From Tbilisi: Borjomi & Bakuriani Ski Resort Day Trip

Snow, mountains, and sweet bread in one long day. This 14-hour trip from Tbilisi links Surami, Borjomi, and Bakuriani in a single outing, giving you a taste of Georgian food, mineral water, and winter recreation without arranging several separate trips. I like the mix of culture and outdoor fun, and the guide service is in English.

I also like that the day includes a direct taste of Borjomi mineral water and a cable car ride to a mountain viewpoint. The main drawback is the length: you leave around 07:30 and may not return until 22:00, with several hours spent in the van. Activity fees are also separate, so the advertised $64 is only the starting cost.

Key points at a glance

• Surami’s Nazuki bread: A small local tasting introduces you to a sweet bread made specifically in Surami.
• Borjomi mineral water: You walk through Borjomi Central Park and taste the famous water at its source area.
• Bakuriani gondola ride: The cable car gives you a high viewpoint over the snowy mountain setting.
• Snowmobile option: A snowmobile ride adds speed and excitement, but costs 200 GEL per vehicle.
• Full winter day: You get roughly three hours in the morning and evening on the road, so pacing matters.
• Helpful guide service: English guiding is included, and one verified review specifically praises guide Tamazi for being kind and helpful.

A long Georgian mountain day from Tbilisi

This is a practical choice if you have limited time in Georgia and want to see more than Tbilisi. You start with an early pickup at 07:30, leave the city by 08:00, and head west toward Samtskhe-Javakheti.

The route combines three very different stops. Surami is about a local food tradition. Borjomi brings a short walk and mineral water. Bakuriani is the main event, with snow, a gondola, skiing, and possible snowmobile or quad-bike activities.

I like this variety because the day does not rely only on a ski resort. If the snow activities are not your thing, you still get a food stop, a park visit, and a taste of one of Georgia’s best-known natural products.

Still, you should be honest with yourself about the timing. A 14-hour day is demanding. The route takes about 2 hours and 8 minutes to the Borjomi area, followed by about 30 minutes toward Bakuriani, then a roughly 3-hour return drive. Bring water, dress warmly, and expect a full day rather than a relaxed outing.

Surami and the taste of Nazuki

The first stop is in Surami, where you can try Nazuki. This is a sweet Georgian bread associated specifically with the town, and the tasting costs 3 GEL per person.

That small detail gives the journey some local character. It is easy for a mountain day trip to become only a series of viewpoints, but Nazuki gives you something edible and specific to remember. I would treat the stop as a quick introduction rather than a full food tour.

Because the schedule is tight, you should not expect a long cooking demonstration or an extended market visit. The value is in trying a local specialty on its home route. If you enjoy regional food, keep a little cash ready for this stop.

Borjomi Central Park in 40 minutes

The next major stop is Borjomi Central Park, where the guide leads a walking tour lasting about 40 minutes. You also get to taste Borjomi mineral water directly during the visit.

Borjomi water is one of Georgia’s most famous products, and tasting it in Borjomi gives the stop more meaning than simply buying a bottle in a shop. The flavor can be strong and mineral-heavy, so do not expect ordinary drinking water. That unusual taste is part of the point.

Forty minutes is enough for a brief walk and tasting, but not enough for a slow exploration of every corner of the park. You will need to stay with the group and keep an eye on the departure time. If you want a quiet, extended visit to Borjomi, this schedule will feel too short.

The stop works best as a compact cultural break before the mountain portion. You get out of the van, stretch your legs, and learn why Borjomi is so closely tied to Georgian identity and tourism.

Arriving in Bakuriani for snow and views

From Borjomi, the route continues to Bakuriani. The resort is the center of the day’s outdoor activities, and the amount of snow and weather conditions will shape your experience.

The planned activities include a gondola ride, skiing, and a snowmobile ride. You also have free time for options such as quad-bike rides. This flexibility is useful for mixed groups. One person can ski, another can ride the cable car, and someone else can simply enjoy the snowy setting.

The schedule identifies about one hour for the gondola ride and one hour for the snowmobile ride. Since the activities have separate charges, you should decide in advance which ones matter most to you. Trying to fit every option into the available time may make the afternoon feel rushed.

I would put the gondola first if views matter most. Skiing and snowmobiles are more active and weather-dependent. The cable car gives you a clear centerpiece even if you do not want to learn a winter sport.

The gondola ride and mountain viewpoint

The cable car ride costs 15 GEL per person. It takes you up toward a viewpoint, giving you a different perspective on Bakuriani and its snowy surroundings.

This is the easiest activity on the schedule. You do not need ski ability, and you can enjoy the mountain setting without committing to equipment or a lesson. For many people, it may be the best value among the paid options.

There is also a small cable car at Park 25, priced at 2 GEL each way. The supplied details do not make clear whether this is part of the same outing or a separate option, so ask the guide before paying. That small cable car may suit you if you want a short, inexpensive ride rather than the main gondola experience.

Wear warm shoes and clothing even for the cable car. The ride itself is easy, but walking around a snowy resort in thin footwear can quickly spoil the fun.

Skiing costs extra and needs planning

Skiing is available in Bakuriani, but it is not part of the $64 price. A skiing lesson and equipment cost 80 GEL per equipment, according to the supplied pricing.

That wording is not fully clear about whether the 80 GEL covers a complete package, a single item, or a lesson and equipment arrangement. Ask for the exact breakdown before you commit. Do not assume that the advertised tour price includes ski hire.

