distinctive parts of the day, though you should confirm its operation for your date.
• Paata’s ski help: Paata is specifically praised for patient beginner instruction, careful driving, and friendly group management.
• Two very different stops: Bakuriani brings snow and mountain sports; Borjomi brings mineral water, a park walk, and a slower resort-town mood.
• Small-group format: The group is capped at 15 people, with transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• Extra costs matter: Park entry is listed at 5 GEL, ski rental at 10 GEL, one cable-car ride at 10 GEL, and ski instruction at 80 GEL.
• Weather can change plans: The tour requires good weather, with another date or a full refund offered if conditions force cancellation.

Why this Borjomi and Bakuriani day works

At $55 per person, this is an appealing way to reach two well-known mountain destinations from Tbilisi without arranging separate transport. You get an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking driver-guide, and a full day outside the capital. For a first taste of Georgia’s mountain resorts, that is solid value.

I especially like the contrast. Bakuriani is active and wintry, with skiing, snowboarding, snowmobile transportation, and cable-car options. Borjomi is gentler. You can walk through Central Park, try the area’s mineral water, and take in the mountain setting without needing sports equipment.

The price does not include every activity. Park admission, ski hire, a cable-car ride, ski instruction, and dinner are extra. That is not unusual for a group day trip, but you should budget for it before deciding that this is a $55 all-in outing.

The tour is offered in English and returns to the meeting point at 3 Vakhtang Gorgasali Street in Tbilisi. With a maximum of 15 people, you get a more manageable group than on a large coach tour, though the experience still depends partly on the guide and the mix of people in your van.

Leaving Tbilisi for Borjomi’s mountain country

The day begins at 9:00 a.m. from 3 Vakhtang Gorgasali Street. From there, the driver-guide takes you toward Borjomi and the surrounding mountain region. The vehicle is air-conditioned, an important comfort on a long excursion with several hours of transport.

You should expect the day to feel full rather than leisurely. The total duration is about 11 hours, and the route combines road travel, the railway, time in Bakuriani, and a stop in Borjomi Central Park. I would wear shoes that work for both a park path and snowy resort streets, since the day shifts between outdoor walking and vehicle time.

The guide’s role matters here. Paata receives repeated praise for careful driving in heavy snow, patient ski instruction, and making solo visitors feel included. Giorgi is also identified as a guide on this route, while Kareem is praised for helping with skating. Guide assignments can vary, so you should not assume a particular person unless the operator confirms it.

You also get commentary about Borjomi from the driver-guide. This is useful because the day is not only a transfer to a ski hill. You are seeing a mineral-water resort town, a railway route, and one of Georgia’s best-known winter destinations in one outing.

Borjomi Central Park and the famous mineral springs

Borjomi is known for its mineral waters, and the Central Park stop gives you time to experience the town at a slower pace. The walk is planned for about one hour, with park admission listed separately at 5 GEL.

I like this stop because it gives the trip a second identity. If you spent the whole day skiing, the excursion would be useful mainly to winter-sports visitors. Borjomi adds a place where you can walk, sample the area’s natural mineral water, and look at the surrounding mountains without booking a separate tour.

The park is also a sensible place to stretch your legs. After the ride from Tbilisi and before more time in Bakuriani, an easy walk can make the long schedule feel less tiring. You should not expect a long guided visit or a full exploration of Borjomi. The listed time is about one hour, so treat it as a focused stop rather than a complete town tour.

The schedule places Borjomi Central Park at both the beginning and the end of the itinerary description. The practical outline indicates that you arrive in Borjomi, continue toward Bakuriani, then return for a final park walk. Because the wording is not perfectly clear, I would confirm the exact order with Ushba Travel before departure, especially if the Kukushka train is central to your plans.

Riding the Kukushka railway toward Bakuriani

The journey from Borjomi to Bakuriani uses the Kukushka train, a narrow-gauge railway that makes the transfer part of the attraction. Instead of simply driving uphill, you spend time surrounded by pine trees and mountain scenery.

The planned railway portion is about two hours, followed by several hours at Bakuriani. The train is a strong reason to choose this outing over a basic road transfer. It gives you a distinct Georgian travel experience and lets you watch the setting change from Borjomi’s resort town to Bakuriani’s snowy highland environment.

There is one practical caution: the supplied details do not clearly state how often the train runs or what happens if it is not operating on your date. Ask about the Kukushka schedule before booking if the railway is a must for you. The tour includes reliable snowmobile transportation, but the listing also describes the train as part of the route, so the actual transport plan may depend on operating conditions.

The railway portion is not a luxury rail journey. Think of it as a scenic, old-style mountain connection. That is precisely its appeal, but you should choose it for atmosphere and scenery rather than speed or comfort.

Bakuriani: snow sports, pine trees, and free time

Bakuriani is the main event for anyone coming to ski. The resort is surrounded by mountains and old pine trees, with clear air and a reputation for sunny winter weather. The schedule allows about five hours here, enough time to try an activity without rushing through the entire resort.

