Amazing places in the Caucasus. Ancient temples of Karachay-Cherkessia. Watchtowers of the North Caucasus
"Komsomolskaya Pravda" tells how to spend a vacation with benefit
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Arkhyz, Elbrus, Dombay: for tourists, the North Caucasus is first of all skiing and snowboard. But winter is over, folks! A tourist season in the Caucasus is just beginning. We will prove to you what to ride in these beautiful places worth not only in winter. You can get from Moscow to Nalchik, Vladikavkaz, Makhachkala by plane in about 2.5 hours, a one-way ticket costs from 4 - 4.5 thousand rubles. One of the main issues that worries tourists is safety.
For tourists, the North Caucasus today is one of the safest regions of the country, this is also evidenced by the statistics of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (out of 85 regions, they occupy last places according to the number of crimes, including serious ones), and our experience in operating resorts, - said Ekaterina Zhigalo, head of the press service of Resorts North Caucasus". - Employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations are on duty at the resorts, rescuers of the security service are on the slopes, mounted police, cynologists work. But it is important to remind vacationers that going on a summer trip to mountainous areas, especially when it comes to "wild", natural tourism, groups must register routes and report them to the North Caucasus Regional Center of the Russian Emergencies Ministry
Scuba diving in the mountains
Blue Lakes in the Cherek region of Kabardino - Balkaria - popular place for divers: the water is so clear that the bottom can be seen up to a depth of 22 meters. True, none of the extreme sportsmen has yet reached the bottom of the deepest Lower Lake. Even the famous Jacques Yves Cousteau, who was here on an expedition in the 1960s. For fishing, the Upper Lakes are more suitable. Trout, carp, grass carp are found here.
Road and prices
From Nalchik to the lakes an hour by car, a taxi will take you for 500 rubles. You can stay at the camp site, the price of a room per day is from 500 rubles. Dive into the lake - 3 thousand rubles (includes instructor services and equipment rental).
On a note
Scuba diving is possible from the age of 14. If you want to dive without an instructor, a certificate is required
We love the waterfalls
Experienced "walkers" in the Caucasus say that they are more beautiful than Midagrabin mountain waterfalls not to be found anywhere near Vladikavkaz. Best of all here in July, August, early September, when they are full of water. In height, these waterfalls are second only to the Venezuelan Angel (979 m) and Norwegian (860 m).
Road and housing
Almost all local travel agencies organize excursions here - about 3 thousand rubles per person. 2 hours drive along the steep serpentines of the Kurtatinsky Gorge, another 2 hours on foot and you are there. You can stay in the hotels of Vladikavkaz - a room from 1700 rubles per day.
On a note
Midagrabinskie waterfalls - the border zone with Georgia, you need to take your passport with you. On weekends and holidays, a pass can be obtained at the checkpoint. On weekdays, contact the FSB Border Guard in Vladikavkaz.
Tour of the city of the dead
Dargav necropolis in North Ossetia listed as a UNESCO heritage site, it has been compared to the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. There are almost a hundred stone crypts here. The more noble and wealthy the family was, the higher the family crypt. The deceased were placed in it in their clothes along with weapons and small household items. The microclimate in the gorge is such that the bodies mummified themselves.
Road and prices
The village of Dargavs is two hours away by bus "Vladikavkaz - Dzhimar". Departs from the central market at 16:30. From Dargavs to the necropolis, a little over a kilometer on foot. The cost of the entrance ticket is 100 rubles. Opening hours - from 10:00 to 18:00 daily, except Monday.
On a note
The crypts are very dark, if you want to look inside and see the burials, take a flashlight. And do not listen to the stories of the locals about the danger of contracting the plague. As early as 1967, researchers found that there were no plague pathogens in the burial.
Walks around the Museum-Reserve
The Dzheirakhsky Gorge in Ingushetia is a whole architectural and natural museum. It takes at least a week to see all the monuments. These are the medieval tower cities of Egikal, Khamkhi and Targim, the Christian temple of Tkhaba-Yerdy (VIII century), castle complexes Vovnushki and Erzi. The latter has almost 60 towers, 30 meters high. And also mountain rivers, gorges, springs, pine forests and rare animals - tour, chamois, bezoar goat, forest cat.
