# Tsikhisjvari > gtour.ge — G Tour, Gateway to Georgia. Cite as: GTour desk, gtour.ge. - Canonical: https://gtour.ge/georgia/tsikhisjvari/ - Author: Mariam Lomidze (GTour desk, Tbilisi) - Published: 2026-09-15 - Updated: 2026-10-17 - Language: en - Russian edition: https://gtour.ge/ru/georgia/tsikhisjvari/ By [Mariam Lomidze](https://gtour.ge/author/mariam-lomidze/), GTour desk · Fact-checked against the sources listed · Last checked 17 October 2026 · [Editorial policy](https://gtour.ge/standards/editorial-policy/) ### Overview Tsikhisjvari is a small highland village in the Borjomi municipality of Samtskhe-Javakheti, a mountainous region in southern Georgia. Set on a forested shoulder of the Trialeti Range between the spa town of Borjomi and the ski resort of Bakuriani, it sits at an elevation that gives it cool summers and a reputation, going back to the late Russian imperial period, as a quiet climatic retreat rather than a conventional sightseeing stop. It is reached along the same road corridor that serves Borjomi and Bakuriani, and travellers usually encounter it as a pause between those two better-known destinations. The village matters less for monuments than for setting: pine and fir forest, open highland pasture, and views toward the Mtkvari (Kura) river valley below. For visitors building an itinerary across the [Samtskhe-Javakheti region](/georgia/), Tsikhisjvari is a useful waypoint for a scenic drive, a short walk in the forest, or an overnight stay close to Bakuriani’s ski slopes without the crowding of the resort centre itself. ### History Samtskhe-Javakheti has been settled and fought over since antiquity, lying on routes connecting the South Caucasus to Anatolia; its political history runs through the medieval Georgian kingdom, the Samtskhe-Saatabago principality, and Ottoman control from the sixteenth century until the region was returned to Russian-ruled Georgia after the Russo-Turkish War of 1828–1829. The wider Borjomi–Bakuriani area, in which Tsikhisjvari sits, developed as a highland health and recreation zone in the second half of the nineteenth century, when the mineral waters of Borjomi and the coniferous forests above it attracted attention from the Russian imperial administration and the Romanov family, who built residences and promoted the area as a resort. Villages such as Tsikhisjvari, on the forested approach to Bakuriani, grew in this period as satellite settlements offering clean air away from the main spa town, a pattern typical of the climatic resorts established across the Russian Empire’s southern provinces. In the Soviet period the broader Borjomi-Bakuriani corridor was developed further for sanatorium tourism and winter sport, and forest reserves on the surrounding slopes were later incorporated into the protection regime that now includes [Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park](https://mepa.gov.ge/En/), managed by the Agency of Protected Areas. Today Tsikhisjvari remains a residential village rather than a planned resort, with its forest and highland setting the main draw for visitors passing through. ### What to see #### Tsikhisjvari pine and fir forest The slopes around the village are covered in mixed coniferous forest typical of the Trialeti Range, with walking tracks suitable for a short stop. The air is noticeably cooler and drier than in the Mtkvari valley below, which is part of why the area was historically promoted for rest and recuperation. #### Views toward the Borjomi gorge From open points along the village road, the land falls away toward the Borjomi gorge and the Mtkvari valley, with the forested ridges of the national park visible to the west. These viewpoints are informal rather than developed, best enjoyed by car or on foot rather than as a signed attraction. #### Bakuriani ski resort A short drive from Tsikhisjvari, Bakuriani is Georgia’s principal mid-mountain ski resort, with lift-served slopes, a ski-jumping complex and a developed hotel base. Visitors staying in or near Tsikhisjvari typically use it as a quieter base for day trips into Bakuriani during the winter season. #### Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park One of the largest protected areas in the Caucasus, the park borders the Tsikhisjvari-Bakuriani area and is managed by the Agency of Protected Areas, with marked hiking routes, ranger-staffed entry points and information centres in Borjomi and Likani. It offers a practical extension for visitors who want forest hiking beyond the immediate village. ### Getting there From Tbilisi, Tsikhisjvari is reached by driving west on the main highway toward Khashuri and then south through the Borjomi gorge toward Bakuriani, a trip of about 3 hours 15 minutes by car. Marshrutka (shared minibus) services run from Tbilisi to Borjomi and on to Bakuriani, from where a short local taxi or private transfer covers the final stretch to Tsikhisjvari; there is no direct train to the village, though the narrow-gauge line operated by [Georgian Railway](https://railway.ge/) connects Borjomi and Bakuriani for a scenic alternative on part of the route. From Kutaisi, the drive is roughly 3 hours 20 minutes, typically via Khashuri and the same Borjomi-Bakuriani road. From Batumi the journey