Bakuriani ski resort and the legendary Borjomi (Group Tour)

The most memorable part of this day is the change from Borjomi’s mineral springs to Bakuriani’s snowy pine forests. You begin in a famous spa town, ride the narrow-gauge Kukushka railway into the mountains, then have several hours for skiing, snowboarding, or simply enjoying the cold air.

I like the long stay in Bakuriani, since five hours gives you time to try an activity instead of taking a quick photograph and leaving. I also like the hands-on help available from guides such as Paata, who is praised for patient ski instruction and careful driving in heavy snow.

The main drawback is the schedule. This is an 11-hour group outing with a long mountain transfer, and ski hire, a cable-car ride, instruction, park entry, and dinner cost extra. If you want a relaxed spa day or a serious day on the slopes, this packed plan may feel rushed.

Key points to know before booking

• The Kukushka railway is part of the mountain journey: You travel from Borjomi toward Bakuriani on a narrow-gauge train surrounded by pine forests and mountain views.
• Bakuriani gets the biggest share of the day: You have about five hours at the resort for skiing, snowboarding, snow play, or a walk.
• Beginner ski help can be a major advantage: Paata is especially praised for patient instruction, while Giorgi and Kareem are also named in the feedback.
• The $55 price covers transport, not a full ski day: Equipment, instruction, the cable car, Borjomi Park, and dinner are separate costs.
• The group is capped at 15 people: That is small enough for a social outing without the feel of a large coach tour.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can cancel the tour, with a new date or full refund offered.

From Tbilisi to Borjomi, then up to Bakuriani

This tour starts at 9:00 a.m. on Vakhtang Gorgasali Street in Tbilisi and returns to the same meeting point. The full day lasts about 11 hours, so you should expect an early start, a late return, and plenty of time in a vehicle.

The trip uses an air-conditioned vehicle, a useful detail after a cold day outside. The small maximum group of 15 should also make the ride more personal than a large bus excursion. Your driver-guide provides information about Borjomi and helps connect the stops into a single day rather than leaving you to arrange separate transport.

The route is most appealing in winter, when Bakuriani’s snow is the focus. Weather is also the tour’s weak point. The activity requires good conditions, and bad weather can lead to a cancellation, a different date, or a full refund. Build some flexibility into your Georgia plans if this is a key day for you.

The Kukushka railway and Borjomi’s mountain setting

At Borjomi, the plan is to transfer to the Kukushka train, a narrow-gauge railway that carries you toward Bakuriani. The railway ride is not just a way to get from one point to another. It gives the day a slower, more scenic middle section, with pine trees, mountain air, and views that are hard to appreciate from a normal highway.

The schedule allows about two hours for this part of the visit. The description also says you spend three to four hours surrounded by the mountains and pines, so exact timing may depend on the day’s route and operating conditions. I would confirm the precise train arrangements with Ushba Travel before departure, especially if the railway is the main reason you are booking.

Borjomi is known across Georgia for its mineral water and spa-town setting. You get a taste of that identity at the start and again later in the day, rather than spending the whole outing at a ski resort. That mix is valuable if you want scenery, local character, and a winter activity in one trip.

Five hours in Bakuriani

Bakuriani is the tour’s main stop, with about five hours set aside there. The resort is surrounded by mountains and old pine trees, and the high setting is known for clear air, snow, and sunny winter conditions.

You can use the time in several ways:

• Ski or snowboard, with rental equipment available for an extra fee
• Take a cable-car ride, also at an additional cost
• Ask for ski instruction if you are new to the sport
• Try snow-based activities
• Walk around the resort and enjoy the trees and mountain views

This flexibility makes the outing work for a mixed group. A confident skier can spend the time on the slopes, while someone who has never skied can take a lesson or simply explore. Families or friends with different interests do not have to follow one identical plan.

The strongest theme in the feedback is the quality of personal help from the guides. Paata is repeatedly praised as a driver, guide, and ski instructor. His teaching is described as patient and practical, with beginners receiving help until they could ski independently. He is also praised for careful driving during heavy snow and for making solo participants feel included in the group.

That does not mean formal instruction is included in the $55 price. The listed cost for a ski instructor is 80 GEL. Some experiences with Paata included informal or complimentary help, but you should not assume that every departure includes free lessons or that he will be your assigned guide. Ask when booking if ski instruction is important to you.

Giorgi is also named positively for his help and friendly guiding, while Kareem is mentioned in connection with assistance during skating. The guide roster may vary, so these names are best treated as useful possibilities rather than a promise of a particular person.

