North Caucasus - Caucasus Explorer Travel to the North Caucasus

North Caucasusadmin2023-11-16T12:56:07+00:00

About the Region

For many years following the collapse of the USSR the Caucasus was considered a trouble spot. Chechnya and Dagestan were experiencing the times of turmoil and war.

Fortunately, in recent ten years the Caucasus can be traveled safely. The only threat tourists are facing today is gluttony. But extraordinary hospitality and beauty can captivate indeed.

The Caucasus is a huge mountain range extending over 1100 m from the Black to the Caspian Sea. The greater part of the northern side belongs to Russia and comprises nine distinct regions – Krasnodar Krai, Adygea, Kavminvody, Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia, Chechnya, Ingushetia, and Dagestan.

Many still associate the Caucasus with danger. However, the region is way more tranquil today. The republics of the North Caucasus – Ingushetia, Chechnya, Karachay-Cherkessia and others – are at the end of the list in the criminal statistics. Terroristic acts are highly improbable. There hasn’t been a single one in the year 2020. Locals even in big cities often leave cars and apartments unlocked and let children play in the streets without concerns. The Caucasus has the highest degree of hospitality, where everybody is eager to help you out, give you a treat, invite you over. The Caucasus has unbelievably pristine mountains where tourists rarely set foot. The Caucasus has awesome food – tourist are thrilled by the local cuisine. Also, there’re traditions and folklore, rituals that are alive and not conserved in museums, and martial arts. If you’ve already been to Russia, consider coming back for the sake of the Caucasus. Our country cannot be fathomed without this region, as many a time the Caucasus determined the course of history and the evolution of culture in Russia.

Map

BLACK SEA

CASPIAN SEA

Interesting Facts

01 1. Over 40 ethnic groups live in the North Caucasus.

02 2. UNESCO protects the wilderness of the Western Caucasus.

03 3. The most high-altitude settlements of Europe are in Dagestan (up to 2560 m).

04 4. Elbrus (5642 m) is the highest peak in Europe.

05 5. More than 2000 glaciers lie on the face of the North Caucasus.

06 6. The most exotic and complex part of Russia.

07 7. The eternal frontier of the Empire, which causes some chaos but also brings about uniqueness.

08 8. The Russian Empire failed to conquer the Caucasus for 101 years. The bravest warriors back in time are MMA celebrities now.

Our Tours

Tour to Ingushetia, Chechnya and Dagestan & the Central Caucasus

It is a perfect trip for those who are inspired by the idea of discovery, for those who are keen to learn about different cultures. During the tour around Ingushetia, Chechnya and Dagestan you will get acquainted with various ethnic groups inhabiting the Caucasus and adopted the Islamic and Christian faith. You may be surprised to see the distinctiveness of their cultures despite the embracing religion.

04 — 19 May

16 days

From $3780

Expedition to untouched mountains of the Western Caucasus

We'll visit the mountains of the Western Caucasus, where tourists rarely appear. In some valleys, bison, deer and bears are more likely to be seen than people. That's gonna be a real expedition to wild mountains with flowering valleys and rocky highlands! At the same time, we will spend time with pleasure - the horses will carry the backpacks, the food will be prepared by a team of guides, in the evenings there is good wine from glasses overlooking the sunset.

24 July — 01 August

9 days

From $1400

Religious Rituals of the North Caucasus

The North Caucasus, despite its relatively small territory, is one of the few places in the world where you can learn a variety of religious traditions and see some impressive rituals such as Ossetian prayers, Dhikrs (devotional acts in Islam) of various Sufi communities, and Shia mourning rituals on the day of Ashura.

29 July — 09 August

12 days

From $3150

Ethno & wine tour in deep south of Russia

This pleasant days in warm south of Russia will be filled by cognitive walks and communication with locals. We will also spend some time tasting the masterpieces of new Russian winemaking...

9 days

From $2400

Expedition to mountains of Dagestan

We’ll visit genuine alpine villages where living conditions have hardly changed since the last century, and we’ll familiarize ourselves with strong-willed shepherds who, for months, live side by side with marauding bears.

