The pearl of the Caucasus. Railway cruise with a visit to Ossetia in May

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A comfortable railway trip to the south of Russia, during which the train will become a hotel on wheels for you and will take you to a new place every morning.

You can take a chairlift to the Skazsky Glacier, 2500 meters above sea level. Take a walk through the magals and ancient streets of Derbent. Get acquainted with the iconic places of Grozny and its past, hear a story about Chechen culture and hospitality traditions. In the ancient village of Ossetia, you will encounter artifacts of past eras, see architectural structures of ancient architecture.

Location

Russia, Moscow

from

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Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)

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Tour highlights

Wine tasting

Let's find out the history of the origin of viticulture in Derbent and try a couple of wines

Alan evening

We are waiting for national dances, charming national music and delicious Caucasian national cuisine

Relaxing in the thermal waters

After active excursions, we will relax in the warm thermal springs

Ascent to Elbrus

We will climb Mount Elbrus by the highest cable car in Russia to the Gara-Bashi station, located at an altitude of 3,847 meters

Immersion in the history of Derbent

Let's get acquainted with the ruins of the Khan's Palace, one of the largest architectural complexes of the citadel

"The Pride of Muslims"

We will visit the largest mosque in Europe, which is covered with a special Greek marble from the island of Thassos

Itinerary

Day 1 - Goodbye, Moscow!
Self-boarding the tourist train No. 930/929 (car numbers, seats will be indicated in the voucher).
10:50 Departure of the tourist train No. 930/929 from the Kazan railway station in Moscow.

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Day 2 - Republic of Adygea
Breakfast on the train.
12:50 Arrival of tourist train No. 930/929 at the Maykop railway station, meeting with the guide, boarding the bus (the bus number is indicated in the voucher).
Transfer to the panoramic platform of the Azish-Tau ridge, travel information about the history, culture and modern development of Adygea.
A visit to the panoramic site of the Azish-Tau ridge.
Excursion to the Azish cave.
The Big Azish cave is one of the five best caves in Europe.
Visit to the Khadjokh Gorge natural monument.
Thousands of years ago, the Belaya River created unique stone bridges in the Khadjokh gorge.
Free time for independent walks, visits to cafes and souvenir market.
Transfer to the thermal pools.
Along the way, you will learn about the customs, everyday life, culinary traditions of the Adygs.
Bathing in thermal pools (bathing accessories, towel rental for an additional fee).
Dinner with national dishes (with tasting of Adyghe cheese) and participation of artists of the national dance ensemble.
There will also be an opportunity to purchase cheese, honey and works by craftsmen of folk crafts.
Transfer to the railway station of Maykop.
21:10 Departure of the tourist train No. 930/929 to Vladikavkaz.

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Day 3 - Republic of North Ossetia-Alania
Breakfast on the train.
10:10 Arrival of tourist train No. 930/929 at Vladikavkaz railway station, meeting with the guide, boarding the bus (the bus number is indicated in the voucher).
Transfer to the Alagir gorge (48 km).
Moving along the Military Ossetian road in the Alagir gorge, on the right in the direction of movement, attention is attracted by an extraordinary sculptural composition - the Sanctuary and the rock monument of Uastyrdzhi.
Inspection of the monument and the sanctuary (20 min).
Transfer (41 km) to the Tsey gorge — the pearl of Ossetia.
The entire Tsey Gorge is a state reserve, and the figure of the patron saint of Afsati at the entrance symbolizes protection for everyone living in this beautiful corner of the Caucasus.
We will take a chairlift to the Skazsky glacier, 2500 meters above sea level.
The total estimated time for ascent, inspection and descent is 1:30.
Transfer to lunch at a cafe in the village of Buron.
Lunch with dishes of national cuisine.
Moving to the Mamison gorge is one of the most remote and inaccessible corners of Ossetia.
In the ancient village of Lisri, we will encounter artifacts from past eras, see architectural structures of ancient architecture.
Transfer (102 km) to Vladikavkaz.
On the way, stop at the Gazdanov brothers obelisk (5-10 min).
Bus and walking tour of Vladikavkaz.
Free time for independent walks, visits to cafes and souvenir market.
"Alan Evening" is a dinner and a show program in the ethno-national style.
Acquaintance with the traditional Ossetian feast, the main ritual of the Alan cult: the great prayer feast – KUVD.
Transfer to Vladikavkaz railway station.
22:00 Departure of the tourist train No. 930/929 to Grozny.

