Mountain Fairytale of Northern Caucasus, 6 Days

Arrival in Mineralnye Vody (at railway station or airport).

Meeting by local guide. Delivery of the transport.

Transfer to the town of Pyatigorsk.

Sightseeing tour in Pyatigorsk including places connected with the life of the Russian poet Mikhail Lermontov and excursion in Tsvetnik Park.

"Tsvetnik" Park (Flower Gardens): "Tsvetnik" is the smallest park of Caucasus Mineral Waters region. Though it occupies only 14 hectares, it is the place where the main sights of Pyatigorsk are located. They are: the Eagle sculpture (a non-official symbol of the region), Diana's Grotto, Lermontov Baths, Ermolov Baths, Lermontov Gallery, the House of Officers, Gukasov's Coffee House, sculpture of Kisa Vorobyaninov, former hotel "Bristol" (the Russian Presidential Mission), Operetta Theater, Restoratsiya, the first monument to Lermontov in Russia, the former house of Conradi (local history museum), the former house of Upton (sanatorium "Goryachiy Klyuch"). Also, the main Mineral water drinking gallery is situated in “Tsvetnik”. Here, in the gallery, everyone can drink mineral water of Krasnoarmeiskie springs No. 2 and No. 17 free of charge.

Excursion to Lake Proval - the famous lake of karst origin. You’ll go through the 58-meter long tunnel, at the entrance to which there is a sculpture of Ostap Bender (a literature character, popular with the Russians).

Excursion dedicated to poet M. Lermontov with visiing his house and the place of the duel where he was shot. Driving to the place of Lermontov's duel is along the main thoroughfare of Pyatigorsk - Kalinin Avenue; you’ll see the microdistrict "Belaya Romashka" and universities of Pyatigorsk. At the site of the great poet's death, you’ll hear the story about the last hours of his life and the appearance of the monument.

OPTIONAL: Lunch in café/ restaurant downtown (met menu) - NOT included into package price.

Transfer to the hotel.

Arrival at the hotel. Check-in, accommodation. Time at disposal.

OPTIONAL: Dinner in café/ restaurant downtown or in the hotel (met menu) - NOT included into package price.

Overnight in the hotel.

06:15 Early breakfast in the hotel/ or lunch-boxes

06:30 Meeting with our guide in the lobby of the hotel. Delivery of the transport. 

Departure to Verkhnaya Balkaria (Upper Balkaria).

Excursion to Chegem and Cherek Gorges. You will see two magnificent gorges of the Central Caucasus: Chegem and Cherek Gorges and bathe in thermal springs of Aushiger. One of the most interesting sights in the North Caucasus is the famous Chegem waterfalls. The history of appearance of waterfalls is connected with melting of glaciers from the peaks of the Caucasus. The melt water makes its way into the cavities of the mountains and emerges over the rocks in the form of picturesque waterfalls. Thousands of small and large water streams of water flow and fall from a great height into the river flowing below.

The lovely Blue Lakes are located at a considerable altitude, and you will have the opportunity to see one of them during the excursion.

Blue Lake  s a hidden gem in the highlands. It is a karst lake, which means that underground waters filled the sinkhole formed as a result of rock washout. Such reservoirs are traditionally small in size and deep in depth. Blue Lake is considered to be one of the deepest in the world. Behind the Blue Lake the old Balkar Wheel Road begins, passing through the narrow Cherek Gorge between sheer cliffs on one side and the gaping abyss above the river running deep below on the other. 

The village of Verkhnaya Balkaria (Upper Balkaria) in the Cherek Gorge, is an ancestral nest of the Balkar people. It is located in the upper reaches of the Cherek River, one of the left tributaries of the Terek River. Inspection of ancient towers. In the Cherek Gulch you will walk to the observation platform along the ancient mountain road.

OPTIONAL: Lunch en-route (set menu) - NOT included into package price.

In the middle of the last century, oil production works were carried out in this area, during them this natural wonder was discovered, and since then the residents started to build swimming pools here. The rumor about the healing properties of the water quickly spread throughout the republic and people began to come here. Today, the Aushiger thermal springs have become a popular resort. The entrance ticket to the thermal springs is included in the price.

19:00 Departure to the hotel.

Arrival at the hotel. Time at disposal.

OPTIONAL: Dinner in café/ restaurant downtown or in the hotel (set menu) - NOT included into package price.

Overnight in the hotel.

06:15 Breakfast in the hotel/ or lunch-boxes

06:30 Meeting with our guide in the lobby of the hotel. Delivery of the transport. 

Departure to Dombai. Important: we recommend taking with you your passport, warm clothes (at any season), sunglasses.

Dombai is considered to be the pearl of the Northern Caucasus, a region with incredibly beautiful nature and clean air. It is a centre of tourism, mountaineering and skiing; it is the region rich in greenery and relict pine and fir trees.

