Big Country Travel: Trips to Russia, Adventure Tours & Vacation Packages

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We invite you to go on an expedition to the cave cities of the Crimea - one of the most ancient and little—studied attractions.

Since ancient times, man-made cave complexes cut into the rocks many centuries ago were called "Cave cities". These buildings performed economic functions, and were also fortresses and monasteries.

You will see historical monuments that always make a deep impression!

Location

Republic of Crimea, Bakhchisarai

Hiking tours

from

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

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Tour highlights

An unknown city

You will visit the cave city of Tepe-Kermen, an ancient and not yet explored by archaeologists

Stunning views

Climb up to the Chelter Marmara and Shuldan monasteries and admire the spectacular scenery of the Baydar Valley

Diving into the past

You will walk through the ancient streets of the city of Eski Kermen, see temples and defensive structures cut into the rocks, a siege well and the ruins of a basilica

Itinerary

Day 1 - Group meeting, Holy Dormition Cave Monastery, cave town of Chufut-Kale
10:30 Meeting of the group at the railway station of Bakhchisarai.
Transfer to the parking lot.
Accommodation in tents.
Walk to the Holy Dormition Cave Monastery, see the cave town of Chufut-Kale.
For the most active — a walk around the city, a visit to the Khan's palace (on your own).
Supper. Rest.

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Day 2 - Mount Tepe-Kermen
Breakfast.
We climb the mountain along the forest path.
We are looking at the ancient Karaite cemetery.
We go down the steep path.
We climb the Tepe-Kermen mountain. Tepe-Kermen (Fortress on the top) is an ancient and not yet explored by archaeologists cave city, there is something to see and there is something to look for.
The views from the top of the mountain are breathtaking! We have lunch with tea and sandwiches.
We are going back to the campsite.
Overnight in tents.
Dinner, bonfire, rest.

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Day 3 - The cave city of Kachi-Kalyon and the hermitage of Anastasia-Uzoreshitelnitsa.
After breakfast, we go out towards the cave town of Kachi-Kalyon.
Sandwiches for lunch.
We are going to see the cave city of Kachi-Kalon and the hermitage of Anastasia-Uzoreshitelnitsa.
The room of the hermitage is intricately decorated with unusual braided pendants made of ribbons, fabric, and beads.
Overnight at the tourist parking lot.
Dinner, rest

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Day 4 - The cave city of Eski-Kermen
Breakfast.
We pack tents, move our belongings to a camping site near the cave town of Eski Kermen.
A walk through the cave city of Eski-Kermen (V-XII centuries).
We will see the ancient streets of the cave city, temples and defensive structures cut into the rocks, a siege well and the ruins of a basilica (3-4 hours).
Lunch: tea, sandwiches.
We spend the night in tents at the campsite.
Supper.

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Day 5 - Chelter Marmara and Shuldan Cave Monasteries
After breakfast we go to the cave monasteries of Chelter Marmara and Shuldan.
The monasteries offer stunning views towards the Baydar Valley.
Lunch: tea, sandwiches.
We return to the campsite for the night.
Supper. Rest.

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Day 6 - Mangup Cave City
Breakfast.
We go to the cave city of Mangup, the former capital of the ancient principality of Feodoro.
Lunch: tea, sandwiches.
We spend the night in tents at the campsite.
Supper. Rest.
Day 7 - Return
We have breakfast, pack our things and return to Bakhchisarai railway station after 12:00.
The end of the program.

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Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Accommodation

Tent

7 nights

Comfort

Basic

The tour includes accommodation in a tent.

The tour provides accommodation in two- and three-person tents.

Tour conditions

Group

From 5 to 17 tourists

Minimum age

12 years old

Duration

7 days 6 nights

Group meets at

Republic of Crimea, Bakhchisarai

Included in price

all intra-route transport;
three meals a day on the active part of the route;
equipment rental (tents, campfire and gas equipment);
instructor service on the route;
payment for overnight stays at campsites;
payment for visiting natural and historical sites throughout the route;
registration with the Crimean Control and Rescue Service.

Paid extra

railway tickets to Bakhchisarai and back;
meals not specified in the tour program;
rent a backpack, sleeping bag, trekking poles;
delivery of equipment and food to the gathering place of the group (for nonresident tourists).

It's important to know

a backpack of 70-90 liters (according to the program, we live in a campsite, before camping and between them things will need to be carried in a backpack);
waterproof backpack cover;
a tourist rug;
sleeping bag in a compression bag;
trekking boots;
shoe covers;
replacement shoes (sneakers, sandals);
waterproof jacket;
running pants;
fleece jacket (polara);
a warm vest or down jacket;
fleece hat;
thermal underwear;
fleece gloves;
light shorts or trousers;
a hat or a baseball cap;
3 pairs of socks;
2-3 sets of underwear;
swimsuit/swimming trunks;
personal hygiene items;
KLMN (mug, spoon, bowl, knife);
sunglasses (protection factor 2-3);
sunscreen (30-50 units);
individual first aid kit;
headlamp with a set of spare batteries;
trekking poles;
a 1-1.5l plastic water bottle.

Before the hike, the instructor details this list based on weather conditions.

Dates and Prices

$341

18 – 24 May 7 days 6 nights

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$341

7 – 13 Sep 7 days 6 nights

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No need to pay now

Cave cities of Crimea