Road and prices
From Vladikavkaz to Dzheyrakh there is a regular bus, the ticket is 100 rubles. From here, for 500 rubles, taxi drivers will take you to the villages of Egikal, Targim, Erzi, Vovnushki, where the tower complexes are located, to the temple of Tkhaba-Erdy. You can walk: it's 6-12 km depending on what you want to see. Guide services - 3-5 thousand rubles.
How to get there
From the Makhachkala bus station to the village of Korkmaskaly go Shuttle Buses and minibuses, the price is 100 rubles. But it is most convenient to take a taxi (500-700 rubles) federal highway E50/M29. At the village you need to turn onto a dirt road and after 2 km you will see Sarykum.
On a note
Bring sunglasses and cream, hats, so as not to burn. The sand of the dune warms up to +60 degrees, the air - up to 40.
It is no coincidence that the North Caucasus is one of the favorite destinations for domestic tourism in Russia. Here, in an amazing way, various vegetable world, magnificent landscapes, fast rivers and high mountains, semi-deserts and healing mineral springs, architectural monuments and tasty food. Be sure to visit this wonderful land. At least virtually.
Elbrus
The highest point in Russia is rightfully considered one of the seven wonders of our country. The mountain is a cone extinct volcano erupting last time at the beginning of our era.
It was here, according to legend, that the titan Prometheus was chained in chains for daring to bring fire to people. In the powerful glaciers of Elbrus, the Kyukurtlyu, Ullu-Khurzuk, Ullu-Kam rivers originate, which, merging, form the Kuban - the most big river in the North Caucasus.
In the depths of Elbrus, there are still hot masses that heat the local "hot narzans" - springs saturated with mineral salts and carbon dioxide, the temperature of which reaches +52 and +60 ºС.
Tobot waterfall
An unforgettable view opens up to travelers: a flat plateau suddenly breaks off, as if the universe ends here, and from the top of the gorge, which in this place resembles latin letter V, falls with a terrible roar, the previously calm river, flying past picturesque rocks. Below, water crystals rise from the bottom of the canyon and, illuminated by the sun, play with all possible colors.
“However, lovers can argue about beauty winter scenery: during the frosty months, Tobot freezes like a giant icicle, hollow inside (crystal clear and incredibly tasty water runs through this cavity). The whole gorge is covered clear ice, as if turning into the realm of the Snow Queen,” he writes.
Blue lakes in Kabardino-Balkaria
Five amazing karst lakes are hidden between the rocks in Kabardino-Balkaria. In their waters, the mysteries of nature are hidden, which man has not yet fully unraveled.
Not a single river or stream flows into one of them, the Lower Lake, although it loses up to 70 million liters of water every day, but its volume and depth do not change at all. The Lower Lake, or Tserik-Kol, is one of the deepest in the region. It rightfully bears the title of one of the deepest lakes Europe.
It is best to admire them, especially Tserik-Kul, on a clear day. sunny weather when the water there has a really pale blue color (it is due to the content of hydrogen sulfide). During the day, the lake can change color up to 16 times - from azure to emerald. But the water temperature in it is constant: no more than +9 ºС - both in winter and in summer.
Lake Proval
The beautiful turquoise color of the mineral water that fills the reservoir is due to the high sulfur content and the presence of certain bacteria in it.
The landmark of the Failure is two lions guarding the entrance to the cave. These sculptures appeared here in the middle of the 20th century. Since then, tourists are sure to take pictures (for good luck) with at least one of them.
In the time of Lermontov, however, locals called the lake "hellish abyss" and believed that a fire-breathing monster lives in it, which circles over the city at night in search of victims. Nevertheless, one of the amusements of the "water society" - the society of visitors and the military, which gathered around the family of Prince V.S. Golitsyn, - there were dances over the abyss: on the initiative of the prince, the famous architects, the Bernardazzi brothers, built in 1837 a platform over the Proval, on which those who wished to dance a quadrille. The most inquisitive had the opportunity to go down in a special basket to the very water.
