 City view of Bakuriani | ||
| Bakuriani, ბაკურიანი | ||
| Region (Mchare) | Samtskhe Javakheti | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 2400 | |
other value for residents on Wikidata: 1879   | ||
| height | 1,700 m | |
| Tourist info | 995 367 240036, 995 367 240037 http://www.bakuriani.ge/ | |
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
| ||
Bakuriani(ბაკურიანი) is a small town in the Raion Borjomi in the Georgian Mchare Samtskhe Javakheti. The mountain resort applies alongside Gudauri as the most important ski area in the country, although Nordic skiing and tobogganing can also be practiced here in winter. In summer Bakuriani is very popular with hikers.
background
Bakuriani is located at 1700 m on the northern slope of the Trialeti mountain range in the Lesser Caucasus in the Bakuriani Depression. This depression is the crater (caldera) of the long extinct Mucheri volcano. The surrounding coniferous forests are dominated by the Caucasian spruce. The climate is humid (annual rainfall 734 mm), summers are long and warm (August average 15 ° C), winters are cold (January average -7 ° C). From November up to 64 cm of snow falls throughout the winter.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Bakuriani was expanded as a climatic health resort and the first hotels were built. The tourist boom began after 1901 with the opening of the "Kukuschka" narrow-gauge railway between Bakuriani and the health resort, 30 km away Borjomi, where you have a connection to the main railway. During the Soviet era, further large sanatoriums and rest homes were built, which were privatized and modernized after Georgia's independence in 1991. In the last 20 years Bakuriani has also been a popular resort for the new upper class of the country, numerous luxurious villas now characterize the cityscape.
During the high season in winter, the place accommodates around 2,000 holidaymakers. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which was built in 2010 and transports oil from Azerbaijan to Europe, runs close to the city.
getting there
By plane
Next airports with regular service: Tbilisi (210 km) and Kutaisi (180 km); further airports can be found in Kars and Gyumri.
By train
The aforementioned "Kukuschka" narrow-gauge railway connects Bakuriani - the station is on the western outskirts - with the one 30 km away Borjomi. There are two pairs of trains per day, the journey takes about 2 1/2 hours and costs 5 Lari. The long journey time is compensated for by the scenic drive through the Gudsaretis Zkali Gorge.
Trains from Tbilisi go to Borjomi Parki, the "Kukuschka" departs from the second station (Borjomi-2; written as “Bordjomi-Freight”). This is a stop in front the terminus of the Tbilisi-Borjomi railway line.
"Kukuschka" timetable:
Train pair 6467/6468: From Borjomi (2) 07:15 - to Bakuriani 09:40; from Bakuriani 10:00 - on Borjomi (2) 12:23; drives daily
Train pair 6469/6470: From Borjomi (2) 10:55 - to Bakuriani 13:21; from Bakuriani 14:15 - at Borjomi (2) 16:23; drives daily
There are connections to the Tbilisi-Borjomi-Tbilisi trains:
Train pair 618/617: From Tbilisi (Zentrali) 06:45 - to Borjomi (Parki) 10:45; from Borjomi (Parki) 16:40 - to Tbilisi (Central) 21:25; runs daily
By bus
You are significantly faster than by train if you have a marshrutka between Borjomi and Bakuriani takes (about 1 hour, 5 lari). In Borjomi, the minibuses leave the two station forecourts, they wait there when trains arrive. In Bakuriani there is a small bus station in the city center.
There are also direct buses between Tbilisi (Didube) and Bakuriani, albeit irregularly and mainly during the tourist season.
A taxi between Borjomi and Bakuriani costs 40-60 Lari.
In the street
Bakuriani is on the regional road შ 20 (Borjomi-Bakuriani-Akhalkalaki).
The approximately 30 km between Borjomi and Bakuriani are in good condition, albeit with steep inclines and tight bends. The further stretch over the Zrazkaro Pass (2454 m, closed in winter November to April) is unpaved and an off-road vehicle is recommended. This also applies to the onward journey across Lake Tabazkuri to Akhalkalaki.
From Lake Tabazkuri, a small local road (off-road vehicle necessary!) Leads over the Burnascheti Pass (2500 m, closed in winter from November to May) to Berta and Zalka.
By bike and on foot
In principle, the road connections listed above can also be used with a bicycle (stable mountain bike), as there is little car traffic.
There are signposted hiking trails between Bakuriani and Borjomi (approx. One day).
mobility
Most of Bakuriani can be done on foot. Taxis can be arranged by the accommodation if, for example, you want to go to the lifts with ski equipment. The Didveli ski area is a few kilometers outside the city, a taxi costs around 10 Lari. You can then arrange a pick-up date with the taxi driver.
Tourist Attractions
- Botanical Garden. The 17 hectare Bakuriani Botanical Garden was founded in 1910 and has been managed by the Georgian Academy of Sciences since 1937. It is home to around 1,200 alpine plants from various Caucasus regions, around 300 plants from Asia and 66 different Caucasian trees and exotic plants.
- Kukuschka narrow-gauge railway. Rail enthusiasts will enjoy the Kukuschka narrow-gauge railway very much. The history of the railway line on the Georgian Railway website: [1].
activities
In addition to skiing in winter, snowmobile, horse-drawn carriage rides, tobogganing and horse riding are also offered. In summer the area is ideal for long hikes.
To ski
- Local mountain Kochta Gora (2255 m), difficulty medium to easy, tow and chair lifts.
- Ski Area Didveli a little outside the city, medium difficulty, detachable six-person gondola lift.
- Ski Area Parki, Difficulty medium to difficult.
- Idiot hangings "50 meter hill" with a hodgepodge of small tow and chair lifts from the Soviet era
In addition to ski and snowboard rentals, there are numerous in the village and in the ski areas.
There is a ski jump in Bakuriani, and the area is ideal for cross-country skiing, but there are currently no groomed trails.
shop
kitchen
nightlife
accommodation
health
Practical advice
- Tourist Information, Aghmaschenebeli Str. 1. Tel.: 995 367 240036, 995 367 240037, Email: [email protected]. Open: Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
trips
- Borjomi
- Other health resorts nearby: Likani, Achaldaba, Taschiskari, Zagweri and Zemi.
- Tabazkuri Lake
literature
Web links
- http://www.bakuriani.ge/ - Homepage of the city of Bakuriani (Georgian, English)
