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Voykit pocket guide · Georgia
Bakhmaro
Spend 1–2 days in Bakhmaro for mountain air, hiking and the August horse race; reach by summer bus (1 h from Chokhatauri) or private car (1.5 h).
Bakhmaro is a high‑altitude resort (1,800‑2,100 m) in southwestern Georgia. The village offers cool summer climate, forest trails, horseback rides and a traditional horse race on 19 August. Facilities are basic – wooden cabins and a few cafés – so a short stay (1–2 days) is enough to enjoy nature and the event. Access is seasonal; roads are open May‑Nov, with regular minibuses in July‑Sept.
- Country
- Georgia
- Best months
- July–September (peak bus service, warm days)
- Avoid
- December–April (roads closed by snow)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- GEL
- Money
- Currency is the Georgian lari (₾, GEL). Change money at banks or exchange offices, not in the airport hall.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₾30–50 excl. bed · Mid ₾50–80 excl. bed · High ₾80+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Magti, Silknet (Geocell) and Cellfie sell SIMs with a passport; cheap data.
- Emergency
- Police / ambulance / fire 112
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 220 V · 50 Hz · European plugs fit.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: Check the bill for a service charge; otherwise 10%.; Drivers and guides: GEL 10–30 a day.
- Water
- Tap water is widely drunk in Tbilisi and mountain towns (check locally); bottled is cheap.
- Toilets
- Free in cafés for customers; small fees at stations.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | 2–3 ₾ (check) |
| Snack (cheese, bread) | 3–5 ₾ (check) |
| Meal at Art Cafe | 20–30 ₾ (check) |
| Horse ride (1 h) | 15–20 ₾ (check) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- KUT · Kutaisi International Airport
- check
Typical fares
- Tbilisi → Chokhatauri (minibus, summer)
- ≈30 ₾, 2 h (check)
- Chokhatauri → Bakhmaro (car or taxi)
- ≈15 ₾, 1.5 h (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
All sights are within walking distance; horses can be hired for easier hill travel. No public transport inside the village.
See and do
Known for
- cool mountain climate
- hiking and forest walks
- annual horse race (19 Aug)
- horseback rentals
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Spring of Beauty | Walk from Vakijvari trailhead (check) | check |
| Lonely Stone | Walk from Vakijvari road (check) | check |
| Waterfall | Trail from village center (check) | check |
Sleep
- PIONEERS cabin
- Simple wooden cabin, 30–40 ₾ per night (check)
- Old Bakhmaro
- Traditional wooden house, price check
- Panorama Bakhmaro
- Cabin with mountain views, price check
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | უკაცრავადukatsravad |
| Thank you | მადლობაmadloba |
| How much is it? | რამდენია?ramdenia? |
| Where is the bus stop? | სად არის ავტობუსის გაჩერება?sad aris avtobusis gachebereba? |
| I need cash | მჭირდება ნაღდიmchirdeba nagdi |
| Can I pay by card? | შემიძლია ბარათით გადაიხადო?shemidzlia baratit gairaikhdo? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; cheek kiss among friends; avoid: Refusing hospitality outright
- Church: Cover up; do not turn your back to the altar; avoid: Shorts, bare shoulders, loud talk
- Supra: Follow the tamada; drink on toasts; avoid: Toasting with beer; leaving early without thanks
- History: Listen; avoid: Calling Georgia part of Russia or the region 'post-Soviet' casually
Scams and watch-outs
- Roads closed by snow from December to April; check road status before planning entry.
- No ATMs or banks – bring enough cash (GEL).
- Limited food shops; only basic groceries and homemade milk products.
Bakhmaro is generally safe; main risks are mountain road conditions in spring melt and limited medical facilities – carry cash and basic first‑aid.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Bakhmaro yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- cool mountain climate
- hiking and forest walks
- annual horse race (19 Aug)
- horseback rentals
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Bakhmaro, revision 5339106 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5339106
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Bakhmaro
გთხოვთ, მიყვანეთ მისამართზე
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / ambulance / fire112
US consulate in Tbilisi; other embassies in Tbilisi.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/bakhmaro). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.