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

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A New Year's journey through mountain passes, gorges and valleys, where jeeping and trekking will give us access to hidden corners of nature.

One of the main features of the tour will be a visit to the Chegem waterfalls — cascades of water surrounding us from the height of steep cliffs. The breathtaking Aktopark pass and the ancient village of Eltuby seem to take us back centuries to the traditions and culture of the mountain peoples.

Every day is a combination of extreme, nature and history, and climbing the mountains will be convenient and comfortable thanks to modern off—road vehicles.

Location

Stavropol Territory, Mineralnye Vody / Nalchik

Sightseeing tours

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

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Tour highlights

Through the pass in jeeps

A jeep ride to the crypts of the ancient Balkarian village of Eltyuby awaits us

Cable car ride

Let's climb to the dizzying height of the highest mountain in Russia and Europe

Recreation in the springs

Wellness in natural waters saturated with minerals will give us a boost of energy and readiness for new adventures

Gastronomic flavor

Let's try real Caucasian cuisine at a party with a mountain family or in a cozy cafe

The natural pearl of Kabardino-Balkaria

We will visit the Blue Lake — its clear waters and incredible depth of 278 meters create a fascinating picture

Comfortable accommodation

There is a SPA complex on site, where you can enjoy a variety of facial and body treatments

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival. Thermal springs
Your Caucasian holidays will begin in the city of Mineralnye Vody.
Choose flights arriving at the airport or railway station before 12:00.
12:30 Group transfer to Nalchik from Mineralnye Vody without a guide, 2-2.5 hours on the way.
If there are flights to Nalchik, please specify at the time of booking about the possibility of replacing the city of arrival.
On the way to the hotel, you will have a unique opportunity to plunge into thermal pools with mineral water of various temperatures, where you can relax your muscles and relieve fatigue after the road.
The complex is equipped with swimming pools, massage tables, slides and a safe area for children.
An additional entrance fee is paid — from 600 rubles / person (payment on site).
The duration of bathing is 1:30 hours.
In the evening, upon arrival in Nalchik, you will check into the cozy Azimut Hotel, where comfort and service meet high standards.
After that, you can take a walk around the New Year's Nalchik — a city that turns into a real winter fairy tale at this time of the year.
The price includes: group transfer to the airport or railway station Mineralnye Vody – Nalchik with arrival at the thermal springs, hotel accommodation.

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Day 2 - Majestic Elbrus Tour
Breakfast at the hotel.
Imagine climbing the highest mountain in Europe — Elbrus, comfortably, on closed cableways (extra charge), to a height of 3,800 meters.
At this height, you will have the opportunity not only to admire the views, but also to leave a postcard to your loved ones from the highest mountain mailbox in Russia.
Don't forget to take a picture at the Mirror Cube photo zone.
Do not miss the opportunity to plunge into the atmosphere of the winter Caucasus — a snowball fight or a snowmobile ride (extra charge) to Shelter 11 at an altitude of 4,200 meters will give you unforgettable emotions.
Lunch at a local cafe on your own.
You are returning to Nalchik to celebrate the New Year at the hotel.
Return to Nalchik after 19:00.
The price includes: hotel accommodation, breakfast (or dry rations, depending on the time of departure for the tour), guide support, transport service according to the program.
A New Year's Eve dinner with a program (extra charge) is waiting for you, where you can celebrate the holiday with new friends and enjoy the national cuisine.
Tables during the banquet are served for 8-10 people.
Additional fee: cable cars — 2,300 rubles/person. on site, snowmobile rental — from 7,000 rubles/person. on site, the cost of a festive dinner starts from 6,000 rubles/person.

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Day 3 - Jeep tour through the Aktoprak pass to the village of Eltyub and to the Chegem waterfalls
Start the day with breakfast in a cozy hotel, and then drive off—road vehicles to the majestic Chegem Gorge - one of the most beautiful and atmospheric places in the Caucasus.
Here you will find unique karst waterfalls, which were formed due to the raging rivers that cut deep canyons in the Rocky Ridge.
Imagine: a narrow path in the gorge, and on both sides there are cliffs up to 800 meters high.
Next, you will have a visit to the Fly Chegem airfield.
A mecca for lovers of extreme emotions in summer, in winter this place amazes with the grandeur of the mountains and the splendor of the landscapes (all additional services such as paragliding, zipline, etc. – for an additional fee).
Lunch in a cozy cafe (not included in the price) with dishes of national cuisine will be an ideal respite before a new stage of adventure.
After lunch, you will continue your journey through the Aktoprak pass at an altitude of 2200 meters, enjoying the views that open from a bird's-eye view.
The final part of the day will be a visit to the ancient village of Eltuby, where medieval towers and stone crypts are located.
Return to the hotel full of impressions, where you will have a free evening to relax and new plans for the next day.
Dinner is on your own.
The price includes: accommodation, breakfast, guide, off-road transport services.

