A warm night in the subtropics The guide will meet you at Sochi airport and take you to Gagra — one of the oldest Russian imperial resorts on the Black Sea. Gagra is in Abkhazia, 30 minutes driving from Russian border. Light dinner.
Overnight in a hotel (3*).

The tour to Abkhazia will not be complete without seeing Ritsa Lake. Definitely, we will go there, though our trip is not limited to taking pictures of the lake and coming back (the way tourists do it). We will walk through the virgin forest to Malaya Ritsa – the incredibly beautiful lake that lies off the beaten track of tourist routes. After that we’ll visit the summer house of Stalin and Khruschev. In the evening come back to Gagra.
Overnight in a hotel (3*).

First of all we’ll visit Pitsunda — a peninsula, which saved in memory Greek colonists, exiled Christians of the Roman Empire, Genoese merchants and Soviet tourists.
Afterwards we will continue to Achandara village which is one of many traditional Abkhazian villages. We’ll see lifestyle of one of the families, learn how to cook abysta (Abkhazian bread) and have lunch with the family. After that we’ll drive to Sukhumi — the capital of Abkhazia. Upon arrival we will visit national museum and walk in historical part of the town.
Overnight in a hotel (4*).

We will see Mokva Cathedral – the largest medieval cathedral in Abkhazia, Tkuarchal, a ghost-city, which survived through 413 days of the blockade, and thermal springs in the vicinity of Kyndyg village. We will be back in Sukhum in the evening.
Overnight in a hotel (4*).

In the morning we will go to New Athos (Noviy Afon) where we will spend the whole day. The hits of our sightseeing program are renowned karst New Athos Cave of a mind-boggling size; the first capital of Abkhazia – Anakopia citadel located on the top of the hill with steep slopes; and New Athos monastery – the largest Orthodox center on the Black Sea coast. We will come back to Sochi (Adler district) in the evening to take a night train to Mineralniye Vody.
Overnight in a train.

After the train trip you may need to stretch your legs, that is why we would like to take you for a walk around the historical center of Pyatigorsk. After lunch we’ll hit the road to Vladikavkaz, the capital of North Ossetia. After short rest in a hotel we’ll walk around the historical part of the city. And in the evening we’ll meet enthusiasts of local folk music.
Overnight in 4* hotel.

Every third Saturday of June Ossetian people gather at the sanctuary of Rekom in Tsey valley. According to Ossetian epic tales about Narts this place become holy, when one of the tears shed by God due to the death of Bartraz, the strongest herro of Nart’s people, fell here. We’ll spend few hours at Rekom shrine exploring Ossetian feast traditions. Then we’ll head to South Ossetia. We will be right below the Great Caucasian Ridge, which we will cross through the Roksky tunnel that is 3,730 meters long. Get ready for a surprise: Everything is different on the other side. Different mountains, different climate…

It will not take us long to get to Tskhinval. We’ll have short walk in the town with a veteran of the war for independence.
Overnight in a hotel (4*).

In the morning we’ll go to Leningor — the most sensitive place of South Ossetia. This district was part of Georgia before 2008 and inhabitance is mixed there. Have lunch in Leningor and come back to Tskhinval district of South Ossetia. Hike up to Usanet holy hill with local guide. Have dinner in the village.
Overnight in a hotel (3*).

In the morning we’ll leave Tskhinval to Urstualta valley. We’ll hike up to Lower Ruk mediaval tower, visit mineral springs of Zgubir village and then split our group…
Main option is to go to the upper reaches of the Ermandon river by all-road car and then hike via Keli pass (3112 meters) to Keli lake — one of the biggest mountain lakes of the Caucasus, placed on the outskirts of the Kel volcanic plateau. Horses will help us to carry equipment. Night in tents. Another part of the group will cross the border after lunch in Edys and go to Vladikavkaz. After having rest in hotel we will continue exploring Vladikavkaz and have folk dance class. Overnight in 4* hotel.

The main part of the group will come back to Vladikavkaz while other will explore mountains of North Ossetia by all-road cars.

We’ll meet in the evening at the winery of Konstantin Dzitoev (one of the best winemakers of Russia) and celebrate ending of our trip. Transfer to the airport of Vladikavkaz for the evening flight to Moscow.