Mountainous Dagestan is the Emperor's path. Trekking

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Hiking tour in Dagestan is an organized trip on foot through the beautiful mountainous places of the region. During the tour, participants go on trekking routes that allow them to enjoy the picturesque landscapes and ancient fortresses.

In the walking part there is a descent along the trail to the Sulak Canyon, an ascent to the Kegers plateau, the road from the village of Chokh to the ancient ghost village of Gamsutl, as well as an ascent to Mount Mayak and a hike along the path of Emperor Alexander II.

Extreme entertainment on the tour: rafting and quad bikes, as in a real adventure, optional zipline and bungee jumping. The bonus is the national Dagestani cuisine, the cordiality and hospitality of the locals.

Location

the city of Makhachkala

from

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

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Tour highlights

The story of the ghost village

"Machu Picchu" of Dagestan, a ghost village on the top of Gamsutlmeera, an aul of eternal peace, unsolved mysteries and unearthly beauty

Nature of the Caucasus

Let's breathe in the mountain air of Dagestan and feel the full power of the Caucasus Mountains

Rafting on a mountain river

A few hours of rafting with an experienced rapids and whirlpools instructor will add drive to the trip

National cuisine

Let's try the most delicious and unusual dishes of the southern republic

The desert in Russia

We will visit a stationary sand giant outside the desert, which harbors a huge number of rare plants and birds

A flying trip

Let's feel the drive and ride ATVs

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival. Makhachkala
We welcome guests from 9:00 to 19:00 at Makhachkala airport or at the railway station.
After checking into the hotel, you will have free time, the opportunity to relax after the road or explore the city on your own.
We will tell you what to see on this day in Makhachkala, where to have lunch with national dishes, and for dinner we will gather the whole group to get acquainted.
Meeting of tourists: from 9:00 to 19:00.
Accommodation: hotel, Makhachkala.
Meals: welcome dinner.

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Day 2 - Sarykum dune. Walking route: Sulak trail. Boating
Let's start our acquaintance with Dagestan with an unusual phenomenon in these latitudes – deserts.
The Sary-Kum dune is a sandy mountain among rocks and steppes with a romantic origin story, a cinematic past and its own ecosystem.
We won't look for tarantulas in quicksand, but we'll take a lot of photos, like in the Sahara Desert.
After that, we head to Noho Cave with a suspension bridge and an extreme park where you can ride a zipline or bungee jump.
After lunch we will see the Sulak Canyon.
We will take a boat ride along the Chirkeysky reservoir, formed by the Sulak River at the site of Dagestan's most powerful hydroelectric power plant.
The timing of the day:
8:30 departure for the route;
9:20 barkhan Sary-Kum;
10:20 departure to Noho Cave;
11:20 a.m. Noho Cave (40-minute walk, optional zipline or bungee jumping);
12:30 p.m. lunch;
13:30 walking route: Sulak trail;
15:30 boat trip on the Chirkeysky reservoir;
20:00 return to the guest house.
Accommodation: guest house in the mountains.
Meals: breakfast at the hotel, picnic on the route, dinner at the guest house.
Walking distance: 6 km.
Height difference: 750 m.
Route difficulty: average.

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Day 3 - Gunib village. Gunib fortress. Mayak Mountain
We will start in the picturesque village of Gunib, surrounded by mountains and meadows.
We are heading towards the Gunib fortress, which in the Middle Ages was a defensive structure against enemies.
The main goal of the day is Mount Mayak.
From its top, a breathtaking panorama of mountains opens up, where the ears are filled not with height, but with silence, and the mountain air is such that they want to breathe deeply.
No, to swallow too much.
The timing of the day:
8:00 a.m. breakfast;
9:00 departure for the route;
10:30 Gunib Fortress;
11:20 a.m. start of the climb to Mount Mayak;
14:00 picnic on the mountain;
15:00 descent from the mountain;
16:30 Gunib;
18:00 return to the guest house.
Accommodation: guest house in the mountains.
Meals: breakfast at the guest house, picnic on the route, dinner at the guest house.
Walking distance: 20 km.
Climb: 1000 m.
Route difficulty: above average.

