One of the popular tourist attractions is jeeping to Lake Ritsa with sightseeing. Travelers leave from Gagra, Sukhum, Pitsunda and other cities in the region. On the trip you can visit picturesque inaccessible places, see gorges, waterfalls, mountains, observation decks, buildings of different historical periods.
Advantages of a jeep tour to Lake Ritsa
On the territory of Abkhazia sights are concentrated in the mountains, on the sea coast. The region with its rich subtropical vegetation, rough rivers, high slopes, karst caves can be explored on a trip by equipped cars. Jeeping refers to extreme sport activities.
Tourist groups travel long distances on mountain trails, lowlands and off-road.
The advantages of an organized road trip:
- getting positive emotions from visiting scenic sites;
- The opportunity to see a large number of attractions in the mountains;
- a wide choice of routes with different lengths, travel patterns;
- the possibility of organizing original photo shoots;
- support from professional instructors;
- organization of family and corporate vacations;
- visiting interesting museums, tastings of local products;
- selection of popular and hard-to-reach routes, etc.
Approximate program of a trip to Lake Ritsa by jeep: description of the sights
For tourists developed excursion programs with different duration, level of complexity, the number of attractions.
Along the standard route you can see:
- Gegsky and Molochny waterfalls;
- Yupshar and Chabgar canyons;
- Goluboe Lake, Ritsa;
- Hinged bridge;
- “The Stone of Kisses” and many others. others.
Maiden’s Tears Falls
The waterfall is located in the Gagra area near the village of Bzyb. The natural site is close to the highway, so tourists do not need to cross mountain passes. The length of the waterfall is a few meters along the road.
The streams to the site follow the high-mountain meadows, seeping through the limestone. The water is clean, cool and clear. In summer, in sunny weather, streams shimmer with iridescent reflections. The waterfall is shaded by mosses, evergreen ivy, and picturesque shrubs. At its foot, travelers tie colorful ribbons and make a wish.
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Suspension bridge over the river Bzyb
Suspension bridge over the river Bzyb. The object is located on the road to the national reserve. Traditionally, travelers tie colorful ribbons on the structures of the bridge, making a wish. The place is suitable for original photo shoots. The bridge offers views of the river and mountains. Suspension structures are metal, the pedestrian area is made of lumber.
Gegsky waterfall
The waterfall is located in the spurs of the Gagra ridge (530 m above sea level). The natural landmark is 6 km away from the confluence of the Gega and Yupshara rivers. The height of the waterfall, depending on the season and weather conditions is 50-70 m.
Nearby there is a grotto, formed by the outputs of water streams from the clefts. The height of the depression in the rock is about 15 m, the width reaches 35 m. The water in the waterfall is clear, potable.
The mountainous area was used for filming movies, including. “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
Lovers’ Falls
The waterfall is located on the territory of the Ritsa relic park. The object can be reached by taking the Sukhumi Highway, turning in the direction of the settlement Bzypta. Then drive to the high-mountainous island. Ritsa (about 40 km). The place is equipped with an observation deck, there is a bungee jump. The waterfall originates from a high mountain river that follows from the glaciers of Atsitaku. Its water is clean and cool. Traditionally, they make a wish and tie ribbons at it.
Blue Lake
Karst lake is a part of Ritza Park. The object is located at the steep cliff. The water in the lake is a deep blue color. Its bright hue is due to the deposits of lazurite at the bottom. The attraction is surrounded by picturesque cliffs, gorges and relict forests. The diameter of the lake surface is about 20 m, depth – up to 76 m. The object is of karstic origin: it is fed from an underground river. Year-round water temperature does not exceed +10 ° C. During the winter, the lake does not freeze. The reservoir is considered dead: there are no fauna and flora in the water.
Yupshar Canyon
The canyon is located between Ritsa Island and the Gega Waterfall. Ritsa and the Gega waterfall. The natural landmark was formed after tectonic processes in the region. A large crack was formed in the rocks, which was flattened later by the river waters. The canyon slopes are covered with evergreen ivy, boxwood, green and red mosses.
At the site of the rock fault is a mountain road, which sends excursions for tourists. The height of the steep cliffs is 400-500 m. The canyon is often semi-dark, with sunlight entering the crevasse for several hours a day. The Yupshara River flows nearby.
Chabgarh Canyon
Chabgarsky ledge is located on the mountain road on the way to Ritsa Island. There is an observation deck that is popular with tourists. The bluffs offer scenic views of the mountains, crevasses, and rich vegetation of the region. The height of the cliff with the site is 300 meters. You can get to Chabgar Canyon by car along the highway that leads to Stalin’s dacha.