01 — 09 July

9 days

From $1950

Trekking in the Western Caucasus. From Lago-naki plateau to the Black sea

You will visit the territory of the Western Caucasus protected by UNESCO - is one of the few large mountain areas of Europe that has not experienced significant human impact. There is a rather varied landscape - a plateau covered with wildflowers, green mountains, gorges, rocks and even a glacier.

9 days

From $1700

Tour across the North Caucasus. “From the Black sea to the Caspian sea”

Nine republics, almost 2,000 kilometers of road, a maximum elevation of more than 3 000 meters, dozens of ethnic groups, hundreds of dishes, and immeasurable amounts of natural beauty. To remain a passive bystander simply isn’t an option throughout this magnificent trip, which includes mountain hikes, crafting workshops, and meetings with local historians, musicians, scientists, and villagers.
After this trip you will have every right to say: “I have seen the Caucasus!”

29 May — 19 June

22 days

From $5560

South Ossetia 5-days tour

You'll see not only Tskhinval but also remote villages and ancient churches. You'll be able to communicate with locals and visit the best winery of the country. Also you'll visit Vladikavkaz — the center of Ossetian culture. Each day we’ll stay at cozy hotels and even highland glamping in the mountains...

14 — 18 August

5 days

From $1280

Horseback Ethnographic Expedition to South Ossetia

This expedition is a unique opportunity to visit hardest-to-reach places of the Caucasus. In the places we are going to visit, you don’t get to see tourists, even local ones, let alone foreigners. On this route, we cannot guarantee anything beyond the sincere hospitality and welcoming spirit of the highlanders and experience of venturing into a real mountain expedition…

30 June — 09 July

10 days

From $2300

Customized tours to the North Caucasus

If none of our tours suits you, we can design an itinerary tailored to your wishes. Trekking from the Caspian to the Black Sea – it’s easy! Gastronomy tour with workshops and visits to the best restaurants and farms – that’s what we’re dreaming of. Ethnography tour focused on local music, attending religious rituals during Ashura period or getting to know different kinds of zikr – it’s easy, we’ve already got all the contacts!

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useful information

Permit to the border areas
Getting there

Permit to the border areas

The North Caucasus is a border territory, so if you’re planning a journey on your own, inquire if a permit on your itinerary is needed. You have to apply for a permit in each republic or krai separately. The simplest way to apply is to buy our tour (getting border zone permits is always included), but you can also send your documents to the e-mail of the Federal Security Service (FSB) of the region in question. The procedure usually takes 30working days. It’s not always obvious whether a permit will be required on your itinerary or not. There is no comprehensive database where the five-kilometer area is marked. The only region that provides such a map is Kabardino-Balkaria. To find out about the other regions the best option, though somewhat outmoded, would be making a phone call to the Border Police.

Getting there

Nine airports are scattered around the North Caucasus – it’s one of the most easily accessible regions in Russia. You can fly to Sochi, Gelendzhik, Anapa, MineralnyeVody, Nalchik, Vladikavkaz, Magas, Grozny, or Makhachkala. Many of them receive over ten flights a day from Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Lifehack: if you can’t find a flight to your destination in the Caucasus, check out flights to nearby airports – distances between cities are short. Also, it’s often cheaper to fly to Georgia than to the North Caucasus. So buy a ticket to Tbilisi and continue to Vladikavkaz on the scenic Georgian Military Highway. There’re dozens of trains bound for Krasnodar, Sochi, and MineralnyeVody from throughout Russia, from Murmansk to Krasnoyarsk. Comfortable double-decker trains with compartments depart from Moscow and arrive at their destination in less than 24 hours. There’re considerably fewer trains to the capitals of the Caucasian republics, yet at least one trip a day from Moscow is available. Moscow and Sochi are joined by one of the few major highways in Russia, M4. You will be able to enjoy the comfort of a perfect four-lane road with a guard rail at the speeds of up to 120 km/h. The only major highway running across the Caucasus is P217, connecting all the principal cities of the republic.

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