A holiday in Borjomi is a mountain resort in Georgia with a mild climate, pine air and free mineral water from springs in the central park. The best time to travel from Almaty is from May to October: in summer the mountains are cooler than in Tbilisi. The flight takes about four hours, then a train to the resort. Plan from three to seven days.
How to prepare for a trip to Borjomi from Kazakhstan
A trip to this resort begins long before departure: it lies in the mountains, and preparation here is more important than on the plains. Let's break down what to take with you and how to manage your money.
Gear for the mountain climate
A warm sweater and jacket are needed in Borjomi even in July: evenings in the gorge are cool, and the weather changes within an hour. Comfortable shoes with non-slip soles will come in handy on the park paths and mountain trails. Take a water bottle — the springs in the park are free, and there are no cups nearby. A first aid kit with your usual medicines won't hurt: local pharmacies are small, and familiar medications may not be available. Sunscreen and sunglasses are also on the list: the mountain sun is stronger than on the plains. A compact backpack will help on walks, and a spare battery — on long routes. A suitcase packed in advance makes a trip here calmer, because buying little things on site is troublesome.
Money, cards and currency exchange
Cash lari or dollars in Borjomi are more reliable than a bank card: cards from Kazakh banks are accepted to a limited extent, and in small guesthouses there may be no terminal at all. It is more profitable to exchange in Tbilisi — in Borjomi the rate is less favorable, and there are few ATMs. Take an amount for food, excursions and souvenirs, cover large expenses in advance. Keep part of the money in small notes for cafes and the market. Such a reserve makes the trip calmer: you don't depend on branch hours and weekends. Tours to Borjomi usually include accommodation and transfer, but personal expenses remain on you.
How to get to the resort
The journey to Borjomi takes almost a whole day, but passes through beautiful places. There is little choice here: a plane to the capital, and then a train or car.
Flight Almaty — Tbilisi and choosing a flight
A direct flight Almaty — Tbilisi takes about four hours. Several airlines operate flights, and the schedule should be checked before buying: it changes by season. A morning departure is more convenient — you manage to reach the resort before dark. An evening flight means an overnight stay in the capital and a trip the next morning. Connecting options are cheaper, but add several hours to the journey. Take luggage with cool evenings in the mountains in mind. After landing, the most convenient way to get to the railway station is by taxi. Borjomi, Georgia welcomes guests all year round; in winter there are fewer flights than in summer.
Train from Tbilisi: a route through the gorges
The train from Tbilisi to Borjomi goes through picturesque gorges. The journey takes several hours, and this is the most convenient way to get to the resort without transfers. The carriages are comfortable, there are power sockets and space for luggage. It is better to buy tickets in advance, especially in summer: there are many people who want to go, and there are few trains. From the window you can see the river and mountain slopes, so the trip itself becomes part of the holiday. From the station to the hotels and the park you can walk or take a taxi. An alternative to the train is a minibus or a pre-booked transfer, but they depend on road conditions. Arriving at the place by evening, you have time to settle in and take a walk before sleep.
Where to stay on holiday
The resort is small, and accommodation here is concentrated along the central street and near the park. The choice depends on what is more important to you: service, price or a home-like atmosphere.
Hotels, sanatoriums and guesthouses
In Borjomi there are hotels of different levels, sanatoriums and guesthouses. Sanatoriums offer treatment programs based on local mineral water and full board. Hotels are convenient for those who value service and quiet, while guesthouses are cheaper and often serve home-style Georgian cuisine. Guesthouse owners usually suggest where to go and where to collect water. Rooms in the center cost more, but you can walk to the park in ten minutes. Accommodation on the outskirts is quieter, however, without a car it is inconvenient to get around. A simple table will help compare options by key parameters.
Staying in a guesthouse here often leaves more impressions than a standard room.
Booking accommodation in high season
High season in Borjomi is July and August. In these months there are almost no free places left, so it is worth booking accommodation several months in advance. In summer people come here from Tbilisi, where it is hot, while in the mountains it is cooler. Prices in high season are higher, and the choice is limited even in guesthouses. In winter the resort is sparsely populated, part of the infrastructure operates in a reduced mode, but accommodation is cheaper. The shoulder season offers a compromise: the weather is mild, there are few tourists. When booking, check whether there is heating and hot water, especially if you are going not in summer. Georgian winter in the mountains is cold, and this question is not idle. By planning tours to Borjomi in advance, you get a choice, not what is left.
Where to go at the resort?
The main wealth of the resort is the park and the water from the springs. People come here to walk, breathe the mountain air and take a break from city noise.
Walks in the park and free mineral water
Borjomi Central Park stretches along the river and goes up the gorge. Water from the springs is collected for free, and locals come with canisters. Its taste differs from bottled because the water comes straight from the depths. The paths are equipped, there are benches and cafes, so you can walk all day. The cable car takes you up to the observation deck, from where the whole resort is visible. The walk takes a couple of hours if you go slowly and drink water at every spring. In the evening the park is illuminated, and it becomes quiet and calm. Such leisure suits both elderly people and families with strollers. Take a bottle for water with you, cups at the springs are not always available.
Walking routes and the national park
Borjomi National Park offers routes of varying difficulty. The climb to Goji Fortress takes several hours and requires strength, but the view from above is worth it. There are short trails through the forest and long routes with overnight stays in tents. For a trip to the mountains you need comfortable shoes and warm clothing even in summer: the weather changes quickly. Take water, a snack and a charged phone, the connection in Borjomi works reliably. It is more convenient to buy a SIM card of a Georgian operator in Tbilisi, there are no shops in the mountains. A guide is not required on simple trails, but on long routes it is useful. Georgian nature here is harsh and beautiful at the same time. Return before dark: spending the night in the forest is a separate story.
Which holiday to choose: calm, therapeutic or active?
The resort is suitable for leisurely holidays, health improvement and unhurried walks. There is no beach or night tourism here, and this should be accepted in advance.
Sanatorium programs and health improvement
Borjomi sanatoriums build programs around the local mineral water. The course usually includes a drinking regimen, baths and doctor's consultations. The duration of programs varies, from one to three weeks, and is selected according to health condition. Diseases of the stomach, liver and metabolism have been treated here for decades. Meals in sanatoriums are dietary, the daily routine is scheduled by the hour. The cost depends on the room category and the set of procedures, check the exact figures when booking. Such a holiday requires time: there will be no effect in a couple of days. Before the trip, it is worth seeing your doctor and taking extracts. The Georgian school of balneology is known far beyond the country.
Family holidays and trips with children
With children in Borjomi it is convenient: the city is small, cars hardly interfere, the park is nearby. Kids like walks along the river and the cable car. Teenagers are more interested in walking routes and the climb to the fortress. Cafes offer simple dishes that even picky children eat. It is better to choose accommodation near the park so as not to waste energy on the road. In summer in the mountains it is cooler than in Tbilisi, and this is a big plus for families. In winter you can also walk, but you need warm clothing and shoes. Such a family holiday turns out calm, without fuss and long transfers. It is convenient to compare trip formats in the table.
Tours to Borjomi are assembled for any of these formats, and the details depend on the operator.
Briefly
- The resort lies in the mountains, so warm clothing is needed even in summer.
- Cash lari or dollars are more reliable than a card from a Kazakh bank.
- It is more profitable to exchange currency in Tbilisi, not on site.
- The train from the capital goes through gorges and is convenient for families.
- Accommodation in high season is booked several months in advance.