Trekking to South Dagestan

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Special offer! If you make an advance payment of 20-25% before 07/31/2024, a 5% discount is valid for arrivals in the period from 01.09 to 11/15/2024. The price in the accommodation section is indicated without discount.

An intense trekking tour through the most beautiful locations of Dagestan. During the week you will visit the Lun ekranoplane, thermal springs and villages with ancient houses, trek to the Zrykhsky waterfall, climb Mount Shalbuzdag, and at the end of the tour you will walk around Derbent and relax on the shore of the Caspian Sea.

To travel along the tourist routes of this region, all tourists need a pass to the border zone.

Location

Republic of Dagestan, Makhachkala

from

US$ 661

Contact the tour coordinator

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

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Tour highlights

Relaxation in the sources

Let's relax and enjoy the hot thermal water

Strength check

Let's try to pass through a narrow crevice in the rock, through which, according to legend, only sinless people can pass. Would you take a chance?

Peace of mind and inspiration

We will overcome mountains, walk over the abyss and just enjoy nature

A delicious journey

Let's try the most delicious dishes of the national cuisine of Dagestan

Trekking with comfort

After a busy day, we will relax on soft beds in a cozy house

Itinerary

Day 1 - The city of Makhachkala, the Lun ekranoplan and thermal springs
08:40-09:40 gathering of the group at the railway station and at the airport of Makhachkala.
13:00 gathering of the group at the Derbent railway station.
In Makhachkala, you can stay at the Markaz Hotel, which is 400 m from the railway station.
Transfer to the village of Akhty.
The Lun ekranoplan missile carrier (project No. 903) is one of the Soviet projects of a promising type of weapon, created in the 80s.
Abroad, these mechanisms have never ceased to be admired for their unusual appearance, and feared because of their impressive capabilities.
Thermal springs or Akhtyn baths are one of the most popular places in southern Dagestan!
Their waters are rich in hydrogen sulfide, iodine, bromine, and radon.
After that, we will stay in a cozy hotel and try the national cuisine!
Duration of the transfer and excursion: 8 hours, 2.5 km on foot.

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Day 2 - Zrykh village, Zrykhsky waterfall
In the morning we go to the village of Zrykh, this is an aul in the mountains of Dagestan with a population of 1,500 people.
The beginning of our trail is a bridge over the Samur River, and then we move up along the stream.
For lovers of mountain tea, we can collect sea buckthorn and barberry along the way!
Today we have a combination of scenic wildlife and trekking!
There are not many tourists here, the gorge is untouched by civilization, but among the waterfalls of Dagestan, the Zrykhsky waterfall, 25 meters high, occupies a worthy place!
The waterfall breaks off from a rocky ledge, the water falls with a crash into a stone bowl, spraying millions of water splashes around!
Active part: 8 km, altitude difference 1065-1150-1520 m, duration 6-7 hours.

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Day 3 - The ghost village of Stary Filya
Our day will pass with the thought "To see the village, which is 3,000 years old!"
Filya village was formed in the 12th century on the slope of Chucheysyn Mountain above the Samur River and was inhabited until 1966, after it was abandoned by residents after a powerful earthquake.
From here, our eyes will see the highest peak of Dagestan — Bazarduzu (4466 m) and the sacred mountain Shalbuzdag (4142 m).
The view from the Old Fil is really spectacular!
We will walk along the slope of the Gestinkil mountain (2,788 m) and have lunch with a gorgeous landscape!
Active part: 8 km, altitude difference 1065-1380 m, duration 6-7 hours.

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Day 4 - Kurush village
Kurush village is both the southernmost village and the most mountainous: it is located at an altitude of 2560 m above sea level.
We are waiting for a long serpentine up, along which we will observe stunning landscapes, perhaps even drive into and out of clouds, get into clouds, then into the bright sun.
After looking around and getting acquainted with the village, where local Lezgins are engaged in cattle breeding, farming, making cloth, carpets, cheese and butter, we will go further — towards the Southernmost point of Russia — Mount Bazarduzu (4466 m).
If we are lucky, then from afar we will see the highest waterfall in Dagestan — Charaur!
The waterfall is seasonal, so it does not always appear.
If the weather and the season do not allow us to see the Charaur waterfall, then we will not be upset, because in front of us there will be stunning landscapes of the valley of the Usukhchai River and the Yerydag wall (3925 m).
Active part: 10 km, altitude difference 1065-2560-2750 m, duration of the hike 7-8 hours.

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Day 5 - The village of Gdym
We are going to the mountains again on a very colorful road, the landscapes outside the window are one more beautiful than the other!
Under the northern slopes of the Main Caucasian Ridge there are picturesque meadows that give strength to animals, and among the meadows there is the alpine village of Gdym with narrow streets, resembling an eagle's nest.
From Arabic, "gdym" translates as "dead end". And it's true, there are no villages behind it anymore — there are only mountains around, behind which Azerbaijan is located.
Let's take a walk around the village, see how people live in such remote areas nowadays.
Also in the village of Gdym we will visit an excellent observation deck and a small waterfall.
Active part: 8 km, altitude difference up to 150-200 m, duration 6-7 hours.
Day 6 - Trekking to Shalbuzdag mountain
By this day, our body has been acclimatized, our legs have got used to walking and now we are ready to climb the most famous peak of Dagestan — Mount Shalbuzdag.
Our car is driving along the mountain serpentines again, getting closer to the clouds, it is impossible to admire the scenery from the windows!
And here we are at an altitude of about 2,800 m.
Further and higher, vegetation is replaced by rocks, and when the rocks part, amazing mountain landscapes and the valley of the Samur River appear to our eyes
Among the lifeless rocks, a lake of the purest water, called Zam-Zam, opens to the eye.
We definitely need to collect and drink this sacred water, it is really very tasty and very cold.
And then our test awaits: a narrow crevice in the rock, through which, according to legend, only sinless people can pass!
Above we go out onto the plateau, where the goal of many pilgrims is the grave of Suleiman, who is especially revered in these parts of the world.
We will climb the rocky elevation, which is the extreme point of ascent for those who want to test their strength with the sacred mountain Shalbuzdag!
Active part: 9.5 km, altitude difference 2800-3760, duration 9-10 hours.

