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Heart of the Caucasus

Heart of the Caucasus

Discover local cultures, amazing mountain formations, ancient architecture, modern city life, local cultures and delicious food.

From £ 1,199,-- / person

Heart of the North Caucasus

Come and travel through the heart land of the North Caucasus. Discover amazing mountain formations, the unique conserved cultures, the vivid history, extraordinary architecture and delicious food. This tour brings you through the Republics Kabardina Balkaria, North Ossetia, Ingushetia and Chechnya. You will see all the famous landmarks such as Mount Elbrus, the "Dead City" and the Heart of Chechnya mosque a the centre of Grozny. This tour has a balanced program of spending time in the mountains and get to know the cities.

Itinary

Day 1. Arrival

Arriving in Mineralniye Vodi, you will meet with your guide. From there we will head off to the legendary Mount Elbrus. This two-headed giant is a sleeping volcano and the highest peak in Europe. You will overnight in a hotel at the feet of Mount Elbrus. Dinner (on your own). For an additional fee, you can visit the SPA center at the resort.

Day 2. Elbrus

After breakfast we will ascent mount Elbrus by cable car and skilift until 3,800 m. (12,467 ft.) The total hight is 5,642 m. (18,510 ft.). The views opening here are really fascinating. By clear weather, you will see the snowy mountains, stretching for 300 miles. You can go up to 4,100 m (13,451 ft.) by snowmobile for an extra fee. You can lunch in a cafe on your own.

After we descent, you have the afternoon free time. You can visit the Narzan Valley, with it's mineral water springs, the souvenir market at the Cheget glade or do horse riding. Horse riding is available for an extra fee. In the evening you will have dinner on your own and we will stay the night at the same hotel.

Day 3. Vladikavkaz

This morning we head South to Vladikavkaz, the capital of North Ossetia. After arrival we will do a city tour through the historical city and see famous ancient Armenian and Ossetian churches a Sunni mosque, the central park and other monuments. You’ll have lunch and dinner on your own. We will spend the night in a hotel in Vladikavkaz.

Day 4. Kurtatin Gorge + Dargavs

After our city day in Vladikavkaz we will go today into the mountains to visit the famous Kurtatin gorge. We will see the magnificent mountain passes. First we will visit the thirteenth-sixteenth centry Dzivguiss rock fortress. The fortress almost merges with the rocks. After this we will visit the Svyato-Uspensky monastry. Following we will go to Dargavs (Dead city), the largest necropolis of the north Caucasus. The Dargavs funtioned as a burial place which has 99 semi-underground and land stone houses, functioning as family tombs. You will have lunch and dinner on your own. In the evening we return to Vladikavkaz to the same hotel as the night before.

Day 5. Mountainous Ingushetia

This morning we leave for the mountains of Ingushetia, the land of the famous defence towers. The real pearl of Ingushetia is Dzheirakh gorge. It is basically an open-air museum. There are 92 landmarks, including famous Ingush guard towers in this area. Some structures date back to the 2nd century B.C. You’ll see the beautifully preserved 9 tower castle complex Erzi from the 17th century, which is located on the slope of the mountain above the Armhi River.

Day 6. Ingushetia

After our breakfast we will go close to the Georgian border to visit the ancient Christian church Tkhaba-Erdy. The temple is build in various stages between the 8th and the 15th century and therefore one of the oldest christian temples in Russia. After continue the program with visiting the the Vovnushki medieval tower complex, the most exciting and exotic tower complexes of Ingushetia, and the fortress complex Egikal, which was the cultural, political and economic centre during the the medieval period. From here we move back into modern times, the city of Magas, which is only 18 years old.

Day 7. Grozny

While leaving Ingushetia we will visit the Memorail of Memory and Glory, which depicts in a fascinating way the modern history of Ingushetia. Breakfast. From here we will move to Grozny, the capital of Chechnya. During the two Chechen wars in the nineties and begining of this century, this city has been utterly destroid and amazingly rebuild again. You will visit the center of modern art, the Kadyrov Museum, see the mosque "Heart of Chechnya" a highlight of architeture, walk along the quay pand learn about the history of Grozny. From the 33rd floor of Grozny City hotel, you can enjoy the panoramic view over Grozny. Lunch and dinner will be today on your own in a local restaurant.

Day 8. The Argun Gorge

After Breakfast we will head for one more time to the mountains, to the Argun Gorge. We will visit the the castle complex Pakoch, the Ushkaloy towers and other landmarks in the area. On the way you can admire the beautiful waterfall. Its grandeur and beauty impresses many tourist. Today you'll visit ancient witnesses of mountian architure. Lunch and dinner will be on your own today.

Day 9. Leaving or travel more...

Breakfast. Free time. Transfer to the airport of Grozny (without a guide), departure from the progra. But you could prolong your stay in Russia for some days. From Chechnya you are close to Dagestan or Georgia. Or you might want to have a guided visit to the Capitals of Russia. Look at our short tours for the opportunity.

Important information

Some parts of this tour lead through the Russian side of the borderzone between Russia and Georgia. You will need to have a specific permit to enter the borderzones. This is free of any charge, but we will need time to process this. Therefore, this tour needs to be ordered at least three months before the date of arriving!