Private Tour to Bakuriani Ski Resort and the Legendary Borjomi

The most unusual part of this day is the Kukushka train, a narrow-gauge railway linking Borjomi and Bakuriani through mountain country. I like that the tour gives you both a snowy resort and the gentler pleasures of Borjomi, with time for skiing, a walk, or simply clean pine air. I also like the private format and air-conditioned transfer from Tbilisi.

The main thing to check is the guide service. It is listed as included, but one booking received a driver without a separate guide. The tour is still useful for the scenery and flexible pace, but confirm who will accompany you before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• The Kukushka train is the star detail: You travel on a narrow-gauge railway between Borjomi and Bakuriani rather than making the whole journey by road.
• Bakuriani allows about four hours: You can try skiing or snowboarding, or use the time for a walk through the resort and mountain air.
• Borjomi adds a second mood: Mineral water, pine country, and Central Park make a calmer finish after time in the snow.
• The tour is private: Only your group takes part, which gives you more control over stops and free time.
• Small extra fees apply: The Kukushka ticket is listed at $2, and Borjomi Park admission at $2. Lunch is not included.
• Guide arrangements need checking: Karim is named as a helpful manager, but the promised guide was not present on at least one departure.

From Tbilisi to Borjomi: a long but rewarding morning

This is a full-day outing, beginning at 7:30 am and lasting about 12 hours. That early start matters. Borjomi and Bakuriani are not quick add-ons from Tbilisi, so you should expect a full day on the road and rail rather than a short city excursion.

Your transfer is described as comfortable and air-conditioned. That is useful in a day with changing conditions, since you may move from Tbilisi’s city climate to a cold mountain resort and then back to a milder park setting. The drive also gives you the practical benefit of keeping your own group together instead of working around a large coach schedule.

The private setup is one of the tour’s better features. You are not sharing the vehicle with unrelated groups, and your party can spend its free time at the places that matter most to you. If one person wants to ski while another prefers a slow walk, that flexibility is more useful than a tightly managed group program.

Still, the day requires realistic expectations. The total time includes the journey from Tbilisi, the train ride, time in Bakuriani, and the return to Borjomi Central Park. You will see a good range of scenery, but you will not have unlimited time for every activity.

Borjomi Central Park and the beginning of the Kukushka journey

The first named stop is Borjomi Central Park, where the railway portion begins. Borjomi is known for its mineral waters, and the park provides a pleasant setting to get oriented before the more wintry part of the day.

The Kukushka train is the special reason to choose this route. It is a narrow-gauge railway that carries you from Borjomi to Bakuriani through mountain country. The journey is described as lasting about three hours, so this is not a quick scenic shuttle. The railway ride itself forms a major part of the experience.

I would treat the train as a sightseeing segment, not just transport. You have time to watch the mountains and pine-covered slopes change around you, while the slow pace gives the day a different rhythm from a standard road transfer. The clean, cold air and evergreen scent are central to the appeal.

The ticket is not included in the tour price and is listed at $2. That is a small extra cost, but it is still worth carrying cash or confirming the payment method before departure. Borjomi Central Park also has a listed admission fee of $2, so your basic extras are modest, though lunch is separate.

The supplied schedule uses Borjomi Central Park at both the start and end of the day. That can be read as the place where you board and later return to enjoy the park, but I would confirm the exact train timing with the operator. Rail schedules can shape the whole day, and the tour’s wording does not spell out every departure time.

Three hours on the mountain railway

The train ride is likely to suit you if you prefer scenery and local transport to a rushed list of photo stops. The railway connects two well-known Georgian resort towns, and its narrow gauge gives the journey a more old-fashioned feel than a normal road trip.

You should also know that a three-hour train ride is a substantial commitment. If you are bringing children or anyone who dislikes long periods of seated travel, ask how the timing works before booking. The attraction is the journey itself, but the slow pace will not appeal to everyone.

The mountain setting is described through crisp air, tall pines, and protection from cold winds. Those details explain why Bakuriani has long worked as a winter resort. Even if you do not ski, the train makes the transfer part of the day rather than dead time between two stops.

The guide question matters here. One booking had a good driver but no tour guide, despite guide service being listed as included. If you want explanations during the railway ride or help arranging activities in Bakuriani, contact Ushba Travel in advance and ask for a clear answer about the guide’s name and role.

Karim is identified as the manager who handles arrangements and responds to guests. You should not assume that Karim will personally accompany you. His involvement appears to be in organizing the service, while the actual driver or guide may be someone else.

Four hours in Bakuriani Ski Resort

Bakuriani is the active center of the day. The resort is surrounded by mountains and old pines, with a reputation for sunny winter conditions. The supplied description says the area has warm sun for about 210 days a year, though the actual feel will depend on the date and weather.

You have about four hours here, which is enough for a meaningful stop but not necessarily a full ski day. You can try skiing or snowboarding, or skip equipment and take a walk through the resort. The choice is important because the tour does not present itself as a specialist ski package with lessons, equipment rental, or lift passes included.

