Dagestani Wedding

Destination: Caucasus

Geography of the trip

Difficulty

Comfort

7 Days

August

Highlights

Circle itinerary: Mountain Dagestan in 7 days

Full immersion into the local life

Unique chance to participate in the Kubachi wedding

Get acquaintance with the life of aul of goldsmiths - Kubachi

Feel wild and pristine nature of Dagestan high in the mountains

Visit of Naryn-Kala fortress: Unesco World Heritage Site

Discovery of the ancient abandoned auls: Kala-Koreish, Gamsutl and Amuzgi

Join to the festival "Legends of Amuzgi" related to the abandoned settlements

Have real connections with locals

Tasting traditional Dagestan cuisine

Learn the Caucasian history and culture

Tour Overview

Caucasus... considered the gateway to the world where different nationalities come together, their history goes back thousands of years. People printed their mark in ancient monuments, fortresses, writings and, of course, in traditions and customs that have been carefully passed down through multiple generations.

BaikalNature invites you to an exclusive trip to Dagestan with a unique opportunity to bring you to the life of local people. Throughout the tour, you will have so many points of contact with locals in different places. Come down with standard hotels and dull dinners in restaurants, we try to be close to local people all the time to immerse ourselves in their culture and learn what real Dagestan is.
Visit the oldest settlement with 5000 years of history - Derbent and its main sight the Naryn-Kala fortress - (Unesco World Heritage Site), get lost in one of the magals of the old Derbent and meet a local family for a traditional dinner. Then, you find yourself in the most famous Dagestan village - Kubachi, an original local ethno-cultural world with its own special way of life, language, identity and ethical code. Local people are talented masters that boast the finest handmade jewelry.

When it comes to Kubachi traditons, the best way to learn more is to join one of local weddings.The main higlight of our tour is a chance to become a guest of the local wedding and see what is the real hospitality of the Kubachin people and Dagestanian people at all. Wedding in Kubachi includes 3 days of celebrating: Groom's Day, Bride's Day and the third day (a day of general festivities). Every day is held according to a certain scenario, which is revered by all local people, from a white shawl with a fringe of the bride - "lumkitabkaz", which is passed along the female line, to the tradition of stealing things from the bride's house for the newlyweds. A bright and rich ceremony, traditional beautiful clothes and an abundance of national dishes, old wedding traditions and the famous Dagestan dance - Lezginka are worth to see it with your own eyes. Feel the special atmosphere of a colorful holiday and enjoy the Dagestan hospitality!

In addition to wedding festivities, we join to the annual festival dedicated to the ancient abandoned village of Amuzgi and visit the workshop and museum of local goldsmiths. Also, we explore the ancient fortress Kala-Koreish, which keeps the secrets of the medieval capital of a large feudal possession and the Caucasian Machu Picchu; the high-mountain abandoned village Gamsutl at an altitude of 1418 m and the village of Ghunib with the picturesque Ghunib fortress of the 19th century, a witness of the Caucasian War.

Amazing history and distinctive culture are perfectly combined with the delightful nature of mountainous Dagestan. This is a paradise for any photographer and adventure seeker. Go on an ethnographic journey through the most ancient places of Dagestan to discover everything that is usually hidden from the eyes of an ordinary tourist and feel the special flavour of Caucasian culture. Leave all prejudice about Dagestan behind, it is incredibly calm and safe country, and local people are very hospitable, who greet each stranger as the most dear guest.

Day 1
Derbent - the most ancient city of Russia
Mahachakala — Derbent
Day 2
Kala-Koreish abandoned village
Derbent — Kubachi
Day 3
Wedding in Kubachi aul
Kubachi
Day 4
Festival "Legends of Amuzgi"
Kubachi — Amuzgi
Day 5
In the heart of Dagestan
Kubachi — Ghunib
Day 6
The Caucasian Machu- Picchu
Ghunib — Makhachkala
Day 7
The end of the program
Makhachkala

