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Treasures of Caucasus

Destination: Caucasus
Easy - nothing more than normal walking while sight-seeing
Moderately Easy - 1-3 hours of physical activity daily
Moderate - 3-5 hours of physical activity daily
Challenging - 5-7 hours of challenging physical activity daily
Extreme - 7+ hours of challenging/extreme physical activity daily
Difficulty
Basic — most of nights in tents or rooms with shared WC, some nights in comfortable rooms.
Standard — most of nights in comfortable rooms, some nights in tents or rooms with shared WC.
Upgraded — all nights in comfortable rooms.
Comfort
Minimum age of the participant of this trip
7 Days
October - December
Highlights
  • 6 republics of the Caucasus in just 7 days
  • See one of the seven wonders of Russia - Elbrus Mount
  • Take a walk in the most famous cities of the Caucasus
  • Touch the ancient fortresses, whose history goes back more than 1600 years
  • Improve your health in the mineral springs of the Caucasus
  • Taste delicious Caucasian cuisine
  • See the most beautiful waterfalls in the Caucasus
  • Visit the largest and most beautiful mosque - the mosque "Heart of Chechnya"
Tour Overview
 This tour will make you fall in love with the Caucasus once and for all! Everyone who once meets the mountains, whose peaks touch the edge of the sky, ancient temples and fortresses that preserve their thousand-year history, mineral springs, which have absorbed all the healing power of nature, different nationalities, which from time immemorial carefully respect the Caucasian traditions and customs, will certainly change their attitude to this region of mountains and stormy rivers. The Caucasus is so complex and sometimes unbridled, but at the same time so attractive and welcoming.
 During this tour you will find a journey through 6 completely different republics, each of which has its own specific flavor. You will be completely immersed in history: the medieval tower complexes Egikal and Targim in Ingushetia, as if frozen in time, ready to tell about the events of the distant past, to show how people's lives evolved and developed a multi-ethnic distinctive culture in this mountainous country. Excursions to modern cities - Pyatigorsk, Vladikavkaz and Grozny will open the Caucasus for you in a new light. Despite the differences in the beliefs and cultural traditions of the locals, they all have one thing in common: unlimited hospitality and the breadth of the “Caucasian soul”. Only here you will taste aromatic Caucasian kebab, hearty khinkali and the famous Ossetian pie. 

 The other side of the journey is the majestic Caucasus Mountains with their amazing natural riches: Elbrus region, picturesque waterfalls, stormy rivers, alpine blue lakes, narrow gorges and endless valleys, as well as clean mountain air and many mineral springs! 
 You will find amazing meetings and acquaintances with the most beautiful places of the Caucasus, unique ancient monuments, memorable landscapes and good-natured people who are ready to show you the Caucasus as it really is.

Tour programme
  • Day 1
    Pyatigorsk and its thermal springs
    Pyatigorsk
  • Day 2
    Elbrus - the highest mountain of Russia
    Pyatigorsk
  • Day 3
    Vladikavkaz - the capital of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania
    Pyatigorsk — Grozny
  • Day 4
    Treasures of the Mountain Ingushetia
    Grozny — Pyatigorsk
  • Day 5
    Cheguem waterfalls
    Pyatigorsk
  • Day 6
    Nature and culture of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic
    Pyatigorsk
  • Day 7
    Kislovodsk - the pearl of the Stavropol Krai
    Pyatigorsk
  • 10:00
    Gathering the group in Mineralnye vody city
    The road to Pyatigorsk city takes about 30 minutes from Mineralnye vody city. *The indicated time is approximate. If you arrive to the airport of the city Pyatigorsk (the nearest airport to Pyatigorsk city), contact your tour manager for the information about the supplement transfer. If you arrive by train or by bus, our guide will meet you on train or bus station.
  • 10:30
    Transfer to the hotel, check-in
  • 12:30
    Lunch Not included
  • 13:30
    Pyatigorsk city-tour
    Pyatigorsk is a real "museum" of the thermal sources. There are more than 30 thermal springs near the Mashuk mountain - a natural monument. The city itself is the most popular Russian health station during more than 2 centuries. *La route aller-retour prend environ 1 heure.
  • 15:00
    Excursion to Zheleznovodsk
    Zheleznovodsk is a small town situated in the saddle between 2 monts Beshtau and Zheleznaya 650 meters above the sea level. This scenic town is also known as a "green pearl".
  • 19:00
    Dinner Not included
  • Overnight in the hotel
Photo of the day
Route
Pyatigorsk
Accommodation
Accommodation in the hotel Intourist, Pyatigorsk
Twin room
  • 07:00
    Early breakfast
  • 08:00
    Transfer to the Mount Elbrus region
    Today we will go to the very heart of Kabardino-Balkaria - Elbrus region. Kabardino-Balkaria is a high-mountainous region of the Caucasus with majestic snow peaks, numerous waterfalls and picturesque gorges.
  • 11:00
    Visit of the Adyr-Su ravine
    The name of the gorge is translated as "wild water". We will stop at the waterfall, which forms the river of the same name. There are not many tourists here, so nature is still preserved in its original form.
  • 12:00
    Mount Cheguet lift
    The height of Mount Cheguet is about 3422 meters, but it is from here that the ideal view of Elbrus opens. On a chair lift we will rise to the observation deck at an altitude of 2750 meters. * The lift is not included in the tour price and it is to be paid on the spot in cash - approximately 900 rubles. per person.
  • 13:00
    Lunch in the cafe Not included
  • 14:00
    Mount Elbrus lift
    On a chair lift we will get to the highest inhabited point of Elbrus - Azau (altitude 2300 meters above sea level). Time seems to stop here: snow-white mountain caps, blue sky and green glades at the foot of the mountains - the perfect travel photo should be taken here! * The lift is not included in the tour price and is paid on the spot in cash - about 1650 roubles / per person.
  • 16:00
    Return to Pyatigorsk
  • 19:00
    Dinner Not included
  • Overnight in the hotel
Photo of the day
Route
Pyatigorsk
Accommodation
Accommodation in the hotel Intourist, Pyatigorsk
Twin room
Note

6 h transfer  (328km)

  • 08:00
    Breakfast in the hotel
  • 09:00
    Transfer to Vladikavkaz
  • 12:00
    Walking city-tour
    Vladikavkaz was founded in 1784. Walking along the ancient streets of this city, you will learn about the history of the city and the republic. We will also visit the Memorial of Glory - a unique architectural and sculptural complex.
  • 14:00
    Lunch in the city Not included
  • 15:00
    Transfer to Grozny city
  • 17:00
    Evening excursion in the city Grozny
    The city of Grozny is rightly called the heart of Chechnya. The capital of the republic combines loyalty to traditions and modernity. You will visit the Heart of Chechnya Mosque, walk along the main avenue of the city and see the high-rise complex Grozny-City. * For those who wish, climbing to the observation deck - on-site payment in cash, about 100 roubles / per person.
  • 19:00
    Dinner Not included
  • Overnight in the hotel
Photo of the day
Route
Pyatigorsk — Grozny
Accommodation
Accommodation in the hotel Berkat, Grozny
Twin room
Note

5 h transfer  (313km)

2 h cultural exploration  (131km)

  • 09:00
    Breakfast in the hotel
  • 10:00
    Excursion to the Mountain Ingushetia
    During a tour of the mountainous part of the Republic of Ingushetia, we will visit the Targim depression - the cradle of the Ingush people; the ancient tower complexes Targim and Egikal - medieval towers up to 30 meters in height and the ancient temple of Thaba-Erdy - a unique Christian temple, the history of which is still a mystery.
  • 13:00
    Lunch Not included
  • 15:00
    Transfer to Pyatigorsk
  • 19:00
    Dinner Not included
  • Overnight in the hotel
Photo of the day
Route
Grozny — Pyatigorsk
Accommodation
Accommodation in the hotel Intourist, Pyatigorsk
Twin room
Note

4 h transfer  (270km)

  • 09:00
    Breakfast in the hotel
  • 10:00
    Excursion to the Cheguem Gorge
    The Chegem Gorge is narrow canyons, clean mountain rivers, ancient settlements and waterfalls. The best place to bring together all the impressions of the Caucasus!
  • 13:00
    Lunch Not included
  • 15:00
    Return to the city, time at leisure.
    You have the opportunity to walk around the city and enjoy the Caucasian landscapes.
  • Overnight in the hotel
Photo of the day
Route
Pyatigorsk
Accommodation
Accommodation in the hotel Intourist, Pyatigorsk
Twin room
Note

4 h   (234km)

  • 08:00
    Breakfast in the hotel
  • 08:30
    Departure to the Dombay valley, Karachay-Cherkess Republic
  • 11:00
    Stop over near the river Ulu-Murundju
    The waters of this river are considered healing and absolutely pure, since they originate on a glacier in the mountains.
  • 12:00
    Walking along the Dombay meadow
    The Dombai glade is surrounded on all sides by mountains, the real "heart of the mountains": alpine meadows, turbulent rivers, emerald green forests and, of course, the eternal snows and glaciers of the mountains.
  • 14:00
    Lunch Not included
  • 15:00
    Chair-lift to the mounatin Mussa-Achitara
    *The price of the chairlift is not included in the tour cost, payment on site in cash (about 1300 roubles / per person).
  • 16:00
    Return to Pyatigorsk in the eveneing
  • 19:00
    Dinner Not included
  • Overnight in the hotel
Photo of the day
Route
Pyatigorsk
Accommodation
Accommodation in the hotel Intourist, Pyatigorsk
Twin room
Note

1 h   (40km)

6 h transfer  (382km)

  • 09:00
    Breakfast in the hotel
  • 10:00
    Departure to the city of Kislovodsk
  • 11:00
    Excursion to the city of Kislovodsk
    Kislovodsk is a unique city, one of the main resorts of the Caucasian Mineral Waters. The city is located in a valley at the foot of the Main Caucasian Range. We will walk around the largest man-made park in Europe with a territory of more than a hectare, visit the castle of Cunning and Love - a natural monument formed by a rocky cliff. We will also take a walk to Honey Falls in the gorge of the Alikonovka River and to Mount Ring - a natural monument of a bizarre shape.
  • 13:30
    Lunch Not included
  • 16:00
    Transfer to the airport to the city of Mineralnye vody, end of the programme
Photo of the day
Route
Pyatigorsk
Note

1 h transfer  (70km)

3 h cultural exploration  (145km)

Detailed description
New departures available soon
Price includes
  • Accommodation as per itinerary
  • Transport as per itinerary
  • Excursions and visits as per itinerary
  • Letter of invitation
  • Administrative registration
  • Meals according to the program
  • Breakfasts
  • Russian-speaking guide services
Price does not include
  • Personal expenses and tips
  • Visa fees and travel insurance
  • Beverages
  • Airline tickets
  • Reserves and national parks entrance permissions
  • English-speaking guide services
For more info, please download the detailed description of the trip.
Note

Single supplement - 17 900 rubles (for all 6 overnights in the hotel). Supplement for an English-speaking guide - 83 200 rubles (the cost of the services of an English-speaking guide is divided between all interested participants of the tour. The indicated price shown is for 1 English speaking tourist per group for all trip duration). For some visits foreign tourists need a special permission. We need at least 65 days for preparing this documents.

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