Tour to the North Caucasus | Caucasus Explorer

This 9-day tour offers a deep dive into the North Caucasus, a region of layered history and stunning landscapes. This itinerary is designed for travelers interested in authentic cultural experiences and understanding the complex history of the Caucasus.

Your journey will start in Vladikavkaz, where you’ll sample Ossetian cuisine and explore the city’s Art Nouveau architecture. Then the adventure will take you to the mountainous south of Ingushetia to see ancient Vainakh stone towers. After that you’ll visit the modern capitals of Magas and Grozny, and also you stop at Shali town, the home to Europe’s largest mosque.

Crossing into Dagestan, you’ll hike to the abandoned village of Gamsutl’, explore the historical settlements of Gimry and Sogratl’, and visit craft villages of Balkhar and Kubachi. The tour concludes in ancient Derbent, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth.

26 October — 03 November 2026
North Caucasus
Guide — Dmitry Lemeshev
Price$2550
Group members 4-7 people

Price$2550

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01 The sunni mosque of Vladikavkaz. Photo: Timur Agirov

02 Mountain landscape of Ingushetia. Photo: Dmitry Lemeshev

03 Towers of Niy, mountains of Ingushetia. Photo: Dmitry Lemeshev

04 The fortress of Gunib. Photo: Anton Agarkov

05 The weding dress of Balkhar village. Photo: Anton Agarkov

06 Cemetery of shakhids in Gimry village. Photo: Dmitry Lemeshev

07 Sunset on the way from Balkhar to Kubachi village. Photo: Dmitry Lemeshev

08 In the the house of a jeweler, Kubachi village. Photo: Dmitry Lemeshev

09 Sunrize in Kubachi village. Photo: Dmitry Lemeshev

10 The historical part ofo Kubachi. Photo: Zlata Milyavskaya

11 On the street of the Old City of Derbent. Photo: Tatyana Masterova | ASI

Stages

Day 1

27th of October. Arrival to Vladikavkaz (D)

Istanbul - Vladikavkaz by Pobeda 15:50 - 18:20

Arrival to Vladikavkaz. Welcome dinner with traditional ossetian cuisine and best Russian wine.

Overnight at “”Na Gorkogo* 3* hotel.

Avenue of Piece in Vladikavkaz. Photo: Dmitry Lemeshev

Day 2

28th of October. Vladikavkaz (B, L)

We’ll spend the whole day in Vladikavkaz exploring the history and stories of the city. We’ll enjoy art-nouveau architecture and visit the National museum of Vladikavkaz and the contemporary art center. Another important part of our experience here is food, it is one of the most tasty cities of the Caucasus.

Overnight at “”Na Gorkogo* 3* hotel.

The sunni mosque of Vladikavkaz. Photo: Dmitry Lemeshev

Day 3

29th of October. South of Ingushetia (B, L)

This day we’ll spend in the mountains of Ingushetia. We’ll see the most picturesque Vainakh towers and landscapes.

In the evening we’ll come back to Vladikavkaz.

Overnight at “”Na Gorkogo* 3* hotel.

Defensive towers of Erzi. Photo: Dmitry Lemeshev

Day 4

30th of October. Magas and Grozny (B, L)

In the morning we’ll visit the school in Beslan, which was attacked by terrorists 1st of September 2004. Now it is one of the most important memorials of the republic.

After that we’ll visit the 2 capitals of the Vainakh people. We’ll make a stop at the “Memorial of History and Glory” near Magas and have a short city tour in the youngest and the smallest capital of Russia.

Then we’ll go to Grozny and have lunch at the former laboratory of the Grozneft company built in a style of English castle but ruined in times of the war. Now there is a restaurant.

The second half of the day we’ll walk in Grozny. Our city tour will include a climb to the roof of the business center and a visit to the museum of Akhmad-hadji Kadyrov.

Overnight at Grozny city 5*.

The city of Grozny. Photo: Abdullah Bersaev

Day 5

31th of October. Grozny - Shali - Kezenoy-am - Gimry (B, L)

Start early in the morning. It is going to be the most busy day of our trip.

We’ll visit the biggest mosque in Europe in Shali, then watch the biggest mountain lake of the Caucasus and have lunch there.

Then cross the border of Dagestan and transfer along the Andi river to Gimry village, where the first imams of Dagestan and Chechnya were born.

Overnight at “Gorniy Prichal” hotel.

Kezenoi-am lake on the border between Chechnya and Dagestan

Day 6

1st of November. Gimry – Sogratl’ - Gamsutl’ – Gunib (B, L, D)

Transfer to Sogratl’ village. It is another very important historical village of Dagestan. We’ll have a walking tour with a local guide here.

After lunch in one of the houses we’ll hike to Gamsutl’ abandoned village. In the evening we’ll go to Gunib.

Overnight at “Gunib Crown” hotel.

Gamsutl' abandoned village. Photo Zlata Milyavskaya

Day 7

2nd of November. Gunib - Salta - Balkhar - Kubachi (B, L, D)

In the morning we’ll visit Salta village to walk into the gorge with a waterfall.

Then transfer to Balkhar village to learn about local pottery tradition and have lunch. Then we’ll arrive at Kubachi, the most know craft village of the Caucasus.

Learn about traditions of local jewelers.

Overnight at a guest-house.

Pottery class in Balkhar village. Photo: Tatyana Masterova | ASI

Day 8

3d of November. Kubachi - Derbent (B, L)

In the morning we’ll meet local jewelers and learn about local traditions. We’ll also have a walking tour here.

Have lunch in Madjalis village, on the way to Derbent.

In the afternoon we’ll start exploring the city.

Overnight at “Marena” boutique hotel or similar.

Jeweler at work. Photo: Anton Agarkov

Day 9

4th of November. Derbent - airport (B)

Continue exploring Derbent, visit the market transfer to the airport.

The gates of the Old City of Derbent. Photo: Dmitry Lemeshev

Tour Terms

Included
Excluded

Included

English-speaking guide,
transportation,
accommodation,
meals (according to the itinerary, look at B, L, D letters),
all tickets, permits, LOI.

Excluded

flights,
meals (according to itinerary, look at B, L, D letters),
souvenirs and other personal expenses.

Route Map

Guests About Us

Rumyana

Спосибо большое, Дима for the excellent organisation and your sincere willingness to tell and show us as much as possible of this interesting part of your country!

Thank you for the way you dealt with crises, more than one, in a calm and efficient manner without showing a sign of irritation. I felt in safe hands with you.

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