is longer, around 5 hours 35 minutes, following the coastal and inland highway network through Samtskhe-Javakheti. Road conditions in winter can affect timings on the mountain stretches; travellers should check the [road status page](/road-status/) before departure, and GTour’s [private tours](/tours/) can combine Tsikhisjvari with Borjomi and Bakuriani in a single day or overnight itinerary. ### When to go Winter, from December through March, suits visitors heading to nearby Bakuriani for skiing, with Tsikhisjvari offering quieter lodging close to the slopes. Late spring through early autumn, from May to September, is best for forest walking and cooler highland air, avoiding the summer heat of lowland Georgia. Fourth-quarter autumn colour in the surrounding forest is notable but access can be affected by early snow at altitude, so travellers planning late-season visits should confirm conditions in advance. ### Where to stay and eat Accommodation directly in Tsikhisjvari is limited, so most visitors base themselves in or near Bakuriani, a short drive away. Verified options in GTour’s register include [Melisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia-places/place-melisi/), [Genesis Bakuriani](https://gtour.ge/georgia-places/place-genesis-bakuriani/), [Loft Hotel Bakuriani](https://gtour.ge/georgia-places/place-loft-hotel-bakuriani/), [Hydeout](https://gtour.ge/georgia-places/place-hydeout/), [Villa Amiran’s Park](https://gtour.ge/georgia-places/place-villa-amirans-park/), [Villa Jiji](https://gtour.ge/georgia-places/place-villa-jiji/), and [Orbi Palace Bakuriani](https://gtour.ge/georgia-places/place-orbi-palace-bakuriani/). For planning transfers, equipment hire or guided days in the area, [skiclub GE](https://gtour.ge/georgia-places/place-skiclub-ge/) is listed as a local travel agency. GTour’s verified register lists more hotels, restaurants and services for the Borjomi-Bakuriani area below. ### Practical notes Mobile network coverage is generally reliable along the Borjomi-Bakuriani road but can weaken in forested stretches around Tsikhisjvari itself. Winter driving requires caution and, in some years, snow chains or appropriate tyres on the mountain sections; check the [road status page](/road-status/) ahead of a winter trip. There are few shops or fuel stations in the village, so travellers should arrange supplies and fuel in Borjomi or Bakuriani beforehand. GTour’s [regional guides](/guides/) and [best-of lists](/best-of/) cover nearby Borjomi and Bakuriani in more detail for those extending a visit. ### Questions travellers ask #### Is Tsikhisjvari the same as Bakuriani? No. Tsikhisjvari is a separate village on the forested approach to Bakuriani, within the same highland corridor but without the ski lifts and resort infrastructure found in Bakuriani itself. #### Can Tsikhisjvari be visited as a day trip from Tbilisi? Yes, though at roughly 3 hours 15 minutes each way by car, it makes for a long day; most visitors combine it with Borjomi and Bakuriani rather than visiting it alone. #### Is there public transport directly to Tsikhisjvari? Marshrutka services run from Tbilisi to Borjomi and Bakuriani, but the final stretch to Tsikhisjvari usually requires a taxi or private transfer, as there is no dedicated scheduled minibus line to the village. #### What is there to do in Tsikhisjvari itself? The main activities are forest walking, enjoying the highland air and scenery, and using the village as a quiet base for excursions to Bakuriani and Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. #### Is Tsikhisjvari suitable for winter sports? Tsikhisjvari has no ski infrastructure of its own; visitors interested in skiing or snowboarding use it as nearby lodging while skiing at Bakuriani, a short drive away. #### Is the area safe for independent hiking? Marked trails within Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, managed by the Agency of Protected Areas, are the safest option; informal forest paths around Tsikhisjvari are less developed and best attempted with local knowledge or a guide. #### What language is spoken locally? Georgian is the main language; in tourist-facing accommodation around Bakuriani, English and Russian are commonly understood. #### Does GTour arrange private tours to Tsikhisjvari? Yes, GTour arranges private transfers and guided itineraries that combine Tsikhisjvari with Borjomi, Bakuriani and Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park; see the [tours page](/tours/) for options. ### Sources - [Agency of Protected Areas: Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park](https://mepa.gov.ge/En/) - [Georgian Railway](https://railway.ge/) - [Georgian National Tourism Administration — Samtskhe Javakheti region](https://georgia.travel/regions/samtskhe-javakheti) - [UNESCO World Heritage — Historical Monuments of Mtskheta](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/708/) - [Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia — national parks](https://mepa.gov.ge/En/) Plan your Georgia Want Tsikhisjvari on a private itinerary with a driver who knows the road? A GTour travel expert designs the route and calls you back. [Start planning](/contact/)   [WhatsApp us](https://wa.me/995577416314)