Full immersion in the atmosphere of the winter Caucasus! You will have a two-week trip along the route: Kavminvody — Karachay-Cherkessia — Kabardino-Balkaria — North Ossetia — Ingushetia — Chechnya — Dagestan with professional guides and qualified drivers.
We are waiting for beautiful views of the northern slopes, mineral springs, the purest waters of mountain rivers and, of course, mysterious medieval tower complexes
Historical and architectural monuments of different eras
We will see fortresses, ancient sanctuaries and mysterious crypts, as well as modern complexes and mosques
Gastronomic delights
Let's try original dishes prepared in the historical homeland using traditional technologies
Itinerary
Day 1 -
Meeting and gathering of the group
Arrival at Mineralnye Vody airport or Pyatigorsk railway station.
13:00 Meeting and gathering of the group, transfer to the hotel in Pyatigorsk.
Accommodation in hotels: Mashuk 2*/ Pyatigorsk 3* or Intourist 3*/Beshtau 3*.
15:00 Sightseeing tour in Pyatigorsk.
The program of the day: acquaintance with Pyatigorsk — park "Flower Garden" — Diana's grotto — cave Failure.
1 more photo
Day 2 -
Pyatigorsk — Dombai resort
Pyatigorsk — Dombai resort (250 km).
Beginning at 09:00
The program of the day: Gumbashi pass — Shoan temple — Sentinsky temple — Teberdinsky reserve — Ullu river-Murudzhu — Dombai meadow.
18:00 Accommodation in hotels in Dombayskaya polyana: Snow Leopard 3* or Meridian 3*.
The program of the day: ascent to the top of Moussa-Achitara — Teberdinsky Nature Reserve — Nizhne-Arkhyz Alan settlement — The Face of Christ — thermal springs "Pearl of the Caucasus" (additional ticket fee) — Pyatigorsk.
When visiting the thermal springs, it is necessary to bring bathing accessories, slates and towels.
Lunch and dinner are on your own (extra charge).
19:00 Accommodation in hotels: Mashuk 2*/ Pyatigorsk 3* or Intourist 3*/Beshtau 3*.
The program of the day: a trip to the Honey Waterfalls — the natural monument Mount Koltso — acquaintance with Kislovodsk — Resort Park — Cascade staircase — The Main Narzan Gallery.
Lunch and dinner are on your own (extra charge).
Mileage per day: 145 km, duration 8 hours.
1 more photo
Day 5 -
Pyatigorsk — Azau Polyana — Mount Elbrus — Nalchik
Pyatigorsk — Azau polyana — Mount Elbrus — Nalchik.
It starts at 08:30.
The program of the day: Baksan gorge — Narzanov glade — Azau glade (2300 m above sea level) — Elbrus — the highest peak in Europe, ascent to the Mir station, 3450 m.
Transfer to Nalchik.
Lunch and dinner are on your own (extra charge).
Arrival in Nalchik, accommodation at the hotel.
Mileage per day: 295 km, duration 8-9 hours.
1 more photo
Day 6 -
Nalchik — Cherek Gorge — Upper Balkaria — Blue Lakes
Nalchik — Cherek Gorge — Upper Balkaria — Blue Lakes — transfer to Vladikavkaz.
It starts at 08:30.
The program of the day: Cherek gorge — Cherek gorge — Upper Balkaria village — Lake Cerik-Kel.
Arrival in Vladikavkaz at 17:00.
Lunch is on your own (extra charge).
19:30-21:30 Alan evening show program in ethno-national style with dinner and tasting (extra charge).
Mileage per day: 230 km, duration 8 hours.
1 more photo
Day 7 -
A program to choose from
There are two options to choose from (you must choose an excursion when booking):
Option 1: An exciting trip to Mountainous Ingushetia from Vladikavkaz:.
It starts at 09:00.
The program of the day: Jeyrakh gorge — Erzi- Ceyloam pass — ancient Egical — Targim — Vnushki tower complex — Thaba-Yerdy Temple.
Picnic lunch (included in the price).
Important: to enter the border zone of the Dzheyrakh gorge, the presence of a Russian passport is mandatory, foreign citizens need to issue a pass on their own a month before the start of the tour.
