Excursions from Ldzaa 2026: routes, prices and boarding logistics

Lidzava is a convenient starting point for trips to the western part of Abkhazia. If you are staying in the village, for example at the guest house Captain Black (autumn 2026 prices: from 4,000 ₽ per night for one person, a couple, or a family with one child, and from 10,000 ₽ for a family with two children), your outings will require clear logistics planning. Some organizers pick up tourists directly from the village, while others set a meeting point in a neighboring town. Before payment, double-check the departure point on the map, the exact boarding time, and the tariff inclusions.

Excursions from Lidzava: Available Routes

Daily bus and jeep tours depart here to the most popular destinations. The list of locations and duration depend on the specific guide, road conditions, and day of the week. The schedules below for Pitsunda Resort (for example, 09:00–14:30 for Ritsa) are only approximate and not a permanent schedule. Before the trip, ask for the exact timing of your specific ride.

Trip to Lake Ritsa: Stops, Duration, and Additional Costs

The basic Lake Ritsa program usually takes up the first half of the day, approximately from 09:00 to 14:30. The standard list of stops includes the Maiden Waterfalls and Men's Tears waterfalls, Blue Lake, the Jepsharian Canyon, and the lake itself.

Ask the organizer whether the route includes jeep rides to remote waterfalls, catamaran rides, and a meal in Apatskhe. These services are usually not included in the base fare.

Excursion to New Athos: Program and What to Check Before Departure

The trip to New Athos takes more time, approximately from 09:00 to 16:00. The route includes the man-made waterfall, the monastery complex of Saint Simeon the Canaanite, and the main underground attraction of the resort.

As of January 1, 2026, the cave visit ticket for tourists aged 8 and older costs 1,000 rubles. Be sure to ask the guide whether this ticket is included in the total excursion price or will need to be purchased at the ticket office. If you plan to explore the town independently, read the article Excursions and Entertainment in New Athos 2026: Where to Go and What to See New Athos Attractions: A One-Day Route.

Trip to Gagra: Main Stops and Admission Fees

Excursions to Gagra are often scheduled for the second half of the day, for example on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 14:30 to 18:30. The program includes the Seaside Park, the "Gagripsh" restaurant, a viewpoint, and the city's symbol.

Check which sites the group visits inside and which are viewed only from outside the bus window. More details about the city's infrastructure can be found in the article Gagra 2026: Attractions, Entertainment, and Vacation Prices.

Where to Board the Excursion: Pickup Point in Lidzava or Pitsunda

Not all large buses drive into the narrow streets of Lidzava. Guides often designate a common boarding point in Pitsunda. Popular locations: the bus stop near the central temple or the area by large sanatoriums. The address "Gitsba Street, 5" belongs to the Pitsunda Resort complex and is not a universal pickup point for all companies. Request the exact stop name, geolocation, and the guide's contact number. You can compare the convenience of starting neighborhoods in the article Where to Stay in Pitsunda 2026: First Line, Center, and Lidzava Excursions and Entertainment in Pitsunda 2026: Prices, Routes, and Family Vacations.

Transfer from Lidzava to Pitsunda and the Return Trip After the Excursion

If the start is designated in Pitsunda, allow time for the drive: the distance from Lidzava is 4 to 8 kilometers depending on the specific boarding location. You can get there by Gagra–Pitsunda–Lidzava minibuses (check with local drivers for morning service availability) or by taxi. Depart with a 30–40 minute margin for waiting for the vehicle.

The bus returns tourists to the same place where it picked them up. The return from Ritsa or from New Athos usually falls between 18:00 and 20:00. To calculate the total trip time correctly, add 15–20 minutes for finding an evening taxi or waiting for a minibus in Pitsunda to the stated excursion duration, as well as travel time to Lidzava taking into account possible traffic jams at the village entrance.

Excursion Prices in 2026: Comparing Tariffs and Included Services

The market has two formats with different pricing: official Pitsunda Resort Department rides and group tours by private organizers.

A private group tour on a route such as Lidzava–Ritsa–New Athos costs approximately 1,710 rubles. This amount usually includes only transportation and the guide's services. Eco-fees, meals, and attraction tickets are paid on top of the fare.

Official Pitsunda Resort programs list different prices: Ritsa trip — 800 rubles, New Athos — 1,000 rubles, Gagra — from 500 rubles. The organizer states that transport, accompaniment, and admission tickets are included in these amounts. However, before payment, confirm at the ticket office whether this amount covers entry to the New Athos Cave and the Ritsa Eco-Fee, and whether there are any hidden supplements for meals.

Pre-Booking Checklist: Route, Boarding, Payments, and Refund

Use this list when communicating with the guide before transferring money:

• What is the exact boarding location? Request a geolocation.
• What time will the bus be at your stop specifically? (Do not confuse with the tour's general start time).
• Are eco-fees, cave tickets, and waterfall tickets included in the fare?
• Where does the route end and what time does the group return to the drop-off point?
• What are the refund conditions if the ride is canceled due to bad weather?

Protected Areas and Schedule: What to Confirm with the Organizer

If the route involves the Pitsunda-Muyser Reserve, ask the guide about visiting rules. The official reserve website requires a permit to be arranged. Ask whether the tourism company handles this and whether additional payment is required on the spot.

Tickets often contain conflicting time information. An example of a discrepancy: the group's general start is listed at 07:00, but the bus will reach your stop in Lidzava only by 08:30. Do not take this as the actual schedule — demand a text message with the exact arrival time of the transport at your guest house.

Alternative: Local Walks Around Lidzava and Its Surroundings

If you do not want to spend the day traveling, you can stay in the village. There is an ethnographic exhibition.

In the evening, you can walk to the coast — boats are moored here and there is a good view of the water.

And if you are traveling by car and heading out toward the border, pay attention to a notable landmark by the highway, suitable for a memorable photo.

Detailed walking routes through the village itself are gathered in the overview What to See in Lidzava (Lidzave) 2026: Routes, Attractions, and Accommodation.