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Day 7 - Derbent, Naryn-kala fortress, eastern market
In the morning, Derbent awaits us — the "Caspian Gate", as the ancient Greek historian and geographer Hecateus of Miletus called this city.
And to confirm his words, we will definitely visit the main attraction of Derbent — the Naryn-Kala fortress.
The fastest ones will still have time to go to the eastern market of Derbent, because you definitely had an idea — what to bring as souvenirs?
Be sure to have urbech, Turkish delight, halva, baklava, pastilles, nuts, dried fruits, tea, spices, of which the real trend of Dagestan is nut grass!
And also be sure to pay attention to silverware from Kubachin masters, known far beyond the borders of our country!
Active part: 4 km.
16:00-17:00 arrival at the airport and railway station in Makhachkala, departure home.
Depending on the weather conditions, the physical condition of the participants and other factors, the route may be changed.

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Difficulty

Low physical intensity for amateurs and non-experienced travelers

Tour organizer's comments

The difficulty level of the route: 80% moderate, 20% average. The group travels by minibus and all-terrain vehicles (UAZ, Niva, Gazelle). Part of the way the cars move along the mountain serpentines.

The route is trekking and provides for walking through mountainous (rugged) terrain.

This type of outdoor activity involves daily climbing and dropping heights (ascents and descents). The route passes through forest trails, dirt roads, large and small stones. The routes will have an altitude difference of 300 to 600 m per day. On one day of the route, the altitude difference will be 800 m.

Climbing up 300-600 m is about like climbing 100-200 floors.

Accommodation

Guest House

6 nights

Comfort

Basic+

The tour includes accommodation in the village of Kurukal in the guest house "Akhtyn baths".

The surcharge for single occupancy is 13,000 rubles per room for the entire holiday period

Double and triple rooms, in-room amenities.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 18 tourists

Minimum age

6 years old

Duration

7 days 6 nights

Group meets at

Republic of Dagestan, Makhachkala

Included in price

road crossings along the route by minibus;
road crossings along the route on cross-country vehicles;
accommodation in the guest house "Akhtyn baths". Double and triple rooms, in-room amenities;
two meals a day. Ready-made breakfasts (day 2-7) are served at the hotel according to a set menu (the menu is not individual!). Lunch (day 2-4, 6) in the form of dry rations in the mountains (sausage, cheese, tea, cookies, chocolate, sweets);
group first aid kit;
entrance tickets to the Naryn-Kala fortress;
entrance tickets to the thermal springs;
the services of an instructor-guide.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Makhachkala and back;
Meals: lunches (day 1, 5, 7), dinners. The cost of lunches /dinners in the cafe: 400-600 rubles.;
the surcharge for single occupancy in a hotel room is 13,000 rubles. for the entire period of rest;
insurance (optional).

It's important to know

cap / panama hat;
jacket (air temperature in the early morning and late evening +8...+12C);
fleece, we recommend taking 2 fleece: one for walking on the route (it gets a hiking smell quickly enough), the second clean and fresh fleece for walking in the hotel;
T-shirt;
lightweight long sleeve shirt, the shirt will protect your arms and neck from burning;
buff, protects the neck from burning, can be used as a headdress;
running trousers;
lingerie;
socks;
trekking boots up to the ankle and above;
sneakers with thick soles;
flip-flops (for walking in a hotel);
swimsuit;
for girls on request: a dress for a photo shoot on the background of mountains;
waterproof clothing or raincoat;
trekking poles (poles significantly reduce the load on the knees, we recommend physically strong and healthy tourists to have sticks with them; tourists who have problems with knees, joints and overweight must have trekking poles;
passport / birth certificate of the child, it is mandatory to have the original documents (not a copy);
camera / video camera and charger;
toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, razor);
hairbrush;
sunglasses;
1 L plastic bottle (for drinking water on the route);
toilet paper (useful during the day, on the route);
mug, spoon, plate (in the mountains, tourists drink tea from a mug that comes with a thermos or take a separate mug; the plate is useful to put chopped and small products (vegetables, cheese, olives, etc.) into it during lunch. The mug and plate should be non-breakable;
thermos of 0.5-1.0 liters for tea for lunch and during the day;
wet wipes;
thread, needle;
a backpack for walking (volume 20-25 liters), in the backpack there are personal belongings of the tourist (fleece, raincoat, water bottle, etc.), as well as public products for lunch, which are issued by the instructor (the weight of the products is 400-600 grams);
hoba (tourist foam);
shoe dryers;
sunscreen, hygienic lipstick;
cash;
individual first aid kit (required: elastic bandage, patch).

Dates and Prices

from US$ 661

8 – 14 Sep 7 days 6 nights

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from US$ 661

15 – 21 Sep 7 days 6 nights

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