Travel Guide Bordjomi-Kharagaouli

Bordjomo Kharhagaouli is the first national park in Georgia and one of the largest in Europe, with an area of 76,000 ha. It was founded in 1995 under the aegis of WWF and financed by the German Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The park extends over the entire eastern part of the Meskhetia chain, between Bordjomi, Abastoumani in Meskhetia and Kharagaouli in Imérétie. It contains all the variety of landscapes and climates of this triangle: alpine on the Bordjomi Gorge side, humid and subtropical on the Iberian side to the drier influences of inland Meskhetia. Among the fauna inhabiting the park are more than 200 wolves and 40 bears. Before visiting the park, you must obtain a permit from the Visitor Center, the staff will provide you with excellent information. The park is open all year round, but can get snowy between March and April. Bordjomi National Park is the area in Georgia that has the maximum infrastructure for hiking. It offers eight different routes, to be done on foot or on horseback. Guided thematic excursions are available.A night in a refuge costs 10 GEL. For a guide, allow between 20 and 25 GEL per day. The park also rents very cheap equipment (sleeping bag for 5 GELs, tent for 3 GELs...). You can also go on horseback excursions for 25 GEL per day. Unfortunately for snow and snowshoe lovers, the centre does not rent any.