5 days
Fixed dates
20 people
from 7 years
Basic
Guest house or camp site, Hotel
Russian
Gastronomy, Excursion tours
Dagestan is not only about majestic mountains, but also ancient villages that are surprisingly harmoniously integrated into the landscape. Far from big cities, a measured, calm life flows here, and centuries-old traditions are preserved. On this tour you will visit the most famous and beautiful villages of Dagestan, some of which are already abandoned: Kakhib, Old and New Goor, Gamsutl, Chokh, as well as the most ancient city of Russia - Derbent.
You will visit the famous villages of Dagestan, among which are the ghost villages of Gamsutl, Goor and Kakhib with their powerful watchtowers, growing out of the rocks and famous for their rich history, Gunib and Chokh.
You will find leisurely walks along the ancient streets, many beautiful legends and stories about the heroic past of the highlanders. Villages abandoned by residents, such as Gamsutl or Old Kakhib, conceal a special charm. The wind blowing through the ruins, fragments of the past and fantastically beautiful views of the mountains evoke a slightly melancholic mood and reverence for the inexorable passage of time. On this tour, you will also be able to fully enjoy the amazing Dagestan nature: you will visit the Sulak Canyon and have the opportunity to ride along the Sulak River on a speedboat, go down to the Nokhyo caves and to the unique underground Saltinsky waterfall, and take incredible shots at the “Troll’s Tongue” near Goor. You will have a tour of the oldest city in Russia, Derbent, a visit to the ancient citadel of Naryn-Kala and a trip to the Lun ekranoplane, frozen in the sands on the coast of the Caspian Sea.
In parallel with exciting adventures, you will learn a lot about the life and culture of the indigenous peoples of Dagestan, about the history of the region and historical figures significant to it. You will also try authentic Avar cuisine: unusual apricot porridge, hearty khinkal and botishal. One day you will dine on the freshest trout, baked on coals until golden crisp. A kaleidoscope of impressions, Caucasian hospitality and natural wonders - this is enough to once and for all fall in love with colorful Dagestan and want to come back here again!
Guest house Khadija is located in the picturesque village of Gotsatl Maly near Makhachkala and important attractions: Tobot Falls, Sulak Canyon, Karadakh Gorge. The house is surrounded by greenery: it is surrounded by a garden, which has a gazebo for quiet friendly or family evenings. The rooms have a fresh and modern renovation in soothing colors. Guests are served delicious homemade breakfasts and dinners.
The cozy hotel is located within walking distance from the city beach and the park. A room in a restrained classic style, with air conditioning and TV, impeccable cleanliness and a friendly attitude, which is only possible in small hotels, will make your stay here comfortable and relaxing. Guests particularly appreciate the friendly and helpful service as well as the ideal location.
We meet at the Makhachkala airport and immediately go to the most recognizable natural attraction of Dagestan, the Sulak Canyon. The canyon, incredibly beautiful, is also the deepest in Europe. From the Dubki observation deck you will see the graceful curves of the canyon, compressed on all sides by rocks, and the sparkle of the piercing turquoise Sulak River flowing far below. You will have lunch with freshly caught and fragrant trout baked on coals, and then we will head to the Noho cave complex, where there are also excellent viewing platforms. For an additional fee, you can go down into the adits or bungee jump. To see the beauty of nature up close, we suggest taking a UAZ car down to the Sulak River, in the village of Zubutli, and going on a boat trip. By speedboat you will visit the Weeping Falls, a real piece of paradise. In the evening we arrive in the village of Gotsatl Maly and check into a cozy guest house.
After breakfast at the guest house, we go to the village that gave the name to this tour: the mysterious Old Kakhib received the name “Dagestan Atlantis” for its inaccessibility and mysterious atmosphere. This is one of the oldest villages in Dagestan. During its prosperity, Kakhib was famous for its inaccessibility; powerful watchtowers successfully detained any invaders. Only once, during the Tatar-Mongol invasion, was the defense broken. Then we will visit Old Goor, where you will take dozens of gorgeous photos on the Troll Tongue - a ledge that is in no way inferior in beauty to its Norwegian “big brother”. Goor is also famous for its watchtowers. After lunch in Novy Goor with an Avar family, we head to the Saltinsky waterfall. This is an underground waterfall located in a cave. The refraction of rays of light falling through a small gorge and crystal clear water is a truly fantastic sight. If weather conditions and daylight permit, we will then visit the village of Gunib, known for its unique microclimate and the role it played during the Caucasian War.
On the third day we will visit the legendary ghost village Gamsutl. This is a high-mountain village, located in a remote and picturesque place, at an altitude of 1500 m. It is impossible to get here by car, so we will cover part of the path on foot, enjoying the surrounding views. The village itself is a mysterious and quiet place, where the ruins of buildings seem to grow out of the rocks, and only the mountain wind blows through the streets. After lunch, we will eat our favorite dishes of traditional Avar cuisine and go to the village of Chokh. It is located in a valley and is surrounded on all sides by mountain ranges, which creates an atmosphere of privacy and tranquility. Low houses rise from the steep slopes, arranged as if in terraces. Fantastic views, many local legends and stories about the most important pages of history await you. Here, in a remote area, desperate battles once raged, and the local rocks witnessed the incredible heroism of the inhabitants of a small village. In the evening we head to Derbent, where you will check into a hotel.
You can spend this day at your discretion. Take a walk through the colorful Derbent and relax on the local beach or choose any one-day excursion (for an additional fee): to the Khunzakh plateau with its canyon and famous waterfall, to the high-mountain village of Kubachi, where the Dargins live and amazing silver items are created, or to the village of Akhty, famous for its healing springs.
This is the last day of the tour, but many more exciting discoveries await you. After breakfast we will go to the Lun ekranoplane - a miracle of Soviet engineering, which is frozen on the sand by the sea, like a fantastic spaceship. After walking along the shore and taking many atmospheric photos, we go on a tour of Derbent. This ancient city has retained the flavor of an oriental fairy tale; on its narrow streets you seem to be transported several centuries ago. We will visit the most important attraction of Derbent, the ancient citadel of Naryn-Kala, whose impressive fortress walls rise above a colorful labyrinth of streets. We will also visit souvenir shops where you can buy gifts and gifts for your loved ones. Loan - transfer to Makhachkala, to the railway station and to the airport. See you again!
Meeting of the group with the guide on the first day - until 12:00. For the last day of the program, we recommend purchasing tickets with departure after 18:00.
Yes, the tour is suitable for children. Discounts are available for tourists under 12 years of age.
Breakfast and lunch according to the program. On the busiest day of the tour - the second - we can organize dinner for the group in Gunib (paid separately).
A trip on a speedboat along the Sulak Canyon (from 300 rubles), a tour of the Nokhyo cave complex (700 rubles), one-day excursions of your choice on the fourth day (check the price when booking the tour).
Yes. You can arrive the day before the tour starts or leave a day later. Just let us know and we will book an additional hotel stay.
Ask questions to the tour coordinator
Tour from an official tour operator from the Rostourism register
