Abkhazia, Geg waterfall (photo)

Nature is called a genius sculptor, a builder, a creator. And indeed it is. A man does not invent anything, no matter how hard he tries, but he can not argue with nature. It remains to recognize her unattainable perfection and silently admire the masterpieces she created. One of them is the Geg waterfall. Abkhazia is rich in natural beauty, but this waterfall is special. It is famous not only for its size. There were shooting several feature films, and this fact also affects its popularity. Let's make a small virtual walk to the Geg waterfall and get acquainted with all the nuances waiting for us on the way.

Geographical characteristics

One of the largest in the immense Soviet Union, and now the largest in the new young republic is the Geg waterfall (Abkhazia). Photos convey how powerful it is and how small people look on its background. The second, less popular name of this handsome man is the Cherkessky waterfall. He is born by the rugged mountain river Gegoi, which is so unpredictable and fast that even rafting is not practiced here. Starting out in the Caucasus Mountains, it flows into the Bzyp River. The length of Gegi is only 25 km. On this small stretch, it manages to form many small waterfalls, and after reaching the karst crevice, dives into it and for as much as 300-odd meters is hidden from view. The exit from the dungeon is approximately 70 meters above the foot of the cliff. It is from this height that the wayward Gega brings down its waters, turning into a fabulously beautiful water stream, with which Abkhazia is proud. The Geg waterfall is so impressive that it was involved in 4 feature films. About the "Ricky-Tikki-Tavi" and "Sherlock Holmes" with Moriarty know everything. Even at the Geg waterfall were shot scenes of "Sportloto-82" and "Date of Tutashkhia".

Location

Many tourists ask where the Geg waterfall is in Abkhazia. This unique natural object is located in Gudautsky district, on the Gagra mountain range, 6 km from Ritsinsky reserve and the lake of the same name. As the name suggests, the waterfall is on the mountain river Gege. With respect to sea level, this is approximately 550 meters higher. Around the waterfall - untouched by the human hand nature in all its pristine, sometimes harsh and violent, in places, fascinatingly dazzling beauty. From the city of Gagra it is about 60 km, from Adler - 80 km. Within a radius of several kilometers from the Gegsky waterfall there is Lake Ritsa, as well as smaller but no less beautiful waterfalls. Male Tears, Bird, Milk, Women's Tears, where everyone makes a wish and tied to the branches of ribbon trees.

Organized way to walk to the waterfall

Many of the unique natural attractions have a fairly small Abkhazia. Geg waterfall offers to visit almost every tour desk. This is possible from the end of April to November, because at the rest of the time the road is covered with snow. Near the waterfall by the end of winter, snow cover reaches several meters. In the beginning of May, when all this is melting, the Geg waterfall (Abkhazia) is especially impressive with the wildlife spree. To go there in an organized way with a tourist group - a good and economical option. It is worth an excursion of only 500 rubles. The lack of such a trip is too long. Excursion transport, as a rule, on the way makes a lot of stops (so-called photo shoots), when passengers go out to take unique pictures. Almost all tours include a visit to the Blue Lake, from the breathtaking views, and the Stone Bag (Yupshar Canyon). Also, sightseeing routes almost always go through the apiary, where mountain honey is sold , and through private catering points (shashlik). All this reduces the time spent at the waterfall. It should also be aware that when entering the protected area, an environmental fee will be collected from each passenger of the bus (unless this amount is included in the price of the excursion in advance). According to the latest data, adults paid 350 rubles each, children - 100 rubles each.

A trip with a private trader

Entrepreneurship of their citizens has always been famous for Abkhazia. The Geg waterfall has become a profitable business for many of its inhabitants. Now those tourists who do not like to travel in large groups can hire a private driver (he is also a guide). The way of private traders lies in the same places as the excursion group. The reason is trivial - all drivers have an agreement with the beekeeper and with the owners of barbecue, so it is difficult to avoid such stops. On the clearing in front of the waterfall there is a single cafe that offers beverages and shish kebab from mountain roe deer. According to tourists, the owner, his institution, and the food do not differ in attractiveness and good quality, but they are impressed by unreasonably high prices. In the case of hiring a private car there is a big advantage - you can ask the driver to stop where you like and for as long as you want. It is worth this pleasure from 6000 rubles for the whole light day. Naturally, the environmental fee is paid separately.

