Gagra, Ritsa and New Athos: group trip from Adler

What to Expect

• Old Gagra. You will see the legendary white Colonnade, stroll through Prince Oldenburg's Primorsky Park, and hear the history of the old resort village. You will also see the Gagripsh Restaurant - a relic of the resort.

• Blue Lake. You will hear legends associated with this place and, if you're lucky, admire the frequent guests of the lake - peacocks.

• Lake Ritsa. We will visit the 'business card' of Abkhazia. You will learn how the lake was formed and what legends are associated with it.

• Yopsharsky Canyon. We will show you an ancient canyon formed many centuries ago in a giant rock, and you will take stunning photos in places not everyone can reach.

• Virgin and Men's Tears Waterfalls. Mountain waterfalls where you can refresh and take wonderful photos.

• Enchanting Milky Waterfall (in the warm season), a fantastic view of Gagra from the Bird's Beak viewing platform at 1200 m above sea level, and Stalin's dacha (optional).

• Pitsunda and swimming in the sea or tangerine garden (seasonal, your choice). In the summer period, we make a one-hour stop at the cleanest beach in Abkhazia on the hotel's territory.

• New Athos. You will be able to visit the famous New Athos Monastery and the temple of Simon the Canaanite. Several large temples, a 50-meter bell tower, cells, a refectory are located on its territory. You will see the main shrine of the monastery - the miraculous cross with a particle of the Cross of the Lord and the most grandiose building - the five-domed Pantaleimon Cathedral with exquisite frescoes and icons. Rest in a park with swans and evaluate the man-made waterfall created by the efforts of the monks. Optionally, visit an ancient cave with stalactites and stalagmites.

• Assumption Church of the Holy Mother of God in Lykhny X century (visited in winter)

• Tasting local products. You will taste honey, wine, chacha, cheese, and smoked meat.

In addition, you will walk across a suspension bridge over the Bzyb River and see the abandoned Psyrtskha railway station.

Visiting each location takes 20-30 minutes.

• Before booking, familiarize yourself with the rules of crossing the border with Abkhazia and make sure you will be allowed to enter.
• The New Athos Monastery is often closed for visits on Mondays, but this does not prevent us from approaching the monastery and inspecting it from the outside.
• Your tour will be led by one of our team's professional guides.

How the Tour Runs

• The tour takes place on a comfortable 19-seat Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibus. We will cross the border through a separate corridor outside of general queues.
• Pick-up from stops along the central streets of Sochi, Adler, and railway stations. Departure from Sochi and Krasnaya Polyana around 5-6 a.m., from Adler around 5:30-6:30 a.m. Return back around 6-7 p.m. (depending on the season, tourist flow at the border, and boarding location).

Entry Rules for Abkhazia

• For adults: domestic or international passport
• For children: Russian birth certificate and passport (international or domestic) for children over 14 years old
• For Russian citizens under the age of 18 traveling with third parties, a notarized power of attorney from parents specifying Abkhazia as the country, date, and duration of the trip is required

What's Included in the Price

• Professional guidance with an experienced guide of 10-30 years (not the driver)
• Transfer from Adler, Sirius, Olympic Park
• Children up to 6 years inclusive without a seat on the bus can attend the tour for free

Not Included in the Price

• Transfer from Krasnaya Polyana - 500 rubles/person, from Central Sochi/Hosta/Matsesta - 300 rubles/person
• Ecotax at Lake Ritsa - adults and children over 12 years 700 rubles, children up to 11 years inclusive 200 rubles, children up to 7 years inclusive free of charge
• Lunch in a cafe - optional, average check 500 rubles/person. There are also places along the way where you can buy snacks.
• Visit to Stalin's dacha (optional) - 300 rubles/person; New Athos Cave - adults 700 rubles, children 200 rubles. The schedule of the caves must be clarified in advance, it depends on the season.
• Milky Waterfall and Bird's Beak viewing platform bypassing Ritsa (when there is no snow and bad weather) - 300 rubles.
• Boat ride to Stalin's dacha or on a Viking raft on Ritsa (to be clarified when ordering)
• Church of the X century in the village of Lykhny - 300 rubles/person (visited in winter, optional)