Bakuriani ski resort and the legendary Borjomi (Group Tour)

Snow, pines, and mineral water make a fine Georgian day out. This 11-hour group tour from Tbilisi combines Borjomi’s famous springs with Bakuriani’s ski slopes, giving you two very different mountain experiences in one day. I like the low $55 price and the chance to try skiing with help from guides such as Paata, who is repeatedly praised for his patience and good humor. The main drawback is the long day, with several hours on the road and extra costs for park entry, equipment, lessons, and food.

The group is capped at 15 people, and the air-conditioned vehicle keeps the basic transport simple. I also like that the trip works for more than serious skiers: you can ski, snowboard, ride a snowmobile, or simply walk among Bakuriani’s pine trees. Still, the schedule needs careful reading, since the listed Borjomi and Bakuriani timings are not perfectly clear, and the Kukushka train transfer may involve a separate cost.

Key points before you book

• A two-part mountain day: Borjomi gives you mineral springs and a town park, while Bakuriani supplies snow, skiing, pine forests, and mountain air.
• Good value at $55: Transport and guide support are included, but park entry, ski gear, lessons, cable car rides, and dinner cost extra.
• Paata is a major strength: He is praised for careful winter driving, beginner ski instruction, patience, and keeping a mixed group entertained.
• The day begins at 9:00 a.m.: Pickup starts at 3 Vakhtang Gorgasali Street in Tbilisi, with return to the same meeting point.
• Small by coach-tour standards: The maximum group size is 15, which should feel more personal than a large bus excursion.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can cancel the trip, with a new date or full refund offered.

Why pair Borjomi with Bakuriani?

This tour works because the two destinations offer different sides of Georgia’s mountain country. Borjomi is known for its mineral water and relaxed park setting. Bakuriani is a winter resort surrounded by tall pines, where the focus shifts to snow sports and outdoor activity.

You get a taste of both without arranging separate transport. That matters in Georgia, where a mountain day can involve winding roads, changing weather, and several connections. The tour puts the driving and basic planning in the hands of Ushba Travel, leaving you to enjoy the scenery and decide how active you want to be.

The tradeoff is time. At around 11 hours, this is not a slow village visit with long meals and unhurried wandering. It is a full excursion day. You should book it because you want variety and mountain scenery, not because you hope to spend an entire day on the slopes.

Starting from Tbilisi at 9:00 a.m.

The meeting point is 3 Vakhtang Gorgasali Street, Tbilisi 0105, with the tour returning there at the end of the day. The air-conditioned vehicle is included, along with driver-guide service. The small maximum group size of 15 helps keep the outing manageable, especially when people have different plans for skiing, walking, or sightseeing.

The road journey is part of the experience, though it also explains the long duration. You will be moving from Tbilisi toward Borjomi and then up to Bakuriani, so expect a day with substantial transport time. A careful winter driver matters here. Paata receives especially warm praise for driving cautiously during heavy snow and for looking after each member of the group.

That kind of practical care can make a real difference. If you are alone in Georgia, or if you are nervous about winter roads, having one person handle the route, explain the stops, and help with skiing is useful. The tour is offered in English, so you can expect basic explanations and communication in English during the day.

Borjomi Central Park and the mineral-water stop

Borjomi is the gentler half of the outing. The town is famous for its natural mineral springs, and the central park provides a simple place to walk, breathe mountain air, and try the local water. You are not being rushed through a long list of monuments. The appeal is the setting and the connection to Borjomi’s mineral-water tradition.

The park admission is not included. The stated price is 5 GEL, so carry Georgian currency or check with the operator about payment. This is a small extra, but it is exactly the sort of fee that can surprise you if you arrive with only the tour price in mind.

The schedule lists Borjomi Central Park twice, once for about two hours and again for about one hour. That appears to reflect different parts of the Borjomi visit and the transfer toward Bakuriani, rather than two entirely separate sightseeing sessions. I would confirm the exact order before departure, especially if the Kukushka train is important to you.

Borjomi is best enjoyed at an easy pace. You can walk through the park, sample the mineral water, and listen to the guide’s explanation of the town and surrounding region. It is a good counterweight to the more energetic hours at Bakuriani. If you are not skiing, Borjomi gives you something worthwhile to do while still making the long day feel varied.

The Kukushka train and the climb to Bakuriani

The itinerary describes a transfer from Borjomi to Bakuriani on the Kukushka narrow-gauge railway. This is one of the more distinctive parts of the plan. Instead of treating the route as a simple road transfer, the train provides a scenic passage through mountain country, with pines and clear air around you.

The listed description says you spend roughly three to four hours surrounded by mountains and forest. It also lists two hours for the Borjomi Central Park stop, so the exact timing is not fully consistent. Do not assume every minute is fixed until the guide confirms the day’s running order.

There is another practical point: the published inclusions name the air-conditioned vehicle and snowmobile transportation, but they do not clearly state that a Kukushka train ticket is included. The Borjomi park entry is specifically listed as extra, while the train is not given a separate price. I would ask Ushba Travel about the train fare before booking if this ride is central to your decision.

Even with that uncertainty, the railway adds character. A road-only transfer would get you there, but the narrow-gauge route makes the connection feel like part of the outing. You will want a warm layer and a charged phone for views, since the mountain scenery is one of the day’s main rewards.

