Borjomi, Vardzia and Samtskhe-Javakheti
Samtskhe-Javakheti, in the south of Georgia, is the region of Borjomi and Vardzia. Borjomi is the mineral-water spa town in a forested gorge, and Bakuriani, in the pines above it, is a gentle ski resort in winter and a place for forest walks in summer. Further south are the restored Rabati fortress quarter in Akhaltsikhe and Vardzia, Queen Tamar's twelfth-century cave city with hundreds of rooms cut into a cliff. Abastumani, a forest health resort under Georgia's national observatory, is known for its dark night skies.
The region works all year: Borjomi, Rabati and Vardzia in any season, and Bakuriani for skiing from about December.
A Borjomi and Vardzia tour from Tbilisi, with Rabati on the way, makes one long day, and Bakuriani is a day trip of its own. You can also spend a night in Borjomi or Akhaltsikhe, or stop here on a transfer between Tbilisi and Kutaisi. A stop is free; you pay only for any extra distance. Before you book, you see your driver, the car and one fixed price for the whole car.
Day trips from 260 ₾ per carTransfers from 100 ₾ per car
Places to go
1–2 daysBorjomi
Mineral-water spa town in a forest gorge — the classic fresh-air escape.
2 h 35 min from TbilisiViewfrom245 ₾
2–4 daysBakuriani
The family ski resort in a pine forest, gentler and lower than Gudauri.
3 h 10 min from TbilisiViewfrom255 ₾
1–2 daysVardzia
A twelfth-century cave city with hundreds of rooms carved into a cliff.
4 h 45 min from TbilisiViewfrom275 ₾
1 dayAkhaltsikhe (Rabati)
The restored Rabati fortress quarter — mosque, castle and museum on one hilltop.
3 h 40 min from TbilisiViewfrom265 ₾
2–3 daysAbastumani
A forest health resort under Georgia's national observatory and its dark skies.
4 h 50 min from TbilisiView
Tours that go there
Bakuriani day trip
A mountain resort at about 1,700 metres above Borjomi, with gentle family slopes in winter and quiet forest walks in summer.
From Tbilisi369 km · 6 h 10 min drivingViewfrom260 ₾
Borjomi, Rabati and the Vardzia cave city
The spa town of Borjomi, the Rabati fortress in Akhaltsikhe, and Queen Tamar's twelfth-century cave monastery at Vardzia.
From Tbilisi506 km · 9 h 10 min drivingViewfrom285 ₾
Transfers there
From the airports
- Tbilisi International Airport → Bakurianifrom 260 ₾
- Tbilisi International Airport → Borjomifrom 250 ₾
- Kutaisi International Airport → Bakurianifrom 225 ₾
- Kutaisi International Airport → Borjomifrom 215 ₾
From Tbilisi
- Tbilisi → Akhaltsikhe (Rabati)from 265 ₾
- Tbilisi → Borjomifrom 245 ₾
- Tbilisi → Bakurianifrom 255 ₾
- Tbilisi → Vardziafrom 275 ₾
From Kutaisi
- Kutaisi → Borjomifrom 190 ₾
- Kutaisi → Bakurianifrom 215 ₾
From other places
- Bakuriani → Borjomifrom 100 ₾
- Borjomi → Bakurianifrom 100 ₾
Show all 18 transfers
From the airports
From Batumi
- Batumi → Borjomifrom 260 ₾
From other places
- Akhaltsikhe (Rabati) → Vardziafrom 245 ₾
- Vardzia → Akhaltsikhe (Rabati)from 245 ₾
- Borjomi → Vardziafrom 245 ₾
- Vardzia → Borjomifrom 245 ₾
Questions
- Can I see Borjomi and Vardzia in one day from Tbilisi?
- Yes. The Borjomi, Rabati and Vardzia tour does all three in one long day and brings you back to Tbilisi. An early start makes the day easier.
- Is Vardzia worth visiting in winter?
- Yes. Borjomi, Rabati and Vardzia can be visited all year, and in winter the drive is slower. In heavy snow a road can close at short notice; if yours does, we move the trip or refund it.
- Can I come here from Kutaisi or Kutaisi airport?
- Yes. There are transfers from Kutaisi and Kutaisi airport to Borjomi and Bakuriani. Give your flight number when you book: your driver checks the landing time, and a late flight is never a no-show.
- Is Bakuriani good for beginners?
- Yes. Its slopes are gentler and lower than Gudauri's, which is why families and beginners choose it.
- Can we take two days with the same driver?
- Yes. Plan a multi-day trip: tell us the days and where you want to go, and we price the whole journey with one driver.