Travel yourself

Those who travel to Abkhazia by private car can visit all its sights by themselves. Of course, the Geg waterfall (Abkhazia) must necessarily enter this list. How to get there without a guide? The main route runs from the city of Gagry. We need to go along the Sukhum highway to the village of Bzipta, where on a fairly large fork, turn left and continue along the road to the mountains along the Bzypi river. The blue ribbon will then come very close to the road, then away from it for a considerable distance. The views around are mesmerizing. The path will lead to the Blue Lake, where you just need to make a stop for a photo shoot and a wonderful holiday. In the streams flowing into the lake, the water, like a tear, is clear and clean. And what a delicious! A little farther from the Blue Lake, the Bzyp River turns to the right, and the road winding between the rocks and spurs continues its run ahead. Somewhere in a couple of kilometers there will be a branch to the left. This is the very road that itself is already a tourist attraction.

Entrance to the waterfall

From the fork to the end point of the route - just over 5 km. Overcome them, and for sure Abkhazia, the Geg waterfall, will remain in memory for life. The road to it can be compared with an extreme attraction. It is so stony that only vehicles with increased terrain can pass through it, as warned by the corresponding road sign. Therefore, many travelers leave their cars here and transfer to UAZs of local enterprising Abkhazians. But the stones under the wheels are half bad. The road, twisting upwards with unpredictable zigzags, is so narrow that it sometimes seems: the wheels drive along the very edge of the cliff. Especially impressive is when the stones disturbed by UAZ slide off the road and roll down with a noise. Many tourists here either squeal, or close their eyes and pray. On such narrow sections, two cars can not disperse. One of them has to be handed back to a wider place.

Waterfall

But all difficulties are behind us. The machine safely stops on a stony clearing. There are only a few steps left to go along the bridge through the rugged river. Behind it in all furious and some devilish beauty casts down its waters the Geg waterfall (Abkhazia). The photo can not convey its roaring, buzzing power and fantastic beauty.

Approach it closer than 50 meters and stay dry is unreal. If the sun is in the sky, streams of water shield the sun's rays so that a rainbow is obtained. Even in the heat and heat near the waterfall is quite fresh. The vodka in it is so cool that you can see the remnants of snow in July. Near the waterfall, dozens of thin jets flow from the invisible cracks and cracks in the rocks. The water in them is amazing, so it's worth taking empty eggplants with you. On the left side there is an impressive cave washed by the water flow. Its width is 35 meters, and the height is about 15 meters. Inside, from the "ceiling", water streams also flow and drip.

Circassian Falls

Not only among tourists, but also among speleologists, Abkhazia is popular. The Geg waterfall has long attracted their attention to the cave from which it comes to light. It has that second, unpopular name of Circassian waterfall. The cave has a karst nature and hides several corridors, grottoes and siphons. Its length is 315 meters, and the area is over 2000 square meters. The width of this natural tunnel, along which the Gega flows, is 7 meters before becoming a waterfall. The Circassian waterfall was conquered by speleologists from Siberia and Krasnoyarsk. The mountain range, where the Geg waterfall is born, is called Arabica (Arbaika), which means "cock's comb". It is the highest in the region of the Western Caucasus.

Geg waterfall (Abkhazia), reviews

Every year hundreds of tourists come to this miracle of nature. The opinion of the waterfall is the same for all - fascinating, fantastically beautiful, powerful. Here you clearly begin to understand how small a person is in comparison with the power of nature. What other advantages are noted by tourists:

- Uniquely clean air;

- ice, transparent and unusual taste of water;

- very beautiful nature around the waterfall and on the way to it;

- extraordinary sensations near the waterfall.

What are the cons of the trip:

- A terrible road;

- high prices and tasteless food in a cafe by the waterfall.