Private Tour to Bakuriani Ski Resort and the Legendary Borjomi

Georgia’s mountains make a long day worthwhile. This private trip combines the old Kukushka narrow-gauge train, the snowy resort of Bakuriani, and Borjomi’s famous mineral-water park in one outing from Tbilisi. I especially like the scenic train ride from Borjomi to Bakuriani and the freedom of a private vehicle, which lets your group enjoy the resort at its own pace. The main thing to consider is the packed schedule, plus some uncertainty about whether a dedicated guide will actually join the driver.

I also like that you can choose your own style of day in Bakuriani. You can ski or snowboard, take part in other winter sports, or simply walk among the pines and enjoy the cold, sunny air. At $105 per person, the tour can offer good value for a private 12-hour trip, but you should confirm the guide arrangement and understand that lunch, train tickets, and Borjomi Park entry cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• The Kukushka train is the signature experience: You ride the narrow-gauge railway from Borjomi toward Bakuriani, with about three hours among mountain scenery and pine forests.
• Bakuriani gives you free time: The schedule allows about four hours at the ski resort for winter sports or a relaxed walk.
• This is a private outing: Only your group participates, with pickup offered and an air-conditioned transfer vehicle.
• The day begins early: The stated start time is 7:30 am, and the complete outing lasts about 12 hours.
• Several costs are separate: The Kukushka ticket is listed at $2, Borjomi Park entry at $2, and lunch is not included.
• Guide service needs checking: Guide service is included in the tour details, but one customer reported having a driver rather than a separate guide.

Why combine Borjomi and Bakuriani in one day?

Borjomi and Bakuriani make a natural pair. Borjomi is known for its mineral waters and Central Park, while Bakuriani is a mountain resort with ski slopes, winter activities, pine trees, and bright sun. Seeing both gives you two different sides of southern Georgia in one trip.

The route also has a nice change of pace. You begin with road travel from Tbilisi, continue by narrow-gauge railway, spend time in a high mountain resort, and finish with a gentle walk in Borjomi. That variety helps the long day feel less like a simple transfer to a ski center.

You should still set realistic expectations. This is not a relaxed weekend in the mountains. The day starts early and includes a long ride, a train journey, several hours in Bakuriani, and time in Borjomi before returning. If you want many hours on the slopes, a separate overnight stay in Bakuriani would make more sense.

For a first visit, though, the combination is appealing. You get a taste of the railway, the resort, and the spa town without arranging several separate excursions.

Leaving Tbilisi at 7:30 am

The stated start time is 7:30 am, with pickup offered. That early departure matters because the outing lasts around 12 hours. You will need to be ready for a full day rather than a short side trip.

The transfer vehicle is described as comfortable and air-conditioned. That is useful on a route with substantial road travel, especially when your group can stay together in a private vehicle instead of joining a large bus.

Private touring also gives you a little more control. Your group participates alone, so you do not have to match the pace of unrelated passengers during the road portions. The schedule still follows the planned stops, but the private format should make the day less rigid than a large group excursion.

The tour description includes guide service. However, one booking resulted in a good driver but no separate guide, despite guide service being expected. I would confirm this point before paying, particularly if you want detailed explanations at Borjomi, Bakuriani, or the Seraphim Sarov Temple.

Borjomi Central Park and the start of the railway journey

The first planned stop is Borjomi Central Park, reached after leaving Tbilisi in the morning. The schedule allows about two hours here before the train portion, and admission is not included in the tour price.

Borjomi is best known for its mineral water and its green park setting. The park offers a softer opening to the day than Bakuriani, with a chance to walk and get your bearings before the mountain railway. It is also where the story of Borjomi’s healing waters becomes part of the trip.

The park fee is listed separately at $2. That is a small extra, but it is worth knowing in advance because the advertised price does not cover every entry. Lunch is also not included, so plan your spending with those additions in mind.

The schedule places Central Park both at the beginning and near the end of the outing. In practical terms, that means Borjomi functions as the gateway to the train and as the final place for a more leisurely walk. Ask your driver or guide how the timing will work on your date, since the exact order may depend on the train schedule.

Riding the Kukushka narrow-gauge train

The train journey is the most distinctive part of the experience. From Borjomi, you take the Kukushka train toward Bakuriani on a narrow-gauge railway. The ride is scheduled for about three hours.

The journey gives you time to watch the scenery change from Borjomi’s park and mineral-water town to the higher mountain setting around Bakuriani. The route is described as full of mountain views, crisp air, and tall pines. It is not simply a means of getting from one stop to another. The railway is one of the reasons to choose this particular outing.

The train ticket is not included and is listed at $2. That is modest, but the train is central to the experience, so check that the planned departure aligns with your tour date. The schedule says the train awaits in Borjomi, but train operations can shape the timing of the entire day.

Three hours on a train can feel long if you expected a quick ride. I would treat it as a scenic railway experience rather than a fast transfer. Bring patience, dress for mountain conditions, and keep your schedule flexible.

The train also helps break up the road journey. Instead of spending the entire day in a vehicle, you get a different view of the region and a more memorable link between Borjomi and Bakuriani.

Four hours in Bakuriani’s pine forests

Bakuriani is the main activity stop, with about four hours scheduled at the resort. It is described as one of Georgia’s best-known ski centers, surrounded by mountains and old pine trees.

The setting is a strong part of the appeal. The pines help shield the resort from cold winds, while the high mountain air is crisp and clear. The description also highlights Bakuriani’s sunny conditions, with warm rays appearing on many days of the year. Expect cold-weather conditions, but not necessarily a dark or gloomy mountain day.

