Let's go to Dagestan! Guided tour

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During this short trip, we will find canyons and waterfalls, abandoned villages and ancient cities, mosques and fortresses. The best opportunity to learn the famous mountain hospitality, taste authentic national cuisine and see the piercing beauty of the landscapes.

Location

Republic of Dagestan, Makhachkala

Sightseeing tours

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

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Tour highlights

An unusually narrow gorge

We will visit a place where steep slopes surround from all sides, and every step is echoed.

Following in the footsteps of great artists

Let's go to the clearing in the mountain Keger, where Aivazovsky wrote the famous "Gunib Village in Dagestan"

A piece of the Asian desert

Let's wander along the sun-warmed sand of the mini-dune. A cult Soviet film was shot here!

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival. Derbent Sightseeing Tour
10:00 Gathering of the group at the railway station in Makhachkala: main entrance, opposite the monument to Makhach Dahadaev, 10 Emirova St.
11:00 Group meeting at Makhachkala airport.
It starts at 11:00.
In a day, 310 km, 10 hours.
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.
Transfer to Southern Dagestan, where we will get acquainted with the way of life and traditions of local residents. We will make a stop for photo shoots at the legendary Lun ekranoplane — the only one of its kind, the Soviet engineering project impresses with the scale of the idea and design.
Transfer and sightseeing tour of Derbent, one of the oldest cities in the world. According to various estimates, the city is from 4 to 5 thousand years old.
Nowadays, the entire "old town" is an open-air museum. There is also the oldest Juma Mosque, the oldest Christian church, and Peter I's house.
As well as the Khan's palace, the Dagbar fortress wall and, of course, the mighty citadel of Naryn-kala, the "solar fortress" that has protected Derbent from the invasion of nomads for thousands of years.
A walk through the magals of the old town.
The opportunity to taste the most delicious national dishes in the world — chudu and khinkal.
We will definitely take a look at Derbent 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.
An additional fee is paid for lunch 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.

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Day 2 - Gamsutl ghost village, Chokh village and Saltinsky Waterfall
08:30 Start.
110 km per day, 8 hours.
Programs of the day: Gamsutl — the mountainous village of Chokh — Verkhny Gunib — "Shamil's Gazebo" — "Tsarskaya Polyana" — Gunib fortress — "Shamil's Gate" — Saltinsky waterfall.
Transfer to Gunibsky district. Gamsutl village, which is often called the ghost village or Dagestan Machu Picchu, is located at an altitude of 1,700 m.
There is no road here, so you have to walk along the canyon for just over an hour. But it's worth it!
Gamsutl is considered one of the most ancient settlements in Dagestan, and although the village was recently abandoned by people, it seems that time has stopped here and everything around it looks more like a movie set.
On the opposite slope of the ridge is the mountainous village of Chokh, the birthplace of many prominent Dagestani scientists, educators and military aristocracy.
The houses with colorful roofs are attached to each other, like floors in a high-rise building, with a mountain serving as one of the walls. There are many villages in Dagestan that are famous for their history. But among them, Chokh stands out for his romantic and heroic past.
An additional fee is paid for lunch according to the set menu at one of the cafes along the route (pre-order at the beginning of the tour/cash payment)
650 rubles/person, cafe of the Mountain Wind campsite: sliced vegetables, khinkal with meat (serving for 3-4 people), chudu, lentil soup, tea, apricot porridge;
700 rubles/person, cafe in Gunib "U Aishat": lentil soup, cabbage rolls, chudu, Avar khinkal, sliced vegetables, tea/compote, apricot porridge.

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Day 3 - Karadakh gorge. The villages of Kahib and Goor. Datong Temple
08:30 Start.
In a day, 215 km, 8 hours.
Program of the day: Karadakh gorge — Old Kahib and Goor — Datun temple — mountain Keger.
The Karadakh Gorge, which is called the "Gate of Wonders", is an extraordinary creation of nature. The height of the cliffs reaches 170 meters at the highest point, which creates the impression of an enclosed space.
The appearance of the gorge is amazing: the steep slopes surround and squeeze from all sides, every step and sound echoes. Here you can truly feel the infinite power and grandeur of nature.
An additional fee is paid for lunch according to the set menu at one of the cafes along the route (pre-order at the beginning of the tour/cash payment)
650 rubles/person, cafe of the Mountain Wind campsite: sliced vegetables, khinkal with meat (serving for 3-4 people), chudu, lentil soup, tea, apricot porridge;
700 rubles/person, cafe in Gunib "U Aishat": lentil soup, cabbage rolls, chudu, Avar khinkal, sliced vegetables, tea/compote, apricot porridge.

