The Caucasus! Once upon a time

At 08:00 after breakfast, you will go 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 the fight against surface ships using anti—ship missiles "Mosquito". 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, sea fortifications and a 40-kilometer Mountain wall (Dagh bars) directed towards the Caucasian Ridge. 

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 RussiaJuma Mosque (8th century). 

This is the oldest mosque not only in the territory of 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 Makhachkala to the hotel, estimated arrival time is 20:30. 

Dinner (for an additional fee).

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

At 07:00 after breakfast, departure to the Kazbekov district, where one of the deepest canyons in the world and the deepest in Europe, the 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 cannot be passed by — the Chirkeyskoye reservoir, formed on the Sulak River as a result of the construction of the Chirkeyskaya HPP, the most powerful hydroelectric power plant in the North Caucasus. 

Chirkeyskaya HPP has the second tallest dam in Russia and the highest 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 more than 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 the new tourist site. In the Kazbekov district of Dagestan, the Nokyo complex was opened for tourists, which unites three caves. 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 take place, smoothly turning into an afternoon snack.

After the meal, we will go 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. 

The 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 territories, 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 (for an additional fee).

The price of the tour includes: transfer, tour guide, entrance tickets to the Nokhyo 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 go to Khunzakh, a village in Dagestan, located in the heart of mountainous Dagestan on the picturesque Khunzakh plateau — an altitude of 2000 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 with his murids, among whom was Shamil, after an unsuccessful campaign on the 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. On the shore of the reservoir, we will organize a second breakfast with a tea party. Having refreshed ourselves, we will go further on 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 XIX century, described the waterfall in the "Notes on the Avar expedition to the Caucasus in 1837": "When the sun sets, its horizontal rays just hit this waterfall, and here are no longer rainbows, but rainbow arches and entire palaces. 

This waterfall is the largest in terms of its height and volume of water, which is only in this part of the mountains.

Matlas. In a relatively small area of the district there are the most diverse and unique corners of nature. The deepest canyons, amazingly beautiful high-altitude lakes and waterfalls, complex mountain ranges. 

There are several waterfalls on Matlas. According to legend, in one of them, closed by nature from the view, the daughters of the Khunzakh khans loved to swim in the sultry 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 one into 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, similar to huge and cold rooms, extend a hundred meters in length and close overhead at the same height. You walk between stone walls and get into a magical world, immerse yourself in an incredibly fantastic atmosphere, enjoy the pristine natural beauty. 

The Khunzakh district is also the birthplace of the world-famous Dagestani poet Rasul Gamzatov and the hero of the Caucasian War Khajimurat.

Mochokhskoye Lake is a mountain lake in the Republic of Dagestan, near the village of Mochokho. 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 Mochokhtlar River, creating a natural dam.

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

Dinner (for an additional fee).

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. 

Then you will go to Grozny, where a sightseeing walking tour will take place. 

The tour includes a visit to the Church of the 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 walk along the boulevard named after him. Esambayeva. We will walk to another historical site called the Manor House. 

Next, visit the Memorial Complex named after A. Kadyrov. 

15:00 Lunch/afternoon tea at the restaurant "Zizhig 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, the estimated time of arrival is 20:00. 

Dinner (for an additional fee).

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.

At 09:00, after breakfast, you will go 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-in to the village of Tsimiti).

We will visitKadargavan Canyon is 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 cunning structure created by the highlanders to protect against enemy raids, you 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 - this 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 copy 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 hovering over the abyss, the Art object Ossetian letter "A".   

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

Then transfer to the Genaldon gorge — this is one of the narrowest and most severe gorges of Ossetia in its beauty. The sad fame of the gorge is associated with the descent of the Kolka glacier in 2002 and the mystery of the disappearance of the film crew of Sergei Bodrov Jr.

By 19:00, those who wish will be able to go to the Kavkaz Hall restaurant in Vladikavkaz for an additional fee, where the "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 3,500 rubles/person. 

Without the "Alan evening" return to the hotel at 18:30. 

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 open-air museum "Dargava Necropolis".

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 mountain Trans-Caucasian 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 places of attraction of Ossetia are concentrated here — colorful gorges and valleys, entirely in blooming and fruiting orchards, huge caps of glaciers, severely 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. Admiring the mesmerizing beauty, you will see the unique monument "Nyhas Uastyrdzhi", which is popularly called "St. George the Victorious rises above the rocks". 

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

Next, 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 try a variety of mineral springs, which the gorge is famous for, look 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). 

Next, transfer to the Tsey gorge and climb by cable car to a height 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.

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

You will return to the hotel in the evening. 

Dinner (for an additional fee).

The price of the tour includes: transfer, tour guide, lunch at the Bars cafe, cable car ascent, 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 hiking 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 "Damn".

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

The crypt of the nart is exiled. 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 Ossetian epic of Nart. 

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

The stone of the Sagkaevs. The Sakkaev's tame devil in Ossetian mythology. Stories about devils are a living piece of folk art that has been passed down from generation to generation. The struggle between good and evil is clearly visible in it, where good always wins.

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

At 13:30 lunch, which will take place with a local resident in the village of Galiat, who organized a field national cuisine in a wonderful place. You will taste national dishes cooked 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 Kuydzapparan — "dog rock" — a rocky outcrop standing alone on the very edge of a steep ridge. 

It is said that in ancient times, a criminal (a mangy dog, a brat) was thrown out of here, who was sentenced to death. Like, "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 (for an additional fee).

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. 

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

Transfer to the airport or railway station is paid additionally when booking a tour and / or a taxi is booked.