This is the Caucasus. Winter tour of the five republics

The most complete and intense winter route through the five republics of the Caucasus: Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia and Kabardino-Balkaria. We will never forget this amazing adventure!

We will see Grozny, a very beautiful and hospitable city, reborn from the ashes of a distant war. Let's go to the high-altitude lake Kezenoi-Am, which is the largest and deepest in the North Caucasus. A boat trip through the turquoise waters of the Chirkeysky reservoir will leave unexpected and vivid impressions. We will visit the Dargava necropolis, which is popularly called the "City of the Dead", consisting of more than 90 crypt structures of original shape. 

Location

the city of Makhachkala
from
$686
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
10 Days
9 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • 6 – 15 October
    • 13 – 22 October
    • 20 – 29 October
    • 27 October – 5 November
    • Dates for next season
    • 2 – 11 January, 2025
    • 3 – 12 January, 2025
    • 5 – 14 January, 2025
    • 26 January – 4 February, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    12 nights
Comfort
  • Midscale
Difficulty
Easy
Suitable for everyone
Group
Up to 40 people
Minimum age
10 years old
Group meet at
the city of Makhachkala
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

The fortress of the VI century
We will visit the main attraction of Derbent – the ancient fortress of Naryn-Kala
Boat trip
Let's take a boat ride along the reservoir with the breeze
The history of Ingushetia
We will see the medieval complex of Ingush defense watchtowers
Alan evening
If desired, we can visit the show program in the ethno-national style with dinner and tasting
Three gorges of Ossetia
We will see the battle towers and cave fortifications of the Kurtatinsky gorge, the Dargava necropolis and the infamous Karmadon gorge
Caucasian markets
We will have time to walk around the markets of Derbent and Makhachkala

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Arrival. Makhachkala – Sulak canyon, Oaks – trout farming – Sarykum dune – Izberbash
    • 11:00 Gathering of the group at the railway station in Makhachkala: the main entrance, opposite the monument to Makhach Dahadaev, 10 Emirova str.
    • 11:45 Gathering of the group at Makhachkala airport.

    It starts at 11:45. 

    Mileage per day: 290 km, 9 hours.

    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.

    The program of the day: transfer to the Sulak Canyon – observation deck with views of the Sulak Canyon – Chirkeyskoye reservoir – boat trip through the reservoir (optional, extra charge) – trout farming.

    Lunch (included in the price).

    Nokhyo cave complex (optional, extra charge) — Sarykum dune. 

    Transfer and accommodation to the hotel, Izberbash/Kaspiysk/Makhachkala.

    1 more photo
  • Day 2 - The program depends on the date of arrival
  • Day 3 - Lun – Derbent Ekranoplane
  • Day 4 - Sightseeing tours of Makhachkala and Grozny
  • Day 5 - Grozny – Kezenoi Am Khoy – Shali – Vladikavkaz
  • Day 6 - An exciting trip to Mountainous Ingushetia from Vladikavkaz
  • Day 7 - Three gorges: Kurtatinsky – Karmadonskoye – Dargavs
  • Day 8 - Alagir Gorge – Tsey
  • Day 9 - Vladikavkaz – Chegem gorge, waterfalls – Baksan gorge – Narzanov glade – Azau glade / Cheget
  • Day 10 - Excursion to Elbrus. Departure
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
    12 nights
Comfort
  • Midscale

The tour includes accommodation in hotels and in a tourist complex.

New Year's arrivals on 26, 29.12.2024, 02, 03, 05.01.2025 alternative accommodation in Nalchik (on the 9th day of the program).

The cost of the tour per room, depending on the accommodation and selected dates, RUB.:

PlacementCheck-in dates

Dbl

2-local

Twin 

2-local

Single 

1-local

Triple

3-local

DBL+CH 

2 vzr. + 1 reb.

