Ethnographic adventures in Abkhazia

This tour is an excellent opportunity to get a taste of the ethnographer’s life. We will visit the remotest corners of Abkhazia, learning about the diverse aspects of Abkhazian culture, and about the many different nations that populate the country—Russians, Armenians, and Mingrelians to name just a few.

On this tour we will visit some of Abkhazia’s most popular landmarks, and breathe the air of Sukhum, the old port city which history began with colonization by the ancient Greeks. We’ll traveling by off-road vehicles through a high mountain crossing and over seven fords to get to a remote Russian village, and fly back in an AN-2 aircraft. We’ll also spend some time relaxing on the coast, which was considered to be heaven on Earth during Soviet times, a hot spot for luxury resorts built for Communist elites.

02 — 09 July 2023
Abkhazia
Guide — Dmitry Lemeshev or Vitaliy Shtybin
Price$2150
Group members 4-5 people

Price$2150

Stages

Day 1

Sunday. Have rest in Sochi

If you are coming from Europe, the UK or USA, the best option for you are flights operated by Turkish Airlines via Istanbul. The flight from Istanbul will arrive to Sochi at 2:40 a.m.

Upon your arrival at the international airport of Sochi, you will be met by a guide.

Our tour will start in the afternoon. We will explore central Sochi until late evening.

Overnight in "Adriano" 4* hotel.

Abandoned Ordzhonikidze sanatorium. Photo by Dmitry Lemeshev

Day 2

Monday. Sochi — Gagra — Auadkhara

This day we will cross the border of Abkhazia and visit Old Gagra — a resort on the Black Sea coast, established by the Russian Empire in the beginning of the 20th century. We will explore abandoned villas and walk in an old park filled with exotic plants. We will have lunch at a restaurant which was built in 1902.

After lunch we’ll exchange our micro-bus for all-road cars and go to the mountains of Ritsa Relict National Park to visit Ritsa lake and Stalin’s summer house.

Next, we’ll proceed to the Auadkhara mountain resort, built near mineral springs.
Overnight at huts equipped with showers and toilets.

Ritsa lake. Photo by Dmitry Lemeshev

Day 3

Tuesday. Auadkhara — Pskhu

We’ll keep moving via all-road-cars to Pskhu Village. The most remote village of Abkhazia, Pkshu is inhabited by Russians who came to the region before the Russian revolution.

First we’ll climb to the Anchkho pass. If the group is feeling physically able, we’ll do a light hike and maybe even go on horseback to the area of seven lakes, not too far from the pass. Then we’ll go down to see a subtropical forest along the stormy Bavyu River―we’ll have to cross it’s fords 7 times!

After coming to Pskhu we’ll go to the Rikza hamlet to have dinner with a local family. We will have to walk or go by horseback. In the evening, we’ll come back to Pskhu. Overnight at a 2* hotel.

Russian hunter in the mountains of Abkhazia. Photo by Dmitry Lemeshev

Day 4

Wednesday. Pskhu — Sukhum

We will have free time to explore the village and get to know some of the locals.

Before noon we will take an AN2 aircraft to the airport of Sukhum―the capital of Abkhazia. We will have lunch at a nice place on the way to the town. After checking in to the hotel we will have some time to rest and access to wi-fi after days spent in rural mountains where wasn't even cell phone reception.

Before dinner we’ll take a walk through the historical part of Sukhum. Dinner will be had at a fish restaurant located on the dock.

Overnight at Leon 4* hotel.

AN2 aircraft in Pskhu village. Photo by https://vmulder.livejournal.com/

Day 5

Thursday. Sukhum

We’ll dedicate the whole day to seeing Sukhum. First we’ll visit its botanical garden, which is small, but has a really interesting collection. Then we’ll visit the national museum and a few important places in the center of the town. We will have lunch at one of the best restaurants of traditional cuisine.

After lunch we’ll have coffee with local history or culture expert and visit souvenir shops. Next, we’ll go to a nursery of aboriginal grape varieties, which belongs to the biggest winery in the country. We’ll enjoy a nice wine tasting then have dinner with local musicians.

Overnight at Leon 4* hotel.

Art Nouveau architecture of Sukhum

Day 6

Friday. Eastern Abkhazia

We’ll have a late breakfast at Ochamchira, where we will meet Mingrelian people. Next, we’ll visit a church that was built in the X century near Bedia Village, then come to Tkuarchal―a ghost-town that was the industrial center of Abkhazia during the Soviet era. Here we’ll meet residents of the town and visit the local museum. After that we’ll go to Arasadzykh village to have a late lunch with a local family.

After a long, traditional feast, we’ll start making our way back to Sukhum. We’ll visit another X century church in Mokva village, and relax in the thermal springs of Kyndyg village. We’ll be back in Sukhum by the evening.

Overnight at Leon 4* hotel.

Mokva church. Photo by Alexey Korablev

Day 7

New Athos

Today we’ll visit the most touristic place in Abkhazia―New Athos. It’s a small town about 30 minutes outside of Sukhum. Here, we’ll visit ruins of the first capital of the Abkhazian kingdom, then see the huge New Athos karst cave, the New Athos monastery, and other such places.

In the evening, we’ll go to Old Gagra and have a farewell dinner in the country’s best restaurant with traditional Abkhazian dancing.

We’ll cross the border after dinner and head to the airport or a hotel nearby.

Psyrtskha railway station

Tour Terms

Included
Excluded

Included

full services of an English-speaking guide,
all transportation (comfortable all-road-cars, Toyota Voxy mini-van or Mersedes Sprinter mini-bus, AN2 aircraft),
meals (B, L, D), alcohol and water,
accommodation throughout (twin or double),
all entrance fees, sightseeing, excursions and activities as per the itinerary,
Abkhazian visa.

Excluded

souvenirs,
other personal expenses.

Route Map

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