Mtkvari River
Also known as: Kura, Mtkvari
Borjomi gorge, forested Borjomi-Kharagauli area, mineral-water resort town
Is there water?
Whether there is a river here on your dates, and what kind of water it is.
Spring high water (snowmelt); summer lower and gentle (grade II)
Spring-summer; simplifies by mid-July
April-June (high stable water)
Cold spring water; season air +20-30 C
Season air temp +20 to +30 C; Confirm flood risk
Grade & who can come
A river changes grade with its level. These grades describe a normal flow - in flood the same run is harder, and often a different run entirely. Check the gauge before you commit.
II-III (GNTA); up to WW3-4 in spring high water
Rafting
4/6/8-person boats
Beginner-friendly; GNTA lists min age 16 for the route and 18 for rafting - Confirm
The run
Gentle rapids, no dangerous sections; spring high water adds grade
No dangerous sections per GNTA
Chitakhevi-Borjomi
Most popular Mtkvari section; moderate crowds
Access & shuttle
No specific permit cited; commercial tour fees
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Chitakhevi village (950 m) to Borjomi (820 m); 11 km from Borjomi center
Minibus or booked transfer Borjomi-Chitakhevi
Borjomi town accommodation
Life jackets and helmets provided; closed shoes, wetsuit/thermal advised
Borjomi, Tbilisi agencies; GeTUR; Jomardoba
Hazards & exits
Low hazard; higher water in spring
Road and rail along gorge; good emergency access
Instructor accompanies boat with pre-launch briefing
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand river run report. Coordinates are approximate.