This option suits you if skiing is a main reason for booking the day. It is less attractive if you want a proper lesson with plenty of practice time, since the whole Bakuriani visit is limited and the return journey is fixed for 18:30.

For a first taste of skiing, the option can work. For a full ski day, an overnight stay in Bakuriani would be more practical. This Tbilisi trip is designed to sample the resort, not replace a dedicated ski holiday.

Snowmobile rides at 200 GEL per vehicle

The snowmobile ride costs 200 GEL per vehicle. That is a sizeable extra compared with the gondola, so check whether the price is for one person or a shared vehicle before booking.

A snowmobile adds motion and a bit of adventure to an otherwise scenic stop. If you are visiting with someone who does not ski, it offers another way to enjoy the snow. The scheduled ride is about one hour, making it a substantial part of the free time in Bakuriani.

I would budget this only if the activity is important to you. The cost can change the value calculation quickly, especially when you also add the park entry, Nazuki, and cable car fees. If you are mainly interested in views and a winter walk, the gondola is the gentler choice.

What the $64 price really covers

At $64 per person, the tour includes transportation and guiding service. Pickup in Tbilisi is included, and the guide speaks English. You receive the vehicle details one day before departure.

That price is reasonable for a long out-and-back journey with a guide, especially if you are staying in Tbilisi and do not want to organize transport to three separate places. The value comes mainly from convenience and route planning.

The extras are important:

• Nazuki: 3 GEL per person
• Borjomi Central Park: 5 GEL per person
• Main cable car: 15 GEL per person
• Small cable car at Park 25: 2 GEL each way
• Skiing lesson and equipment: 80 GEL per equipment
• Snowmobile: 200 GEL per vehicle

You can keep the additional spending modest by choosing only the park visit and gondola. If you add skiing or a snowmobile, the total cost rises sharply. I would carry Georgian lari for the small payments and confirm activity prices with the guide.

Comfort, clothing, and the long return

The vehicle is your base for much of the day, so comfortable clothes matter. You will have a long morning ride, a shorter transfer to Bakuriani, and about three hours on the way back to Tbilisi.

Wear warm layers, warm shoes, and comfortable walking shoes. Bring sunscreen and sunglasses even in cold weather, since snow can make bright conditions hard on your eyes. The tour includes walking in mountainous areas, so fashion footwear is a poor bargain here.

Smoking is not allowed in the vehicle, and pets are not allowed. These rules matter more than usual because of the long driving time and shared space.

The planned departure from Bakuriani is 18:30, with arrival in Tbilisi expected around 22:00. That makes this a poor choice if you have a fixed evening reservation. I would leave your night open and treat the return time as an estimate rather than a guarantee.

Guide service and the human side of the day

The tour includes an English-speaking guide, which is useful at Borjomi and during the transitions between stops. You are not simply being dropped at a resort and left to solve everything alone.

A verified January 2025 review praises Tamazi and the team for creating a memorable day with picturesque views and a full hike to the Alps. Another verified review from March 2025 specifically describes the guide as very kind and helpful. Those comments give the service a personal strength, particularly for people who want assistance with the day’s moving parts.

The tour information does not specify group size, vehicle type, or the exact amount of hiking. I would ask those questions if they matter to you. The phrase full hike to the Alps appears in the review, but the published schedule mainly describes a walking tour in Borjomi and free time in Bakuriani, so you should not book expecting a major mountaineering outing.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a broad taste of western Georgia from Tbilisi, especially if you have only one free day. It suits people who like mixing food, scenery, a short walk, and snow activities.

It is also a good match for a group with different interests. One person can choose skiing, another can take the gondola, and someone else can focus on the park and views. The guide and included transport remove much of the planning work.

I would hesitate if you dislike long road journeys, need a slow pace, or want several hours of serious skiing. The fixed return to Tbilisi also limits your time in Bakuriani. A night in the resort would be better for a dedicated ski trip, but this outing gives you a useful first look.

Should you book the Borjomi and Bakuriani trip?

Book it if you want one packed day with three distinct stops, and you are happy to pay separately for the activities you choose. The Nazuki tasting, Borjomi water, and gondola ride make the day worthwhile even without skiing.

Skip it if the 14-hour schedule sounds tiring or if your main goal is uninterrupted time on the slopes. Before booking, set aside extra money for the gondola, park entry, and food, then ask about the exact ski and snowmobile charges.

For a first winter outing from Tbilisi, I think the mix is appealing. Just remember: the $64 fare buys the road, the guide, and the framework. The snow-based fun is mostly pay as you go.

FAQ

How long does the trip last?

The experience lasts 14 hours. Pickup begins around 07:30, departure from Tbilisi is scheduled for 08:00, and arrival back in Tbilisi is expected around 22:00.

Is pickup in Tbilisi included?

Yes. Pickup in Tbilisi is included, and you receive the vehicle details one day before departure.

What language does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks English.

Is transportation included in the price?

Yes. Transportation and guiding service are included in the $64 per-person price.

Is the Nazuki tasting included?

No. Nazuki costs 3 GEL per person.

How much does entry to Borjomi Central Park cost?

The stated fee is 5 GEL per person.

Is the cable car included?

No. The main cable car costs 15 GEL per person. A small cable car at Park 25 costs 2 GEL each way.

Is skiing included?

No. A skiing lesson and equipment are listed at 80 GEL per equipment.

How much does the snowmobile ride cost?

The snowmobile ride costs 200 GEL per vehicle.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm shoes, warm clothing, comfortable clothes, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Dress for cold, snowy conditions and walking in mountainous areas.