Borjomi Tour from Tbilisi: Bakuriani Resort Visit with Soviet Train Experience
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Borjomi
Experience the beauty of Borjomi and Bakuriani on a private full-day tour from Tbilisi. Ride the Soviet train, visit the mineral water park, and explore the Mtsvane Monastery.
Duration:
12 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
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Borjomi Railway Station - Railway “Kukushka” (Russian “little cuckoo”) is a 37.2-kilometre narrow-gauge railway line linking the town of Borjomi (820 m asl) to the village and ski resort of Bakuriani (1,700 m asl). The construction of this 900 mm line began in 1897, when Georgia was still part of the Russian Empire. The difficult terrain caused construction to take four years, and the first train ran in January 1902. Gustave Eiffel was commissioned by the Romanovs to design the bridge over the Tsemistskhali River between the stations of Tsaghveri and Tsemi. Originally, trains were pulled by a steam engine of the “Porter” type, imported from America, and passengers travelled in open carriages protected by handrails. The line was electrified in 1966, when the small steam engine was replaced by an electric “crocodile” locomotive made by the \
\koda works in Czechoslovakia. Travel time is 2.5 hours (average speed 15 km/h).
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- On-board WiFi
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
- Lunch
Additional Information
An exclusive, day-long excursion to Borjomi and Bakuriani will take you to the top-notch year-round resort of Bakuriani, nestled among woodlands and situated 1,700 meters above sea level, as well as the famed spa resort of Borjomi, renowned for its mineral water park established in the 1850s. The trip will utilize the ‘Kukushka’ or ‘little cuckoo’ train, a feature of the Soviet era, to move between Borjomi and Bakuriani via a scenic, narrow-gauge railway running through dense forests. The itinerary includes a visit to Borjomi Central Park for relaxation, sightseeing, and sampling of mineral water. Also on the agenda is a trip to the greenery-shrouded Mtsvane Monastery, a historical site dating back to the 10th century. Access to both the train and the park is included in the private tour to Borjomi and Bakuriani. The complete journey covers a driving distance of 370 km (230 miles).
Location
Borjomi Railway Station
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
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Travelwithstephen
Mar 2, 2020
If you want authentic snow experience, VISIT BAKURIANI. - Located at 1,700 m in the Borjomi region of Georgia, Bakuriani is nestled in the shadows of the breathtaking Caucasus Mountains, only a three-hour drive from Tbilisi. Home to dozens of alpine slopes and cross-country trails, it offers some of the most spectacular skiing and snowboarding in Europe.
Originally developed as an Olympic training facility, unsurprisingly, Bakuriani is Georgia’s most popular winter sports and recreation destination. Enjoy the downhill ski runs, cross-country trails, horseback tours, sledding or simply take long walks through beautiful snowy forests.
There are several main trails in Bakuriani, one of which is Kokhta (2,255 m high) is a 4 km ski run with difficult and medium difficulty slopes. This is the oldest ski area in Bakuriani.
Didveli (1861 m) has one on the most amazing trails. From here you can catch a gondola to the slopes of Mt. Sakvelo, and ski a range of blue and red routes. The longest piste is around 4 km long. Advanced skiers can continue further up the mountain by catching a chairlift at the top of the gondola to almost the very top of Mt. Sakvelo itself. Here, you can enjoy stretching your ski-legs on very steep and difficult red and black runs.
Totally renovated resort Mitarbi (1500m) was able to accept its first visitors after 30 years on December 25, 2016. Winter sport lovers are offered to try 3 new ski lifts, 9 km ski pistes suitable for intermediate, expert and advance skiers/snowboarders, joining ski piste for Kokhta and Mitarbi, modern infrastructure and new unforgettable experiences.
Bakuriani’s cross-country trails attract experts as well as beginners. Two of the most challenging runs begin on Mt. Kokhta and Mt. Didveli. If skating is your winter pastime, Bakuriani offers plenty of opportunities, among them at Bakuriani Park and the rink at the Hotel Edem. The hills and valleys around Bakuriani are ideal for snowmobiling, but if you prefer to get around the old-fashioned way, horse- drawn sleighs are the traditional mode of winter transportation in Bakuriani, so for a romantic treat, take a romantic sleigh-ride around the picturesque village.
Guide services, including renting single and double-seat snowmobiles, are available through many hotels and shops.
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