Mileage per day: 180 km, duration 8-9 hours.
Option 2: Alagir gorge — Tsey — aul Nar.
It starts at 08:30.
The program of the day: The sanctuary and the rock monument of Uastyrdzhi — Tsey gorge — a cable car to the Skazsky glacier.
Picnic lunch (included in the price).
Nar Village is an observation deck of the Zaramagskaya HPP reservoir — an obelisk to the Gazdanov brothers.
Return to Vladikavkaz by 17:00.
Mileage per day: 207 km, duration 8 hours.
1 more photo
Day 8 -
Three gorges: Kurtatinsky — Karmadonskoye — Dargavs
It starts at 08:30.
The program of the day: Karmadon — Dargavs — The City of the dead — The Tower of Kurt and Tag — the village of Tsmiti — The Holy Dormition Alan Monastery.
The program of the day: Digor Gorge — Akhsinta Canyon — sanctuary of Lagta Dzuar — Zadalesk — Museum of the Mother of Makhachevo, Abisalov Tower.
Picnic lunch (included in the price).
Uallagkom: villages of Dunta, Kamunta, Galiat — Fasnal — village of Matsuta.
Return to Vladikavkaz by 19:00.
Mileage per day: 225 km, duration 10 hours.
1 more photo
Day 10 -
Chechnya: Grozny — Argun Gorge
Chechnya: Grozny — Argun Gorge.
It starts at 08:00.
Program of the day: transfer to Grozny — Argun gorge — "Nihaloy waterfalls" — Ushkaloy towers — Itum-Kali — Phakoch castle complex.
17:00 Evening sightseeing tour in Grozny:Grozny-City — Flower Park — Mosque "Heart of Chechnya" — Church of the Archangel Michael — Prospect M. Esambayeva is an Alley of Fame.
Picnic lunch (included in the price).
Accommodation in Grozny/Shali, hotels: Tiynalla 3*/Berkat 3*/Shali city 3*.
Mileage per day: 270 km, duration 9 hours.
1 more photo
Day 11 -
Grozny — Makhachkala — Izberbash
Grozny — Makhachkala – Izberbash.
It starts at 08:30.
The program of the day: transfer to Makhachkala — sightseeing tour of Makhachkala — Sarykum barkhan — transfer to Izberbash.
Lunch (included in the price).
14:00 Barkhan Sarykum — sightseeing tour of Makhachkala.
The unique Dagestan welcomes and is ready to cordially reveal to you the secrets of ancient legends, introduce you to the history, traditions, local cuisine and hospitality.
Transfer and accommodation to the hotel, Izberbash.
The beginning of the program of the day 07:30: transfer to the Gunib district — Hamsutl ghost village - panorama of the high—altitude village of Chokh — Karadakh gorge.
Lunch (included in the price).
Transfer and accommodation to the hotel, Izberbash/Kaspiysk.
The order of excursions on the 12th and 13th days of the program may vary.
Mileage per day: 315 km, duration 9 hours.
1 more photo
Day 13 -
Ekranoplan Lun — Derbent — Izberbash
Izberbash — ekranoplan Lun — Derbent — Izberbash.
It starts at 08:00.
Program of the day: transfer to Southern Dagestan — Lun ekranoplan — sightseeing tour of Derbent: the fortress wall of Dagh-Bars, Juma mosque, a walk through the magals of the old city - Naryn-Kala citadel.
Lunch (included in the price).
Transfer and accommodation to the hotel, Izberbash/Kaspiysk.
The order of excursions on the 12th and 13th days of the program may vary.
The program of the day: Sulak Canyon — observation decks with views of the Sulak Canyon, a boat trip along the Chirkeysky reservoir — the Yantarnoye fishery.
Attention: skiing in the Chirkeysky reservoir is temporarily replaced by visiting the Nokhyo caves.
Lunch (included in the price).
15:00 Group transfer to Makhachkala airport for evening flights, later than 18:00.
Mileage per day: 280 km, duration 8 hours.
