Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia
It is located in the foothills of the Northwestern Caucasus. In the west, the territory of the republic borders with the Krasnodar Territory, in the north and northeast with the Stavropol Territory, in the east with the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic. In the south, the border runs along the Main Caucasian Ridge with Georgia and Abkhazia. The capital of the republic is the city of Cherkessk. On the territory of Karachay-Cherkessia there are such popular ski and mountaineering centers as Dombai, Arkhyz, Teberda. The republic is also famous for the Teberdinsky Nature Reserve with its natural attractions: Sofrudzhinsky, Alibeksky, Chuchkhursky waterfalls, Baduksky, Murudzhinsky lakes, etc. Most of the territory of the republic is occupied by mountains (about 60%). In the south, from the upper reaches of the Malaya Laba River, the Main and Lateral Ridges of the Greater Caucasus stretch, reaching heights up to 4000 m. The highest peak of the Caucasus, Elbrus, is located on the border with Kabardino-Balkaria. The passes Marukhsky, Klukhorsky, Naur Pass and others lead through the Main Caucasian Ridge to the Black Sea coast. Rocky, Pasture and Wooded ridges stretch to the north.
Dombai is a resort village in Karachay–Cherkessia, located at an altitude of 1,630 meters above sea level at the confluence of three rivers: Amanauza, Dombai-Ulgen and Alibek. There are few places in the world with such diversity and richness of nature. There are well-known panoramic points in the vicinity of Dombay, offering exceptional views. Due to favorable climatic conditions, a variety of terrain, and an abundance of snow in winter, Dombayskaya Polyana is a popular place for skiing. Picturesque nature, crystal clear air, warm, without sudden temperature fluctuations, sunny, calm weather - all this creates excellent conditions for a good rest.
Teberda in translation from Karachay means "God's gift". This is a resort in Karachay-Cherkessia with a unique microclimate, located on the banks of the river of the same name, on the territory of the Teberdinsky Reserve. It is surrounded by mountains (up to 3,300 m high) Kelbashi, Kashkaya (in the east), Lysaya, Ullu-Hatipara and Gitche-Hatipara (in the west). The valley of the Teberda river and the mountain slopes are covered with coniferous and deciduous forests (pine, fir, spruce, yew, maple, hornbeam, beech). At the headwaters of the Teberda River and its tributaries are high–altitude lakes and numerous glaciers.
The Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria
The republic is located mainly in the mountains of the North Caucasus, the northern part is on the plain. It borders Stavropol Territory in the north, North Ossetia in the east, Georgia in the south and Karachay-Cherkessia in the west. In the south, 5 ridges of the Greater Caucasus run parallel to each other: Wooded, Pasture (Cretaceous), Rocky, Lateral and Main (or Watershed). The republic has the highest point in Russia, the Caucasus and Europe - Mount Elbrus (5,642 m). The Elbrus National Park and the Kabardino-Balkarian Alpine Reserve are located on the territory of Kabardino-Balkaria. The population is 860 thousand people. The capital of the republic is Nalchik.
Elbrus is the tourist name for a part of the Greater Caucasus from the western approaches to Elbrus to the Chegem River basin in the east. Its southern border runs along the Main Caucasian Ridge. This is an amazing region with majestic ice-capped peaks, picturesque gorges, numerous waterfalls, and a mild mountain climate. It is here, in the Lateral Ridge, that the highest mountain range of the Greater Caucasus is located, its pearl is Elbrus, which is a two-headed cone of an extinct volcano. Its mountain range is composed of deep crystalline rocks - granites, gneisses, as well as rocks of volcanic origin - tuffs and diabases. The height of the western peak is 5642 m, the eastern one is 5621 m. Elbrus is connected to the Main Caucasian Ridge by the Khotyutau Ridge. The Elbrus region is famous for its picturesque gorges located at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level and more. The largest of them is the Baksan Valley. From the northeast, it has an open, gradually expanding exit. The rapid flows of mountain rivers carry a large number of stones into the valley, covering the floodplain areas of the Baksan River and its tributaries. In the glades of Azau and Cheget, there are chairlift roads, numerous cafes, souvenir markets, equipment rental points. In the village of Terskol there are shops and cafes, near the village there is a mineral spring "Malye Narzany Achi-Su", and three kilometers below Terskol there is a "glade of narzans". The V. V. Vysotsky Mountaineering Museum has been opened in the village of Elbrus.
The time zone corresponds to Moscow time.