The winter duet of the Caucasian republics: Chechnya and Dagestan

Breakfast at the hotel.

Together with a local guide, you will embark on a fascinating journey to the high-altitude lake Kezenoy Am (1869 m above sea level).

In terms of size and depth, it can be put on a par with the lake. The Ritsa in Abkhazia or the Blue Lake in Kabardino-Balkaria.

The coastline is 10 km, and the depth is 76 meters. The lake is located on the territory of two republics at once – Chechnya and Dagestan.

The water in the lake is cold, and in summer the surface temperature does not rise above 17-18 degrees Celsius.

On the way to Vedeno village, you will see the walls of the fortress, which is more than 200 years old.

And at the local market you can buy tortillas, pita bread, seasonal fruits, homemade cheese, honey.

After lunch at a cafe on the way (on your own), transport will take you (about 24 km) to the Harami Pass (2400 m above sea level).

After stopping at the pass, where the beauty will make your head spin, the descent to the lake (about 11 km) will begin – also by transport.

Next, your way will pass through Kharachoy village, a village famous for its location and history.

A road connecting Chechnya and Dagestan has been passing through it since time immemorial. The legendary name of Zelemkhan Kharachoevsky, the famous Abrek, is associated with this place.

Next, you will visit the ruins of the ancient village of Khoy, where you will see a six-story battle tower, petroglyphs, tombstones, arched structures that are found only in the local places of the Cheberloy society.

A mandatory item of the program is a visit to the city of Shali, where a new mosque, The Pride of Muslims, was opened in the fall of 2019.

The mosque covers an area of more than 5 hectares in the city center, next to the Shali City high-rise complex. Four minarets rise to 63 meters, while the height of the central dome is more than 40 meters.

The territory is decorated with 12 oriental-style fountains and marble gazebos where you can take a bath before prayer.

At the end of the day, you will drive to Argun, to the Aymani Kadyrova Mosque, the first mosque in Russia built in the hi—tech style.

During the day, depending on the weather, the arches of the mosque change their color from light gray to turquoise blue. At night, the mosque and the surrounding areas are illuminated with colorful LED lamps and spotlights.

Return to Grozny.

Free time in the city, dinner on your own.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today you are leaving hospitable Chechnya to travel to the equally beautiful republic of Dagestan.

After checking out of the rooms, on the way to Makhachkala, you will have a vivid tour of the Sulak Canyon, which is 1920 meters high.

It is often compared to the Grand Canyon in America; its Dagestani counterpart looks no less impressive, and also has greater depth.

From the viewing platforms, you will fully appreciate the beauty of the canyon and feel its impressive size.

Be sure to take photos from different angles – they turn out to be very bright and picturesque.

You will be fed a hearty lunch (included), and in the evening you will check into a 4* hotel in Makhachkala.

Dinner (on your own).

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today's program includes a visit to the Khunzakh plateau, the widest plateau in mountainous Dagestan with its main attraction, the steep—sided Tsolotl Canyon, into which three mountain rivers flow from a height.

During the rainy season, the waters of these rivers plunge into the canyon from a height of 50-80 meters in powerful jets and turn into a seething stream, over which white clouds of fine spray rise.

The largest of the waterfalls is the three—stage Tobot, which reaches a height of 100 m.

You will also visit the military fortress in Arani, a powerful fortification from the time of tsarism in the Caucasus.

At one time, the Russian Emperor Alexander II stayed in this mansion for the night.

The program of the day includes a visit to the Matlas Gorge, rugged with undulating ridges.

On its territory there is an observation deck with a small mosque, which offers a magnificent view.

Today you will have lunch at the guest house – again very tasty, satisfying and original (lunch included).

After returning to the hotel, you will relax after a busy day and have dinner (on your own).

Breakfast at the hotel.

You will need to vacate the rooms before leaving for the tour.

Today you are going to visit the most ancient city of Russia — Derbent.

On the way to the town of Izberbash, you will have a view of Pushkin Tau: you will notice the amazing similarity of the mountain with the profile of the great poet.

You will be taken to the well—known Lun ekranoplane, a new attraction in the suburbs of Derbent, located right on the seashore.

This so-called "Caspian monster" truly makes a deep impression.

After that, you will visit Derbent's main attraction, the Naryn—Kala Citadel, an ancient fortress that preserves the former might of the Caspian Gate.

Lunch (included).

Take a walk around the old part of the city – magalam.

And to get to know the culture and way of life of the locals better, be sure to visit the Kubachi ethnodome (it features hundreds of exhibits from different eras, carefully selected by the owner) and the Museum of Carpets and Decorative and Applied Arts, located in the Armenian-Gregorian Church.

Transfer to the airport for flights after 20:00.

The guide has the right to change the sequence of visits to the facilities.