Abkhazia, the unrecognised state that has experienced brighter times when it was the crown jewel of the Soviet Union! This is your opportunity to explore the forgotten holiday destination, one of the personal favourites of Stalin and Khrushchev.
Abkhazia boasts breath-taking mountains rolling into the sparkling waters of the Black Sea and palm tree lined streets with grand Tsarist era buildings running into lush tropical gardens. You’ll soon understand why this beautiful region was the destination of choice for the Soviet elite.
In the aftermath of the collapse of the USSR, Abkhazia refused to be incorporated into the newly formed Republic of Georgia. It resulted in a blood-soaked ethnic conflict which saw thousands slaughtered in brutal urban warfare and ethnic cleansing. Georgia suffered a bitter defeat and withdrew from the region, which rapidly descended into anarchy.
Today, Abkhazia remains unstable but survives thanks to the cash flowing from the Russian state and a steady flow of Russian tourists seeking a cheap Black Sea vacation. The breakaway republic remains a fascinating time warp back to the Soviet Union.
The highlight of our tour is the Abkhazia Independence Day, the largest and most celebrated event in the unrecognised state. No YPT trip is complete without some visits to abandoned ghost towns and meeting veterans and hearing about war from another prospective. Despite the trauma of war, the locals are mostly warm, friendly and hospitable and welcome guests with open arms.
This tour has been designed to perfectly fit into our Caucasus Unrecognised Countries Tour, which offers the best value.
You must obtain a double-entry tourist visa to Russia to be able to visit Abkhazia. If you are joining us in South Ossetia, you’ll need a multiple-entry Russian visa.
Bookings will close August 26th to ensure sufficient time to obtain your Abkhazian permits.
Friday 26th September – Sochi (Russia)
Saturday 27th September – Sochi – Adler – Gagra (Abkhazia) – Pitsunda
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Sunday 28th September – Pitsunda – Sukhumi
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Monday 29th September – Sukhumi – Tkvarcheli – Sukhumi
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Tuesday 30th September – Sukhumi – Abkhazia Independence Day
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Wednesday 1st October – Sukhumi – Sochi (Russia)
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