Watchtowers of the North Caucasus
The North Caucasus is one of the few places in Russia where ancestral guard towers have been preserved - a prime example original mountain culture. They are located on the slopes of the Main Caucasian ridge: on the territory of Ossetia, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Chechnya and Kabardino-Balkaria.
In the North Caucasus, the towers had both a residential and defensive function, which is why they were most often tribal guards. Due to enemy invasions, most of these structures have not been preserved. Some of the towers were family. According to custom, the tower had to be built no more than a year, otherwise the family could be considered unsuccessful; it was usually erected near the settlement.
The North Caucasian towers symbolize the honor of the family, unity and courage, being the pinnacle of the construction and architectural skills of the highlanders of the North Caucasus.
Caucasian dolmens
Dolmens are buildings built from large stone blocks, presumably of a cult nature. Today, about three thousand of them have survived in the Caucasus.
Tiled dolmens usually include four walls, a roof and a floor consisting of one large or several smaller (heel) slabs. The chamber is rectangular or trapezoidal. There are grooves in the plates, due to which they are all tightly connected. The front plate forms a portal.
Composite dolmens are partially or completely assembled from separate small blocks. They have a complex geometric connection. The shape of the chamber is diverse: rectangular, trapezoidal, horseshoe-shaped, round and multifaceted.
Trough-shaped dolmens were carved in the thickness of the stone, and then covered with a slab from above. Dolmens-monoliths are entirely carved from one block of stone or in the rock.
Unprecedented alternation of landscapes, mountain rivers, springs and unique vegetation easily conquer the hearts of travelers. Each Caucasian city is so individual and beautiful that you want to go everywhere and come back here again.
Baku, Azerbaijan
Amazing, ancient city, in whose culture Eastern hospitality and European foundations are harmoniously combined. In the center of the capital of Azerbaijan, skyscrapers are rapidly reaching into the sky, showing everyone the modern face of Baku. Old city replete with narrow streets, madrasas, mosques and ancient buildings that survived the Mongol yoke from Ottoman Empire.
The warm maritime climate of the Caspian Sea is perfectly combined with a relaxed mood of relaxation and the eastern rule of not rushing anywhere. The pride of Baku is the Maiden Tower, dazzling with luxury - Seaside Boulevard. Noteworthy is the Fortress in the Old City, which sings of the wisdom of the people who lived here for centuries. The ancient part of the city is carefully maintained in its original state - merchants of carpets and oriental goods hospitably invite you to their place, and the old pavement resounds underfoot, leading to the Shirvanshahs' palace through the main gate of Baku Gosha-Gala-Gapa.
Modern beautiful city Baku stretches upward along Neftchilar Avenue. Climbing the funicular to Nagorny Park, you can see everything nooks and crannies and Baku bay.
Batumi – Adjara
The gentle Black Sea threw a precious pearl ashore, the most beautiful city of Adjara - Batumi. The amazing subtropical climate is ideal for growing delicate magnolias, cheerful palms, noble laurels, strict cypresses and other exotics here. I can’t even believe that among all this beauty the most major port Georgia, whose work can be observed from the city embankment.
Local dolphins often flicker in coastal waters, delighting vacationers. Next to the beaches, city blocks adjoin, the houses of which are painted in bright colors, which makes the panorama look like an Impressionist painting. With great pleasure, you can walk around Europe, which is crowned with an elegant sculpture of Medea and the spray of singing fountains shimmers.
Derbent - Dagestan
At the junction Caucasus mountains and the Caspian, ancient Derbent settled comfortably, being considered the most ancient city in Russia. He is almost 5000 years old! IN different times the city was ruled by Sarmatians and Huns, Romans and Scythians, Khazars and Turks. Here the Great Silk Road wound in the old days. What are only the Naryn-Kala fortress, real khan's baths, the Juma mosque, a 70 km long mountain defensive wall and medieval cemeteries!
The Caucasus is one of the best places to relax in our country. Here you can simultaneously breathe in the mountain and sea air, get incredible emotions from contemplating the majestic peaks and enjoy the sun and sea on the beach.
