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Classic 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
5 Days
April - August
Highlights
  • Visit 3 Caucasus regions: Stavropol Krai, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia
  • Relax in the 3 main resort cities of the Caucasian Mineral Waters
  • See the highest point in Europe - Elbrus
  • Learn how the rocks "cry” in the Chegem Gorge
  • Discover the secret of Blue Lake
  • Go to the very heart of the mountains and the tourist mecca of the Caucasus - Dombay
Tour Overview
    If you are looking for a real vacation in which there is a diverse nature, centuries-old history, rich culture and, of course, hospitable people, then the Caucasus will give you all this. Visit the liveliest cities of the Caucasian mineral waters - Pyatigorsk, Zheleznovodsk and Kislovodsk, which can boast of their originality and uniqueness, always considered not only the best, but also the oldest resorts in Russia.

  But the Caucasus is not only resorts with mineral springs. The main highlight of the tour will be the great Elbrus - the highest mountain peak in Europe. The best way to enjoy and appreciate its beauty is to go to Elbrus region and climb the lift from the Azau glade, and then you will see an amazing picture. The Chegem Gorge with weeping waterfalls and the most transparent - Blue Lake, whose temperature never changes, should also not be left without your attention. These places where pristine nature has been preserved will conquer every demanding traveler. You will also visit the very heart of the mountains - Dombay.

   The Caucasus was created by the sea and mountains, which explains the amazing healing climate and the fantastic atmosphere of these places!

Tour programme
  • Day 1
    Pyatigorsk and its thermal springs
    Pyatigorsk
  • Day 2
    Elbrus - the highest mountain of Russia
    Pyatigorsk
  • Day 3
    Cheguem Gorge and Blue Lake
    Pyatigorsk
  • Day 4
    Dombay is the pearl of Karachay-Cherkessia
    Pyatigorsk
  • Day 5
    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". You can walk through the resort park, explore architectural monuments, including the Pushkin Gallery, and taste the delicious mineral water.
  • 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)

  • 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!
  • 12:00
    Departure to Nalchik and city-tour
    Nalchik is the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria. Thanks to the wooded ridge, at any time of the year the city welcomes guests with a very mild climate.
  • 13:00
    Lunch in the cafe Not included
  • 15:00
    Excursion to the Blue Lake
    Blue Lake is a picturesque place, the origin of which has not yet been solved: Not a single river, not a trickle flows into the Blue Lake, but 70 million litres of water flow out of it per day! Then, you can visit to the Aushigersky thermal spring with a unique composition of water. Take an opportunity to relax in the hot thermal waters with a temperature of about 50 ° C (entrance fee 150 RUB per person)
  • 18:00
    Return to Pyatigorsk
  • 19:00
    Dinner in the cafe of the hotel Not included
  • Overnight in the hotel
Photo of the day
Blue Lakes Kabardino-Balkar Republic Caucasus
Route
Pyatigorsk
Accommodation
Accommodation in the hotel Intourist, Pyatigorsk
Twin room
Note

1 h transfer  (89km)

  • 09:00
    Breakfast in the hotel
  • 11:00
    Excursion to the Dombay valley
    Dombay valley is a picturesque plain surrounded on all sides by mountains. Those who wish will have the opportunity to climb to a height of 3000 meters on a lift to the mountain of the same name (payment for the lift is not included in the price of the tour, payment on the spot is approximately 1350 roubles / person).
  • 14:00
    Lunch Not included
  • 16:00
    Return to Pyatigorsk
  • 19:00
    Dinner Not included
  • Overnight in the hotel
Photo of the day
Dombay Karachay-Cherkess Republic
Route
Pyatigorsk
Accommodation
Accommodation in the hotel Intourist, Pyatigorsk
Twin room
Note

3 h transfer  (213km)

  • 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 of Mineralnye vody, end of the programme
    *Those who wish can stay in the city for the night or continue a tour of the Caucasus. Contact your tour-manager for more information.
Photo of the day
Route
Pyatigorsk
Note

2 h transfer  (90km)

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
  • English-speaking guide services
  • Meals according to the program
  • Medical insurance
  • Transfer from airport / railway station on first day
  • Transfer to airport / railway station on last day
Price does not include
  • Personal expenses and tips
  • Visa fees and travel insurance
  • Airline tickets
  • Reserves and national parks entrance permissions
For more info, please download the detailed description of the trip.
Note

The indicated price is for the group of 4-5 participants. If the number of participants is smaller, the price will be recalculated. This tour can be organised for individual departure for the convenient dates. * Entrance fees and environmental tax are not included in the price (about 50 - 350 rubles)

Reviews
No reviews anymore or no reviews at all for this tour. Below reviews for destination:
4.83
4.83
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
5.00
Quality of accommodation
4.00
Quality of transport / transfers
5.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Eva
From 24 October 2021 to 30 October 2021
Destination: Caucasus
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
My trip with Baikal Nature was amazing, with Pavel as our guide. All the logistics were taken care of and everything ran smoothly. The food was great, and there was always plenty of it. We were given a mix of facts about each place we visited, as well as photography advice and help. I would happily travel with Baikal Nature and Pavel again!!
4.83
4.83
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
5.00
Quality of accommodation
5.00
Quality of transport / transfers
4.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Zoran
From 17 October 2021 to 21 October 2021
Destination: Caucasus
Custom tourPhoto tour in Dagestan
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
We have just returned from our fascinating adventure to Dagestan with Pavel and Baikalnature. I cannot recommend visiting this region with Baikalnature highly enough. We feel honoured and privileged to have had such a great guide. Right from our initial inquiries, Olga was very efficient in replying to emails. We could customize tour and Olga was able to tailor it to our own interests and schedule.
  Read more
4.33
4.33
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
4.00
Quality of accommodation
5.00
Quality of transport / transfers
4.00
Quality of meals
4.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
4.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Fabienne
From 4 June 2019 to 14 June 2019
Destination: Caucasus
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Le voyage a été un réel plaisir et une très belle organisation si ce n est nôtre premier. Guide , Anna , qui était médiocre : aucune connaissance culturelle de la région, elle n a aucunement assuré les traductions quand nous étions accompagnés de guides locaux et elle ne faisait aucun rassemblement de groupe pour partager les informations ! Enfin elle pouvait même se moquer de notre groupe lorsque
  Read more
4.67
4.67
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
4.00
Quality of accommodation
5.00
Quality of transport / transfers
4.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Wendy
From 5 June 2019 to 25 June 2019
Custom tourJourney Across the Russian North Caucasus+Lake Baikal
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Our North Caucasus trip was very professionally organised and the tour was excellent with a good balance of attractions, historic and geographical sites. Most impressive was our friendly and highly competent tour manager Anna's attention to detail and ability to tailor the program exactly to our needs - not an easy task with older, experienced people with very exacting demands! Anna also organised
  Read more
No reviews anymore or no reviews at all for this destination. Below all reviews.
4.33
4.33
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
4.00
Quality of accommodation
4.00
Quality of transport / transfers
3.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Vanessa
From 21 February 2023 to 25 February 2023
Destination: Lake Baikal
Custom tourVoyage au lac Baïkal
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Un grand merci à Maria qui a su nous sortir de situations parfois vraiment très délicates
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