PARADISE LOST
Once known as the pearl of the Soviet Riviera, the internationally unrecognised Republic of Abkhazia is nowadays a rather melancholic (and yet extremely fascinating) shell of its former glory. Still recovering from the bloody conflict that lead to its secession from Georgia in the early 90s, the gorgeous homeland of the Abkhazians represents a shamefully underrated travel destination that never fails to amaze its rare international guests. Despite the numerous hardships it has been enduring since the fall of the USSR, this curious post-Soviet geopolitical splinter boasts, in fact, a rich cornucopia of natural, cultural and architectonical wonders that will hardly disappoint your lust for discovery!
© Gianluca Pardelli | www.gianlucapardelli.comWHERE IS ABKHAZIA? HOW DO I GET THERE?
Abkhazia is nestled between the rocky shores of the eastern Black Sea Coast and the steep slopes of the Western Caucasus. The secessionist state borders Georgia to the south-southeast and Russia to the north-northwest. Abkhazia can be either entered from Georgia (Inguri crossing near Zugdidi) or from Russia (Psou crossing near Adler); the latter is considered illegal according to the Georgian Law on Occupied Territories. We do not encourage any breach of law and therefore we strongly recommend to use the legal route from Georgia.
ESSENTIAL MODERN CHRONOLOGY
1921: Incorporation into the Soviet Union as a full-fledged constituent republic.
1931: Abkhazia is downgraded to the status of Autonomous Republic within the Georgian SSR.
1991: Dissolution of the Soviet Union and consequent rise of destructive nationalist movements.
1992-1993: Georgian-Abkhaz Conflict, victory of the Abkhaz separatists and internationally unrecognised Declaration of Independence.
2008: Russo-Georgian War and recognition of Abkhazia’s independence by the Russian Federation.
5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT ABKHAZIA
Splendid Soviet Architecture: Stalinist grandeur, experimental modernism and colourful mosaics.
Delicious local cuisine: hearty Caucasian meals and soul-burning homemade spirits.
Breathtaking natural sceneries: awe-inspiring mountainscapes, postcard-like coastlines and crystal-clear alpine lakes.
Welcoming locals: proud and gentle people of ancient traditions and heartwarming hospitality.
Bizarre sights: space monkeys, dictators’ dachas and abandoned mining towns.
BEST TIME TO VISIT ABKHAZIA
Late spring (May-June) and late summer (from mid-August to September) are ideal: comfortably warm days and slightly chilly nights. Festivities and celebrations worth travelling for include Victory Day (May 9) and Independence Day (September 30), both marked by grandiose parades and photogenic expressions of national pride.
IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO ABKHAZIA?
Short answer: yes, definitely safe.
Long answer: while it is generally ok to walk on your own in Sukhumi after dusk, we recommend to stick to well-lit streets and avoid walking alone when nobody’s around. The districts bordering Georgia (especially the areas around Gali and Tkvarcheli) have a bad reputation for lawlessness and gang activity. This is only partially true, but you should be vigilant at all times when visiting these areas.
VISA AND CURRENCY
The country’s official currency is the Russian Ruble. Most upmarket establishments, such as 5-star hotels and fancy restaurants, accept US Dollars and Euros as well as international credit cards. ATMs are widely available but only a few of them will take non-Russian cards.
Abkhazia’s visa procedure is relatively easy and straightforward but requires you to fill out a pre-approval form available online on the official website of the Abkhaz Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once you’ve filled out the form, you shall check your inbox (including your spam folder) for a confirmation email (this is not the actual permission, but just an email confirming they have received your application), then wait between 5 and 10 working days for the actual entry permission to be sent as PDF file attached to an email message (again: double check your spam folder). Print the confirmation form at least three times. Once in Abkhazia, our guide will bring you to the immigration office where you will swap your confirmation letter for the actual visa sticker against payment of a small bureaucratic fee.
LANGUAGE AND RELIGION
Russian and Abkhaz (an extremely complex language belonging to the Northwest Caucasian family) are the two official languages of the republic. Georgian is the first language of choice for most inhabitants of the southern districts. English-speakers are rare in Abkhazia but communication skills in the Caucasus easily overcome language barriers.
ONE MOVIE AND ONE BOOK
🎥Tangerines, Zaza Urushadze (2013).
📖The Abkhazians, George Hewitt (2015).
OUR ITINERARIES IN ABKHAZIA
We offer fully-guided, all-inclusive tours to Abkhazia on a regular basis. Let us know your desired departure month and we will match your preferences with the next relevant scheduled departure. If you are still unsure about your desired departure date, then simply tell us a period or a season of the year and we will provide you a range of scheduled departures: just pick up yours!
Our scheduled departures don't suit your plans? If you are travelling with more than 4 friends, you can set your own departure date: we will arrange a bespoke tour just for you for the same price per person advertised below. If you are travelling solo or with less than four companions, we will then organise a slightly more expensive tailored tour according to your time schedule and specific geographical preferences.
Bespoke tours to Abkhazia: below you can find the detailed itineraries of our standard tours to Abkhazia. In case you are interested in a particularly remote area, secretive ethnicity, unusual activity and/or off-the-beaten-path attraction within Abkhazia or if you are just looking for an hit-and-run visit to Sukhumi and its surroundings, you just need to tell us what you are looking for and we will easily meet your needs with a unique tour individually designed according to your preferences. Get in touch for more info on our private tours to Abkhazia!
