5 days
Fixed dates
10 people
from 3 years old
Basic
Guest house or tourist center, Hotel
Russian
Gastronomy, Trekking, Sightseeing Tours
Deep canyons and majestic mountain ranges, ancient towers and ghost villages, the legacy of the Soviet era and the birthplace of Hadji Murad… Dagestan is diverse and beautiful. On this journey, you'll see the region's most important natural and man-made attractions, learn about the local culture, legends, and crafts, and, of course, sample the delicious Dagestani cuisine.
We'll visit all of Dagestan's most picturesque and fascinating locations—everything you might have seen in photo collections of this amazing mountainous region. You'll ride a speedboat on the waters of the Chirkey Reservoir, beneath which lies an ancient flooded village, capture the emerald ribbon of the Sulak Canyon from the best vantage point, stroll along the Khunzakh Plateau, and peer over the edge of a dizzying gorge into which the Tobot Waterfall plunges with a relentless roar. You'll marvel at how ancient architectural monuments blend into the majestic mountain landscape: the terraces of the ghost village of Gamsutl on beige cliffs, the village of Gunib surrounded by mountain slopes, and silent towers and citadels against the backdrop of endless skies.
Dagestan is home to Russia's longest tunnel, Europe's deepest canyon, and our country's oldest city. Here, eras intertwine: in one day, you'll see the fantastically unique ekranoplan "Lun" and the fortress of the Seven Brothers and One Sister, built in the 18th century and steeped in an incredibly tragic legend. The history of Dagestan, its brave warriors, unwavering courage, and great achievements will be told through each of the landmarks we visit on our journey. Expect no boring retellings of dates and personalities, but a vibrant account of those who have inhabited this beautiful land since ancient times, fighting for their freedom and happiness. The narrow streets of Derbent's Old Town, steeped in oriental flavor, will transport you back in time.
You'll experience local culture and traditions, try on traditional costumes, try your hand at carpet weaving, and prepare a traditional dish. And it'll be delicious, too, as it's impossible to imagine a trip to Dagestan without hearty meals: khinkal, botishal, dolma, the famous apricot porridge with urbech, and much more.
*Hotels may be replaced with equivalent ones depending on availability on the dates of your tour.
The hotel is located within walking distance of the city center, near Makhachkala's main attractions, and on the second line from the Caspian Sea coast. Decorated in a calm, classic style, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, and rooms are equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay. The hotel also features a restaurant serving European cuisine and karaoke.
An eco-hotel surrounded by mountains, where you'll be surrounded by nature: mountain slopes, a raging river, endless skies, and clean air. A tranquil setting and stylish barnhouses offer accommodation. Each house has a private bathroom and shower, comfortable beds, toiletries, air conditioning, and a hairdryer. The helpful staff, delicious local cuisine, and mountain herbal teas will make your stay unforgettable.
This beautiful new hotel, built in 2022, is just 2 km from Derbent's city center and less than 500 meters from the coast. The simple, ergonomic rooms are decorated in bright colors. Each one features air conditioning, a hairdryer, refrigerator, iron, TV, and tea/coffee making facilities. The reception is open 24 hours a day. Free Wi-Fi is available on site. The restaurant serves a buffet breakfast to all guests.
We'll meet you at Makhachkala Airport. Purchase your tickets for arrival before 12:00 PM.
On your first day, you'll see Dagestan's most recognizable and impressive natural landmarks. We'll visit the largest reservoir in the North Caucasus, the Chirkey Reservoir, and take a speedboat ride across its waters, beneath which lies the ancient village of Chirkey, flooded during the reservoir's construction. Then we'll head to the Sulak Canyon, rightfully considered the region's calling card. It's the deepest canyon in Europe and one of the largest in the world. The sparkling water, surrounded by sheer cliffs and lush banks, is an incredible sight, which you can enjoy from the best observation deck. After lunch of fresh charcoal-grilled trout, we'll head to the hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll travel to the Khunzakh region, the birthplace of the legendary Hadji Murad. We'll stop at the picturesque Matlas Plateau, home to a monument to this Avar leader and Leo Tolstoy, who celebrated him in his novel. The plateau offers a breathtaking view of the lush valley: villages scattered among the greenery, grazing herds, and mountain ranges in the distance. That day, we'll also visit the Gimry Tower, an impressive defensive fortification and the site of Imam Shamil's death. We'll dine on traditional Avar dishes and then head to the Khunzakh plateau, perched at high altitude and ending in the deep Tsolotlin Canyon, where the Tobot and Itlyatlyar rivers cascade into the abyss. We'll spend the night at an eco-hotel in the mountains.
We continue our exploration of the culture and traditions of the indigenous peoples, which are inextricably linked to the harsh yet breathtakingly beautiful local nature. We'll visit Gamsutl, a ghost village, the "Dagestani Machu Picchu" you've seen in absolutely every photo collection from the region. You'll see deserted houses and terraces, seemingly ingrained in the rock, and learn about the village's history and legends. After lunch, we'll head to the village of Gunib. This open-air museum is home to relict birch trees with pink bark and over 300 days of sunshine a year. Furthermore, the village played a crucial role in the Caucasian War; it was almost completely destroyed in the second half of the 19th century, but was later rebuilt. In addition to strolling through Gunib, we'll also visit the local history museum, where you can try on traditional traditional costumes.
We'll spend the day exploring Southern Dagestan. You'll visit the Lun ekranoplan, moored on the shores of the Caspian Sea: this remnant of Soviet engineering still looks absolutely fantastic. We'll then head to the village of Khuchni, immersed in greenery. Of particular interest here is the picturesque 18-meter-high bridge over the Khanagchay mountain river and the 18th-century fortress of Seven Brothers and One Sister, towering over the village. The fortress offers magnificent views. We'll also visit the Khanag Waterfall near Khuchni. During lunch at an ethno-complex, you'll have the opportunity to participate in preparing the famous chudu dish and try your hand at traditional carpet weaving.
Derbent is a city essential to any trip to Dagestan. We'll spend our final day here, in Russia's oldest city. You'll visit the monumental Persian citadel of Naryn-Kala, the famous Juma Mosque (8th century), and stroll through the Old Town, divided into districts called "magals." Narrow streets, medieval buildings, and your guide's captivating stories will allow you to immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of ancient Derbent and soak up its oriental flair. We'll also visit a souvenir shop where you can buy gifts for loved ones and souvenirs for yourself as a memento of your trip. We'll conclude our journey with a grand feast and tea at an ethnic house, after which we'll transfer you to the airport.
You can go on the tour with a child; we provide discounts for children under 12 years old.
We recommend choosing flights arriving no later than 12:00 PM on the first day of your tour. Return flights are scheduled after 6:00 PM.
The tour program includes HB meals.
You'll pay for your own roundtrip tickets to Makhachkala. Please also allow for souvenirs and gifts. It's also possible to extend your stay in Makhachkala.
Ask your tour coordinator questions
Tour from an official tour operator listed in the Rostourism register