1 more photo
Difficulty
Suitable for everyone
Tour organizer's comments
The ascent to Gamsutl involves a drop-off by car and a walking route. In the parking lot, local residents provide drop-off services on mountain transport (UAZ, Niva). You can drive by car for about 1.5 km, and at this moment the steepest part of the climb is overcome. The cost of the service is 100-200 rubles / person in one direction. From the car stop, the path to the end of the route will be 1.8 km, the height difference is 1450-1670 m.
Accommodation
Accommodation
Hotel
14 nights
Comfort
Midscale
Upscale
The tour provides accommodation in hotels / tourist complexes according to the tour program.
The cost of the tour per room, depending on the accommodation in the period 03.03.2024–04/13.2024, RUB.:
Mashuk 2* — Snow Leopard 3* — Russia 4* — Planeta Lux Hotel 3* — Tiynalla 3* — Ocean 3*
standard
164700
164700
107200
238740
227800
Sw. table
Twin — double room (has two separate beds).
Double (DBL) — double room (one double bed).
Single — single room.
Triple — for triple accommodation, hotels/camp sites along the route provide DBL/TWN + additional. a bed or sofa, or three separate beds (depending on the hotel's facilities).
DBL+CH — room for two adults and a child, from 7 to 12 years old inclusive.
Ocean 3* 3 nights
The Ocean Hotel is located on the seashore in Izberbash, 100 meters from the city beach. There is also a bar and a terrace on site. It offers a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and free Wi-Fi in all areas. Room service is available. Guests can book family rooms.
All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a refrigerator, a kettle and a hairdryer. There is also a shower. All rooms at the hotel have a seating area.
You can play table tennis at the Okean Hotel.
6 more photos
Snow Leopard 3* 1 night
The hotel offers non-smoking rooms, a sauna and a year-round indoor pool. The hotel has a tour desk and bicycle rental. It is located in the popular resort town of Dombay.
All rooms are simply and modernly decorated and feature a TV, a minibar and a balcony. Each room has a private bathroom.
Guests can enjoy a variety of European dishes in the restaurant of the Dombai Snow Leopard Hotel. The bar serves aperitifs and other alcoholic beverages.
Dombai hotel "Snow Leopard" offers all guests an airport shuttle service. It also provides a shuttle service to nearby locations (for an additional fee). The hotel has free parking and free internet access.
Dombai hotel "Snow Leopard" is located on the territory of the Terebda Nature Reserve. It offers easy access to ski and mountain roads.
2 more photos
Tiynalla 3* 1 night
Tiynala Hotel is located in Grozny, 12 km from Akhmat Arena Stadium. Tiynalla Hotel offers a restaurant, free private parking and a garden. It offers a 24-hour front desk, airport shuttle, luggage storage and free Wi-Fi.
A continental breakfast and a buffet breakfast are served every morning at the hotel.
2 more photos
Vladikavkaz 3* or Planet Lux 3* 5 nights
Vladikavkaz 3*
It is located in the center of Vladikavkaz, a 2-minute walk from the Terek River and the Kosta Khetagurov Park. It offers free Wi-Fi. The hotel's restaurant serves European and Caucasian cuisine. Local cafes, bars and restaurants are a 10-minute walk away. Vladikavkaz Train Station is 3 km away, and Vladikavkaz Airport is 25 km away.
In the room: There is a minibar and a private bathroom with a bathtub, free toiletries and towels. Some rooms have a view of the river. Other facilities include a desk.
The standard rooms are only on the 3rd floor. These are rooms without a balcony.
2 more photos
Another option
Planet Lux 3*
The Planeta Lux Hotel is one of the most famous in the city, as it is located in a historically significant building under state protection.
The comfortable and cozy rooms are equipped with everything necessary for living, namely, decorated in pleasant colors, wooden furniture, modern appliances and a private bathroom equipped with hygiene products.
The cafe on the square of the complex serves a variety of dishes on a customized menu every day. There is also an opportunity to try amazing desserts and drinks.
Within a 5-minute walk there are sights, Komsomolsky Park, where you can walk, as well as a convenient transport interchange. The distance to the airport is 20.6 km, and the train station is 1.2 km away.
