OREANDA-NEWS. August 28, 2012. In order to develop marine traffic with the Republic of Abkhazia, FSUE “Rosmorport” launches a pilot project of a marine passenger traffic line Sochi–Gagra–New Athos, reported the press-centre of Rosmorport.

At present the lines Sochi–Gagra and Alder–Gagra are successfully developing and very popular among both tourists and local people. In 2011 during June and July 4 400 passengers traveled in these directions, and during the same period in 2012 already 12 240 passengers.

However, FSUE “Rosmorport” does not rest on laurels and develops new directions for its high-speed catamarans, taking into account the requests of the tourists and the Abkhazian people.

“New Athos is justly considered to be one of the most beautiful, picturesque and peaceful resort towns of Abkhazia. This town offers wonderful and unique nature, subtropical parks, waterfalls and small lakes, peace and quiet, variety of natural and architectural sights concentrated in its small territory. You can enrich a beach-related rest by visiting local historical and natural places”, say the tourist operators of the Republic of Abkhazia.

New Athos houses the holy places of Abkhazia and is rich in places of interests and historical monuments, such as the New Athos Cave, the Citadel of ancient Anakopia, the Genoese Tower, Simon Kananaios Temple and Grotto, the New Athos Orthodox Friary, artificial waterfall at Psyrtsha river.

The high-speed catamaran will arrive at a berth located in 15 minutes from the above mentioned places of interest, which is a great advantage.

Travel time from Old Gagra to New Athos is 1.5 hours, the boat will stop for about 3 hours.

As the line Sochi–Gagra–New Athos is an experimental one, the voyages will be made every two weeks. Later on the schedule will be adjusted according to the demand.

The ticket for Gagra–New Athos–Gagra will cost 800 RUR.