We go to the mountains for the history and inspiration of the Caucasus

An active journey through the regions of the North Caucasus, where excursions and hikes await us.

We will see the largest waterfall in Ossetia and one of the highest in Europe, we will stop at the thermal springs to swim in the pool with mineral water of volcanic origin.

Let's take a walk through one of the oldest cities in the world on the shores of the Caspian Sea and take gorgeous photos in the "troll language". Let's experience the evening romance of Grozny, get acquainted with the history of Ossetia and go on a hike to the tower complexes of ancient villages.

The route is designed with moderate loads in mind for enjoying a vacation in the mountains and will be equally interesting for both beginners and seasoned travelers.

Location

Republic of Dagestan, Makhachkala
from
$862
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
9 days
8 nights
Departures
10 - 18 Jun
24 Jun - 2 Jul
8 - 16 Jul
22 - 30 Jul
5 - 13 Aug
19 - 27 Aug
2 - 10 Sep
9 - 17 Sep
Accommodation
  • Hotel
    8 nights
Comfort
  • Basic+
  • Midscale
  • Upscale
Difficulty
Moderate
Involves moderate physical activity
Group
From 5 to 18 tourists
Minimum age
7 years old
Group meet at
Republic of Dagestan, Makhachkala
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
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Tour highlights

In the footsteps of the movie
We will visit a piece of the Asian desert — the filming location of the cult movie "White Sun of the Desert"
The Pearl of Chechnya
We are waiting for a business card of the Chechen Republic, which is located at an altitude of 1869 meters above sea level
Trekking to Dagestan Machu Picchu
We will climb along the canyon to the ghost village of Gamsutl at an altitude of 1,700 meters
Ancient artifacts
Let's dive into the history of the Caucasus, consider the sanctuaries and medieval villages
Swing over the abyss
Swing on a swing overlooking the Fiagdon Valley
Relaxation in the sources
Relax at the Biragzang thermal springs with mineral water

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Arrival. Sightseeing tour of Derbent
    • 10:00 Gathering of the group at the railway station in Makhachkala: main entrance, opposite the monument to Makhach Dahadaev, Emirova str., 10.
    • 11:00 Group meeting at Makhachkala airport.

    Program of the day: transfer to Southern Dagestan – sightseeing tour of Derbent: Dagh-Bara fortress wall, Juma mosque, walk through the magals of the old city - Naryn–Kala citadel. Lunch (extra charge).

    It starts at 11:00.

    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!

    Transfer to South Dagestan.

    Sightseeing tour of Derbent, one of the oldest cities in the world, located on a narrow passage between the coast of the Caspian Sea and the foothills of the Caucasus.

    According to various estimates, the city is from 4 to 5 thousand years old. The city has experienced tumultuous historical events, and one of the most important sections of the Great Silk Road lay here.

    Derbent has been a crossroads of civilization for many hundreds of years, connecting East and West. Nowadays, the entire "old town" is an open-air museum.

    There is also the oldest Juma mosque, the oldest Christian temple, the house of Peter the Great, the Khan's Palace, the fortress wall of Dagh-Bara and, of course, the mighty citadel of Naryn-Kala– the "Solar Fortress", which has protected Derbent from the invasion of nomads for thousands of years.

    A walk through the magals of the old town. An opportunity to taste the world's most delicious national Chudu and Khinkal!

    We will definitely take a look at the local bazaar, a colorful oriental market. An abundance of fruits and sweets, homemade mountain cheese and honey, of course, urbech is a super–product from Dagestan.

    Lunch (extra charge). It is carried out according to the set menu in one of the cafes along the route (pre-order at the beginning of the tour / cash payment):

    • 600 rubles/person, cafe in the ethnic house "Derbent": sliced vegetables, fruits, lentil soup, dolma, miracle with herbs and cottage cheese, pilaf, tea/compote.

    Transfer to Gunib and accommodation.

    • car race per day: 310 km.
    • the sightseeing route.
    • Duration: 10 hours.
    1 more photo
  • Day 2 - Gunib — Gamsutl — Chokh — Upper Gunib — Saltinsky waterfall — Gunib
  • Day 3 - Gunib — Karadakh gorge — Kahib and Goor — Datuna — mountain Keger — Gunib
  • Day 4 - Gunib — Sulak canyon, Dubki — trout farming — Sarykum dune
  • Day 5 - Grozny — Kezenoi Am Hoi — Shali — Grozny
  • Day 6 - Sightseeing tour in Grozny and Vladikavkaz
  • Day 7 - Alagir gorge — Tsey — hike to the Tsey glacier — Biragzang
  • Day 8 - Karmadon — Dargavs — Midagraba waterfalls — Kurtatinsky Gorge
  • Day 9 - Kurtatinsky gorge — Upper Fiagdon — Archon pass. Departure
Difficulty
Involves moderate physical activity
Tour organizer's comments

Active recreation: excursions + hiking.

Difficulty level: moderate, does not require special training.

Suitable for: for tourists who do not have contraindications to active physical activity from 7 to 70 years old.

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Hotel
    8 nights
Comfort
  • Basic+
  • Midscale
  • Upscale

The tour provides accommodation in hotels and tourist complexes.

The cost of the tour PER ROOM, depending on the accommodation, in rubles:

PlacementRoom categoryPrice validity periodDblTwinSingleTripleDBL+CH
Eagle's Nest Shopping Center, Gunib – Berkat 3* – Kadgaron 3*standard29.04.2026-03.10.202612500012500079300180000172600
Eagle's Nest Shopping Center, Gunib - Berkat 3* - Planeta Lux 3 Hotel*standard29.04.2026-03.10.202612810012810083400186600180500
Eagle's Nest Shopping center, Gunib – Edelweiss 4* - gost. Vladikavkaz 4*standard29.04.2026-03.10.2026145150145150104700201000192000

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

Twindouble room (has two separate beds).

