Caves Of Abkhazia

There are a lot of caves in Abkhazia, including four of the deepest caves in the world. This is the IM cave. Verevkina, Kruber-Raven, Sarma and snow. But for tourists they are inaccessible, they can be seen only as part of a scientific expedition or with a group of professional cavers, and serious training will be required to visit them. But in Abkhazia there are several paid caves equipped for tourist visits, which can be visited independently or as part of group excursions, which are offered everywhere in the resorts of the country, and even in the resorts of Sochi.

Here is a brief description of the most popular tourist caves of Abkhazia, indicating their opening hours, the cost of visiting and ways to get to them yourself:

New Athos cave

This is the most famous of the tourist caves in Abkhazia. It is filled with bizarre stalactites and stalagmites, Lakes, very spacious, equipped with Bridges for easy movement and beautiful colorful lighting. Six halls out of nine are available for tourists to visit, one of which hosts a conditional musical performance demonstrating unique acoustic properties. But the most interesting thing is that there is a mini-railway here, along which you will get from the entrance to the starting point of the tour.

Visiting the New Athos cave is possible only as part of excursion groups, which are formed when buying tickets, and you can not walk around it yourself. Excursions are formed and sent as tourists arrive, and in high season (summer) this happens very quickly. The tour time is one and a half hours. To visit, it is best to dress warmer, because inside it is always cool – no more than 14 degrees. Also, before you start, do not forget to go to the toilet (it is paid, 10 USD), it will not work inside. Learn more about Novoafonskaya cave here.

Abrskil Cave

Abrskil cave (Otap cave) is one of two caves in the village of Otap, which is sometimes called simply Otap cave. This is a beautiful gallery-type cave with many stalactites and stalagmites, multi-colored lighting, adapted for visiting tourists. The length of the route is small, about 800 meters, passes right along the mountain river, sometimes knee-deep in water. Visitors at the entrance are given rubber boots.

Abrskila cave is less suitable for tourists, and much less visited because of its location than Novoafonskaya, which in comparison with this looks quite ennobled and tourist. Learn more about abrskill cave here.

Otapa Head Cave

Otapa head cave is another cave near Otap village along with Abrskil cave. Unlike Abrskil, it is much younger, and therefore stalactites and stalagmites are much smaller, and they look simpler. The cave has only been open to tourists since 2014, and work on its equipment is still ongoing. The equipped part is still small, the visit will take no more than 20 minutes. The river also passes along the bottom of it, there are even waterfalls, but you can move here on equipped bridges, although in some places you have to crawl almost on your haunches, and part of the route even goes by boat. Boots are given at the entrance, but it is better to take extra warm socks with you. There are many bats in the cave. Learn more about Otapa head cave here.

Cave Of St. Hypatius

It is believed that the monk and recluse Hypatius (also Eupatius) lived in this cave. According to one historical version, it is believed that the same Monk became a bishop, in whose honor the Church of St. Hypatius in the fortress of Abaata was erected. But there is an opinion that these were different monks who lived at different times, but both are very revered by the local population.

Whatever it was, the cave is an interesting place and worth a visit. Inside you will see two man-made rooms, but apparently there was one or even more. You can leave donations at the entrance. Learn more about the cave here.