2 more photos
Syndica 4* or Russia 4* 1 night
Syndica 4*
Featuring an indoor pool and a spa and wellness centre, Sindika Spa Hotel is located in Nalchik. Free Wi-Fi is available.
All elegantly decorated rooms feature a TV with cable channels, a refrigerator and a balcony with mountain views. The private bathroom is equipped with a hairdryer.
It offers a restaurant and a bar.
Guests of the Sindika Spa Hotel can exercise and relax in the wellness spa. Meeting facilities are also available.
Free parking is available on site.
2 more photos
Another option
Russia 4*
Intourist 3* or Mashuk 2* 3 nights
Intourist 3*
The comfortable Intourist Hotel is one of the most modern and sought-after in Pyatigorsk. The building itself is located at the foot of the famous Mashuk Mountain.
The categories are made in a light color scheme. Each room has a TV, air conditioning, refrigerator, comfortable furniture and a private bathroom with individual hygiene products.
Delicious dishes of European cuisine are prepared daily in the on-site cafe, and a variety of drinks and desserts can be enjoyed in the lobby bar.
The conference hall is equipped with special office equipment for business meetings and seminars.
The hotel is located near a convenient transport interchange and developed infrastructure, as well as near the main attractions and architectural monuments.
2 more photos
Another option
Mashuk 2*
Mashuk Hotel is located in the very center of Pyatigorsk, a 7-minute walk from Lenin Square and the city's cable car.
Each room has a cozy renovation, upholstered furniture. You will feel quite comfortable here.
Guests can have a snack in the dining room of the Academy of Taste.
Near the hotel there are many attractions of the city, a cable car and mud springs. The Tsvetnik Park and the M.Y. Lermontov Sanatorium are also located nearby.
2 more photos
Tour conditions
Group
From 5 to 40 tourists
Minimum age
10 years old
Duration
14 days 13 nights
Group meets at
Mineral Waters
Included in price
group transfers from Mineralnye Vody Airport and Pyatigorsk railway station to the hotel on the first day of the tour upon arrival, meeting at 13:00;
group transfer to the airport and railway station of Makhachkala upon departure on the final day of the tour for flights/trains later than 18:00;
accommodation in hotels /tourist complexes according to the tour program in Pyatigorsk/Dombai/Nalchik/Vladikavkaz/Grozny (Shawls)/I choose;
guided tours with professional guides and qualified drivers;
meals: breakfast at the hotel + 8 lunches/picnic lunch along the tour route;
entrance tickets to the objects of visits according to the excursion program, environmental fees of nature reserves.
Paid extra
air and railway tickets to Mineralnye Vody or Pyatigorsk and back from Makhachkala;
meals not specified in the program;
ticket for the chairlift in the Tseysky gorge - 400 rubles.;
ticket for the cable car in the Elbrus region: Azau — station Mir — 1,600 rubles.;
a ticket for the cable car when climbing Moussa Achitara - 1,600 rubles.;
ticket to the thermal springs "Pearl of the Caucasus" — 500 rubles/person.;
excursions, entertainment and entrance tickets to facilities not included in the tour program, resort fee;
individual transfers from / to the airport and railway station, as well as any individual transport service.
Book in advance, the number of seats is limited:
Alan evening show program in ethno-national style with dinner and tasting:
adult — 1,950 rubles/person.;
child under 16 years of age — 1,600 rubles/person.;
children's menu, up to 8 years old — 700 rubles/person.
It's important to know
Personal equipment you need for the tour
Travel clothes should be, first of all, comfortable. Please take with you what you usually wear for hiking and recreation. When planning a visit to protected areas and mountain gorges, sneakers with durable and non-slippery soles are best suited.
Regardless of the predicted weather conditions, it is necessary to take several warm clothes, several pairs of replacement shoes, and rain clothes on the trip; they will be useful in case of a cold snap.
Sun hats, cream, sunglasses. Sunglasses are a must-have attribute in the mountains regardless when you travel in winter or summer. Clothing that covers the shoulders and arms during the daytime hours of active sun.
When visiting shrines, you will need appropriate clothing. In the mosque, women need to wear clothes that will cover the whole body, only the face and hands remain open, trousers are also not allowed. It is enough for men to wear trousers and a shirt with sleeves to visit the mosque.