Men’s Tears Falls
The waterfall is located on the road to Ritsa Island. Streams of water flow down a steep cliff. Their height is 11 m. During the snowmelt and the rainy season, the site becomes more full-flowing. Near the waterfall there is an observation deck, to which from the road leads stairs.
Here you can take beautiful pictures and get clean water. There are beautiful legends associated with the waterfall.
Lake Ritsa
A popular attraction for travelers to Abkhazia is the picturesque mountainous island of Ritsa. Ritsa. It reaches a length of 1,700 m and a width of about 450 m. The reservoir is surrounded by mountain massifs. Its depth reaches 161 m.
The object was fixed on the map in 1865, but it was formed a long time ago. From the first half of the XX century scientific expeditions were sent to the Ritsa island. In the surrounding area there are residences of famous people. The lake is equipped with a pebble beach.
Milk Waterfall
The waterfall is located near the island of Ritsa, originates from a glacial mountain. Rushing streams of water fall from high peaks. The pond got its name because of the characteristic milky-white hue of the jets. Water is saturated with minerals after passing through underground springs, rocks. The place is picturesque, suitable for the organization of original photo shoots.
What other sights you can visit along the way
You can also visit along the route by jeep:
- Bird’s Beak Falls. It is located in the Bzyb Gorge, not far from the island of Ritsa. Ritsa on the way to Stalin’s dacha. The site is full in the spring and after the melting of glaciers, snows, during rainy seasons. There is an observation deck next to it.
- New Athos. The settlement has temples, embankments, a mandarin garden, and a man-made waterfall. The latter was built by monks at the end of the 19th century.
- Olginsky Waterfall. The site can be visited in jeep routes departing from Sukhum. This is a place with landscaped area, infrastructure, including. for children of different ages.
Additional services and entertainment on the route
The program of jeeping often includes a tasting of the products of local manufacturers. At the events you can taste Abkhazian wines, medicinal honey, cheeses, buy souvenirs.
Tasting of wine and spirits
Wine has been produced in Abkhazia for several thousand years. Taste traditional national drinks, including. strong, you can in private wineries, in large productions. In addition to wine tasting tourists are offered to try Abkhazian cognac, chacha. You can buy wine in the author’s clay vessels.
Honey tasting
On the territory of Abkhazia there are many honey-bearing plants (more than 2 thousand species), so different kinds of useful products are collected here. At the tastings tourists are offered to try the traditional linden, buckwheat honey, as well as acacia, wild forest honey. You can buy beeswax and propolis in the shops.
Cheese tasting
In Abkhazia, cheese has been made according to ancient national recipes for centuries. Local produce is one of the tastiest in the region. On a jeep trip, the program often includes a visit to a cheese factory. The product is made on the basis of goat and cow milk. National cheeses are served in fried, baked, and smoked forms.
Organizational details of jeeping to Lake Ritsa in Abkhazia
When choosing a tour, tourists need to know:
- the time of its conduct;
- the length of the route;
- the number of people in the group;
- technical equipment of jeeps;
- booking conditions;
- the cost of a seat on the trip, etc.
From which cities of Russia and Abkhazia excursions start
The meeting place to go on a Jeep tour may vary.
On the territory of Abkhazia group tours are conducted from the cities of Pitsunda, Sukhum, Gagra and others. Through the picturesque mountains of the region tourists are sent from Sochi, Adler, Loo, Lower Khobza, etc.
Average cost of adult and children’s tickets
The average price of jeep tours in Abkhazia is 1,500-3,500 rubles per adult. The price is often reduced for children, but it is important to check with the organizers. For a car with 6 seats you will have to pay 28-30 thousand rubles. The cost may vary depending on the level of transport, service conditions, additional services and weather.
Price for individual tours in jeeps
Car rentals are available for individual tours of the region. For a jeep with 6 seats you will need to pay from 28 thousand rubles. The final price of the program is influenced by the quality of services, additional sightseeing outside the program.
Schedule of popular jeep tours
Popular routes from Gagra depart between 07:00-09:00. However, it is possible to change the schedule, individual ordering of the tour. Organizers often coordinate travel times with group members and individual customers. It is important to plan a trip in advance.
What is important to know for every tourist
In preparing for the trip take into account the following nuances:
- The mountains are often cooler than the coast. Therefore, it is important to take warm clothes with you.
- Weather conditions can vary in the region, so you need to buy raincoats and appropriate footwear.
- It is worth going to proven organizers, because. trips take place in hard-to-reach places.
On the tour it is important to bring a battery, snack foods, bank cards valid in the region.