10:00
Arrival in Mahachkala
Meeting with your guide Pavel at the airport of Mahachkala. Please take flights arriving before 12:00 am.
11:00
Departure to Derbent city
We drive along Caspian sea towards Derbent that is one of the oldest living towns in the world., striking its beauty and antiquity. Derbent is situated on the west coast of the Caspian Sea, where the Caucasus mountains go right down to the shore, leaving only a narrow, coastal strip. Many sights of the city are man-made wonders, representing at least 5000 years old history, from the earliest objects of the Albanian (ancient) period to the latest achievements of modern architecture. The Juma Mosque built in the early thirteenth century, is one of the five oldest mosques in the world.
13:00
Lunch — Not included
Upon arrival, we have lunch at the local restaurant at your choice where you can try the traditional cuisine.
14:00
Discovery of Naryn-Kala fortress
We visit to one of the most beautiful fortresses in Russia - Naryn-kala - an ancient pre-Arab citadel, part of the Derbent fortress, connected to the Caspian Sea by double walls designed to block the so-called Caspian gates to the Persian state. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The word "Naryn-Kala" itself is translated from Persian as "Sun Fortress", as it is located at the very top and is surrounded by beautiful views of the sea and mountains.
16:00
City exploration
To know life from the inside, we will look into the old derbent and walk along the magals (streets). The construction of houses and streets is of particular interest: very narrow, perfectly paved and clean streets. There we will take a look at the local shoemaker's shop, where you can buy quality leather shoes and get acquainted with the life of ordinary people.
19:00
Traditional dinner with locals
During the tour, we have a unique opportunity to get to know a local family who lives in the magals of old Derbent. For understanding the culture, there is nothing better than immerse yourself in the life of local people. Chat with real Dagestanis and taste the dishes of national cuisine.
Overnight in the hotel

09:00
Breakfast in the hotel
10:00
Departure to Kala-Koreish
Today, we go on the road to Kubachi village among the mountain greeny landscapes. On the way we have a stop to visit Kala-Koreysh – fortress of the Quraysh, an important site for understanding the spread of Islam in the northern Caucasus. It is located on a small, rocky hilltop, surrounded by two rivers and beyond that, by higher hills and forests – it is an ideal remoted location but difficult to reach even nowdays. The mosque at Kala-Koreysh may have been established by members of the Quraysh clan in the 7th century. Now, it is presented a labyrinth of ancient buildings with terraces descending from the top of the mountain. There is also a restored museum and a tomb of the Kaitag utsmiyas. Easy walk to the settlement takes about 15-20 minutes. In Kala-Koreish, we meet with a local keeper, who is always glad to welcome strangers there.
13:00
Lunch-picnic
Enjoying the beautiful scenery and silence , we have a picnic in Kala-Koreish settlement.
15:00
Departure to the village Kubachi
We are going to Kubachi village, that is famous for its silver jewelry. Since ancient times, gunsmiths have worked in the village and forged chain mail, swords, sabers. Weapons were decorated with silver or gold, that made them more beautiful and added value.
16:00
Acquaintance with Kubachi aul and visit of the art factory
Kubachi Aul is situated at a height of 1 750 m. Its oldest part looks like a typical mountain aul: located on a steep slope, houses with beautiful terraces are molded onto each other, forming a chaotic maze of narrow passages, staircases, and galleries. Architecture is similar to the medieval culture. In Kubachi village there is closed art factory, where the Kubachin jewelers used to work, and now it is in desolation, and the exhibition, which presents samples of what the art factory produced during the Soviet era, as well as small boutique, where a local master tell you about the art of Kubachin people and show your skill.
19:00
Dinner in the homestead
Taste the tradional dishes: delicious tea made from Caucasian herbs and berries, Chudu - flat cakes with cheese or meat or hot khinkal made from thin dough.
Overnight in the homestead

09:00
Breakfast in the homestead
10:00
Participation in tradtional Kubachi wedding
The most favorable time for marriage in Dagestan is August, when young people enter into a family union. The Kubachins, as a special ethnic group of Dagestan, have preserved the ancient traditions of holding magnificent weddings. Marriage in Kubachi is celebrated during 3 days: Groom's Day, Bride's Day and the third day (a day of general festivities). On the first day, the official wedding ceremony takes place in the local administration, then the wedding cortege go to a spacious meadow, where a fun festivities begin. The bride does not participate in most of the activities and stays at home with her relatives. We will definitely visit one of the local weddings and stay as guests during the holiday. You are welcome to take small gifts to the newlyweds.
13:00
Lunch
Lunch in the local cafe (not included). If we stay at the wedding, you have lunch there.
18:00
Dinner — Not included
Depends on situation at wedding or at the local cafe.
20:00
Evening festivites
In the evening we will go to the main square, where all guests from old to young will gather and merry Dagestan dances will begin until the morning. You will see the bride and other girls in traditional dress (white shawl and dresses with gold embroidery), as well as the famous Lezginka dance.
Overnight in the homestead

