We invite you on a journey through the most picturesque corners of Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria.
In 7 days, you will see all the highlights: turquoise lakes, roaring waterfalls, alpine meadows with rare rhododendrons, and the snow-capped peaks of the Caucasus Range.
* Good physical condition is recommended.
* Attention! Part of the itinerary lies in a border zone. Only citizens of the Russian Federation are allowed to go there with no restrictions. For foreign citizens, a border pass is required – document processing takes approximately 45 days.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
trekking to the Chuchhur Waterfalls
cable car ride up Mount Cheget (3,400 m)
walk to the high-altitude Donguz-Orun-Kel Lake
excursion to Elbrus, ascending to 3,800 meters
hiking to the Baduk Lakes
breathtaking panoramas of the Caucasus ranges
picturesque gorges and mighty glaciers
comfortable accommodation during the tour
Tour map
TOUR ITINERARY
Meeting at the Mineralnye Vody Airport.
Transfer with the guide to Dombay (3.5 hours).
* Depending on your flight, it is possible to add a stop for a short walking tour to the Shoanin Temple. This open‑air museum is nestled in unspoiled nature and boasts a rich variety of flora and fauna. Some of these plants and animals are found nowhere else in the world.
Check-in at the 3+ star hotel, then free time to rest.
Dinner at the hotel on your own.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Trek to Russian Glade and the Chuchur Waterfalls.
Your exciting journey through the Dombay wilderness begins. A guide will meet you at 09:00 and give you a briefing before setting off into the wonderful world of crystal-clear air and subalpine meadows.
The trail will lead you to Russian Glade, a place with incredible views of snow-covered peaks, including the slopes that became popular among the first skiers. Here you can feel the grandeur of nature, hear the sound of glacial streams, and enjoy the purest glacial water.
Your journey will continue to the Chuchhur Waterfalls, where cascades of water fall from a height of 12 meters, creating a symphony of nature.
Duration: 5 hours.
Height difference: 500 meters.
Walking distance: 7–8 km.
Alternative route – Ptysh Gorge.
Depending on weather conditions and route availability, the guide may decide to hike to the Ptysh Gorge, which will offer unforgettable views of the majestic Ptysh Glacier surrounded by mountains up to 4,000 meters. This place is famous for its Alpine meadows, where rare pink rhododendrons bloom alongside other wildflowers.
The trail will lead you to Maiden's Spits Waterfall, where water cascades from a height of 15 meters, creating a feeling of magic and tranquility.
Duration: 5–6 hours.
Height difference: 1300 meters.
On any of these routes, you will have a boxed lunch.
Returning to the cozy hotel for dinner will end a day filled with adventure and vivid memories.
Accommodation in a hotel
Electricity available
Good mobile signal
Shower available
Breakfast.
Today you'll have hiking to the Baduk Lakes.
Transfer to the beginning of the route.
First, you will cross the Teberda river on a beautiful suspension bridge. The marked trail takes you through fir trees, then through deciduous forests.
The first lake is the smallest, but also the most accessible. Then you will go to the second one and then to the third lake which is the largest. Swimming in freezing water is really refreshing after a long climb (at your will).
The lake itself is so beautiful that you do not want to go anywhere else. You will have some time to enjoy the surrounding nature, listen to the murmur of the streams and admire the surrounding scenery.
Duration: 5–6 hours.
Elevation: 600 meters.
Lunch (lunchbox).
Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own.
Accommodation in a hotel
Electricity available
Bad mobile signal
Shower available
Breakfast in a cozy hotel.
Then we will leave our luggage in the storage room and meet with the guide. Today you will go up Mount Moussa Achitara by cable car (ticket not included, from 2700 RUB).
At 13:30, after lunch at the resort (on our own), transfer to the Elbrus region through the picturesque Baksan Gorge (approximately 6 hours).
On the way, we will enjoy the amazing scenery, and in the evening we will arrive at Cheget Glade, an ideal place to continue our journey.
We check into the hotel and have some rest.
Dinner on your own.
Accommodation in a hotel
Electricity available
Bad mobile signal
Shower available
Breakfast at the hotel.
We will meet the guide and take a cable car up Mount Cheget (3,400 m) – cable car ticket not included, 1000 RUB.
From here you can enjoy stunning views: the famous Seven Glacier, the majestic Elbrus, and the endless panorama of the Caucasus Range.
Then we will have a walking tour to Donguz-Orun-Kel Lake, a natural wonder formed by melting glaciers. The water here has an amazing color due to mountain minerals, which give the lake its unique shade.
After descending to Cheget Glade, you can visit the local market to choose unique souvenirs.