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Day 4 - Chechen Republic
Breakfast on the train.
09:30 Arrival of the tourist train No. 930/929 at the railway station in Grozny, meeting with the guide, boarding the bus (the bus number is indicated in the voucher).
Transfer to the Nihaloy waterfalls along the Argun gorge.
Visit to the Nihaloy Waterfalls sports and tourist complex.
A walk to the waterfalls.
Transfer to Shali.
Visit to the mosque "Pride of Muslims".
The mosque looks dazzlingly white because it is covered with a special Greek marble brought from the island of Thassos, and the amazing finishing stone has the ability to reflect light.
Transfer to Grozny.
Lunch at a cafe in the city.
Sightseeing tour of the city with a visit to the Akhmat Kadyrov Memorial Complex of Glory, the Central Mosque "Heart of Chechnya", the complex of skyscrapers "Grozny City" and an observation deck on the 29th floor, a Flower Park, the Orthodox Church of Michael the Archangel.
Dinner at a cafe in the city.
Free time in the city center.
An alternative to free time is to visit the Light and Music Fountains during the operation of this facility (from 20:30 to 21:30).
Transfer to the railway station in Grozny.
23:30 Departure of tourist train No. 930/929 in Makhachkala (boarding the train at 21:00).

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Day 5 - Republic of Dagestan
Breakfast on the train.
07:29 Arrival of tourist train No. 930/929 at Derbent railway station.
08:00 Meeting with the guide, boarding the bus (the bus number is indicated in the voucher).
Transfer to the Lun ekranoplane with an external inspection, the guide's story about the legendary ekranoplane, a brilliant invention of Soviet engineering.
Excursion to the Naryn-Kala Citadel Museum-Reserve.
A tour of the magals, the ancient streets of Derbent.
You will see the Juma Mosque, the house where the exiled writer Bestuzhev-Marlinsky lived, the ancient shopping square lined with shell stones, and look into the Maiden Baths (the museum of culture and everyday life of ancient Derbent).
A tour of the cognac factory.
During the tour you will learn the history of the plant, as well as the history of the origin of viticulture in ancient Derbent.
You will get acquainted with the production of a full cycle — from growing grapes, processing them to bottling finished products.
The program includes:
visit to the museum of the combine;
a tour of the territory of the plant;
a story about full-cycle production;
guided tour of the winery;
visit to the storage of aged elite cognac spirits in barrels;
tasting of 3 samples of wines ("Derbent zolotoe", "Merlot", "Chardonnay"), 3 samples of cognac ("Old Fortress", "Derbent 5 stars", "KVVK" Kaspiy"), 1 sample of calvados "Derbentsky".
Lunch with elements of national dishes.
Transfer to the eastern market.
Free time for independent walks, visits to cafes and souvenir market.
In summer, relax on the beach (if desired, you can take bathing accessories and towels).
Transfer to the railway station.
19:01 Departure of the tourist train No. 930/929 to Nalchik.

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Day 6 - Kabardino-Balkarian Republic
Breakfast on the train.
07:00 Arrival of tourist train No. 930/929 at Nalchik railway station, meeting with the guide, boarding the bus (the bus number is indicated in the voucher).
Transfer to the Azau clearing along the Baksan gorge of the Elbrus region.
Climb Mount Elbrus by the highest cable car in Russia to the Gara-Bashi station, located at an altitude of 3,847 meters.
Attention! Being at high altitudes can cause oxygen starvation, changes in cardiovascular pressure and other acute conditions. It is not recommended for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, as well as children under 3 years of age to climb the cable car. It is prohibited to climb the cable car under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Free time for independent walks, visiting cafes and buying souvenirs.
Transfer to Nalchik.
A late lunch, during which you will be able to taste dishes of national cuisine, get acquainted with the way of life, cuisine and customs of the Balkarian people, and enjoy performances by national musical and dance groups.
Transfer to Nalchik railway station via the central street of the city — ave. Lenin with a short sightseeing tour of the city.
17:50 Departure of the tourist train No. 930/929 to Moscow.