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Day 4 - Aul Choh. Hamsutl Ghost Village
The Day of ancient villages.
Let's start with a visit to Chokh and its famous Chokh terraces.
They were used to grow corn, wheat, potatoes and flax in the highlands.
Today it is a pasture for sheep and cows.
Following the mountain trail, we will go to the ghost village of Gamsutl, which is over 6 thousand years old.
We will walk through its deserted streets, look into the destroyed houses, learn local legends and enjoy the panoramic views in this part of mountainous Dagestan.
The timing of the day:
9:00 departure for the route;
11:00 a.m. aul Chokh;
14:00 Gamsutl ghost village;
18:30 return to the guest house.
Accommodation: guest house in the mountains.
Meals: breakfast at the guest house, picnic on the route, dinner at the guest house.
Walking distance: 15 km.
Climb: 725 m.
Route difficulty: above average.

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Day 5 - The Keger plateau. Saltinskaya gorge. Underground Saltinsky Waterfall
Today is an exciting adventure full of beautiful landscapes and unique experiences.
The route of this day will begin with an ascent to the Kegerskoe plateau.
It will surprise you with its picturesque views of mountains and meadows, and the next point on the map, the Saltinskaya Gorge, will delight with its narrow arches and the only underground waterfall in Dagestan.
That's what it's called Saltinsky, and we'll walk through the water to it in knee-high rubber boots.
The timing of the day:
9:00 departure for the route;
11:00 Kegerskoe plateau;
16:00 Saltinskaya gorge and waterfall;
18:00 return to the guest house.
Accommodation: guest house in the mountains.
Meals: breakfast at the guest house, picnic on the route, dinner at the guest house.
Walking distance: 10 km.
Climb: 725 m.
Route difficulty: above average.

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Day 6 - Rafting. ATV riding
A day of active entertainment.
After breakfast, we will go to the starting point of rafting on the Avarskoye Koisu mountain river.
A few hours of rafting with an experienced rapids and whirlpools instructor will add drive to the trip.
And after lunch, we'll consolidate the effect by riding ATVs.
The timing of the day:
9:00 departure for the route;
10:30 rafting on the Avarskoye Koisu mountain river, quad biking;
18:00 return to the guest house.
Accommodation: guest house in the mountains.
Meals: breakfast at the guest house, picnic on the route, dinner at the guest house.
Difficulty of the route: easy.

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Day 7 - Gunib village. The Emperor's Path. Karadakh Gorge
Let's take the route of Emperor Alexander II when he visited Dagestan in the 19th century.
Especially for his arrival, a man-made Royal Tunnel was created here in the rock to provide a short and safe way from Gunib to Hunzakh.
The next point on the route will be the Karadakh Gorge, a 2-4–meter-wide gorge with 170-meter high stone walls.
The timing of the day:
9:00 departure for the route;
11:00 Hunib, Emperor's Path, Tsar's Tunnel;
17:00 Karadakh gorge;
18:30 return to the guest house.
Accommodation: guest house in the mountains.
Meals: breakfast at the guest house, picnic on the route, dinner at the guest house.
Walking distance: 5 km.
Climb: 200 m.
Route difficulty: easy.

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Day 8 - Makhachkala. Departure home
We say goodbye to meet again on new trips around the Caucasus.
We will take you to the airport or railway station in Makhachkala.
10:00 Departure to Makhachkala.
Meals: breakfast at the guest house.

Difficulty

Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health

Tour organizer's comments

Difficult, requires excellent physical fitness and a high level of endurance.

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

Hotel

1 night
Guest House

6 nights

Comfort

Basic+
Midscale

The tour provides accommodation in hotels in 2-, 3-bed rooms, in guest houses in 2-, 3-bed rooms.

Find out more information about the conditions of your stay when booking the tour.

from 13.04 to 20.04 - 79,000 rubles.;
from 27.04 to 28.09 - 100,000 rubles.;
from 05.10 to 26.10 - 79,000 rubles.

The surcharge for 1-bed accommodation is 17,500 rubles/ the entire tour period.

The Metropol Hotel is waiting for its guests in Makhachkala. Wi-Fi, parking, billiard room, laundry, ironing facilities, sauna and more are at your disposal.

Each of these rooms has an excellent atmosphere for your relaxation. There is everything here to make your stay comfortable and bring only positive emotions from staying in this place.