What kind of car is used for excursions?
Excursions within the framework of the tour through the territory of Karachay-Cherkessia, Kavminvod, Kabardino-Balkaria, as well as excursions to the Alagir gorge in North Ossetia are carried out on tourist buses of both larger and smaller capacity:
large buses with the number of seats: from 24 to 52.
In group tours, all seats available in vehicles are offered for seating.
The seating on the buses is arbitrary.
What are the features of catering during Ramadan?
The dining room is closed during Ramadan at the Ocean 3* Hotel. Breakfasts are organized in other cafes. For example, in the cafe “Plate" in Izberbash.
Is it possible to take into account the individual characteristics of food on the tour?
Individual nutrition characteristics are NOT taken into account in the tour.
Is the group accompanied by one guide throughout the tour?
Guides may change throughout the tour, but the tour coordinator is always the same.
Can the composition and size of the band change during the tour?
Yes, the composition and size of the group may change throughout the tour. The maximum number of people in a group is up to 40 people.
Will I need to take cash with me, or will I be able to pay with a card everywhere?
It is necessary to take cash. Card payment is poorly distributed in the regions. You can withdraw cash from your card at ATMs in major cities.
The monetary unit is the Russian ruble.
Will there be air conditioning in my room?
The availability of air conditioning in the room is not guaranteed. Please specify more information at the time of booking.
Do I need to issue a pass to foreign citizens in advance?
The program requires you to issue an entry permit yourself 30 days in advance.
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
Additional medical insurance is not included in the price of the tour. If desired, you can apply for insurance on the website of a Large Country without commission directly from insurance companies.
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
Air and railway tickets are not included in the price of the tour.
You can purchase them yourself or contact us for help.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the tour providers for their professionalism and attention to detail. Everything was thoughtfully planned, from the itinerary to the warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout the trip. a special thank-you goes to our guide, Dmitri. Thanks to him, every participant felt cared for and included. We shared many laughs, had wonderful conversations about the mountains, and truly enjoyed every moment of the journey. I would also like to thank our driver, Yuri, for his calm demeanor, confidence behind the wheel, and the sense of safety he provided every step of the way. in the mountains, that kind of reliability is priceless. Thank you for your professionalism, patience, and positive spirit. Traveling with you was more than just getting from one place to another - it was an essential part of a truly unforgettable adventure ! ✨🏔
Z
Zhanna
about provider
29 May, 2026
I would especially like to highlight the excellent organization of the tour. Everything was arranged at the highest level: comfortable minibus transfers, well-located hotels, precise scheduling, and great attention to detail. I was particularly impressed that we traveled through Dagestan and Chechnya during the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims observe strict fasting. Because of this, many cafés and restaurants were closed during the day, and even some grocery stores were not operating. Nevertheless, this did not prevent us from discovering the delicious Caucasian cuisine, hearty breakfasts and lunches were organized for us everywhere we went. I would also like to thank our guides for their courtesy, punctuality, and the fascinating way they introduced us to the culture and traditions of the peoples of the Caucasus.
SN
Svetlana Neustroeva
about provider
20 May, 2026
A huge thank you to the providers and the entire team!!!! 🤝👍 My husband and I went on a weekend tour to North Ossetia, and we absolutely loved it. I completely fell in love with the mountains ❤️ the scenery was so breathtaking it literally made my head spin. It’s unbelievably beautiful there 😍!!:) The trip lasted 4 days : the first day included a sightseeing tour, followed by three days in the mountains with skiing, snowboarding, and visits to the thermal springs. Everything was pleasant and well organized right from the booking stage. All of our additional questions were answered in great detail, everything was honest and transparent :) which is really important :D You can tell that everything has been carefully thought out: the service was attentive without being intrusive, and everyone involved was genuinely friendly and passionate about their work!:) We will definitely travel with “Big Country” again!! If you’re still hesitating - don’t overthink it, just choose a tour and go!!! :D The company of these wonderful people will truly make your trip unforgettable! Special thanks to our guide, Akhshar 🫶🏻 we were so happy to meet you!