You can use the time in several ways:

• Ski or snowboard if you already have the needed equipment and arrangements.
• Try other winter sports available at the resort.
• Take a simple walk through Bakuriani.
• Enjoy the mountain air and views without turning the stop into a demanding sports session.

The tour does not state that equipment rental, lift passes, or instruction are included. That is important. The price covers the private tour service and transfer, not an all-inclusive ski day. If skiing is your main reason for booking, ask in advance about equipment, slope access, and any extra charges.

Four hours is enough for a first taste of the resort, but it may not satisfy a serious skier. Travel time takes up much of the day, and the train ride alone is scheduled for three hours. For casual snow play, a stroll, or a short session on the slopes, the timing is more workable.

I like this flexible design because not everyone in a private group needs to ski. One person can enjoy winter sports while another takes a walk. If your whole group wants intensive skiing, however, you should compare this tour with a dedicated Bakuriani transfer or an overnight stay.

The Seraphim Sarov Temple stop

The tour overview also includes a visit to the Seraphim Sarov Temple. This adds a religious and cultural stop to a day otherwise centered on scenery, railway travel, and outdoor recreation.

The available details do not give a separate time allowance or admission fee for the temple. Because of that, you should ask how it fits into the day and whether the visit is a brief stop or a longer guided visit.

This is also another reason to clarify the guide service. A driver can get you to the temple, but a dedicated guide would be more useful if you want context about the site and its religious importance. The private format gives your group a chance to ask questions, provided the person accompanying you is prepared to provide that information.

Returning to Borjomi for mineral water and a quiet walk

After Bakuriani, the plan returns to Borjomi Central Park for about one hour. This final stop is slower and calmer than the ski resort.

You can walk through one of the town’s most scenic public areas and spend time around the natural setting. Borjomi’s mineral water is the focus here, and the tour connects the park with the long-standing story of its healing properties.

The park admission is listed at $2 and is not included. Again, this is a small fee, but you should budget for it along with the Kukushka ticket and lunch.

The last hour works well as a gentle finish. After a long railway ride and time in the cold at Bakuriani, a park walk gives you space to slow down before the return drive to Tbilisi. Do not expect a long spa treatment or a full wellness program. The experience is a short visit to the park and the town associated with Georgia’s famous mineral waters.

What the $105 price really includes

At $105 per person, this is not the cheapest way to visit Bakuriani, especially once you add lunch and the two small admission charges. Still, the value depends heavily on group size.

For a private group, the price includes the convenience of an arranged day, an air-conditioned transfer vehicle, pickup, and a schedule connecting three major elements: Borjomi, the Kukushka railway, and Bakuriani. You are also paying for the private format, not just the transport distance.

Group discounts are offered, though the details are not provided. If you are traveling with several people, ask for the exact total rather than assuming the per-person figure will remain unchanged.

The price is easier to justify if you value convenience and want a broad introduction to the region. It is less attractive if you mainly want hours of skiing, because ski equipment, lift costs, and possibly other resort expenses are not listed as included.

Lunch is excluded, so carry money for food. The exact meal arrangement is not specified, and the long day makes this a practical point to settle before departure.

The guide question and what to confirm

The tour includes guide service in its details, but the actual experience may vary. One customer praised the driver and the free time at Bakuriani but noted that no separate guide appeared, even though one was expected.

That does not automatically make the tour poor. A reliable driver and plenty of time can still produce a worthwhile day, especially if your main goals are the train, scenery, and resort. But the difference matters if you expect historical background, help with the railway, or assistance arranging winter sports.

Before booking, ask these direct questions:

• Will a separate guide accompany the group?
• Is the guide present for the entire day or only at selected stops?
• Are ski equipment and resort activities separate?
• How will the train timing affect the Borjomi and Bakuriani schedule?
• Is pickup from your accommodation included, or should you meet at a set point?

The provider is Ushba Travel. The booking details say confirmation arrives at booking time, and most people can participate. The experience is private, so only your group takes part.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this outing to someone who wants a broad mountain day without arranging transport, railway tickets, and stops separately. It suits first-time visitors to the Borjomi and Bakuriani area, couples, families, and small groups with different ideas about how to spend time in the snow.

It is especially good for people who value scenery over a packed activity schedule. You can ride a memorable railway, breathe cold pine-scented air, see a famous resort, and walk through Borjomi without needing to plan each connection yourself.

I would be more cautious if you are a committed skier. Four hours at Bakuriani may feel short after the long journey, and the tour price does not include the costs that make skiing possible.

The same applies if you dislike early starts or long days. The 7:30 am departure and roughly 12-hour duration are clear signs that this is an ambitious day trip. The private vehicle makes it more comfortable, but it does not shorten the route.

Should you book the Bakuriani and Borjomi tour?

Book it if you want one organized day with three distinct experiences: the Kukushka train, Bakuriani’s mountain resort, and Borjomi Central Park. The private format, air-conditioned transport, and flexible time at the resort add real value, particularly for a small group.

Think twice if you want a full ski day, a guaranteed specialist guide, or a slow visit to Borjomi. Confirm the guide, train timing, and winter-sports costs before booking. With those points clear, this is a practical way to sample Georgia’s mountain country without managing the transport yourself.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at 7:30 am from Tbilisi. Pickup is offered.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 12 hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is the Kukushka train included in the price?

No. The Kukushka ticket is listed as an additional $2 cost.

Is Borjomi Central Park admission included?

No. Admission to Borjomi Park is listed separately at $2.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

What can I do in Bakuriani?

You can try winter sports such as skiing or snowboarding, or simply walk around the resort and enjoy the mountain air.

Is transportation provided?

Yes. The tour provides a comfortable, air-conditioned transfer vehicle.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded.