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

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Special offer! If you make an advance payment of 20-25% before 03/31/2025, you will receive a 10% discount on summer arrivals. The price in the accommodation section is shown without discount. For arrivals from September 07 to November 01, 2025, 15% discount until 03/31/2025.

Upper Balkaria is a real paradise for sophisticated tourists who want to explore new, unique places in the Caucasus that are not spoiled by a lot of tourists.

You will see Lake Giybashkel, one of the most beautiful lakes in Kabardino-Balkaria — a real discovery for lovers of nature and silence. In addition, you will find ancient towers adorning the slopes of the mountains. A trip to Balkaria promises to be unforgettable due to the small number of tourists, the absence of urban fuss and the opportunity to plunge into the spirit of wildlife and ancient traditions.

Location

Stavropol territory, Mineral Waters

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

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Tour highlights

Ancient towers of Balkaria

We will go up to the ancestral tower, walk through the streets of the medieval village, of which only small ruins now remain

Beauty at sunset

If we're lucky, we'll see Mehtygen's gold on the way back. This is an interesting solar effect that happens only at sunset

Picnic on the lake shore

We will go down to the beautiful lake Giybashkel and have lunch on its shore

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival. Cherekskaya gorge — Upper Balkaria village
11:30-12:00 (Moscow time) Gathering of the group at the railway station and at the airport in Mineralnye Vody.
Transfer by minibus to Verkhnyaya Balkaria (170 km, about 3-3.5 hours).
On the way, we will stop at a very spectacular place — on the Cherek gorge!
Cars pass through the mountain tunnel here, and we will walk along the old road that leads along a deep mountain gorge.
You can also buy delicious and healthy Caucasian souvenirs here.
After a walk through the gorge, transfer to the village of Verkhnyaya Balkaria and check into a hotel.
Active part: 2 km on foot.

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Day 2 - Ushtulu Gorge and Glacier
Verkhnyaya Balkaria is the last village in this gorge.
Today we are driving an all-terrain vehicle closer to the Main Caucasian Ridge to admire the snow-capped peaks and trek to the Ushtulu glacier.
Ushtulu is a wide, beautiful gorge.
In summer, its green, grassy slopes are very reminiscent of fabulous landscapes somewhere in distant Scotland.
The Karasu River runs along the bottom of the gorge, into which side tributaries sometimes flow.
In summer, these rivers will cross several times over rocks and bridges, and in autumn many streams are already drying up.
By lunchtime, we'll get closer to the Ushtulu glacier and admire it from a fairly close and safe distance.
Active part of the tour: 14.8 km on foot, altitude difference 2250-2570 m, trekking duration 6-7 hours.

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Day 3 - Amirkhan-kala Tower, waterfall and glacier of Rzyvashki
Upper Balkaria is often referred to as the edge of the towers.
There are both classic towers and very unusual ones.
The Amirkhan-Kala tower, which was built on a huge stone, belongs to the latter.
After climbing the path above the tower, we go to admire the two-cascaded Rcyvashki waterfall.
The waterfall is located on the opposite mountain slope and looks especially beautiful in autumn when it is surrounded by colorful trees.
A stunningly comfortable trail leads into the gorge.
We will walk along the river, along a wooden bridge and go out to the shepherd's hut.
We'll stop along the way and admire the surrounding mountains!
Sometimes it can rain in this gorge in autumn, at night the temperature drops below 0 and after that during the day we see a stunning effect — thousands of water droplets freeze on the branches of the trees and they seem to put on a silver outfit.
That's why we named this place the Gorge of the Silver Trees.
At the end of the journey, you will find a very beautiful mountain range decorated with glaciers.
But sometimes, after lunch, the fog descends and, like a curtain, closes the glaciers from our eyes.
Active part of the tour: 17.6 km on foot, altitude difference 1170-2020 m, trekking duration 7-8 hours.

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Day 4 - Lake Giybashkel
You will look forward to this day first, and then you will remember it with pleasure.
In our opinion, Giybashkel is one of the most magnificent lakes in Kabardino—Balkaria!
The path here is not easy: the path will always lead up, in places we will walk along a grassy slope.
Lake Giybashkel is located according to the principle of the Sofia Lakes in Arkhyz: first you need to climb a mountain pass and from there you can see the lake for the first time from a height!
After reaching the pass, we will then go down to the lake and have lunch on its shore.
Today is going to be a long, eventful and very impressive day.
Active part of the tour: 12.4 km on foot, altitude difference 2420-3300-3150 m, trekking duration 9-10 hours.

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Day 5 - Abaev Tower, Zerkli Suu Waterfall
A light and simple walking day.
In the morning we go to the tower of Princes Abaev.
This tower is the hallmark of the village, which is often visited by tourists.
Going up to the tower, we will walk through the streets of the medieval village, of which only small ruins now remain.
Then we will go to the Zerkli Suu waterfall.
A forest path leads to this location and leads to a gorge, in the depths of which there is a waterfall.
Zerkli Suu has several picturesque cascades, from which a mountain river is born.
Active part of the tour: 7 km on foot, altitude difference within 150-200 m, trekking duration 5-6 hours.

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Day 6 - Mount Mehtygen. Nakhashbita Glacier
We will see this mountain every day!
With her huge, stone crown, she will constantly attract our gaze.
The name of this mountain is Mehtygen.
Today we will go as close to Mehtygen as possible.
We'll stop at the observation deck along the way and take dozens of great pictures of the mountain!
Then we will descend into the gorge of the Psyngasu River and make trekking towards the Nakhashbita glacier.
The glacier is located on the Sugan ridge, and on the opposite side of the ridge is our beloved Digoria.
In the gorge, we will walk to the point where the Nakhashbita glacier is visible.
We'll make a big stop at this place, have lunch, and head back.
If we're lucky, we'll see Mehtygen's gold on the way back.
This is an interesting solar effect that only happens at sunset.
The rays illuminate the mountain so much that it turns golden!
Active part of the tour: 12.1 km on foot, altitude difference 1970-2440 m, trekking duration 7-8 hours.

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Day 7 - Departure
In the morning we will move to Mineralnye Vody.
12:30-13:30 Arrival in Mineralnye Vody.
Depending on the weather conditions, the physical condition of the participants and other factors, the trekking route may be changed.

Difficulty

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

Tour organizer's comments

The level of difficulty of the route: moderate (20% of the route), medium (60% of the route), difficult (20% of the route). A comparative table of the difficulty levels of the Club's routes.

The route is trekking and provides for walking through mountainous (rugged) terrain. This type of active recreation involves daily climbing and dropping heights (ascents and descents).

The route passes through forest trails, dirt roads, alpine meadows, large and small stones. The routes will have an altitude difference of 300 to 600 m per day. For two days of the route, the altitude difference will be 850-880 m.

Climbing up 300-600-850 m is about like climbing 100-200-280 floors.

Accommodation

Hotel

6 nights

Comfort

Midscale

The tour includes accommodation in the Altuu Hotel or a hotel of the same class.

The cost of the tour for 1 person is 59,600 rubles.

There is a 20% discount for children.

The discount is given to children whose age at the time of participation in the tour is up to and including 14 years.

The surcharge for a single room is 12,000 rubles / the entire rest period.

If it is necessary to accommodate three people in one room, the owners of the hotel add a modern cot.

2-bed room. If it is necessary to accommodate three people in one room, the owners of the hotel add a modern cot. Room amenities. There is a private parking for cars in the courtyard of the hotel. There is a cozy cafe on site, where you will enjoy spending time.

Address: 175 Taulueva str., Upper Balkaria, Chereksky district, Kabardino-Balkarian Republic.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 6 to 18 tourists

Minimum age

8 years old

Duration

7 days 6 nights

Group meets at

Stavropol territory, Mineral Waters

Included in price

road crossings along the route;
passes along the route by mountain transport (UAZ);
accommodation in the village of Upper Balkaria in the Altuu hotel or a hotel of the same class. 2-, 3-bed rooms. Room amenities;
2 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 2-6) in the form of dry rations in the mountains (sausage, cheese, tea, cookies, chocolate, sweets);
group equipment rental: boilers, gas burners (for making tea for lunch in the mountains from June to August), a group first aid kit;
environmental fees in the Kabardino-Balkarian Nature Reserve;
the services of an instructor-guide.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Mineralnye Vody and back;
Meals: lunch (day 1), dinners. There are several cafes in our hotel and nearby where you can have dinner;
additional payment for 1-bed accommodation in a room is 12,000 rubles/ the entire rest period;
insurance (optional).

It's important to know

The list of equipment for tours from June 01 to September 20.

Air temperature: early morning and late evening +8...+12C, in the afternoon +18...+25C (sunny day), +12...+16C (cloudy day).

We draw your attention to the rules of choosing clothes for the trip: in the Caucasus, you can wear trousers and T-shirts. Shorts and T-shirts should not be taken for a trip to the Caucasus.

Cap / panama hat;
Jacket. The air temperature in the early morning and late evening is +8...+12C;
Fleece;
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 shoes up to the ankle and above;
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 from the middle of the thigh and below;
Trekking poles. Sticks significantly reduce the load on the knees. Physically strong and healthy tourists are recommended to have sticks with them. Tourists who have problems with knees, joints and overweight must have trekking poles. Trekking poles are available for rent if necessary.
Passport / birth certificate of the child. It is mandatory to have the original documents (not a copy);
A camera/video camera and a charger. In several gorges along the route that enter the border zone, it is forbidden to use a quadcopter for filming;
Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, razor);
Hairbrush;
Sunglasses;
0.5L 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 sliced and small foods (vegetables, cheese, olives, etc.) into it during lunch. The mug and plate must be unbreakable;
Wet wipes;
Thread, needle;
Backpack for walking (volume 20-25 liters). The backpack contains the tourist's personal belongings (fleece, raincoat, water bottle, etc.), as well as public food for lunch, which is issued by the instructor (the weight of the products is 400-600 grams);
The tourist seat;
Shoe Dryers;
Sunscreen, protection factor SPF 50 and above. Hygienic lipstick;
Individual first aid kit. Required: elastic bandage, patch;
Cash;
Hat, gloves. It can be cool in the evening and on cloudy days.

The list of equipment for tours from September 21 to November 15.

Air temperature: early morning and late evening +1...+7C, in the afternoon +10...+18C (sunny day), +8...+12C (cloudy day).

Jacket. The air temperature in the early morning and late evening is 0...+8C, in the afternoon +10...+14C (until October 15), +5...+12C (after October 15th);
Hat, gloves;
Fleece. In autumn, we recommend taking 2 fleeces: 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;
Thermal underwear;
Buff. Protects the neck from burning, can be used as a scarf or headdress;
Running trousers (before October 15), insulated running trousers or running trousers + bottom of thermal underwear after October 15;
Lingerie;
Socks;
Trekking shoes up to the ankle and above;
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 from the middle of the thigh and below;
Trekking poles. Sticks significantly reduce the load on the knees. Physically strong and healthy tourists are recommended to have sticks with them. Tourists who have problems with knees, joints and overweight must have trekking poles. If necessary, trekking poles are available for rent;
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;
Thermos flask (volume 0.75-1 l);
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 must be unbreakable;
Wet wipes;
Thread, needle;
Backpack for walking (volume 25-35 liters). The backpack contains the tourist's personal belongings (fleece, raincoat, water bottle, etc.), as well as public food for lunch, which is issued by the instructor (the weight of the products is 400-600 grams);
The tourist seat;
Shoe Dryers;
Sunscreen, protection factor SPF50 and higher. Hygienic lipstick;
Cash;
Individual first aid kit. Required: elastic bandage, Band-Aid.

Dates and Prices

$703

13 – 19 Jul 7 days 6 nights

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$703

31 Aug – 6 Sep 7 days 6 nights

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$703

5 – 11 Oct 7 days 6 nights

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Reviews

Y
Yuri

about provider

25 Mar, 2025

The tour was very well organized. The transfers from the airport and railway station to the campsite, as well as from the campsite to the hiking trails, were smooth and convenient. The campsite itself was comfortable, with rooms equipped with showers and TVs. What impressed me the most, however, was the drying room on our floor! The weather in this region changes rapidly, and almost every day, our group got caught in the rain. Drying clothes and shoes while hiking can be a real challenge, back in Altai, after getting soaked in rain and snow, I was never able to fully dry my clothes, as it rained every night, and they only dried once I got home. Here, that problem was completely solved. A special thank you to our guide, Roman, an experienced mountain tour expert, a fascinating and cheerful companion, and undoubtedly a true mountain romantic. He went above and beyond to bring our diverse group together, chatting with everyone during the day and organizing engaging activities in the evenings. He shared captivating stories about his native Krasnoyarsk region, the Sayan Mountains, local customs, and legends, as well as personal anecdotes. Roman carefully selected routes based on the weather and terrain, always prioritizing the safety and well-being of the group. Roma, thank you so much!

Trekking in Upper Balkaria