If you already ski, this time may give you a chance to enjoy the slopes without making winter sports the whole purpose of your Georgian holiday. If you are new to skiing, confirm local rental and instruction arrangements separately. No equipment, lesson, or lift ticket is listed as part of the $105 price.

For non-skiers, Bakuriani still has a clear reason to visit. The pine air, cold weather, mountain views, and sunny open setting provide a simple outdoor break. You can walk, take photographs, and enjoy the resort without turning the stop into a sporting challenge.

The wording contains an odd repetition around winter sports, including skiing and snowboarding. I would read the practical message simply: snow activities are available, but you decide how much energy and money to put into them. The tour gives you time in Bakuriani, not a guaranteed package of activities.

The four-hour stop is also where a private tour can prove its worth. You are free to spend the whole period together or split up for a while, depending on what your group wants. A driver who knows the plan can make this easier, but again, confirm whether a separate guide is present.

The Seraphim Sarov Temple is also named among the attractions in the overall description. It does not appear as a separate timed stop in the detailed schedule, so ask whether the temple is included in your route and how much time is allowed there. That small question can prevent disappointment, especially if the temple is one of your main reasons for booking.

Returning to Borjomi for mineral water and a park walk

After Bakuriani, the tour returns to Borjomi Central Park for about an hour. This gives the day a useful change of pace. You move from winter sports and cold mountain air to a town associated with healing mineral water and a leafy public park.

Borjomi’s mineral water is the cultural thread running through the final stop. The tour frames it as a place where the story of healing waters comes alive, but the experience is not presented as a spa treatment or medical visit. Think of it as a chance to learn about and sample the town’s famous water while walking in a scenic setting.

Central Park is a good closing stop because it asks less of you than Bakuriani. You can stroll, take a breath, and spend time with nature before the long return to Tbilisi. If you have spent the day skiing, this slower hour will be welcome.

Admission to the park is not included and is listed at $2. That fee is small, but you should add it to the rail ticket when calculating the day’s extra costs. Lunch is also excluded, and the supplied details do not name a restaurant or meal stop, so plan to ask about the lunch arrangement or carry money for food.

Is $105 fair for a private day out?

At $105 per person, the tour’s value depends heavily on group size and what you want from the day. You are paying for a private experience, a comfortable transfer, guide service as described, and a long route that combines Borjomi, the railway, and Bakuriani.

For a small group, the cost can make sense because the vehicle and schedule are private rather than shared. You also avoid arranging separate transport between Tbilisi, Borjomi, and the ski resort. The train and park fees are modest, but they are not part of the headline price.

The price is less attractive if you only want to ski. In that case, you still spend substantial time on the railway and in Borjomi, while equipment, lessons, lift access, and lunch are not included. This is best understood as a mixed sightseeing and mountain day, not a dedicated ski excursion.

Guide service is the biggest value question. One departure received a good driver and plenty of free time, but no separate guide. Since the advertised inclusions mention a guide, I would message Ushba Travel before booking and ask three direct questions: Is a guide guaranteed, who is the guide, and are all train and park fees paid separately?

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. Because this is a long day with an early start, make sure your plans are firm before the final cancellation window passes.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see more than Tbilisi and prefer a private day with several different settings. It works especially well for a group that includes both active people and casual sightseers, since skiing is optional and walking is an acceptable alternative.

It is also a good match if the Kukushka train interests you as much as the destination. The railway makes the route distinctive. Without it, Bakuriani and Borjomi could be approached as separate road excursions, but the train gives the day a stronger sense of place.

Families and small groups may appreciate the private vehicle and flexible free time. Still, the 7:30 am start, long total duration, and three-hour railway segment require stamina. The activity information says most people can participate, but it does not provide a detailed accessibility statement, so ask about mobility needs before booking.

I would be more cautious if you want a polished, guide-led cultural tour with constant commentary. The service may provide that, but the guide arrangement has not been consistent. Confirm it in writing rather than relying on the general inclusion.

Should you book the Bakuriani and Borjomi tour?

Book it if you want a full Georgian mountain day built around the Kukushka train, with time for Bakuriani’s snow and Borjomi’s mineral-water park. The private format, air-conditioned transfer, and free time are real advantages, and the small rail and park fees do not add much to the cost.

Before you commit, confirm the guide, train departure details, and what happens if you do not ski. If Ushba Travel can provide the guide service promised, this is a well-rounded choice for a first visit to both towns. If your only goal is maximum time on the slopes, look for a ski-focused outing instead.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

How long does the experience last?

The full tour lasts approximately 12 hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group takes part in the activity.

Is transport provided?

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

Does the tour include the Kukushka train ticket?

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

Is Borjomi Central Park admission included?

No. Park admission is listed as an additional $2 cost.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

How much time is spent in Bakuriani?

The schedule allows about four hours in Bakuriani.

Can I ski or snowboard during the tour?

Yes. Skiing and snowboarding are listed as possible activities, but equipment, lessons, and lift access are not listed as included.

Is a tour guide guaranteed?

Guide service is listed among the inclusions, but one departure had a driver without a separate guide. Confirm the guide arrangement with Ushba Travel before booking.