Ocean, Izberbash 3* — Berkat 3* – Planet Lux 3* — Tourist Complex15.12, 26.12.2024, 02.01, 03.01, 05.01, 26.01, 09.02, 23.02, 02.03, 09.03, 16.03, 23.03, 30.03.202513000013000086000191400183500
Ocean, Izberbash 3* — Berkat 3* – Vladikavkaz 4* (comf) — Tourist complex13500013500094000200000192000
Monto 4*, Makhachkala — Berkat 3* — Planeta Lux 3* — Tourist Complex29.12.2024, 02.01, 03.01, 05.01, 23.02, 02.03, 09.03, 16.03, 23.03, 30.03.202514000014000092000203000197000
Monto 4*, Makhachkala — Berkat 3* — Vladikavkaz 4* (comf) — Tourist Complex14550014550098000205300200000
AZIMUT 4*, Kaspiysk — Berkat 3* — Vladikavkaz 4* (comf) — Tourist Complex26.12. 29.12.2024, 02.01, 03.01, 05.01, 23.02, 02.03, 09.03, 16.03, 23.03, 30.03.2025147600147600101100213000206000

Twin — double room (has two separate beds).

Double (DBL) — double room (one double bed).

Singlesingle 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.

The possible accommodation options indicated can be replaced with similar ones by the decision of the tour operator.

"Ocean" or «AZIMUT Kaspiysk» or 9 nights
"Ocean"

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.

Another option
«AZIMUT Kaspiysk»

The AZIMUT Kaspiysk Hotel is located on the shores of the Caspian Sea, in the Republic of Dagestan. For the convenience of guests, the reception is open 24 hours a day, free private parking is available, and Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.

All rooms have comfortable furniture, TV, air conditioning, bathroom with necessary hygiene products.

Breakfast is served to the guests according to the buffet system, the restaurant offers a large selection of delicious dishes for every taste. Each room is equipped with a mini fridge and a kettle. There are many places nearby where you can have a quick and inexpensive snack.

The hotel is located just a few steps from the beach. Makhachkala Airport can be easily reached by public transport in 45 minutes. or by taxi in 15 minutes.

Another option
"Monto"

Monto Hotel is located in Makhachkala. For the convenience of guests, there is a 24-hour front desk, a shuttle service, and free Wi-Fi throughout the complex.

Guests can stay in comfortable rooms of different categories. Each room is equipped with everything you need, including modern appliances, comfortable furniture, air conditioning, an individual bathroom with a set of toiletries and towels. A safe and a mini-bar will be a nice bonus.

Guests can dine at the rooftop restaurant of the hotel, or by visiting nearby cafes of Caucasian and European cuisine, stylish coffee shops and pastry shops.

Within walking distance from the Monto Hotel there is a shopping center, the Multiland children's complex, as well as many grocery and clothing stores.

5 more photos
Berkat 1 night
"Planet Lux" or Vladikavkaz 1 night
Tourist complex 1 night

Tour conditions

Group
up to 40 tourists
Minimum age
10 years old
Duration
10 days 9 nights
Group meets at
the city of Makhachkala

Included in price

  • group transfers from Makhachkala airport and railway station on the first day of the tour;
  • group transfer from Azau/Cheget glade to the airport and Mineralnye Vody railway station upon departure on the final day of the tour to flights/trains later than 18:00;
  • accommodation in hotels/tourist complexes according to the tour program;
  • guided tours with professional guides and qualified drivers;
  • meals: breakfast at the hotel + 7 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 Makhachkala and back from Mineralnye Vody;
  • excursions, entertainment and entrance tickets to facilities not included in the tour program;
  • individual transfers from / to the airport and railway station of Makhachkala, as well as any individual transport service;
  • meals not specified in the tour program;
  • entrance tickets to attractions not included in the tour program: boat trip along the Chirkeysky reservoir, Nokho cave complex;
  • New Year's banquet;
  • ticket for the chairlift in the Tseysky gorge - 600 rubles.;
  • ticket for the cable car in the Elbrus region: Azau – station Mir – 1,800 rubles/person.

Book in advance, the number of seats is limited:

  • Alan evening show program in ethno-national style with dinner and tasting:
    • adult — 2,200 rubles/person.;
    • a child under 16 years of age — 1,800 rubles/person.;
    • children's menu, up to 8 years old — 800 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.

Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
Do you need insect protectors/sprays on the tour?
Will there be air conditioning in my room?
Will I need to take cash with me, or will I be able to pay with a card everywhere?
What kind of car is used for excursions?
Can the composition and size of the band change during the tour?
Is the group accompanied by one guide throughout the tour?
Is it possible to take into account the individual characteristics of food on the tour?
What is the cost of New Year's banquets?

Dates and Prices