Fans of sightseeing will also not be bored.
For those who like mountain vacation, the Elbrus region will be the best place. Elbrus, which has two vertices, is the highest point in Russia. Its height is more 5500 meters. But not only climbers like this place. Here you can do skiing, snowboarding, horseback riding tours, walks in winter forest, excursions.
The main peaks of the Caucasus Mountains:
- Elbrus is a two-headed peak, the height is more than 5642 meters.
- Dykhtau, height 5204 meters.
- Pushkin Peak, height 5100 meters.
- Kazbek 5034 meters.
Lovers winter holiday in the Caucasus mountains are also in great demand Dombai, Arkhyz, Krasnaya Polyana. According to skiers, Caucasian slopes are not inferior to European ones in terms of safety and service. Children and beginner skiers will feel great here, because. they are separated from the flow of trained skiers. On the slopes of the mountains there are cafes, places for recreation, in some places you can even sunbathe on special sunbeds. A few dozen meters from the ski lift you can stay at the hotel.
IN summer time The North Caucasus attracts with the opportunity to relax on its amazing beaches. On the Black Sea coast, beaches in the cities are invited:
- Anapa
- Gelendzhik
- Adler
- Tuapse
Do not also forget about Dzhugba, Gagra, Pitsunda. On the shores of the Caspian Sea are located resort towns Dagestan. The variety of beaches is amazing. There are also equipped beaches for those who love comfort and service, as well as wild corners. sea coast, untouched by the influx of tourists, where you can enjoy great view azure sea, rocky cliffs, and just relax in solitude. Plenty of entertainment for lovers active rest offered in these areas. Various water attractions, water parks, zoos, dolphinariums, an oceanarium, boat trips and jet skiing will not leave indifferent either children or adults.
Extreme vacation
Do not ignore such a type of recreation as extreme. For example, the extreme attraction of the Adler region is skypark. Here you can go through suspension bridge, stretched through deep gorge between the mountains, swing on giant swing, which are located at a height, jump from the bridge on a rope, climb the climbing wall. In the North Caucasus, fans of extreme types of recreation will find entertainment for every taste.
Worth noting organization excursion tours in the North Caucasus. For example, a trip to the Chegem Gorge, which is located in Kabardino-Balkaria, will delight you with unforgettable impressions.
Here you can see famous Chegem waterfalls which are good not only in summer, but also in winter. Frozen ice streams resemble giant candles.
The famous Blue Lakes fascinate with their beauty, the deepest of which is the Lower Lake.
Its approximate depth is 368 meters. There is a diving center on this lake.
The famous waterfall "Maiden's Braids" located a little away from the road to the observatory "Peak Terskol". This waterfall got its name because of the unusual shape, which resembles the flowing hair of a girl. This attraction is often visited by tourists and climbers who train before climbing the main caucasian summit— Elbrus. You can go fishing and catch Eizenam trout on the Kazenoy-Am lake, which is located in highlands on the border of Dagestan and Chechen Republic. This lake is unique in its beauty, covered with many myths and legends.
Kazbek
In the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, the most famous attraction is Mount Kazbek. Kazbek attracts climbers from all over the world. But, you don't have to be a climber to enjoy mountain scenery, all this is available to ordinary unprepared people. In addition, in this part of the republic excursion routes pass through the Uastyrdzhi monument, the Davgas necropolis, the sanctuary of Mykalgabyrt, the Dzivgis cave fortress, Midagrabin waterfalls.
The Republic of Dagestan also offers a rich excursion program. It is impossible not to visit the sand dune of Sary-Kum, the Sulak Canyon, which ranks second in the world in terms of its depth, the village of Gunib, famous for that during the Caucasian war the famous Imam Shamil was captured here.
Derbent
Separately, I would like to say about Derbent - the most ancient city in Russia. This is one of the main attractions of the North Caucasus.
This city is over 2000 years old. Fans of antiquity will enjoy an excursion to the Naryn-Kala fortress, the main attraction of Derbent. It was built in the 6th century AD.
Very often people come to Derbent with an important mission - to shake an ancient stone cradle. Women who want to have a child come here from neighboring republics and cities. It is located in the Kirchlyar cemetery among the sarcophagi. The special spirit of Derbent is conveyed by its magals. old quarters very colorful. Here you can easily become a witness or a participant in some Caucasian custom, according to tourists, this leaves the most favorable impressions.
The Republic of Ingushetia can be traveled entirely in just a few days, but positive emotions and the energy received here will be enough for several months ahead. Here are located medieval fortresses and towers: Vovnushki, Tsori, Furtoug, Erzi, Targim, Egikal, Khamkhi. If you are in Ingushetia in early July, you can visit the mulberry grove, which just bears fruit at this time.
In the Chechen Republic the most beautiful place is the Argun Gorge. Caravans from Chechnya to Georgia passed through this gorge in the old days. At the crossroads of the main roads there are watchtowers, which were built by the inhabitants of the gorge in order to protect against nomadic raids. Now the territory of the gorge is a reserve, in which, in addition to the historical towers of the X-XVIII centuries, unique flora and fauna, there are cave grottoes, ground burial grounds, castle complexes and family crypts, ancient sites and tombs. Excursions in the Argun Gorge are carried out through the crypt dwellings of the 10th-15th centuries: Khoysky, Khimoysky, Pakochsky, Maistinsky and Tsekaloysky. Excursions in the mountains of Chechnya is an exciting and unforgettable journey.
On the right bank of the Argun River there is a Guchan-kale tower, 17 meters high. One of the commanders of Tamerlane called it "winged" for its inaccessibility and remoteness.
In addition to natural and historical sights, the capital of the Chechen Republic, the city of Grozny, deserves special attention. There is also a complex of high-rise buildings "Grozny City" and the mosque "Heart of Chechnya" named after Akhmat-hadji Kadyrov, which became one of the leaders of the Internet voting "Russia-10", in which Russians chose the 10 best sights of our Motherland.
Do not forget that the North Caucasus is one of the best places for medical and recreational recreation, because it was not for nothing that in the recent past these places were called the “all-Union health resort”. Those who have undergone a course of treatment in the clinics of the Caucasian Mineral Waters leave only positive feedback, because the state of health of people is seriously improving after a complex of all procedures.
Essentuki
The resort of Essentuki is famous for its drinking springs. The famous mineral water of the same name is known all over the world for its healing properties. Several balneological clinics are located here, where they specialize in the treatment of disorders gastrointestinal tract and metabolism.
Pyatigorsk and Zheleznovodsk
Hot springs and springs attract vacationers to the sanatoriums of Zheleznovodsk, most of which specializes in the treatment of the urinary and digestive systems. Pyatigorsk hospitals are referred to as multi-profile resorts; almost all diseases are treated here. No wonder this place was enthusiastically described by the great Russian poet Mikhail Lermontov. In this city, his memory was immortalized by building a memorial at the site of his duel with Nikolai Martynov on the northwestern slope of Mount Mashuk.
Kislovodsk
Kislovodsk is another city of the eco-resort region Caucasian Mineral Waters. Local hospitals specialize in the treatment of the endocrine, respiratory, genitourinary, cardiovascular, nervous and musculoskeletal systems of the body. In general, for those who want to relax with the benefit of their health, Caucasian mineral waters are the best place.
Caucasian kitchen
In the North Caucasus, for a tourist, the question will not arise of where you can eat well. Caucasian cuisine is presented here in all its diversity. Many restaurants and small cafes, often family-run, offer mouth-watering dishes at any time of the day. Having once visited the North Caucasus and seen its greatness mountain peaks want to come back here again and again.
Were in Sochi in winter. Ride on Krasnaya Polyana. I liked everything, the slopes are prepared, the service is on top, the prices are the same as in Europe.
Like the distant and mysterious Himalayas, the mountains of the Caucasus have long attracted the attention of numerous travelers, explorers and poets. They beckoned a person to them, enchanted with their beauty and rebelliousness, hid a great many mysteries and dangers. Yes, this is the Caucasus. The peaks of its peaks rest in icy silence, at a height inaccessible to highest points famous Alps.
