From Tbilisi: Borjomi and Bakuriani Ski Resort Private Tour

Snow, springs, and mountain air make a fine day out. This private trip from Tbilisi pairs the forested spa town of Borjomi with Bakuriani Ski Resort, giving you a useful mix of sightseeing and outdoor fun in one long day. I like the chance to taste Borjomi mineral water at its source, and I like having a private driver-guide who can adjust the pace instead of rushing a fixed group through every stop.

The tour also works well for mixed groups. Skiers can try Bakuriani’s slopes, while non-skiers can enjoy the views, cafés, sledding, or a cable car ride. The main drawback is the long 10-hour day, with extra costs for ski equipment, meals, entrance fees, and cable cars.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different mountain stops: Borjomi offers springs, trees, and a town park, while Bakuriani brings snow sports and alpine scenery.
• Private transport from Tbilisi: Hotel, Airbnb, and accommodation pickup and drop-off are included in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• Borjomi water comes straight from the source: The park visit is not just a photo stop. You can taste the famous mineral water where it rises from the ground.
• Bakuriani suits several activity levels: Skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, sledding, warm drinks, and sightseeing are all possible.
• The price covers convenience, not every activity: At $100 per person, the value is strongest for a private group that wants a full day without arranging transport.
• Plan for cold and uneven conditions: Bring warm clothing, comfortable shoes, water, snacks, and a camera.

Why this private day trip makes sense

Borjomi and Bakuriani sit in the same general mountain region, but they offer different moods. Borjomi is a relaxed spa town with mineral springs and a central park. Bakuriani is a high mountain resort built around snow and recreation.

I like this pairing because it avoids making the entire day about skiing. If the weather is poor, if one person in your group cannot ski, or if you simply want a slower outing, Borjomi gives the tour a second focus. You can spend time outdoors without needing ski boots or a lift ticket.

The private format matters here. You are not placed in a large group with one fixed schedule. You can ask for more time in Borjomi, spend longer at Bakuriani, or adjust the day around your group’s interests. The driver-guide speaks English, Russian, or Georgian, so you can choose the language that works best when booking.

The available rating is a perfect 5 from three bookings, including a verified June 2025 booking from Bahrain that praised the destination as worth every moment. That praise points to the heart of the outing: the places themselves are the main attraction, and the private format makes it easier to enjoy them at your own pace.

Leaving Tbilisi in a private vehicle

Your day begins with pickup at your hotel, Airbnb, or other accommodation in Tbilisi. The air-conditioned private vehicle is included, along with a professional driver-guide.

That is a useful advantage for this route. You do not need to arrange a separate transfer to Borjomi, find your own way to Bakuriani, or work out the return journey after a full day outdoors. You can carry winter clothing, snacks, and any rented equipment more easily than you could on a crowded shared outing.

The full tour lasts about 10 hours, so I would treat this as a serious day trip rather than a quick side excursion. Bring water and snacks for the journey. Meals are not included, and the information provided does not promise a dedicated lunch stop, so I would not leave Tbilisi assuming food will be arranged for you.

The trip is not suitable for people with back problems or wheelchair users. That is especially important at the mountain stops, where you may encounter walking, cold weather, and uneven outdoor surfaces.

Borjomi Central Park and the famous mineral spring

Borjomi is the gentler first stop. Its identity comes from mineral water, forested surroundings, and its long role as a spa destination. You visit Borjomi Central Park for roughly an hour, with time for a guided visit, photos, sightseeing, free time, and potentially a cable car ride.

The most distinctive part is tasting Borjomi water directly from its source. This gives the stop a sense of place that a bottle from a shop cannot provide. The flavor may surprise you because natural mineral water can taste noticeably different from ordinary drinking water. I would approach it as a local specialty, not simply as a thirst quencher.

Central Park also gives you a chance to stretch your legs after the drive from Tbilisi. You can walk, take photographs, and enjoy the wooded setting before continuing higher into the mountains. The park is likely to feel calmer than Bakuriani, so it works well for anyone who wants scenery without a sports-focused schedule.

A cable car ride may be available as part of the stop, but the cable car fee is not included. The same applies to the park entrance fee. Ask your guide about the current cost before committing, and carry some money for optional activities.

One hour is enough for a taste of Borjomi, but it is not enough for a long, unhurried visit. If mineral springs, park walks, or spa-town atmosphere are your main reason for booking, use the private format to ask how much flexibility is possible. The published plan gives Borjomi a short visit before moving on to Bakuriani.

The road to Bakuriani at 1,700 meters

The second part of the day takes you to Bakuriani Ski Resort, at an elevation of about 1,700 meters in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains. The change in setting is the point. You leave the spring town behind and arrive in a colder, higher area built for winter recreation.

The route offers scenic mountain views, but the exact conditions can change with the season and weather. In winter, you should expect cold air and snow-related conditions. Warm clothing is essential, even if you plan to spend most of your time inside a café.

Bakuriani receives around three hours in the planned schedule. That is enough time to sample the resort, take a cable car ride if operating, enjoy snow activities, or simply walk around and take photographs. It is not enough time for a full ski course plus a relaxed meal plus several other activities, so choose your priorities before arrival.