Dombai highest point is the Dombai-Ulgen Peak with the height of 4046 meters. Not without reason it is called "the heart of the mountains". The connection of the main gorges - Alibek, Amanauz and Dombai-Ulgen - forms a natural center - the picturesque Dombai Meadow at an altitude of 1650 m (above sea level). The Dombai Meadow is surrounded by majestic mountains. Dark coniferous forests, stormy rivers, waterfalls, eternal snows and glaciers create unique beauty of this area.

After arrival at Dombai Meadow you’ll continue ascent to observation platforms on the Mussa-Achitar Ridge by cable cars.  

The maximum ascent point by cable way is 3000m above sea level. At this altitude you can enjoy beautiful views of the Main Caucasus Ridge and Ine Peak.

OPTIONAL: Lunch in café/ restaurant downtown (set menu) - NOT included into package price.

19:00 Departure to the hotel.

Arrival at the hotel. Time at disposal.

OPTIONAL: Dinner in café/ restaurant downtown or in the hotel (set menu) - NOT included into package price.

Overnight in the hotel.

06:15 Breakfast in the hotel/ or lunch-boxes

06:30 Meeting with our guide in the lobby of the hotel. Delivery of the transport. 

Departure to the Elbrus region.

The Elbrus region is one of the most picturesque and interesting places of the North Caucasus. On the excursion you will visit the foot of the greatest peak of the Caucasus - Elbrus (5642 m). You will admire the southern slope of Elbrus from Mount Cheget from the height of 3040 meters. You will see wild gorges, gulches and glaciers from which stormy rivers are born, and taste water of mineral springs of Elbrus.

Here you can buy memorable souvenirs, warm hand-knitted things made from sheep and goat wool and aromatic herbal teas collected in the highlands. Ascent by cable way from Cheget to Elbrus, entrance to the Elbrus National Park.

The Narzan Glade in the Elbrus region is a small valley with a total area of 3 square kilometers in the upper reaches of the Baksan Gorge. The glade is located between the villages of Elbrus and Terskol.

OPTIONAL: Lunch in café/ restaurant downtown (set menu) - NOT included into package price.

19:00 Departure to the hotel.

Arrival at the hotel. Time at disposal.

OPTIONAL: Dinner in café/ restaurant downtown or in the hotel (set menu) - NOT included into package price.

Overnight in the hotel.

06:15 Breakfast in the hotel/ or lunch-boxes

06:30 Meeting with our guide in the lobby of the hotel. Delivery of the transport. 

Departure to the Arkhyz region.

The Arkhyz region is a place for year-round recreation. In summer Arkhyz turns into a mountainous, ecologically clean and ideal for hiking and excursion tourism lovers. In winter people come here to go skiing, snowmobiling, sledging and snowboarding. 

In the Caucasus Mountains, on a steep cliff, sheltered from the weather by a natural stone canopy, there is an amazing attraction. The Face of Christ was discovered in Arkhyz in 1999, although rumors about the icon in the mountains had been circulating for a long time. The exact date and circumstances of the image's creation are still unknown, as well as its author. Scientists and believers continue to put forward versions, but the Face of Christ is still surrounded by mysteries.   

The Temple Complex located in the gorge of the Bolshoy Zelenchuk River on the territory of the Nizhne-Arkhyz settlement, the complex includes three cathedral churches and eleven small churches (entrance is included). 

OPTIONAL: Lunch in café/ restaurant downtown (set menu) - NOT included into package price.

After lunch you will get acquainted with the all-season resort "Arkhyz". This is a young resort for active winter and summer recreation with perfectly developing infrastructure. Ascent and descent by the cable way is included into the tour.

19:00 Departure to the hotel.

Arrival at the hotel. Time at disposal.

OPTIONAL: Dinner in café/ restaurant downtown

Breakfast in the hotel

Check-out from the hotel (till 12:00).

Meeting with our guide in the lobby of the hotel.

Delivery of the transport. 

Transfer to the railway station/ airport.

Departure. 

Price includes:

• DBL/ TWN accommodation x 5 nights in the hotels, including breakfast at the local hotels,
• Registration fees,
• Visa support documents (excluding delivery fee),
• Transport for excursions and transfers - according to the program above,
• Local guide(s) for excursions and transfers – according to the program above,
• Entrance fees to the museums - according to the program above,
• Resort fee (per day),
• Entrance to the Elbrus National Park and ecological fee,
• Cable way in Dombai (3 ascents), 
• Cable way in Arkhyz and entrance to the Temple Complex,
• Ecological fee (the Elbrus National Park).​​​

Price excludes:

• Tips,
• Railway and flight tickets,
• Insurance,
• Lunches: from 800 RUB per pax,
• Dinner: from 1000 RUB per pax,
• Cable way to Mount Cheget (The Elbrus region): 1100 RUB per pax,
• Cash for personal expenses.

* The program can be changed and recalculated according to your request and group size.

** Upon booking services, changes in the program are possible, depending on availability of tickets and possibilities of museums.  The company reserves the right to make changes in order of excursions, while keeping the program as a whole.