We continue to share delightful routes created specifically for you along with the Russian Explorers photographers. Magomed Shapiev (@photo_shapiev) prepared a guide to Dagestan! And for you to take advantage of it as soon as possible, in our telegram channel we are playing flights to Makhachkala from Aeroflot. The rules of the action can be found by the link.
Dagestan is a unique and amazing republic. The memorable views of the region are as diverse as possible: there are sea, waterfalls and seething rivers, steppes and plains, picturesque high mountains and ancient architectural structures. Today I want to share with you a route that will help you get to know Dagestan as it is.
How to get to Dagestan
Our route begins in Makhachkala, on an airplane from Moscow, reach in about two hours. A ticket in both directions will cost about 5,000 rubles* per person.
How to prepare for a trip
We go to the mountainous regions of Dagestan from Makhachkala by car. We will stop only in cozy houses and comfortable hotels, so from things take only the most necessary. We will not need tents, mattresses, sleeping bags. The only thing that really needs is a large amount of memory on your photographs, as you are waiting for amazing beauty of the place that must be captured.
What to see in Dagestan
By arrival in the capital of the region, be sure to take a walk around Makhachkala. For example, visit an observation deck on the mountain Tarki-Tauwhere the magnificent view of the city opens, one of the largest mosques in Europe – Juma-Mosch.
The center of attention is worthy of the main square of the city – Lenin, and after its inspection you can go for a walk along the shore of the city beach.
My favorite places where you can eat deliciously and drink coffee:
– Cafe Hinkal Brothers
-Cafe restaurant “Shashlychny # 1”
– DonutsDay donuts and coffee
– Coffee shop and andcoffee
The first place that will meet on the way to the mountainous regions of Dagestan – Sulak canyon. It consists of three separate gorges separated by terraces, and the largest site has a length of 18 km. Damage by its scale, this place is rightfully considered the hallmark of Dagestan.
A observation deck is located next to the canyon Chirkey reservoir – The largest reservoir of the North Caucasus, located on the Sulak River.
After the emotions received from the types of canyon, you need to have a bite. Not far from the Chirkey reservoir is the “Neskuchny Salmanov Garden” – a place where you can eat fresh fruits and taste national dishes right in the garden, under apricot trees.
Further the path goes through Gimrinsky road tunnel – The longest in Russia, which ends with a protracted and picturesque pass at the foot of the Gimrin Range. This road leads to a very colorful place – a cozy guest house in the ethnic style of Mirida, which is located in the village of Chirkata. Here we will plunge into the life of a mountain aul and spend it.
The second day we start with fortresses and museum Akhulgo. Here in 1839 one of the most important events in the history of the Caucasus took place, namely, the seizure of the fortress of Imam Shamil. The place includes a signaling tower with a height of 17 m, as well as an exhibition hall with an exposition, which today represent artifacts of the time of the Caucasian War.
Next, we continue the route and go to amazing Irganai reservoir. The place is striking in the grandeur of the mountain and the beauty of the water surface.
You can admire the views with a very instagram observation, taking a cup of tea or coffee.
Our next stop – The village of Gunib. It is not difficult to get to him, a picturesque mountain road leads there. It was in this place that the Caucasian war in the East Caucasus ended. In the Gunibsky district itself, some of their most visited locations of the republic are concentrated: the Museum of Local Lore, the Verkhny Gunib Natural Park, the Guniba Fortress and the Mountain Botanical Garden of the Dagestan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
To take a breath after sufficiently rich walks and roads, as well as get acquainted with national cuisine, I recommend in the Adat cafe located in the heart of Guniba. I advise you to choose places on the veranda, because it is from there that the most picturesque species are opened.
Not far from Gunib is one of the oldest settlements in the Republic of Dagestan – An abandoned aul gamsutl. The road to the village is not easy, but it is worth it. The incredible energy of this place will undoubtedly impress you.
For the night I advise you to stop at the recreation center “Laguna-Golkhin”, located in the territory of the Gunibsky district. What could be better than a cozy house after a busy day?
I think only a cozy house with a pool. Here you can feel unity with nature and comfortably relax after the road.
The final day we start with Karadakh gear. The road to it is no less attractive: the path runs along the mouth of the river, where the thickets of sea buckthorn and the deposits of huge boulders are located, only sometimes replacing the stairs up. The minimum distance between the rocks is 1.5 m and as many as 150 m in height. When you go along the smooth, as if polished walls, it seems, as if you were about to clamp between the rocks. The range of emotions from what you saw is the maximum.
Easily accessible, but no less impressive place – Waterfall Tobot. He flows into Canyon TslotlOn which eagles are very often circled, and somewhere in the distance you can see the snow peaks of the Caucasian ridge. It remains only to sit down and enjoy this beautiful view before returning to Makhachkala.
And for those who are not used to enjoy contemplation, an extreme park is located nearby, with various descents: VIA Ferrata, Ziplas and Ropjamping.
Dagestan is a republic that has gathered all the best. It is aimed to say where in the world you can find so many natural attractions and such a diverse local flavor. Dagestan falls in love with the first minute and does not allow to forget about himself. I think you will definitely like it! A pleasant vacation!
*Prices are valid at the time of publication
