From Tbilisi: Borjomi & Bakuriani Ski Resort Day Trip

Bakuriani gives this long day trip its main pull: snow, mountain views, and a choice of active fun just a few hours from Tbilisi. You can ride a gondola, try skiing, or take a snowmobile across the winter terrain, while Borjomi adds a slower stop with its famous mineral water.

I like the mix of Georgian food and scenery, especially the Surami Nazuki tasting and the walk through Borjomi Central Park. I also like that you are not locked into one snow activity once you reach Bakuriani. The tradeoff is the schedule: 14 hours is a full day, with a late return to Tbilisi around 22:00 and several activity fees paid separately.

Key points to know before booking

• Surami Nazuki tasting: Try a sweet bread made specifically in Surami, with the tasting priced at 3 GEL.
• Borjomi mineral water: Walk through Central Park and taste the spring water directly, with park entry costing 5 GEL.
• Bakuriani gondola ride: Reach a mountain viewpoint by cable car for a listed fee of 15 GEL.
• Snow activities are flexible: You can choose skiing, a snowmobile, a quad bike ride, or another activity during free time.
• Very long day from Tbilisi: Pickup begins at 07:30, departure is around 08:00, and arrival back is expected near 22:00.
• Extra costs matter: Transportation and guiding are included, but food, park entry, lifts, ski gear, and snowmobiles are not.

From Tbilisi to Surami, the first taste of the day

The morning starts early, with pickup from Tbilisi at about 07:30. By 08:00, the van heads west toward the Samtskhe-Javakheti region. The drive is listed at roughly two hours and eight minutes, so you should settle in for a proper road trip rather than a quick transfer.

That travel time is part of the bargain. You get from the capital to a very different part of Georgia in one day, but you will spend a good share of the day seated in the vehicle. Bring water, wear comfortable clothes, and think of this as a road-based mountain outing rather than a relaxed resort stay.

The first stop is Surami, a town known here for Nazuki, a sweet bread made locally. The tasting costs 3 GEL per person. It is a small stop, but it gives the trip a distinctly Georgian start. Instead of rushing straight to the snow, you get a taste of a regional food with a clear connection to the place where it is made.

Do not expect a full meal from the Nazuki tasting. It is better understood as a snack and a chance to try something you may not see presented in the same way elsewhere. If you tend to get hungry on long drives, eat breakfast before pickup or bring something small for the van.

Borjomi Central Park and the famous mineral water

After Surami, the trip continues to Borjomi. The guided walk in Borjomi Central Park lasts about 40 minutes, followed by a direct tasting of Borjomi mineral water. Park entry is listed at 5 GEL per person.

Borjomi is one of Georgia’s best-known spa towns, and the water is the star here. Tasting it at the source gives the stop more character than simply buying a bottle in Tbilisi. The flavor is mineral-heavy and distinctive, so you may love it, find it unusual, or decide that one taste is enough. Either way, it is a genuine local experience.

The park walk also breaks up the long drive before the snowy part of the day. You can stretch your legs, see the town’s wooded setting, and listen to the guide explain the area. The supplied timing allows about 40 minutes, so this is an introduction rather than a long Borjomi visit.

That limited time is worth noting. If your main aim is to explore Borjomi at leisure, this outing will feel brief. If you want to combine Borjomi with Bakuriani without arranging separate transport, the short walk works well as a compact stop.

Arriving in Bakuriani for a choice of snow activities

From Borjomi, the van continues for about 30 minutes to Bakuriani. This is where the day changes pace. You have free time to enjoy the snow and choose from activities such as a gondola ride, skiing, quad biking, or a snowmobile ride.

The freedom is useful because not everyone in a group wants the same thing. One person can ski, another can ride the gondola, and someone else can simply enjoy the snowy setting. The tour does not make the whole group follow one fixed activity, which makes it more practical for families or mixed-interest groups.

Still, the details of your free time depend on the day and the activities you pay for. The listed plan includes a one-hour gondola ride and a one-hour snowmobile ride, but the fees for both are separate. The description also presents skiing and quad bike rides as available choices, so confirm the exact activity arrangement when you book or before departure.

Bakuriani is a ski resort, so winter conditions are central to the experience. Bring warm clothing, warm shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and comfortable footwear. Snow can reflect strong sunlight even when the air feels cold. The walking involved is not described as a major trek, but you will be moving around in a mountain resort, often on cold or uneven ground.

The gondola ride and mountain viewpoint

The cable car ride is one of the clearest highlights for anyone who wants views without committing to ski equipment. The listed cable car fee is 15 GEL per person, and the planned ride lasts about one hour.

A gondola gives you a simple way to see Bakuriani from above. You can take in the snowy slopes and surrounding mountain views while avoiding the effort of skiing. For many people, this will be the most accessible activity on the day.

There is also a small cable car at 25 Park, listed at 2 GEL each way. This appears to be a separate option from the main gondola, so budget for it only if you want to use that ride. The low price makes it easy to add, but the tour information does not specify how much time you will have there.

If views are your main reason for booking, ask the guide about the order of activities once you arrive. The tour gives a broad schedule, but the precise flow may depend on conditions and local arrangements. Tamazi is one guide named in connection with the outing, and an English-speaking guide is provided.

