Secrets of ancient Derbent in the New Year

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We invite you to go on a New Year's trip to Dagestan to feel the power of the Caspian Gates and admire the Chirkeysky reservoir, the largest reservoir. The North Caucasus! — and the Sulak Canyon, which can be compared to the Grand Canyon in America in grandeur. We will plunge into the traditional decorative and applied arts, as well as try the national dishes.

Let's spend this holiday enjoying the rich history, culture and hospitality of Russia's oldest city — after all, the New Year here is becoming a special time for new discoveries and vivid impressions.

Location

the city of Makhachkala

Sightseeing tours

from

Early
booking

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

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Tour highlights

Sulak Canyon from a height

From the viewing platforms, we will fully appreciate the beauty of the canyon and feel its impressive size.

In the footsteps of the movie

We will see the place where the famous film "White Sun of the Desert" was shot in 1968

An airplane on the shore of the Caspian Sea

Let's go to the ingenious development of Soviet scientists, which became the famous photo location on the coast.

National flavor

We will taste the dishes of national cuisine and make an exhaustive impression of the culture of the oldest city.

Free day

We will walk along the cozy embankment and enjoy the panoramas of the Caspian Sea on January 1.

Immersion in an ethnic group

Let's get acquainted with the national treasure — the ancient, almost lost art of Kaitag embroidery.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Makhachkala, excursion to the museum of Kaitag embroidery
Arrival on morning flights to the airport or railway station in Makhachkala.
12:30 p.m. A group transfer to the ancient city of Derbent awaits you.
Along the way, near the town of Izberbash, you will have a view of Mount Pushkin-Tau: you will notice the amazing similarity of the mountain with the profile of the great poet.
You will stop for lunch (not included in the price of the tour) to refresh yourself after the flight.
After a delicious and satisfying lunch (there can be no other way in Dagestan: be prepared), you will stop in the village of Majalis, founded in 1581 by Sultan Ahmad Khan, ruler of the Kaytagsky utsmiystvo, as a new capital and his own residence.
Here, at the Kaitag Embroidery Museum, local women, employees of this museum, will introduce you to the real national treasure of the republic — an ancient, almost lost art.
Just imagine — 16 different seams are used in Kaitag embroidery!
The work of local craftsmen is so laborious that it takes from three months to six months to create one canvas.
You will arrive in Derbent in the evening.
Here you will take a short walk along the Caspian Sea embankment, after which you will stay in a 4* hotel and relax.
You can have dinner at one of the local cafes (on your own).
The price includes: transportation services along the route, work of a guide, entrance tickets to the Museum of Kaitag Embroidery, overnight at the hotel.

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Day 2 - Getting to know Derbent: excursion to the Naryn-Kala Citadel and museums
After breakfast at the hotel (buffet), full of strength and energy, go on a sightseeing tour of the most ancient city of Russia — Derbent.
You will definitely begin your acquaintance with the city and its history with its main attraction, the Naryn—Kala citadel, an ancient fortress that preserves the former might of the Caspian Gate.
After a walk through the fortress and the magals (the ancient part of the city), you will definitely be given time to have lunch and taste local national dishes (not included in the price of the tour).
After refreshment, go to another interesting place — the Kubachi ethnodome, where you can see hundreds of exhibits from different eras, carefully selected by the owner), and visit the museum of carpets and Decorative and Applied Arts, located in the Armenian-Gregorian Church.
At the end of the educational day, you will have a trip to the well—known Lun ekranoplane, a new attraction in the suburbs of Derbent.
This so-called "Caspian monster" truly makes a deep impression — see for yourself.
After taking a lot of gorgeous photos from different angles, you can return to the hotel and relax before the New Year, 2026!
The price includes: transportation services along the route, work of a guide, entrance tickets to museums, overnight at the hotel.
The guide can change the sequence of visits to the sites at his discretion.
instead of visiting the ekranoplan, by the decision of the group, it is possible to organize an excursion to the Derbent sparkling wine factory with tasting (surcharge on site from 1,500 rubles / person/ depending on the size of the group);
New Year's Eve banquets are held in the restaurants of the city. More detailed information on venues, prices, menus and the program of events will be available no earlier than November 2025.