What the extra costs mean

At $55 per person, the tour offers good value if you want transport from Tbilisi, a full day out, the Borjomi and Bakuriani combination, and the support of a driver-guide. Organizing this route yourself could require separate planning for transport, the mountain railway, and local transfers.

Still, the headline price is not the total cost of a ski day. The listed extras are:

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

These prices make the tour flexible rather than all-inclusive. You can keep costs low by walking around Bakuriani and skipping the cable car, or spend more for equipment and instruction. If you are traveling with a family, calculate the activity fees for each person before booking.

The wording also lists reliable snowmobile transportation as included. Since the main route is described around the Kukushka railway and the vehicle transfer, ask Ushba Travel how snowmobile transport fits into your specific departure. That is especially sensible if you have mobility concerns or are expecting a particular type of mountain transfer.

Borjomi Central Park and the mineral-water stop

The final Borjomi visit lasts about an hour and centers on Borjomi Central Park. You can walk through one of the town’s prettiest natural areas, spend time among the trees, and sample the atmosphere of Georgia’s famous mineral-water resort.

Park admission is not included, so allow 5 GEL for the listed entry price. This is a short stop, not a full spa visit. You will not have time for a long treatment or an unhurried exploration of every corner of Borjomi, but the hour gives the day a calmer finish after snow sports and mountain transport.

I like this ending because it gives the trip a different mood. Bakuriani is active and cold, while Borjomi offers a gentle walk and a connection to the town’s famous springs. If your main goal is skiing, the stop may feel like a detour. If you want to understand why Borjomi is one of Georgia’s best-known resort towns, it earns its place.

Is the group size right for you?

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is a useful middle ground. You get the social side of a shared excursion, but the group should remain small enough for the guide to keep track of people during transfers and activities.

Solo participants may find this format especially useful. One account describes going alone and enjoying the way Paata helped different members of the group connect. That social element is not guaranteed, but a small group and an active guide make it easier than traveling alone by taxi or rental car.

The trade-off is flexibility. A group schedule must accommodate skiers, non-skiers, first-timers, and people who mainly want photographs. If you want to decide your own departure time from Bakuriani or spend every available minute on the slopes, a private trip would give you more control, though this tour’s lower price is part of its appeal.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to combine two well-known Georgian destinations in one outing. It suits first-time visitors based in Tbilisi who want snow, mountain scenery, a mineral-water town, and local guidance without arranging the transport themselves.

It is also a good fit for beginners. The long stay in Bakuriani gives you time to learn, and Paata has a strong reputation for helping newcomers gain confidence. You can also choose not to ski and spend the time walking or taking in the resort.

You may want another plan if you are an advanced skier seeking a full, uninterrupted day on challenging runs. The railway journey, Borjomi stop, group schedule, and return drive all reduce your time on the slopes. This is a sightseeing day with skiing included, not a dedicated ski holiday.

Bring clothing suitable for snow and mountain conditions, and budget for the activities you actually want. Since dinner is not included, plan for that expense during the long return journey or ask the guide what arrangements are available on the day.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is offered in English. Most people can participate, but the combination of a long day, cold conditions, mountain transport, and possible snow activities means you should be comfortable with an active winter outing.

The meeting point is 3 Vakhtang Gorgasali Street, Tbilisi 0105. The tour ends back there. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off follows local time.

Ushba Travel operates the experience. The consistently positive feedback centers on the guides’ friendliness, careful driving, and willingness to help beginners. Paata receives the clearest praise, but Giorgi and Kareem are also associated with helpful service, so confirm who is leading your departure if that matters to you.

Should you book the Bakuriani and Borjomi tour?

Book it if you want a value-focused winter day from Tbilisi rather than a pure ski package. The $55 base price gives you a practical route to Borjomi and Bakuriani, transport, a small group, and enough time to try snow activities or simply enjoy the resort.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it to first-time skiers, solo visitors, and people who want a guide to handle the route. The main caution is to budget for extras and accept the long schedule. If your priority is maximum time on the slopes, arrange a dedicated ski day instead. If you want Georgia’s snowy mountains and mineral-water country in one well-priced outing, this tour makes a sensible choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at 3 Vakhtang Gorgasali Street, Tbilisi 0105, 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.

What is included in the price?

The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle and reliable snowmobile transportation.

Are ski rental and ski instruction included?

No. Ski rental and instruction are listed as additional costs. Ski rental is listed at 10 GEL, and a ski instructor is listed at 80 GEL.

Is Borjomi Park admission included?

No. Borjomi Park admission is listed separately at 5 GEL.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund.