Autumn Caucasus! Once upon a time

At 08:00 after breakfast, you will depart with our guide to Derbent.

Excursion to the southernmost city of Russia Derbent with lunch at the Ethno-House.

Our first stop at the "Caspian Monster" is the Harrier. The ekranoplane, dubbed the Caspian Monster in the West, was produced at the Volga plant and was the only fully built ship of the 903 project out of eight planned.

The main purpose of the "Harrier" is to fight surface ships using anti—ship missiles "Moskit". Aircraft carriers were declared the main target of the missile carrier. Due to its high speed (500 km/h) and invisibility to radars, the ship could approach aircraft carriers at a precise missile launch distance.

The flight altitude ranged from 1 to 5 m, and the range was up to 2 thousand km. The ekranoplane construction program was curtailed with the collapse of the USSR.

Next, a tour of the Naryn-Kala fortress, which is part of a huge fortification system, which, in addition to the citadel, included city walls, naval fortifications and a 40-kilometer Mountain wall (Dagbar), directed towards the Caucasian Ridge.

The defensive structures were erected in the most vulnerable place — a narrow three-kilometer stretch of plain between the mountains and the sea, from where any attack by nomadic tribes from the north began; let's look at the surroundings of one of the oldest mosques in Russia, the Juma Mosque (8th century).

This is the oldest mosque not only in modern Russia, but also in the entire CIS. The beginning from which the Islamic faith spread throughout Dagestan. It was built in 733 by the Arab commander Maslama ibn Abd-al-Malik, who was the conqueror of Derbent.

There were also Muslim temples in Derbent, but this mosque became the most important.

Then departure to the hotel in Makhachkala, estimated arrival time is 20:30.

Dinner (extra charge).

The price of the tour includes: transfer, tour guide, lunch at the Ethno-House, guide services when visiting the fortress of Naryn-Kala, entrance tickets to the territory of the fortress of Naryn-Kala.

At 07:00 after breakfast, departure to Kazbekovsky district, where one of the deepest canyons in the world and the deepest in Europe, Sulak Canyon, is located.

Its depth reaches up to 1920 meters, and its length is 53 kilometers. This is the most famous and visited place in Dagestan by all travelers of the world.

On the way to the canyon, there is a place that is impossible to pass by — the Chirkey reservoir, formed on the Sulak River as a result of the construction of the Chirkey hydroelectric power plant, the most powerful hydroelectric power plant in the North Caucasus.

The Chirkeyskaya HPP has the second tallest dam in Russia and the tallest arch dam in the country. Water boating will take place here.

Then we continue our journey by arriving at the main observation deck of the Sulak Canyon, which is located at an altitude of over 900 meters. You will enjoy a stunning panoramic view and a photo shoot against the backdrop of picturesque nature.

After the whole group enjoys the stunning views, we will go together to a new tourist destination. The Nokyo complex, which unites three caves, was opened for tourists in the Kazbekovsky district of Dagestan. One is located on the left bank of the Sulak River and two on the right.

The total length of the labyrinths is several hundred meters. The caves are connected by a suspension bridge, which is equipped 60 meters above the water.

Here, daredevils can test themselves on the zipline attraction, which is located across the canyon. Riding on the attraction is paid (500 rubles / person on request).

Next, we will go to the GlavRyba complex.

Glavryba is an opportunity to go beyond the noisy, bustling city and plunge into the atmosphere of a family holiday, taking place in a picturesque corner of Dagestan, at the very foot of the Sulak Canyon! Here, at the trout farm, lunch will be held, smoothly turning into an afternoon snack.

After the meal, we will drive to the hotel in Makhachkala. On the way, we will make a stop at the Sary-Kum Dune (translated from Kumyk means "yellow sands"), which allows travelers to admire the sandy alluvial hill without leaving Russia.

Interest is also fueled by the fact that the natural landmark is not located in the desert, but in the foothills of Dagestan. In the north, a huge dune adjoins flat areas, in the south and west — the Narat-Tube ranges, in the east, at a distance of 26 kilometers, with the Caspian Sea. The Shura-Ozen River flows nearby.

Arrival at the hotel at 20:00.

Dinner (extra charge).

The price of the tour includes: transfer, tour guide, entrance tickets to the Nokho cave complex, entrance tickets to visit the Sary-Kum dune, lunch at the Glavryba restaurant, boat trip along the Chirkeysky reservoir.

At 07:00 after breakfast, you will drive to Khunzakh, a village in Dagestan, located in the heart of mountainous Dagestan on the picturesque Khunzakh plateau, 2,000 meters above sea level and 140 kilometers from Makhachkala.

Khunzakh is considered the ancient capital of Tatarstan, the birthplace of warriors and poets.

Our first stop will be the Gimrinskaya Tower, a silent witness to the death of the first Imam of Dagestan, Gazi-Muhammad. He built it with his murids, among whom was Shamil, after an unsuccessful campaign against Hunzakh in 1830 to defend his native village.

Further, the Irganai reservoir is the second largest reservoir in Dagestan, formed on the Avarskoye Koisu River as a result of the construction of the Irganai hydroelectric power station.

Construction of the dam began in 1977 and was completed only in 2008. We will organize a second breakfast with a tea party on the shore of the reservoir. Having refreshed ourselves, we will continue our journey to the largest waterfall in the Khunzakh district.

Tobot Waterfall. Yakov Kostenetsky, a Russian writer and participant in the Caucasian campaigns of the 19th century, described the waterfall in his "Notes on the Avar expedition to the Caucasus in 1837": "When the sun sets, its horizontal rays just hit this waterfall, and here there are no longer rainbows, but rainbow arches and entire palaces.

This waterfall is the largest in height and volume of water that only exists in this part of the mountains.

Matlas. The relatively small territory of the district has the most diverse and unique corners of nature. The deepest canyons, amazingly beautiful high-altitude lakes and waterfalls, and complex mountain ranges.

There are several waterfalls on Matlas. According to legend, in one of them, hidden from view by nature, the daughters of the Khunzakh khans loved to swim in the hot summer. To do this, a path was cut through the rocks, which people still use today.

The stone bowl is a secret place hidden from prying eyes. The gorge consists of several vaulted rocky halls, passing into one another, connected by caves and narrow passages. You have to make your way along narrow paths, along the wall.

The rocky labyrinths of the gorge, which look like huge and cold rooms, stretch for a hundred meters in length and close overhead at the same height. You walk between stone walls and enter a magical world, immerse yourself in an incredibly fantastic atmosphere, and enjoy the pristine natural beauty.

Khunzakhsky district is also the birthplace of the world-famous Dagestani poet Rasul Gamzatov and the hero of the Caucasian War Khadzhimurat.

Mochokh Lake is a mountain lake in the Republic of Dagestan, near the village of Mochokh. It is located at an altitude of more than 1600 meters above sea level. The lake appeared only in 1963 as a result of the fact that a landslide blocked the gorge on the path of the Mochochtlar River, creating a natural dam.

In the evening, you will return to the hotel, estimated arrival time is 20:00.

Dinner (extra charge).

The price of the tour includes: Transfer, tour guide, entrance tickets to the places of visit according to the tour program, lunch at the Ethno-House.

At 09:00 after breakfast, check out from the hotel.

Next, you will go to the city of Grozny, where a sightseeing walking tour will take place.

The tour includes a visit to the Church of Archangel Michael, an observation deck on the high-rise building of the Grozny City complex, a visit to the most beautiful flower park, the Heart of Chechnya mosque.

After visiting the Mosque, we will take a walking tour along the boulevard. Esambayeva. We will walk to another historical site called the Manor House.

Then visit the Memorial complex named after A. Kadyrov.

15:00 Lunch/afternoon tea at the restaurant "Zhizhig Galnash" in Grozny (national cuisine), the restaurant can be replaced with an equivalent one in case of unforeseen circumstances.

16:00 After lunch, transfer to Vladikavkaz (travel time 1.5 hours), upon arrival, check-in at the hotel.

In the evening, you will return to the hotel, estimated arrival time is 20:00.

Dinner (extra charge).

The price of the tour includes: a tour guide, a visit to the Kadyrov Museum, an observation deck, an Alley of Fame and Lunch at a cafe.