Five hours in Bakuriani

Bakuriani is the main event for anyone coming for snow. The resort is described as a sunny mountain valley with old pine trees, clean air, and snow sports for different ability levels. You have about five hours there, which is enough time to try an activity without turning the visit into a rushed photo stop.

Skiing and snowboarding are the obvious choices. A cable car ride is listed at 10 GEL, ski rental at 10 GEL, and an instructor at 80 GEL. These prices are separate from the $55 tour cost. The figures make the excursion look affordable, but your total will rise if you need equipment, a lesson, or lift access.

The tour may suit a complete beginner, especially when Paata is guiding. Several accounts describe him patiently teaching first-time skiers, explaining technique, and staying with people until they made progress. One solo visitor said Paata helped them get skiing right on a second attempt. That is encouraging, but you should still treat the instructor fee as a possible extra rather than assuming a formal lesson is included.

The description also mentions snowboarding and snowmobile transportation. It uses the unusual word snowstorm for another winter activity, which may be a translation issue. Ask the operator what activity is meant before relying on it as part of your plan.

If you would rather not ski, Bakuriani still offers a pleasant mountain break. Walk among the pines, enjoy the snow, ride the cable car, or take in the resort atmosphere. The tour is not only for athletes. Its value is that you can choose your level of activity once you arrive.

What the guide adds to the day

A group tour can feel stiff when the guide only counts heads and points toward the next stop. This one appears to depend heavily on the personality of the driver-guide. Paata is the name most closely associated with the experience, and his role goes beyond driving.

He is described as a ski instructor, careful winter driver, storyteller, and social host. That combination matters because the group may contain a solo visitor, a family, experienced skiers, and people who have never touched skis. Paata’s reported patience and willingness to help beginners are among the strongest reasons to consider this particular outing.

Other guides are also named in the feedback, including Giorgi and Kareem. Giorgi is praised for making the day enjoyable, while Kareem is mentioned as helpful during skating lessons. The exact guide is not guaranteed, so book for the itinerary and service rather than assuming Paata will lead every departure.

The social side may surprise you. One solo participant expected a group with strangers to feel awkward, then found the guide helped people connect. That will not happen on every departure, of course, but a 15-person limit gives the guide a fair chance to keep the group together and friendly.

What the $55 price really covers

At $55 per person, this is an attractive way to reach Borjomi and Bakuriani from Tbilisi. The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle and reliable snowmobile transportation, plus the driver-guide service. For a full day with mountain transport, that is strong value.

It does not cover every activity. Plan for these possible additions:

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

The train ticket should also be clarified, since the route description includes the Kukushka railway but the inclusions do not clearly confirm its fare. If you are only walking in Bakuriani and visiting Borjomi, your extra spending may stay modest. If you ski with equipment, take the cable car, and hire an instructor, the total can become much higher than the advertised price.

Dinner is not provided, so carry money for an evening meal or ask when and where the group expects to stop. The long day means you should not rely on the base fare as the full cost of your outing.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a first look at Bakuriani, need transport from Tbilisi, and like the idea of combining snow with a mineral-water town. It is also a good choice for solo visitors who prefer some company and for beginners who want the possibility of informal ski help.

Families may appreciate the flexible activity choices, though the long hours and winter conditions can be tiring for young children. Skiers who want a full day of serious slope time may find the itinerary too compressed, since the tour also includes Borjomi and transport between the destinations.

It is less suitable if you dislike group schedules, want a quiet private trip, or expect every activity to be included. The tour has a maximum of 15 people, not a private vehicle, and the most praised part of the experience is the guide’s personal help, which can vary by departure.

Bring warm clothing, gloves, and shoes that work on snow. Keep some Georgian lari for the park, cable car, food, and other extras. If you are a beginner, ask about ski instruction and equipment before setting out, so you know what the day will cost.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

The tour normally attracts bookings around 10 days ahead, so reserving early is sensible during the snow season. Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can participate according to the supplied tour information.

Weather is important. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Because mountain conditions can shift, keep the day before and after the tour as flexible as possible if you can. That gives you room to move the excursion without damaging a tight Georgia itinerary.

Should you book the Borjomi and Bakuriani day trip?

Book it if you want a good-value mountain sampler rather than a dedicated ski holiday. For $55, you get transport from Tbilisi, Borjomi’s mineral-water setting, a route toward Bakuriani, and several hours to enjoy snow activities or simply walk among the pines.

The best reason to choose it is the guide support, especially if Paata is leading your departure and you are new to skiing. The main caution is to budget for extras and confirm the Kukushka train arrangements. With those points settled, this is a lively, practical day for seeing two of Georgia’s best-known mountain resorts without arranging the logistics yourself.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at 9:00 a.m. at 3 Vakhtang Gorgasali Street, Tbilisi 0105, Georgia. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 11 hours.

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. Driver-guide service is also part of the organized experience.

Are ski equipment and Borjomi Park entry included?

No. Borjomi Park entry is listed at 5 GEL, ski rental at 10 GEL, one cable car ride at 10 GEL, and a ski instructor at 80 GEL. Dinner is also not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. For a normal cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.