Tourist excursions are the most affordable way to get to know another city or country in a short time. As part of the trip, you can see the main attractions that this or that place is famous for.
Excursions to a country with ancient history and amazing nature
Excursions "Golden Ring of Abkhazia" are carried out from all over the Black Sea coast. It is most convenient to travel from Adler and Sochi to the republic, which is why dozens of buses with tourists who have already heard about the amazing views of a hospitable country with a distinctive culture depart from these places.
Despite the fact that different companies carry guests who have arrived for new experiences, the route of all the organizers of an unforgettable trip is the same. The road to beautiful Abkhazia is one, and only the points of commercialstops where you can taste local products and have a bite to eat in a cafe after a long trip. Before you set off, read the basic recommendations so that nothing overshadows an exciting journey.
Documents required to cross the Russian-Abkhazian border
- To cross the border, which operates a visa-free regime, you need a general passport.
- Children under 14 years of age must have a birth certificate with a mark of citizenship. Those over this age only cross the border with a passport.
- Travelers under 18 traveling on their own must provide parental consent to leave Russia for Abkhazia. Moreover, all documents must be in original, with blue seals, and copies must be certified by a notary.
Recommendations for tourists
- Be prepared for a very early bus departure and a late return after the Golden Ring of Abkhazia tour ends: the tour lasts about 16 hours.
- It is recommended to bring bathing suits, warm clothes for visiting the cave, comfortable and non-slip shoes.
- The cost of the tour does not include the cost of food. As part of the trip, there are stops at cafes and restaurants, but the prices are much higher than on the Black Sea coast, so stock up on cash in advance.
- Visits to local houses with tastings of wine, chacha, cheese, honey take a lot of time, and the products offeredare much more expensive than on the market. When drawing up a contract for the upcoming excursion "Golden Ring of Abkhazia", refuse the services imposed by the operators and arrange a trip only on clearly defined conditions.
- Don't take small children on a long trip as they won't be able to stand the tiring journey.
Trip to the sunny republic
Excursion routes "Golden Ring of Abkhazia" have several options, and we will consider the most popular tour, which includes visiting Pitsunda and Gagra, New Athos, Lake Ritsa. However, each tour operator has the right to add new places to explore the sights of the fabulously beautiful republic.
First stop: Gagra
So, our journey called the "Golden Ring of Abkhazia" from Adler, bordering directly on the sunny country, begins, and the first stop after crossing the border is the beautiful resort of Gagra. The picturesque city cannot be imagined without the famous landmark, which is the symbol of all of Abkhazia.
The Gagra colonnade is an arcade built in a semicircle, including eight arches. The construction that appeared in the post-war period is located on the square, where tourists will see an original fountain with a sculpture of a white dove - a symbol of peace. Many note the stunning harmony of the architectural ensemble, which looks incredibly majestic. Illuminated by lanterns, it is especially beautiful in the evening, and it is not for nothing that the square is always fulltourists taking memorable photos of a wonderful place.
Second stop: Pitsunda
The next scheduled stop is in the ancient Caucasian city with luxurious beaches and pine groves. But the main attraction of the resort famous for its purest water is, of course, the Pitsunda complex, located in the very heart of the city. The Great Pitiunt historical and architectural reserve attracts a huge number of tourists.
The ancient city, which appeared on the site of a settlement founded by the inhabitants of Hellas, gave the name to the most visited reserve. Pitiunt was an important trade center of the Black Sea region, and the preserved architectural monuments are the main we alth of the cultural institution, founded in 1991.
Fortification wall
The huge complex, which is examined during the excursion "Golden Ring of Abkhazia", is of great interest to all tourists who spend several hours on the territory of the reserve. Here you can see the fortress stone wall, repeatedly rebuilt. Visitors will be surprised by uneven masonry and imperfectly shaped stones, and the guide will tell a curious legend about how the wall was erected in just one day.
When the Gentiles tried to destroy the main Christian temple, all the inhabitants of the city and its environs, rallied in unison, brought cobblestones to build a high wall that protected the shrine.
What else to see in the reserve?
The majestic temple is not in vain considered the pearl of the reserve. Today, the cross-domed cathedral hosts concerts of organ music, which sounds powerful and expressive due to the excellent acoustics of the building.
Tourists will spend a lot of time in the historical museum of Pitsunda, where large collections of exhibits are presented, telling about the life of the ancient inhabitants of these lands.
Inquisitive visitors will see the ruins of an ancient basilica and bell tower, a dilapidated aqueduct and a dolmen, in which the Abkhazians buried their relatives. The artifact brought from the village of Eshery is always a success, and it has become a tradition for all tourists to throw small coins on the tomb.
Third stop: the natural wonder of Abkhazia
Tourists tired after a walk through the historical reserve go to the most famous Abkhazian lake - Ritsa. Photos of a real natural miracle resemble fabulous landscapes that come to life in reality. The bus passes along the edge of the gorge, and everyone freezes at the sight of a mountain serpentine. To get to a reservoir located high in the mountains, tourists move away from the seashore.
The bewitching views of the lake amaze everyone who sees the miraculous monument for the first time. Travelers never tired of admiring the wonderful landscapes admit that Lake Ritsa, the photo of which conveys its amazing beauty, is the place where you want to return again. The clear water of a natural masterpiece does not warm up above 20 degrees, so only the most daringdecide to take a swim.
Fourth stop: New Athos
The final destination of the trip is New Athos, which is not very long to go to. There are only two objects here that are of interest to guests of Abkhazia - this is a famous monastery and caves hiding in the bowels of the Iverskaya mountain.
Our itinerary includes a tour of the quaint galleries of the underworld. An excursion to the New Athos cave for many tourists becomes the most memorable. In 1975, the railway was opened, which takes visitors to the mysterious grottoes, keeping the silence for centuries. The delightful Apsny Hall in gray and brown colors is often associated with a huge giant sleeping for thousands of years.
Two underground lakes, the water surface of which is not touched even by a breath of breeze, evoke a feeling of admiration for the power of mother nature, which created a unique work. Colonies of transparent stalagmites, like fabulous gnomes, lined up near the cracked limestone walls. The stone extravaganza is the final stage of an impressive journey.
"The Golden Ring of Abkhazia" is an excursion that will be remembered for a long time. A rich program with visits to the main attractions of a friendly country will give everyone the most vivid impressions and incomparable pleasure.
