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AbkhaziaWhat to Expect and Is It Worth Visiting
The valley of Seven Lakes in Abkhazia – this is a beautiful plateau at an altitude of more than 2000 meters, on which there are several beautiful mountain lakes. In fact, there are more than seven of them, and depending on the time of year it reaches 14. lakes are formed by Meltwater of mountain snow caps and rains. Having reached the valley along a mountain path through alpine meadows and still pristine nature, you will see a breathtaking view of the lakes, mountains and the ridge of the Caucasus Mountains. The views here are wonderful and definitely worth it to get here. The whole valley stretches for 3 kilometers, and to see all the lakes, you have to go through it all, since some of the lakes are hidden behind the hill. However, usually tourist groups are limited to viewing only the first part. The water in the Lakes is cold, only the most "frost-resistant" can swim.
The height at which the valley is located is about 2200 meters, and the ridge passing on one side along it is 2400 meters. Along with Lake Mzy, the Valley of Seven Lakes is another wonderful high-altitude natural attraction of Abkhazia, which can be visited by any tourist without special training and equipment, only good physical shape is required, since it will be necessary to climb up on foot. Although this is not necessary, since the locals at the end of the road offer a ride to the lakes on horseback. Just do not think that a hike to the Lakes is a simple pedestrian walk, after all, it is a hike to the mountains along mountain trails, which takes almost the whole day. Dress should be warm, because even in summer it is cold here. Good hiking shoes, a hat, a bottle of water are required. It does not hurt to bring a raincoat.
🕐 Working hours
around the clock, it is better to visit the route in the daytime, in the morning or early in the morning, from May to October. Keep in mind that this route is quite long, and it is better not to go to it in the afternoon, otherwise you may not have time to return before dark.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price
roads and trails pass through the Ritsa National Park, for the entrance to which you need to pay an environmental fee: adults-350 rubles; children 8-12 years-150 rubles; children under 8 years-free of charge. The fee is paid at the entrance to the park at the checkpoint. The cost of the tour is from 1800 rubles/person. It also offers full-day excursions costing from 2000 rubles.
🚶 How to get there
the valley of the Seven Lakes is 75 kilometers from Gagra 68 kilometers of which are on a satisfactory asphalt road, and the remaining seven will have to be overcome on foot (Seven Lakes Valley on the map. You can get here on your own transport or with a tour (from 2000 rubles per person when collecting a full group). On the UAZ you are taken almost to the pyv pass, from where you walk to the valley about four kilometers, but you will go there on foot.
If you get there by your own transport, then you should take the road to Ritsa LAKE, and after it another 11 kilometers along the asphalt to the unpaved exit from the road, which is only 200 meters from the campsite "Auadhara". Further, depending on the patency of your car, it will either have to be left on the road, or you can drive further up to the pyv pass. You can also leave the car under supervision at the campsite" Auadhara", spend the night there to go on the road in the morning. The Walking section of the route is not difficult, it takes from 2-4 hours in one direction, but you will have to go down and up a lot. It is also offered to ride the route on horseback for an additional fee of 1000 rubles.
💥 We remind you that it is much more interesting to get acquainted with the sights of Abkhazia with the help of excursions, and therefore we advise you to look at options with online booking on these proven search and comparison sites price:
- 📷 Search for excursions in Abkhazia on Sputnik8.com
- 📷 Search for excursions in Abkhazia on Tripster.ru