You may also take a walk along the eco-trail to Narzan Glade, where you can taste the healing narzan waters among the picturesque landscapes.
Dinner on your own.
Duration: 5–6 hours.
Walking distance: up to 5 km.
Elevation change: 50 meters (from the cable car station to the lake).
Breakfast at the hotel.
09:30 Meet your guide and start the route to one of the wildest and most picturesque places in the Caucasus – Terskol Gorge.
Along the way, you will stop to drink fresh mountain water from a «magic spring» that locals consider a source of health and longevity. Ahead awaits one of the most impressive natural sights – Terskol Waterfall. The waterfall reaches 12 meters in width, which gives it a special grandeur and power. The sound of the water, the surrounding nature, and the fresh air create an unforgettable atmosphere of calm and tranquility.
Enjoy a boxed lunch by the waterfall, after which you will head back to the hotel to relax and prepare for new discoveries.
Duration: 5 hours.
Walking distance: up to 10 km.
Elevation gain: 700 meters.
Dinner on your own. Free time.
Important! This excursion not recommended for people with cardiovascular or pulmonary conditions. Please consult your doctor before high-altitude activities.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Check-out.
Meet the guide, who will brief you before the start of one of the most exciting days of the tour – an excursion to the highest mountain in Europe, the majestic Elbrus.
Elbrus is not just a mountain – it is an ancient volcano, a symbol of the Caucasus, and the dream of all climbers. Its height is 5,642 meters above sea level, and today you will have the opportunity to touch its greatness!
We will transfer to Azau Glade, from where we will ascend to 3,800 meters by a comfortable enclosed cable car (ticket not included, 2,700 RUB per person). During the ascent, you will see incredible panoramas of the Caucasian mountain ranges and feel the power and beauty of this region.
At an altitude of 3,847 meters, there is a unique photo zone – the «Mirror Cube».
Starting from approximately 3,500 meters, Elbrus is constantly covered with snow and glaciers, so you will have the chance to play in the snow. And for those who crave even more adventure, a snowmobile ride to the site of the famous Shelter 11 (approximately 4,100 meters) is available for an additional fee. This place was the historic starting point for climbing to the summit, and standing there, you will almost feel like a mountaineer.
Duration: 5–6 hours.
We will return to Azau Glade, where you can have lunch at one of the local cafes (on your own).
Transfer to Mineralnye Vody Airport (3.5 hours) for evening flights from 20:00.
End of the program.
Good mobile signal
Tour conditions and price
What is included in the price
-
transfers Mineralnye Vody Airport – Dombay – Cheget – Mineralnye Vody Airport - transport services along the route
- services of an English-speaking guide
- twin accommodation at the hotels 3+ star (Dombay – 3 nights / Cheget – 3 nights)
- meals according to the program (breakfast at the hotels, boxed lunches on days 2, 3, 5, 6)
- eco-fees at the national parks
- delivery of border passes
What is not included
-
tickets for the cable cars: Cheget (1,000 RUB per person) / Azau (2,700 RUB per person) / Dombay (2,700 RUB per person) - additional excursions
- rental of tourist equipment (trekking poles, mountain boots, etc.)
- rental of snowmobiles
- additional services in hotels (sauna, billiards, etc.)
- alcoholic beverages
Price clarification
How to get there
Aeroflot, Pobeda and Nordstar operate direct flights from Moscow.
You can also get to Mineralnye Vody by train (1–1.5 days from Moscow).
On the first day, you need to arrive by the morning flight.
On the last day, transfer to Mineralnye Vody Airport for evening flights – from 20:00.
Important information
Essential equipment list
F.A.Q.
Hotel Taurukh in Dombay – a cozy complex with a restaurant, sauna and billiards. The hotel is located in Dombay, in the picturesque Amanauz Gorge.
The restaurant has panoramic windows and serves national and European cuisine. Breakfast is included.
Rooms include a double or twin beds, a desk, a bathtub, towels, slippers, toiletries, and a bottle of water.
Hotel Krystall 139 on Cheget Glade – is conveniently located in the Elbrus region, right on Cheget Glade.
Breakfast is included.
Each room includes one double bed, a shower, hairdryer, free Wi-Fi, cable TV (20 channels), a personal hygiene kit, slippers, and bathrobes.
Reviews
Tour details
- Difficulty:
- a consultation required
- Group size:
- from 1 to 15 pax
- Participation with children:
- from 15 years old
- Duration:
- 7 days
- Accommodation:
- Hotel — 6 nights
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Price for a group of 2 pax – from 243 700 RUB per person