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Day 7 - On the way
Breakfast on the train.
Rest on the train.

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Day 8 - Moscow. Departure
00:20 Arrival of the tourist train No. 930/929 at the Kazansky railway station in Moscow.
The time in the program is indicated approximately.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Train

6 nights

Comfort

Midscale
Upscale

The tour provides accommodation in a comfortable carriage.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the accommodation for check-in 05.05.2024, RUB.:

Category	4-seater compartment	sv	sv 1-bed accommodation	Luxury	Luxury 1-bed accommodation
For adults	97 800	129 200	217 100	151 800	262 300
For children from 0 to 9 years old inclusive (with a seat)	96 600	127 900	-	150 800	-
For children from 0 to 4 years old inclusive (without a seat)	43 000	43 000	-	43 000**	-

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the accommodation for check-in on 05/13/2024, RUB.:

Category	4-seater compartment	sv	sv 1-bed accommodation	Luxury	Luxury 1-bed accommodation
For adults	102 520	139 500	237 700	151 800	262 300
For children from 0 to 9 years old inclusive (with a seat)	101 300	138 200	-	150 800	-
For children from 0 to 4 years old inclusive (without a seat)	43 000	43 000	-	43 000**	-

The price is for 1 child under 9 years old when staying with two adults.

The purchase of one additional seat in a four—seater compartment is on request.

The tourist train includes comfortable luxury, CB, compartment and second-class carriages.

SUITE 6 compartment	1 upper shelf + 1 lower (unfolds, it turns out the analogy of a bed in size slightly less than 2 bedrooms), bathrobes + slippers, 1 medium + 1 large towel. Personal amenities in the form of a WC with a sink. A soft corner sofa, there is a TV (you can use a USB stick or disks). There are only 12 people in the carriage
SUITE 5 compartments	1 upper shelf + 1 lower (unfolds, it turns out the analogy of a bed in size slightly less than 2 bedrooms), bathrobes + slippers, 1 medium + 1 large towel. Personal amenities in the form of 1 shower +WC with sink. A soft corner sofa, there is a TV (you can use a USB stick or disks). There are only 10 people in the carriage.
sv	2 lower shelves, 1 medium towel for 1 person, mini travel kit (toothbrush + toothpaste, slippers, refreshing napkin). Amenities per carriage. The maximum number of people in a carriage is 18
COMPARTMENT	2 lower and 2 upper shelves. Amenities per carriage. Mini travel kit (toothbrush+ toothpaste, slippers, refreshing napkin). The maximum number of people in a carriage is 36
Reserved seat	9 open-type compartments, 9 side seats. The maximum number of people in the car is 54 seats
The general Ruskeala Express	The train is stylized for the beginning of the 20th century. The train is pulling - a real steam locomotive. There are 6 seats in each compartment. The train has a restaurant car and a photo compartment.

Tour conditions

Group

up to 50 tourists

Duration

8 days 7 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Moscow

Included in price

railway travel in a carriage of the selected type along the route;
transportation and excursion services according to the program;
entrance tickets to tourist sites according to the program;
meals according to the program (for more information, see the "Important to know" section);
escort services throughout the route.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Moscow and back;
personal expenses;
additional meals on the train;
purchase of one additional seat in a four-seater compartment.

It's important to know

In the summer, take with you a change of shoes, swimsuits, a towel for swimming in the sea in Derbent.

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification

from
$976

4 – 11 May, 2025 8 days 7 nights

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No need to pay now
from
$1,023

12 – 19 May, 2025 8 days 7 nights

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No need to pay now

Meal schedule according to the tour program
1 day. Moscow	Not included
Day 2. Republic of Adygea	Breakfast, dinner
Day 3. Ingushetia	Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4. Grozny, Chechen Republic	Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5. Republic of Dagestan	Breakfast and lunch
Day 6. Kabardino-Balkaria	Breakfast and lunch
Day 7. On the way	Breakfast