I just got back from a 5-week trip around the Caucasus, and I managed to visit Abkhazia, which has been surrounded by much confusion in this forum. Here's how to get there.
There is absolutely no way to cross the Russia-Abkhaz border. There are tourists coming in that way, but they are all Russian citizens. Other foreigners can not get across.
The only way, then, is to come in from the Georgian side, crossing the Inguri bridge by foot.
First, you must call the Abkhaz Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and explain to them that you wish to visit Abkhazia. I don't think they speak English, so you need to speak good Russian.
Phone numbers : 995 - 122 63948 / 995 - 122 28887
If you manage to convince them, they'll ask you to send a photo copy of your passport, and a written explanation of why you want to visit, by fax.
Fax number : 995 - 12223445
They'll take a month or two to decide, so you need to keep calling to ask how things are going.
If they decide to let you enter, you'll simply be given a confirmation over the phone. They will call the Abkhaz border guards and let them know you're coming.
From Zugdidi, take a taxi to the border, then cross the bridge by foot - if everything's in order, they'll eventually let you pass.
On the other side of the border, there are drivers waiting. The drive to Sukhumi is about 2,5 hours. I payed 1000 rubles. (NB - the only valid currency in Abkhazia are rubles or dollars, Georgian lari are useless).
NB - make sure you come early in the day, or preferably in the morning. The Gali-region (first region after border crossing) is very unsafe at night, and there are no drivers available at that time.
Once in Sukhumi, you have to go immediately to the government building, which is in the center of town. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerstvo Inostrannykh Del) is on the second floor. They will issue a nice, green visa for you, which costs 20$.
After that, you're free to travel around Abkhazia as you like.
Hope this helps whoever wants to visit.
PS. Make sure you read up on the area, and make up your own mind about whether it's advisable to visit. There are many dangerous areas in the southern part.
Another PS - you apparently risk getting into trouble with the Georgian authorities when you return. They were half-asleep when I went to Abkhazia, and didn't even seem to notice me, but when returning to the Georgian side, I was stopped by a plain-clothed agent in a car, who took my passport and asked me a lot of questions about what I'd been doing in Abkhazia (he seemed confused I had managed to get in).
I pretended to be a bit retarded, and he eventually let me go.
Thanks for the post. This is very interesting. I think you're the first poster on this board who actually managed to get in. I hope the moderators will keep this thread as the question often comes up.
Another important point - there are no international banks or ATMs in Abkhazia, so you have to bring all the money you intend to spend in cash. If you're suddenly out of money - you're out of money.
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<hr>There is absolutely no way to cross the Russia-Abkhaz border. There are tourists coming in that way, but they are all Russian citizens. Other foreigners can not get across.<hr></blockquote>
Hmmmm, you sure?
see:
Travel to Abkhazia
Visas
Start the paperwork a few months prior to the actual travel date. Before you set off on your journey, you need to have:
An official, registered invitation to Abkhazia - based on which you will be granted a Russian Transit Visa (ahead of time) and an Abkhaz visa (once you arrive);
A Russian Transit Visa -- to get through Russia and into Abkhazia;
A filled-out application for an Abkhaz visa, with required documentation attached; and, to top it off,
A Georgian tourist visa -- a bit of a challenge to work out exactly why, but you will need one of these as well.
Start by getting in touch with the person/organisation in Abkhazia, who will be required to issue a formal invitation, registered in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Abkhazia.
Next, obtain a Georgian tourist visa. It is not advisable to inform the Georgian Embassy of your intention to visit Abkhazia.
Next, get a Russian Transit Visa. In the visa application, the place where you will both enter and exit the Russian Fediration should be shown as "Psou", and the final destination as "Abkhazia". The Russian Transit Visa will enable you to cross the country twice - on the way in and out of Abkhazia. A copy of invitation to Abkhazia should be attached to the the application form.
The fee for an Abkhaz visa, issued upon entry, is US$10.
Where to apply
To receive an application form for an Abkhaz visa, fax a request to the Abkhazian Press Center in Moscow +7-095-187-97-18 marked "Forward to Zurab Avidzba, Consulate Section, MFA RA." Applicants should send a letter explaining the purpose of their visit, the dates of the visit, and include a photocopy of their pasport or all its details, birth sertificates (if applicable) or all its details, proof of having purchased travel insurance, and proof of sufficient means of support.
Getting In
Provided all the necessary paperwork is in order, it is easy to cross into Abkhaza from Russian Federation across the river Psou. For purposes of tourism, it is not advisable to travel through Georgia. However there are sometimes delays on the border with the Russian Federation. The border crossing is open from 8 am to 6 pm every day except on Tuesdays when it is open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. It is best to arrange for the inviting person/organization is meeting you at the border. When traveling inside the country, it is important that the visitor (particularly one who doesn't speak Abkhaz or Russian) is in the company of friends or reliable local people.
from http://www.abkhazia.org/travel.html
#6 conm : No, that's complete nonsense - it's from a semi-official Abkhaz site, which hasn't been updated for ages. I think that might've been the way it was possible to get in 10 years ago, but not anymore. In reality, that particular page (which seems to be the only place there's any explanation of how to get in), has contributed more to the confusion surrounding it than anything.
In reality, you can't get across the Russian-Abkhaz border. The reason is that the Russians won't let you exit Russia that way. If they let foreigners pass through that border, I believe it's legally the same as recognizing Abkhazia as an independent state, and also they would be officially breaking the economic blocade. WHICH they blatantly do anyway, but only when it comes to their own citizens.
So disregard the info on that site.
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