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Day 4 - Blue Lakes and Upper Balkaria. Departure
After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, it's time to sweeten your day and visit the candy store at the famous Nalchik confectionery factory.
This is a place where everyone can buy unique local sweets, marshmallows and marmalade — ideal souvenirs to bring a piece of the Caucasus home.
Next, embark on a journey to the heart of Balkaria, where the Cherek River Gorge stretches — a region with a history dating back centuries.
18 mountain villages scattered along the picturesque slopes are a real treasure for lovers of history and archeology.
You will meet with a local resident who will share stories about the life of the highlanders, their customs and ancient rituals.
A walk through the medieval towers and settlements-villages will give you the feeling of time travel.
The cult film "War" directed by Balabanov was shot in these places, and you can feel the atmosphere that inspired the filmmakers.
After an eventful program, you will have lunch with dishes of national cuisine — right at the house of a mountain family or in a cozy cafe.
The final point of the trip will be a visit to the Blue Lake — a real natural pearl of Kabardino-Balkaria.
After a busy day, a comfortable transfer to the airport awaits you to complete your journey with the feeling that you have visited the very heart of the Caucasus.
Transfer to Mineralnye Vody airport for flights departing after 20:00.
If there are flights to Nalchik, please specify the possibility of replacing the departure city when booking.

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Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Hotel

3 nights

Comfort

Premium

The tour includes accommodation in a hotel.

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

Placement

2-bed accommodation

1-local accommodation (on request)

Extra bed (child or adult)

Azimut Hotel 4*

superior twin/dbl

60 000

63 000 standard (one and a half bed)

77,000 superior

47 000

Offering a restaurant, a fitness center, a bar and a shared lounge, Azimut Hotel is located in Nalchik. This 4-star hotel offers a garden and air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi and a private bathroom. It offers a 24-hour front desk, room service and luggage storage.

The rooms at the hotel have a wardrobe. Rooms at AZIMUT Nicpank Hotel are equipped with a desk and a flat-screen TV.

A buffet breakfast or a halal breakfast is served.

It offers 4-star AZIMUT Nalchik rooms with an indoor pool and a terrace.

The nearest airport is Nalchik Airport, 11 km from the property. An airport shuttle service is available for an additional fee.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 4 to 15 tourists

Minimum age

8 years old

Duration

4 days 3 nights

Group meets at

Stavropol Territory, Mineralnye Vody / Nalchik

Included in price

group transfer airport — hotel — airport;
accommodation for 3 nights in a hotel of your choice with breakfast;
off-road vehicle transportation services;
services of local guides;
a trip to the Geduko or Baksan thermal complex;
meals according to the tour program: breakfast at the hotel, 1 lunch of national cuisine;
sightseeing tours with a local guide: Elbrus region, Upper Balkaria, Aktoprak pass, Eltyubu, Chegem waterfalls, Geduko or Baksan thermal complex;
eco-catchments;
for the guests of the Azimut hotel, use of the pool during the day.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Mineralnye Vody or Nalchik and back;
individual transfers;
additional services at the places of accommodation;
transfer to Nalchik airport or railway hotel, cost on request;
meals not included in the tour price;
entrance tickets to the Geduko complex/Baksan" from 600 rubles/person.;
Elbrus cable car ascent — 2,300 rubles/person.;
New Year's banquet at the hotel with a program starting from 6,000 rubles.

It's important to know

To climb the slopes of Mount Elbrus, we recommend taking the following things with you:

jacket;
jacket (fleece);
gloves and hat;
comfortable shoes;
rain cover (raincoat) for body and backpack;
sunglasses and cream (SPF50);
individual first aid kit.

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification

from
$707

29 Dec, 2025 – 1 Jan, 2026 4 days 3 nights

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Reviews

A
Alexandr

about provider

3 Mar, 2025

Everything was flawlessly organized, with no issues at all.

New Year's lights of Elbrus