Singlesingle room.

Triplefor triple accommodation, hotels/campsites along the route provide DBL/TWN + extras. a bed or sofa, or three separate beds (depending on the hotel's facilities).

DBL+CHroom for two adults and a child, 7-12 years old inclusive.

Eagle's Nest Tourist Base 3 nights

The tourist complex is located on the territory of the Verkhny Gunib Nature Park.

The hotel offers single, double and triple rooms of luxury, semi-luxury and economy class categories. The rooms are equipped with comfortable and beautiful furniture, all necessary appliances, and Wi-Fi access.

The cafe of the campsite offers national Dagestani dishes – khinkal, chudu, kurze, pilaf, shish kebab. Guests can also use the services of the gym, sports grounds, billiards.

The campsite has free Wi-Fi internet and satellite TV.

3 more photos
Berkat Hotel or The EDELWEISS Grozny Hotel 2 nights
Kadgaron Hotel or The Planet Lux Hotel or 3 nights

Tour conditions

Group
From 5 to 18 tourists
Minimum age
7 years old
Duration
9 days 8 nights
Group meets at
Republic of Dagestan, Makhachkala

Included in price

  • group transfers from Makhachkala airport and railway station on the first day of the tour upon arrival;
  • 16:30 group transfer to Vladikavkaz airport and railway station upon departure on the final day of the tour for flights/trains later than 18:00;
  • accommodation according to the program in hotels/tourist complexes in Guniba/Grozny/Vladikavkaz;
  • guided tours and hikes according to the program with professional tour guides and qualified drivers;
  • entrance tickets to the objects of visits according to the program of excursions, environmental fees of nature reserves;
  • meals – breakfast.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Makhachkala and back from Vladikavkaz;
  • tickets for attractions not included in the tour program (price may vary): a boat trip along the Chirkeysky reservoir – 600 rubles, the Nokhyo cave complex – 700 rubles.;
  • ticket to Biragzang thermal complex - 600 rub.;
  • the resort fee or tax is paid independently upon check-in at the hotel;
  • individual transfers from/to the airport and railway station, as well as any individual transportation service;
  • nutrition: 
    • picnic lunches or lunches along the tour route (paid on site. The cost and composition of the group set menu are presented in the tour descriptions. The price may vary);
    • dinners;

Book in advance, the number of seats is limited:

  • Alan evening show program in ethno-national style with dinner and tasting:
    • adult — 2,600 rubles/person.;
    • child under 18 years of age — 2,200 rubles/person.;
    • children's menu for up to 8 years — 800 rubles/person.

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour

The weather in the mountains can be changeable: therefore, we take raincoats with us, and always comfortable and practical shoes.

Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?

Dates and Prices

  • $862
    10 – 18 Jun 9 days 8 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • $862
    24 Jun – 2 Jul 9 days 8 nights
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  • $862
    8 – 16 Jul 9 days 8 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • $862
    22 – 30 Jul 9 days 8 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • $862
    5 – 13 Aug 9 days 8 nights
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    No need to pay now

Reviews Leave a review

  • A
    Alyona
    about provider
    1 Jun, 2026
    6 more photos
    I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the tour providers for their professionalism and attention to detail. Everything was thoughtfully planned, from the itinerary to the warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout the trip. a special thank-you goes to our guide, Dmitri. Thanks to him, every participant felt cared for and included. We shared many laughs, had wonderful conversations about the mountains, and truly enjoyed every moment of the journey. I would also like to thank our driver, Yuri, for his calm demeanor, confidence behind the wheel, and the sense of safety he provided every step of the way. in the mountains, that kind of reliability is priceless. Thank you for your professionalism, patience, and positive spirit. Traveling with you was more than just getting from one place to another - it was an essential part of a truly unforgettable adventure ! ✨🏔
  • Z
    Zhanna
    about provider
    29 May, 2026
    I would especially like to highlight the excellent organization of the tour. Everything was arranged at the highest level: comfortable minibus transfers, well-located hotels, precise scheduling, and great attention to detail. I was particularly impressed that we traveled through Dagestan and Chechnya during the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims observe strict fasting. Because of this, many cafés and restaurants were closed during the day, and even some grocery stores were not operating. Nevertheless, this did not prevent us from discovering the delicious Caucasian cuisine, hearty breakfasts and lunches were organized for us everywhere we went. I would also like to thank our guides for their courtesy, punctuality, and the fascinating way they introduced us to the culture and traditions of the peoples of the Caucasus.
  • SN
    Svetlana Neustroeva
    about provider
    20 May, 2026
    A huge thank you to the providers and the entire team!!!! 🤝👍 My husband and I went on a weekend tour to North Ossetia, and we absolutely loved it. I completely fell in love with the mountains ❤️ the scenery was so breathtaking it literally made my head spin. It’s unbelievably beautiful there 😍!!:) The trip lasted 4 days : the first day included a sightseeing tour, followed by three days in the mountains with skiing, snowboarding, and visits to the thermal springs. Everything was pleasant and well organized right from the booking stage. All of our additional questions were answered in great detail, everything was honest and transparent :) which is really important :D You can tell that everything has been carefully thought out: the service was attentive without being intrusive, and everyone involved was genuinely friendly and passionate about their work!:) We will definitely travel with “Big Country” again!! If you’re still hesitating - don’t overthink it, just choose a tour and go!!! :D The company of these wonderful people will truly make your trip unforgettable! Special thanks to our guide, Akhshar 🫶🏻 we were so happy to meet you!