09:00
Breakfast in the homestead
09:30
Start of Festival "Legends of Amuzgi"
The festival is dedicated to the abandoned village of Amuzgi, which was famous for making blades. Its last resident died in 2016, since then the aul remains abandoned. Just once a year, as in old times, a smithy will start working, bread will be baked, and at the godekans one can listen to stories from rural life. The old village will be filled with life and joy again. Anyone can go back to the past for a short time. Today we will go on foot to an abandoned village together with the local residents of Kubachi. The road takes about 40 minutes on foot along a mountain path among beautiful landscapes.
13:00
Lunch in the homestead
14:00
Excursion around the village
During pedestrian excursion along Kubachi, we visit of the watchtower and the souvenir shop. These days in Kubachi it is especially lively and fun, in addition to the festival, weddings are held every day. If you wish, you can go on the 2nd wedding day or the Bride's Day - the main festivities take place in the groom's house. In the evening, the guests pick up the bride and bring her to the groom's house.
19:00
Dinner in the homestead
Overnight in the homestead

08:00
Breakfast in the homestead
09:00
Visiting the bride's house
Today is the final day of the Kubachi wedding, we visit the bride's house to congratulate her and present a gift. By tradition, the bride sits in the corner of the house and accepts gifts from guests. After dinner, all the men take turns dancing the traditional dance with the bride. The wedding ends with a cheerful ceremony of "stealing things from the bride's house", if the groom's parents do not pay, the guests will take things to the groom's house.
11:00
Departure to Ghunib settlement
Ghunib is a village located at an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level, so maka sure to enjoy the stunning landscapes. There are over 300 sunny days a year. Ghunibskoe plateau is a natural mountain botanical garden with its own microclimate, flora and fauna. Ghunib is very interesting location in terms of history as it was a natural fortress during the Caucasian War of the 19th century.
13:00
Lunch in homestead on the way
On the way, we discover the small beautiful village Tanty and visit one of the local family. At a traditional dinner, you will learn more about the life of the locals in the mountains and their history.
15:00
Arrival in Ghunib and accommodation in the homestead
Upon arrival, we stay in the house of locals and enjoy the warm atmosphere and hospitality. You will see the mini-museum of hosts and try on the national Dagestan clothes for a photo.
16:00
Ghunib fortress among the mountains
In the evening we will climb the Ghunib fortress (easy ascent), from the height of which you will see the magnificent Ghunib and its surroundings. Ghunib Fortress is a witness of the Caucasian War and the last refuge of Imam Shamil. The fortress is located on the Ghunib plateau, which is cut off by sheer walls to the Kara-Koisu river. The complex includes a fortress wall with lower and upper gates, a barracks. The wall is about 3 km long, 5-7 m high, and about 1 m wide.
19:00
Dinner in the homestead
Overnight in the homestead

08:00
Breakfast
11:00
Ascending to Gamsutl village
Translated from the Avar word "gamall" means "at the foot of the Khan's fortress", which means the khans chose this place to build their fortress or tower. The place for the fortress was not chosen by chance: the village is located on the top of a mountain, at an altitude of about 1,500 meters above sea level, where the surroundings are clearly visible. In addition, the village is surrounded by rocks and steep slopes, so it is not easy to get here. We will take a pedestrian excursion to the village along a narrow path to discover the remains of houses and complete silence.
13:00
Lunch in the local cafe — Not included
14:00
Transfer to Makhachkala city
After visit of Ghunib aul, we continue the way through Dagestan. On the way, we have stops to admire the picturesque views.
19:00
Dinner — Not included
Dinner at any restaurant at your choice.
Overnight in the hotel

09:00
Breakfast in the hotel
11:00
Transfer to the airport

Detailed description

New departures available soon

Price includes

English-speaking guide
Transport as per itinerary
Excursions and visits as per itinerary
Transfer from airport / railway station on first day
Transfer to airport / railway station on last day
Meals according to the program

Price does not include

Airline tickets
Medical insurance
Personal expenses and tips

For more info, please download the detailed description of the trip.

Note

The price is indicated per person in the group of 4 participants. Price for the group of 3 people is 74 800 RUB per person.

Reviews

No reviews anymore or no reviews at all for this tour. Below reviews for destination:

Caucasus

This is my first time using Baikal tours for my travels in Russia. I would say I did not regret one single moment booking a tour in the Caucasus. The guides and tours were simply amazing! Although the tours were in Russian, it was a great practice for me to listen and speak in Russian. The tour guides were hospital in ensuring my trip was good and assisted me whenever I could not communicate well with

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!!

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.

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

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

Destination: Lake Baikal, Trans-Siberian Railway, Caucasus

Custom tour: Journey 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

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