The Caucasus Mountains are a paradise for rock climbers!
Warmly loved by climbers for their pristine harsh beauty The Caucasus Mountains have long served as a place of pilgrimage for the most skilled rock climbers from both Russia and Europe. Many hundreds of brave daredevils were ready to risk their lives for the right to climb the cherished Caucasian peak and look around. But what is all this for? What makes people move up? The answer is likely to be: beauty. Yes, let this familiar word sound trite, but still “beauty”. It was the beauty of these proud blue ridges that Lermontov reveled in his time, and Vysotsky conveyed the euphoria of being among them in his songs.
The Caucasus Mountains are the best place for active tourism!
Today, the Caucasus Mountains are one of the favorite tourist regions. Outdoor enthusiasts storm them picturesque slopes trying to understand and feel for yourself what it means to be in the mountains. The best means to achieve this goal is "tracking", hiking along a certain ecological route. Taking long walks and filling the lungs with the purest mountain air, the "guests" of the Caucasus are gradually approaching their goal: to feel and get to know it.
Nature has generously rewarded this corner with wonderful views, allowing you to admire the surrounding landscape at any time of the year. Speaking about the sights of the Caucasus Mountains, many will immediately call: "Elbrus". Of course, the highest and most famous point in Europe cannot but attract the eyes of tourists and professional climbers. Elbrus rises to 5,642 meters, and a truly magnificent view opens from its top.
In addition to Elbrus, those wishing to conquer new peaks are happy to climb the fabulous lonely Kazbek (5,034 m), the magnificent slopes of which remember a bunch of ancient stories and legends; impregnable Ushba (4,690 m) will be opened only by the most experienced and trained climbers; the favorite mountains Fisht (2867) and Belalakaya (3861) are not so high, but the bizarre peaks also riveted the human eye and cut into memory forever.
However, Elbrus, Kazbek or Ushba are not only snowy peaks. In addition to climbing ridges of varying difficulty, tourists can enjoy magnificent panoramas of the slopes of the Caucasus Mountains. Visitors are offered the purest waterfalls and fast cold rivers, many small mountain lakes, beautiful gorges and a carpet of green grasses are waiting for everyone. Luxurious alpine meadows delight the eye and amaze the "guests" with the diversity of their vegetation: more than six thousand different plants grow in the Caucasus!
The unique "Valley of Roses"
Not far from Kislovodsk there is a wonderful "Valley of Roses", reminiscent of a real sea of flowers, into which admiring tourists plunge. There is also a park where visitors have the opportunity to walk between beautifully trimmed trees and massive stone sculptures along neat alleys.
Winter in the Caucasus is no less beautiful than summer. The snow-covered slopes of the Caucasus Mountains not only cause admiring exclamations with their snow-white beauty, but also provide considerable opportunities for active winter recreation. Crowds of those wishing to go skiing or snowboarding storm the slopes of Elbrus and other peaks, driven by a thirst for movement, speed and adrenaline. When making ski trips, tourists can independently choose whether to stay on the route and spend the night in the bosom of nature by the fire or go to one of the many cozy hotels where visitors are greeted with unfailing cordial hospitality and surrounded by care.
Perhaps not everyone knows, but the Caucasus is famous for its mineral springs. Even in the time of Lermontov, people suffering from various ailments went to the Caucasus to improve their health. The city of Kislovodsk just serves as a place that is ideal for restoring the body. The city itself is located on an 800-meter hill, which provides its inhabitants with a constant supply of clean, oxygenated air. Absorbing large portions of oxygen, the body is cleansed and renewed. But air is not the only positive aspect of “Caucasian therapy”. Kislovodsk has long been famous for its mineral waters. Many thousands of people come to the sanatoriums of Kislovodsk just for the sake of Narzan.
lovers wildlife and photographers may have a lucky chance to see representatives of the fauna of the Caucasus: rare Caucasian tours, mighty bison, wild boars, chamois, bears, roe deer and other amazing animals.