Additionally: "A quartermaster with an Ossetian accent" (every Thursday from 19:00 to 21:30).

A unique apartment complex has been prepared especially for you, which you can visit at will as part of the tourist program for an additional fee (cost – 800 rubles/person). A ticket can be purchased on the spot).

"Kvartirnik with an Ossetian Accent" is a wonderful evening in an authentic place of Vladikavkaz, where folk artists, musicians, cultural figures, historians, artists and poets will be waiting for you.

You will immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Ossetian culture to the sounds of guitar, piano and other instruments, including national ones.

In the cafe itself, for an additional fee, you can have a snack, order a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.

Venue: Vladikavkaz, Mayakovsky St., 20, "Cafe of Poets" (lower hall). The cafe is located in the city center within walking distance from almost all hotels.

At 09:00, after breakfast, you will embark with our guide on an exciting tour of the Kurtatinsky gorge. The gorge is located in the very center of mountainous Ossetia.

To this day, ancient Ossetian villages with family, military, residential and signal towers, cave fortifications and ancient religious buildings have been preserved here (check into the village of Tsimiti).

We will visit Kadargavan Canyon, a unique place where you can see how for hundreds of years a mountain river eroded the soft limestones of a rocky ridge, and a huge boulder that fell from the top of the mountain became a natural bridge across the canyon.

The medieval rock fortress Dzivgis — the fortress has been known since the invasion of Tamerlane in the XV century — and this amazing tactical contraption, created by the highlanders to protect against enemy raids, will learn about the secret passages that permeated the entire medieval fortress.

"The spiritual heart of Ossetia". We will visit the Alan Holy Dormition Monastery, which is the highest Orthodox monastery in Russia, located at an altitude of 1300 meters.

Here you can climb the "ladder of absolution", enjoy the silence and solitude of the monastery, as well as see an exact replica of the ancient Alan temples.

13:30 National lunch at the Valley of the Sun restaurant.

Then transfer to the Dargava basin.

"Ossetian Valley of the Pharaohs" — The Dargava necropolis is popularly compared to the Egyptian "Valley of the Pharaohs". A whole "city" of more than 90 crypt structures of original shape in the form of white stone towers-houses with unusual roofs scattered along the picturesque mountain slopes.

The peace of the Ossetian Valley of the Pharaohs is guarded by majestic Watchtowers of the XVI-XVII centuries.

On the way we will see the famous swing soaring over the abyss, the Art object Ossetian letter "A".

You will see the Kurt and Tag Towers, other family towers, ancient terraces reclaimed from the mountains for planting agricultural crops.

Then transfer to the Genaldon gorge, which is one of the narrowest and most beautiful gorges in Ossetia. The gorge's infamy is linked to the collapse of the Kolka Glacier in 2002 and the mystery of the disappearance of Sergei Bodrov Jr.'s film crew.

By 19:00, those who wish will be able to go to the Kavkaz Hall restaurant in Vladikavkaz for an additional fee, where an "Alan Evening" will take place (the restaurant can be replaced with an equivalent one in case of unforeseen circumstances), an ethno-gastronomic show, a performance by folk vocal, instrumental and dance groups of the Republic of North Ossetia — Alania. The presenter and alcoholic drinks are included. The cost of the program is 3500 rubles/person.

Return to the hotel at 18:30 without the "Alan evening".

Arrival at the hotel around 23:00.

The price of the tour includes: a tour guide, lunch at the Valley of the Sun restaurant (the restaurant can be replaced with an equivalent one depending on unforeseen circumstances), a visit to the Dargava Necropolis open-air museum.

At 09:00, after breakfast, you will go with our guide to the most mysterious gorge of North Ossetia-Alania - Mamisonskoe. The tour will take place with a professional guide, on a comfortable transfer.

You will travel along the picturesque Transcaucasian mountain highway (the historical name of the Military Ossetian Road), which runs through the Main Caucasian Ridge and passes through the fabulous Alagir gorge.

It seems that all the main attractions of Ossetia are concentrated here — colorful gorges and valleys, full of blooming and fruit-bearing orchards, huge caps of glaciers, sternly pushed over high peaks, silver waterfalls running down from emerald slopes and powerful mountain rivers.