Skiing, lessons, and the cost of getting on the snow

Bakuriani gives you the chance to ski, but skiing is not included in the $64 tour price. A skiing lesson and equipment are listed at 80 GEL per equipment. The wording is not fully clear about whether that amount covers a complete package or a particular item, so confirm what is included before paying.

This matters for first-time skiers. You may need instruction as well as equipment, and the listed rate suggests that the ski experience can add a noticeable amount to the base price. You should not book this trip assuming the advertised price covers a full day on the slopes.

For experienced skiers, the tour offers convenience rather than a full ski holiday. You reach Bakuriani with transport arranged, but your time is shared with the other stops and the return drive. You will not have the same amount of slope time as you would on a dedicated multi-day ski trip.

For beginners, the experience can still be worthwhile if you mainly want to try snow activities for the first time. Just keep your expectations sensible. This is a sampler day, not a carefully paced ski lesson with hours of practice.

The snowmobile ride and other active choices

A snowmobile ride is listed at 200 GEL per vehicle for about one hour. That is a substantial extra charge compared with the tour price, so check how the vehicle is used and how many people can ride before committing. The information provided does not state the passenger capacity or whether the price changes by rider.

The appeal is clear: a snowmobile lets you experience the snowy terrain without needing ski skills. It is a good choice if you want something active and memorable but do not plan to learn to ski in a single day.

Quad bike rides are also mentioned among the possible activities. No price is provided for them, so ask about the current charge before choosing one. The same applies to any activity not listed with a firm fee. The tour gives you choices, but your final cost can rise quickly once you add several paid options.

The free time is one of the strongest parts of the outing, but it also requires a little planning. Decide in advance if your priority is the gondola, skiing, snowmobiling, or simply enjoying the snow. Trying to do everything may leave you rushing, especially since the group leaves Bakuriani at 18:30.

What the $64 price really includes

At $64 per person, the tour’s value comes mainly from transport and organization. You get pickup in Tbilisi, a van ride to three destinations, and an English-speaking guide. For a visitor without a car, that removes the work of arranging transport to Borjomi and Bakuriani separately.

The base price does not include the main add-ons. The listed charges are:

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

If you add every listed charge, the total comes to 305 GEL beyond the tour price, though you would not necessarily choose every activity. The snowmobile is the biggest extra, while the park, bread, and main cable car are modest additions.

I think the tour offers fair value if you want a broad introduction to the region and plan to choose only one or two paid activities. It is less attractive if you want a low-cost day in the snow, since skiing and snowmobiling can quickly change the final budget.

The long ride back to Tbilisi

The group leaves Bakuriani at about 18:30 and expects to reach Tbilisi near 22:00. That gives you a full day, but it also means the return drive comes after walking and winter activities.

Plan for a tiring evening. You may be cold, hungry, or ready to sleep by the time the van reaches the capital. Comfortable shoes and warm clothing are not minor suggestions here. They make the difference between enjoying the last hours and simply enduring them.

Smoking is not allowed in the vehicle, and pets are not allowed. Pickup details for the vehicle are sent one day before departure, so keep an eye out for that message and be ready at the stated pickup point.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if the weather forecast is uncertain, but they do not remove the need to check conditions before leaving. Snow activities depend heavily on suitable weather.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this outing if you want to see several sides of Georgia in one day: a local food stop, a famous mineral-water town, and a ski resort. It suits first-time visitors who want a simple way to reach Borjomi and Bakuriani without renting a car.

It is also a good match for groups with mixed interests. You can choose different activities in Bakuriani instead of everyone having to ski. The guide can help you navigate the stops, and the English-language service makes the day easier for international visitors.

I would hesitate if you dislike long drives or want a slow, unhurried visit. The 14-hour schedule covers a lot, but each stop is limited. Serious skiers should also consider staying longer in Bakuriani, since this day trip leaves only a set block of time for snow activities.

The two available ratings are both five out of five. One especially positive note praises the guide for being kind and helpful, while another singles out Tamazi and the team, along with the memorable views and the full hike to the Alps. Treat that hike reference as a possible feature of the day rather than a guaranteed part of every departure, since the standard details focus on the gondola, snowmobile, skiing, and free time.

Should you book this Borjomi and Bakuriani trip?

Book it if you want a packed mountain day with transport, a guide, Borjomi water, Surami bread, and flexible snow activities. The strongest reason to go is the variety: you get more than a resort visit, but you still have time to enjoy Bakuriani on your own terms.

Skip it if you need a relaxed schedule, want skiing to be included, or dislike paying separately for nearly every activity. Bring warm layers, plan your add-on budget, and accept the late return. With those points in mind, this is a practical and lively introduction to Georgia’s winter side.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins with pickup in Tbilisi at about 07:30, followed by departure around 08:00.

How long does the tour last?

The full experience lasts about 14 hours, with an expected return to Tbilisi around 22:00.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation by van is included in the tour price.

Is a guide included?

Yes. An English-speaking live guide is included.

What happens in Surami?

You stop in Surami to taste Nazuki, a sweet bread made specifically there. The listed cost is 3 GEL per person.

What happens in Borjomi?

You take a guided walk in Borjomi Central Park for about 40 minutes and taste Borjomi mineral water. Park entry is listed at 5 GEL per person.

Is the cable car included?

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

Are skiing and snowmobile rides included?

No. Skiing lessons and equipment are listed at 80 GEL per equipment, while a snowmobile ride is listed at 200 GEL per vehicle.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.