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Day 3 - Free day
After breakfast at the hotel, you can spend the first day of the new year in a relaxed atmosphere — stroll through the streets of the city, go to the coast of the Caspian Sea.

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Day 4 - Sulak canyon and Sarykum dune. Departure
After breakfast, you vacate the rooms and, without delay, set off on your way.
Departure for the tour is early today, because there is a lot to do.
After all, the Sulak Canyon itself is waiting for you today — the calling card of Dagestan.
Its height is 1,920 meters, which is why it is often compared to the Grand Canyon in America — its Dagestani counterpart looks no less impressive, and even has a greater depth.
From the viewing platforms, you will fully appreciate the beauty of the canyon and feel its impressive size.
Lunch (included) will be a mandatory item of the program.
On the way to Makhachkala, you will see the Sarykum dune, one of the highest in the world.
Its height is more than 250 meters, its age is estimated at hundreds of thousands of years, and the size and shape of the peaks are constantly changing according to the will of the winds (no entry to the dune itself is provided).
Transfer to the airport or railway station of Makhachkala for evening flights departing after 20:00.
The price includes: transportation services along the route, tour guide, lunch, overnight at the hotel.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

2 nights

Comfort

Upscale

The tour includes hotel accommodation.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the accommodation, RUB.:

Placement

2-bed accommodation

1-local accommodation

Additional place

Boutique Hotel Derbent 4*

Standard room

47 000

56 500

43 500

It is possible to change the hotel to an equivalent one.

The Derbent Boutique Hotel is located in Derbent. This boutique hotel is located in the city center. Before going to bed, there is an opportunity to stroll along the main attractions. Next to the boutique hotel is the Citadel of Naryn-Kala.

A restaurant is available for guests. Free Wi-Fi is available on site. Check the information immediately upon arrival. You can arrange a business meeting, negotiations, and even an interview. A conference room is provided for this purpose. To make the trip not only pleasant, but also convenient, guests can book a transfer.

Laundry, dry cleaning, private check-in and check-out, ironing services and a press are also available. The staff of the boutique hotel will support the conversation in Russian.

To relax after a long day, the room has a TV, a mini-bar and a bathrobe. The equipment depends on the selected room category.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 6 to 10 tourists

Minimum age

10 years old

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Group meets at

the city of Makhachkala

Included in price

hotel accommodation 4*;
transportation services, including group transfers: airport or railway station of Makhachkala — hotel in Derbent — airport or railway station of Makhachkala;
guide services;
entrance tickets to museums according to the program;
meals according to the program: breakfast at the hotel, lunch on day 3;
water 0.5 l/person/day.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Makhachkala and back;
individual transfers — airport or railway station of Makhachkala — hotel in Derbent — airport or railway station of Makhachkala — from 6 000 RUB/car;
additional payment for 1-bed accommodation;
meals not included in the program: 2 lunches and dinners;
luggage tray;
souvenirs;
additional services at the hotel.

It's important to know

Comfortable clothes for walking and relaxing according to the season. It is not recommended to appear on the streets in clothes that are too open. As for visiting the mosque: it is better for men to wear trousers or trousers, shirts (T—shirts) with long sleeves, for women - a dress below the knees, headscarves (at the entrance to the mosque you can wear special dresses that are in common use).

It is not recommended for women to wear miniskirts, tight jeans, see-through clothes, low necklines, short T-shirts, tight sweatshirts. The length of the skirt should not be higher than the shin, preferably at the ankle. If you still decide to wear trousers or jeans, then you need to put on a long tunic or a shirt below the knee. Also, women should have a headscarf with them, since in some establishments they may not be allowed without it.

Tips for men: Don't wear shorts. It's best if you wear regular trousers or ankle-length jeans. It is also not recommended to wear sleeveless T-shirts.

Dates and Prices

$599

30 Dec, 2025 – 2 Jan, 2026 4 days 3 nights

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Reviews

M
Maksim

about provider

28 May, 2025

Great team of guides and well-organized accommodation
A
Alexandr

about provider

3 Mar, 2025

Everything was flawlessly organized, with no issues at all.