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Borjomi-Kharagauli, Georgia

Georgia

Borjomi-Kharagauli

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Georgia › Where Healing Waters Meet Wilderness

Borjomi-Kharagauli

In the Lesser Caucasus, where volcanic springs rise from eight kilometers deep and ancient forests shelter lynx and brown bear, lies one of Europe's largest national parks. Borjomi-Kharagauli spans 85,000 hectares of virgin Colchic forests, wildflower meadows, and peaks reaching 2,642 meters. This is also the birthplace of Borjomi mineral water, drawing royalty since the Romanovs built their summer palace here in the 1890s. Twelve marked trails wind through pristine wilderness, while the spa town offers thermal pools and mineral water straight from the source.
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Where Healing Waters Meet Wilderness

Stories from Borjomi-Kharagauli

The Pearl of the Caucasus: Borjomi's Imperial History

Borjomi’s story begins with discovery by Russian soldiers in 1829, when Colonel Pavel Popov found mineral springs while stationed in the gorge during campaigns against the Ottoman Empire. The water’s healing properties spread through the empire, and by the 1860s Borjomi had become the favored summer retreat of Russian aristocracy. Viceroy Mikhail Vorontsov developed the first parks and promenades, earning Borjomi its nickname ‘the Russian Vichy’ and ‘the Pearl of the Caucasus.’

Grand Duke Mikhail Romanov elevated Borjomi to imperial status when appointed Viceroy of the Caucasus in 1862. He established hunting reserves that would later become the national park, and in 1894 built the first industrial bottling plant. His son Nicholas commissioned the stunning Moorish-style Likani Palace (1892-1895), designed by architect Leon Benois. The palace required Georgia’s first hydroelectric plant just to light its gardens. Legendary visitors included Chekhov, Tchaikovsky, and later Stalin, who made Likani his personal retreat. Today Borjomi water remains Georgia’s top export, produced from nine wells and traveling 25 kilometers through stainless steel pipelines to modern bottling facilities.

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Best Time to Visit Borjomi-Kharagauli

Peak Summer
July – August
55–79°F Moderate (103–115mm)
Peak
The optimal window for Borjomi-Kharagauli. All 12 marked hiking trails are fully open, mountain shelters are staffed, and the weather is warmest and most stable. July and August bring long sunny days ideal for multi-day treks including the celebrated 3-day Nikoloz Romanov Trail to Lomismta and the challenging 4-day St. Andrew Trail across the park's highest peaks. Wildlife is most active at dawn—join ranger-led excursions to spot brown bear, red deer, and golden eagles. Borjomi town buzzes with visitors enjoying thermal pools and mineral springs.
Spring Bloom
May – June
50–72°F High (May) to Moderate (Jun)
Great
The park awakens with spectacular displays of Caucasian rhododendron, wild orchids, and over 100 butterfly species in subalpine meadows. May is the wettest month with dramatic afternoon thunderstorms, but mornings are typically clear and hiking conditions are excellent on lower-elevation trails. By June, all major routes are open, temperatures are comfortable, and the forests are at their most lush. Spring is also prime time for birdwatching, with migratory species joining the park's resident raptors and Caucasian black grouse.
Golden Autumn
September – October
41–70°F Low to Moderate
Great
Crisp air and spectacular foliage make autumn a photographer's paradise. The park's mixed forests of oriental spruce, Nordmann fir, beech, and maple turn brilliant shades of gold, amber, and crimson—particularly stunning along the Footprint Trail through ancient yew groves. September offers stable weather with comfortable hiking temperatures and fewer visitors than summer. October brings the most vivid colors but cooler nights, and higher trails may see early snowfall by month's end.
Winter & Early Spring
November – April
20–46°F Low (Snow at altitude)
Seasonal
While most hiking trails close from November through April due to snow at higher elevations, Borjomi-Kharagauli offers a unique winter experience. From December through February, two dedicated snowshoe trails lead through snow-draped evergreen forests with panoramic views of the Lesser and Greater Caucasus. Snowshoes can be rented at the visitor center, and overnight stays in heated mountain shelters are available. Borjomi town itself remains accessible year-round, with thermal sulfur pools, the mineral water park, and the historic Kukushka train to Bakuriani ski resort providing excellent cold-weather activities.
Annual Overview
Jan
34°
Feb
37°
Mar
46°
Apr
57°
May
64°
Jun
72°
Jul
77°
Aug
79°
Sep
70°
Oct
59°
Nov
46°
Dec
37°
Peak
Great
Good
Shoulder
Off-Season
Travel Logistics

Getting to Borjomi-Kharagauli

Marshrutka from Tbilisi Didube

2-2.5 hours 12 GEL one-way
Marshrutka minivans depart hourly from Tbilisi's Didube Metro Station (8 AM-7 PM) to Borjomi Bus Station. Vans follow the main highway through Gori and Khashuri before turning south into the Borjomi Gorge.
Insider Tip
Arrive 30 minutes early to secure a seat. Vans drop passengers along Borjomi's main road—exit near the Tourist Information Center for the town center, or continue to the bus station. Return vans follow the same hourly schedule.

Train from Tbilisi Central

4-4.5 hours 2 GEL one-way
Two daily trains depart Tbilisi Central Station (6:40 AM and 4:15 PM) for the scenic but slow journey through Georgian countryside. Disembark at Borjomi-Park station, closest to the town center and national park visitor center.
Insider Tip
The train offers Soviet-era charm and beautiful views but limited schedules. Return trains depart Borjomi-Park at 5:50 AM and 4:30 PM. Purchase tickets on board from the conductor.
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Travel with EcoVoyager

Borjomi lies 165 km west of Tbilisi—an easy 2.5-hour drive through scenic Georgian countryside. EcoVoyager arranges private transfers, coordinates multi-day trek logistics including mountain shelter bookings, and connects Borjomi adventures with nearby highlights like the historic Kukushka narrow-gauge railway to Bakuriani.

Multi-day guided treks with mountain shelter accommodations
Expert naturalist guides for wildlife observation
Combined itineraries with Vardzia, Rabati Fortress, and Akhaltsikhe
Seasonal snowshoe expeditions through winter wilderness
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