There is a chic restaurant on site where you can pamper yourself with masterpieces from different cuisines of the world, as well as have a great time.

For various events, there is a conference room with all the necessary equipment for your success.

Within walking distance of shops, cafes, attractions, green parks of the city, as well as public transport stops, which will facilitate movement on the ground. The railway station is just a 10-minute drive away.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 1 to 12 tourists

Minimum age

12 years old

Duration

8 days 7 nights

Group meets at

the city of Makhachkala

Included in price

accommodation in 2-, 3-bed rooms with all amenities;
transportation services on the route;
transfer: airport — hotel — airport;
guide services;
environmental fees of nature reserves;
entrance tickets to cultural and recreation facilities according to the tour program;
nutrition: breakfasts, picnics on the routes, dinners;
Welcome dinner;
a boat trip through the canyon.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Makhachkala and back;
private transfer;
meals not specified in the tour program;
excursions not included in the tour program;
entrance tickets to cultural and recreation facilities outside the tour program;
single occupancy — 17,500 rubles / the entire period of the tour.

It's important to know

swimwear and outfits for photo shoots;
personal first aid kit and insect repellent (if necessary);
waterproof windproof jacket and trousers;
a raincoat (preferably not a disposable one) or a membrane jacket;
Sunglasses and cream: the sun is very active in the mountains;
track suit;
trekking boots with tread, or sneakers like "Salomon Speed Cross" (running shoes without tread are categorically not suitable). Shoes must be worn out, not new;
trekking poles (if you don't have them, you can take ski poles);
backpack and "seat";
elastic bandage;

Please do not take excessively low-cut clothes with you, shorts should not be above the knee, men should make do with light sweatpants. Women are advised to take a light knee-length dress with closed shoulders for walks, excursions and crossings.

Dates and Prices

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4 – 11 May 8 days 7 nights

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11 – 18 May 8 days 7 nights

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25 May – 1 Jun 8 days 7 nights

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8 – 15 Jun 8 days 7 nights

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15 – 22 Jun 8 days 7 nights

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22 – 29 Jun 8 days 7 nights

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29 Jun – 6 Jul 8 days 7 nights

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6 – 13 Jul 8 days 7 nights

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13 – 20 Jul 8 days 7 nights

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20 – 27 Jul 8 days 7 nights

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27 Jul – 3 Aug 8 days 7 nights

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3 – 10 Aug 8 days 7 nights

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10 – 17 Aug 8 days 7 nights

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17 – 24 Aug 8 days 7 nights

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31 Aug – 7 Sep 8 days 7 nights

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7 – 14 Sep 8 days 7 nights

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14 – 21 Sep 8 days 7 nights

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21 – 28 Sep 8 days 7 nights

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28 Sep – 5 Oct 8 days 7 nights

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5 – 12 Oct 8 days 7 nights

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12 – 19 Oct 8 days 7 nights

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19 – 26 Oct 8 days 7 nights

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Reviews

AK
Alexandra Kroitoru

about provider

14 Apr, 2025

Everything was perfect

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I
Irina

about provider

3 Apr, 2025

The local managers carried out the entire program of our "Resort Romance" tour flawlessly. During the trip, we had a wonderful opportunity to escape the noise of the city and the hustle of metropolitan life. Every day, we were surrounded by stunning landscapes: mountains, rivers, fields, and gardens. Everywhere we looked, animals were peacefully grazing: cows, horses, sheep. Taking in these views felt truly relaxing... Bringing a deep sense of harmony with nature. Our group was small and flexible, just 10 people (ages 45-50+), traveling in a comfortable bus. Our guide, Eduard, made the experience even more enjoyable. What we appreciated most was that he let us set our own walking pace, never rushing us or imposing a fixed rhythm. He also gave us plenty of free time to explore the sights or shop for souvenirs: a rare and valuable quality in a guide. We were all incredibly grateful for that. Eduard shared many fascinating stories about the region and its history, always answering our countless questions with patience and enthusiasm. We loved everything about this trip.
D
Dmitry

about provider

14 Mar, 2025

The tour provider responded to all questions promptly and efficiently arranged the transfer and hotel. The guide was a knowledgeable and reliable professional.