You will visit the Cathedral of the Ascension of the Lord in Alagir. While admiring the mesmerizing beauties, you will see the unique monument "Nykhas Uastyrdzhi", which is popularly called "St. George the Victorious rises above the rocks."

The 28-ton powerful monument of Saint Wastirji riding a silver horse is so artfully attached to a rock that it seems to hover over the road! In the Ossetian tradition, Uastyrdzhi, a celestial being, is one of the main characters of the Ossetian Nart epic, the patron saint of travelers and warriors. The Uastyrdzhi Monument is considered one of the largest equestrian monuments in the world.

Then enter the Mamison gorge, you will visit the medieval castle settlement of Lisri, where you will see architectural monuments of ancient architecture, military and residential tower complexes.

You will taste the various mineral springs that the gorge is famous for, see and learn a lot about the villages of the Mamison gorge: Tib, Satat, Tli, Kalak, Zgil. The guide will tell you many interesting legends and legends that surround these places.

Lunch at 14.00 in the cafe "Bars" (national cuisine).

Then transfer to the Tseiskoe gorge and take a cable car ride to an altitude of more than 2,500 m above sea level. You will enjoy the most beautiful peaks of the gorge and several glaciers at the same time, as well as the male part of the group will be able to visit one of the most important sanctuaries of North Ossetia "Rekom", for the female part of the group there will also be interesting holy places.

Then we head to Biragzang village, where after an interesting day the whole group will be able to enjoy swimming in the warm springs that gush from a depth of more than 2000 m. (Important, bathing accessories must be brought with you).

You will return to the hotel in the evening.

Dinner (extra charge).

The price of the tour includes: transfer, tour guide, lunch at the Bars cafe, cable car ride, bathing in thermal springs.

At 08.00, after breakfast, you will go with our guide to the Digor gorge.

The tour will take place with a professional guide, on a comfortable Transfer, there are many stops and walking routes on the tour. The journey will start from the main gate of the Mountain Digoria, and the first stop will be the Ahsinta Canyon.

You will find out why the bridge over the canyon is called "The Devil".

On the way S. Donifars, S. Zadaleski (history of Zadaleski Nana).

The crypt of Nart Soslan. The main interest in Matsuta is the crypt burial, which, according to local legend, belongs to the legendary Nart Soslan, one of the main characters of the Nart epic of the Ossetians.

Just above the crypt, you can see large flat depressions in the ground, extending in a chain all the way to the forest. It is believed that these are the traces of Soslan, left by him during his heroic games. You will see one of the most beautiful buildings of the Digor gorge — the Abisalov Tower.

The stone of the Sagkaevs feature. The Sakkaevs' tame devil in Ossetian mythology. Stories about devils are a living piece of folk art that has been passed down from generation to generation. It vividly shows the struggle between good and evil, where good always wins.

The complex of relief tombstones of Dunta village — here we will see colorful tsyrty. A complex of 7 tombstones located on the banks of the Songuchidong River. All the tombstones have retained their original colorful layer.

At 13:30, lunch will be served by a local resident in the village of Galiat, who organized a field national cuisine in a wonderful place. You will taste national dishes prepared high in the mountains, according to recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Next, we will go to the observation deck in the village of Galiat and see Kuyzapparan — "dog rock" — standing alone on the very edge of a steep ridge rocky outcrop.

It is said that in ancient times, a criminal (a mangy dog, a brat) was thrown from here, who was sentenced to death. They say, "a dog's death is a dog's death." This was considered a more humane act than execution.

The secrets of the Digor villages of Fasnal village, Kamunta village are waiting for you.

Visit the amazing medieval architectural complex in the village of Galiat, find out what the now empty village was famous for.

You will arrive at the hotel by 19:00.

Dinner (extra charge).

The price of the tour includes: transfer, tour guide, lunch at the ethno-house in the village of Galiat (the place can be replaced with an equivalent one depending on unforeseen circumstances).

Check-out from the hotel at 12:00.

Then you can spend time at your own discretion, stroll through the streets of the old town, buy souvenirs in the shops of the city, etc.

A transfer to the airport or railway station is additionally charged when booking a tour and/or a taxi is booked.