You can use the free time in several ways:

• Ski or snowboard
• Take a cable-car ride
• Try snowmobile transportation
• Hire an instructor
• Walk around the resort and enjoy the snow

The listed ski rental price is 10 GEL, one cable-car ride is 10 GEL, and a ski instructor is 80 GEL. These figures make the trip especially attractive for beginners who want to test skiing without committing to a costly multi-day resort holiday.

The equipment and activity details are limited, so I would ask what the 10 GEL ski rental includes and how long the rental lasts. The same applies to snowmobile transportation. The supplied information calls it reliable snowmobile transportation, but it does not explain whether this is a scheduled transfer, a separate ride, or part of the resort arrangements.

First-time skiers get a useful advantage if Paata is leading the day. He is described as teaching beginners patiently, offering techniques, and staying with people until they make progress. One beginner reported managing to ski on a second attempt after instruction. That does not guarantee the same result for everyone, but it tells you this tour can work for someone who wants an introduction rather than expert-level slopes.

You can also skip the sports. Bakuriani is not only for strong skiers. A walk among the pines, time in the fresh air, and a cable-car ride may be enough for you. The description refers to skiing, snowboarding, and snowstorm, though that last term is unclear. Ask the operator what activity it means before planning around it.

What the guides add to the day

A driver-guide can make a long group excursion either easy or tiring. On this tour, the strongest praise centers on personal help rather than formal sightseeing speeches. Paata is repeatedly described as a careful driver, an encouraging ski instructor, and a friendly person who helps strangers enjoy the day together.

That combination matters. If you are traveling alone, a group tour can feel awkward at first. A guide who helps people meet and keeps an eye on beginners can change the mood. Paata is also praised for talking about Georgia while helping with skiing, which gives the day more substance than a simple ride to the resort.

Giorgi is named as another guide connected with the experience, and Kareem is mentioned for helping with skating. The company’s staff may vary by date. I would consider the positive guide feedback a reason to book with some confidence, but not a promise that you will have a particular guide.

The tour is in English. If you want a formal, detailed lecture at every stop, this may not be the right format. If you prefer practical help, local conversation, and a guide who can manage the moving parts of a snowy day, it looks better suited.

The real cost of the $55 price

The $55 fare covers the main structure of the excursion: transport, the driver-guide, and the planned visits. It is good value if you want to combine Borjomi and Bakuriani in one day without arranging cars, railway connections, and resort transport yourself.

Plan for these possible additions:

• Borjomi Park: 5 GEL
• Ski rental: 10 GEL
• One cable-car ride: 10 GEL
• Ski instructor: 80 GEL
• Dinner: not included

The optional costs are modest except for instruction. If you already ski, you may only need equipment or a cable-car ride. If you are a complete beginner, the instructor fee can add more than the original tour price. Even then, the combined cost may still suit you better than booking a full ski day elsewhere, but you should compare the total rather than the headline fare.

Dinner is also not included. Since the day lasts about 11 hours, carry enough money for food. The details do not specify a meal stop, so do not assume the schedule includes a formal restaurant visit.

Who should book this day trip

I would recommend it most strongly to you if:

• You have one free day in Tbilisi and want to see the mountains.
• You want both a snowy resort and a mineral-water town.
• You are a beginner curious about skiing.
• You prefer a small group to a large coach.
• You value guide support more than a completely independent day.
• You want a lower-cost introduction to Bakuriani.

It is less suitable if you want a relaxed schedule, several hours of serious skiing, or a deep exploration of either destination. Eleven hours is a lot for two stops. The railway and road transfers are part of the experience, but they also reduce the time available for skiing and wandering.

This is also a weather-dependent activity. Poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Is Bakuriani and Borjomi worth your day?

Yes, if you want variety and can handle a long schedule. The strongest reasons to book are the Kukushka railway, the contrast between Bakuriani and Borjomi, and the practical beginner support associated with guides such as Paata.

I would book it for a first Georgian mountain outing, especially at $55, while keeping extra cash for the park, equipment, cable car, instruction, and dinner. I would hesitate only if your priority is a full day on the slopes. In that case, a dedicated Bakuriani trip would give you more ski time.

For everyone else, this tour offers a useful snapshot of the region: pine forests, snow, mineral water, a historic-style railway ride, and a guide-led introduction to one of Georgia’s best-known resorts.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at 3 Vakhtang Gorgasali Street in Tbilisi, Georgia.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 11 hours.

Where does the tour finish?

It ends back at the original meeting point in Tbilisi.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the experience is offered in English.

How many people can join the group?

The group has a maximum of 15 participants.

Is transportation included?

Yes. An air-conditioned vehicle is included, along with reliable snowmobile transportation.

Is the Kukushka train included?

The planned route includes a narrow-gauge Kukushka train ride from Borjomi to Bakuriani. The supplied details do not state a separate train fee, so confirm the exact arrangements with Ushba Travel before departure.

Are skiing and park admission included?

No. Borjomi Park is listed at 5 GEL, ski rental at 10 GEL, one cable-car ride at 10 GEL, and a ski instructor at 80 GEL.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather forces the tour to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.