The private vehicle remains useful here. You can leave spare layers or personal items in the car, and your guide can help you make the most of the short visit. Since the tour is private, a group with experienced skiers can focus on the slopes, while a group with children or non-skiers can choose easier activities.

Skiing, snowboarding, and softer options at Bakuriani

Bakuriani offers skiing and snowboarding for different skill levels, including beginners. Professional instructors and rental equipment are available at the resort, but neither is included in the tour price.

That distinction matters when you calculate the real cost. The $100 per-person price pays for the private transport, driver-guide, pickup, drop-off, and stops in both destinations. If you need skis, a snowboard, clothing, instruction, a lift, or a cable car, your final spending will be higher.

Beginners should allow time for equipment rental and instruction. With only about three hours at Bakuriani, a first-time skier may spend a meaningful part of the visit getting organized. That does not make the stop poor value, but it means you should not expect a full day on the slopes.

Snow tubing and sledding offer simpler ways to enjoy the resort. These options can suit children, non-skiers, or anyone who wants snow fun without committing to lessons. You can also skip active sports altogether and enjoy the mountain air, views, and a warm drink at a café.

I like this flexibility because the tour does not force every person into the same activity. A private group can split its time according to interest, although the short Bakuriani stop means you should coordinate with your guide.

Cable cars and extra costs to plan for

Cable car rides are included in the planned activities at both Borjomi and Bakuriani, but the fees are not included in the $100 price. Treat them as optional add-ons rather than part of the base fare.

Entrance fees are also separate. Borjomi Central Park has an entrance fee that you must pay yourself. Meals and drinks are not included, and ski equipment rental is also separate.

Here is the practical cost picture:

• The base price includes a private air-conditioned vehicle.
• A professional driver-guide is included.
• Pickup and drop-off in Tbilisi are included.
• Borjomi Central Park and Bakuriani stops are included.
• Park entrance, cable cars, food, drinks, and ski equipment cost extra.
• Ski instructors are available at Bakuriani but are not listed as included.

At $100 per person, the tour is easier to justify for a couple, family, or small group that values privacy and door-to-door transport. A solo visitor may find the price less attractive than a shared day trip, but the private schedule and direct pickup still provide real convenience.

The best value comes when several people share the private vehicle and at least one person wants to ski or snowboard. If you only want a short park walk and a quick look at snowy mountains, the price may feel high once extras are added.

What to bring for a long mountain day

Comfortable shoes are important at both stops. You will want footwear suited to walking in a town park and handling cold or snowy conditions at the resort.

Pack warm clothing in layers. Even if Tbilisi feels mild when you leave, Bakuriani sits high in the mountains and can be much colder. Bring water and snacks because the tour does not include meals or drinks.

A camera is worth carrying. Borjomi’s park, the mineral spring, the forested setting, and Bakuriani’s mountain views all give you good reasons to stop for photographs.

Smoking is not allowed in the vehicle. Also remember that the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with back problems.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this outing to a private group that wants two different Georgian mountain experiences in one day. It suits families, couples, friends, and first-time visitors who prefer a planned route with room to make choices along the way.

It is particularly useful for groups with mixed interests. One person can ski, another can try sledding, and someone else can sit with a warm drink and enjoy the scenery. The guide can help keep the day moving without making everyone follow the same activity plan.

Ski experts may find three hours too short for a serious session. Beginners may also need to manage their expectations because rentals and instruction take time. People seeking a slow spa day in Borjomi may find the schedule too brief there.

The tour works best when you see it as a highlights trip: a taste of Borjomi, a mountain stop in Bakuriani, and a convenient return to Tbilisi on the same day.

Should you book the Borjomi and Bakuriani trip?

Book it if you want private transport, flexible pacing, and two contrasting mountain stops without arranging the route yourself. The mineral spring in Borjomi gives the day a local character, while Bakuriani provides snow sports and fresh mountain air.

I would skip it if you need wheelchair access, have back problems, or want a full ski day. Also check the extra costs before booking, especially for cable cars, park entry, equipment, lessons, food, and drinks.

For a small group that values convenience, the $100 price offers a sensible way to reach both destinations in one 10-hour outing. Just dress warmly, bring snacks, and decide in advance how much of your Bakuriani time you want to spend skiing.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 10 hours, including pickup in Tbilisi, visits to Borjomi and Bakuriani, and return to Tbilisi.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup and drop-off are available from your hotel, Airbnb, or other accommodation in Tbilisi.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is arranged for a private group and includes a private vehicle with a professional driver-guide.

What languages can the guide speak?

The available guide languages are English, Russian, and Georgian.

Is ski equipment included?

No. Ski equipment rental is not included, but rental equipment and professional ski instructors are available at Bakuriani Ski Resort.

Are cable car rides included in the price?

No. Cable car fees are separate and must be paid by you.

Are meals and drinks included?

No. Meals and drinks are not included. You are advised to bring water and snacks for the journey.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with back problems.