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Day 4 - Sulak canyon, reservoir. Sarykum dune. Departure
07:30 Start.
280 km per day, 8 hours.
Program of the day: transfer to the Sulak Canyon — observation deck with views of the Sulak Canyon — Chirkey reservoir — boat trip through the reservoir (optional, extra charge) — trout farming.
The grandiose Sulak Canyon, up to 1920 m deep, a great creation of nature, stretches across the territory of Dagestan for 53 km. Dubki village has several secure viewing platforms, from where the canyon will appear in all its glory.
The panorama of the Chirkeysky reservoir will leave unexpected and vivid impressions.
On request and for an additional fee, there will be an opportunity to take a boat ride along the reservoir and visit the Noho caves (optional, additional fee).
Lunch for an additional fee — trout farming. A good place for a friendly lunch to complement a busy day. Fresh trout dishes are guaranteed here.
An additional fee is paid for lunch according to the set menu at one of the cafes along the route (pre-order at the beginning of the tour/cash payment):
800 rubles/person, Rahat restaurant: trout, chudu, rustic potatoes, sliced vegetables with cheese, tea;
850 rubles/person, Glavryba complex: trout, chudu with meat, sliced vegetables with cheese, bread, compote, tea.
Sarykum dune is the second largest dune in the world and the largest dune in Europe. A piece of the Asian desert in the heart of the mountainous region was the filming location for the cult movie "The White Sun of the Desert".
16:00 Group transfer to Makhachkala airport for evening flights, later at 19:00.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Tour organizer's comments

There is no road on the way to Gamsutl, so you have to walk along the canyon for just over an hour. But it's worth it!

Accommodation

Hotel

3 nights

Comfort

Midscale

The tour provides accommodation in a tourist complex.

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

The placement object	Price validity period	Placement
The placement object	Price validity period	Twin/Double	Single	Triple	2Ad+1Ch (7-12 years old)
Eagle's Nest Tourist Complex, Gunib	29.04, 06.05, 27.05, 10.06, 24.06.2026	50000	35000	74500	72500
	08.07, 22.07, 05.08, 19.08.2026	54000	39000	77000	74000
	02.09, 09.09, 16.09, 23.09.2026	50000	35000	74500	72500

For 3-bed accommodation, hotels/campsites provide DBL/TWN + extras. a bed or sofa, or three separate beds (depending on the hotel's facilities).

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.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 19 tourists

Minimum age

7 years old

Duration

4 days 3 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;
group transfer to the airport and railway station of Makhachkala upon departure on the final day of the tour for flights/trains later than 19:00;
accommodation with breakfast in a hotel/tourist complex in Gorny Gunib;
guided tours and hikes according to the program with professional guides and qualified drivers;
entrance tickets to the objects of visits according to the program of excursions;
ecological collections of nature reserves.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Makhachkala and back;
tickets for attractions not included in the tour program:
- a boat trip along the Chirkeysky reservoir — 600 rubles.;
- visit to the Nokhyo cave complex — 700 rub.;
meals along the tour route: picnic lunch or lunch is paid on site (lunch on a set menu of 600-850 rubles);
individual transfers from/to the airport and railway station of Makhachkala, as well as any individual transport service;
The resort fee or tax is paid independently upon check-in at the hotel.

It's important to know

First of all, travel clothes should be comfortable. Please take with you what you normally wear for hiking and relaxing.

For visiting protected areas and mountain gorges, sneakers with durable and non-slippery soles are best suited.

Regardless of the forecast weather conditions, you must take:

A few warm clothes;
several pairs of replacement shoes;
rain protection clothes;
sun hats, cream, sunglasses. Sunglasses are a must—have in the mountains, regardless of whether you travel in winter or summer.;
clothing that covers the shoulders and arms during the daytime hours of the active sun.

In the mosque, women must wear clothes that will cover the entire body, only the face and hands remain open, and trousers are also not allowed. It is enough for men to wear trousers and a shirt with sleeves to visit the mosque.

Dates and Prices

$345

10 – 13 Jun 4 days 3 nights

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$345

24 – 27 Jun 4 days 3 nights

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$373

8 – 11 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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$373

22 – 25 Jul 4 days 3 nights

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$373

5 – 8 Aug 4 days 3 nights

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$373

19 – 22 Aug 4 days 3 nights

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$345

2 – 5 Sep 4 days 3 nights

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$345

9 – 12 Sep 4 days 3 nights

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$345

16 – 19 Sep 4 days 3 nights

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$345

23 – 26 Sep 4 days 3 nights

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Reviews Leave a review

A
Alyona

about provider

1 Jun, 2026

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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!