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RussiaWhat to Expect and Is It Worth Visiting
Sand dune Sarykum (also Sary-Kum or Sarihum) is a unique natural place in Dagestan, one of the highest dunes in Eurasia, its height is 262 m. There is still no exact scientific explanation of how a single dune formed among the green hills on the border of the Caucasus Mountains, but this only adds to its mystery. And also, episodes for the film "White Sun of the Desert" were filmed in this place.
Sarykum is located on the territory of the Dagestan Nature Reserve (the reserve's website is dagzapoved.rf) and is part of the natural corner Sarykumskie dunes. And therefore it is visited not only to see the sands, but also to get acquainted with the unusual nature of this region, which was formed here due to the appearance of this natural anomaly.
A visit to the dune on your own or with a group provides for a walk and ascent to one of the sandy peaks, for which the ecotrope "The Way of the Wise Turtle" is laid along the sandy slope. It is easy to walk it, it is only 700 meters long, and on average takes about 15-20 minutes in one direction, and the whole walk will take about an hour. The trail is equipped with a wooden deck-a path from which it is impossible to get off, so as not to damage the protected flora and fauna. Along the route there are signs with views and descriptions of the local inhabitants, such as snakes, lizards, plants, which, if you are lucky, you can see with your own eyes. And when you get to the very top, it will be completely "legal", i.e. without violating the rules of the reserve, to take a walk and run along the sand, enjoy the views from above on the surroundings.
If you want to get acquainted in more detail with the diversity of the inhabitants of the reserves of Dagestan, you can additionally visit the small zoological "Museum of Nature", which is located here and is visited for an additional fee. In the museum, in a separate building in one hall, there are many stuffed animals and birds, insects with signatures, there is a souvenir shop. If you decide to visit the museum, then you need to purchase a ticket immediately at the ticket office at the entrance to the reserve and the dune through the checkpoint, so as not to return later.
Tips for visiting the Sary-Kum dune:
- If you do not tolerate the heat well, it is better to avoid visiting the dune in the summer at the height of the day, when the temperature becomes unbearably hot. At such a time, an hour-long walk, and even with physical exertion up and down, can even be dangerous.
- There is nowhere to hide from the sun on the way and at the top, so be sure to take water with you and protect yourself from the sun, cover your head.
- Before going for a walk, go to the toilet (there is a ticket office), because there will be nowhere along the way.
- If you want to see the locals, then when walking, avoid large noisy groups of tourists, and do not make noise on the trail yourself. The greatest chance of seeing someone is in the morning or evening.
- In front of the entrance to the territory of the dune there are cafes, souvenir shops, a toilet, free Parking. There are posters with offers for renting quads, buggies, renting gazebos, entertainment, such as archery.
- If you travel by car or other transport, you can stay here overnight in a guest house (from 1500 rubles per day / person) or trailers for accommodation (from 700 rubles per day / person), in a hostel (from 500 rubles per day / person).
- On the way to the dune on a dirt road in the shade of trees there is a spring with drinking water, you can replenish it if you are on a road trip.
🕐 Working hours
In the daytime.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price
- Entrance to the trail and visiting the dune – adults - 200 rubles, schoolchildren - 100 rubles;
- Nature Museum: adult - 100 rubles, schoolchildren – 50 rubles.
🚶 How to get there to Sarykum
Barkhan Sarykum is located 30 kilometers from Makhachkala (Sarykum on the map). Public transport is poorly developed here, so it's best to get here by your own transport or with excursions. This attraction is perfectly equipped, in front of the entrance there is a whole "tourist town" with cafes, souvenir shops, toilets, entertainment for tourists. There is also a ticket office for the entrance to the reserve and the museum. After buying tickets and passing, just follow the signposts along the tracks and you will get to the top of the dune, there is only one road there. As we mentioned above, you will have to walk about 700 meters, which will take 15-20 minutes in one direction.
And now in more detail about each way how to get here:
Excursions to Sarykum
Since there are no developed resort towns in Dagestan, where inexpensive group excursions are sold on the streets at every turn, it is best to search and book an excursion trip to Barkhan through the Internet. Group or individual excursions are offered with a visit to the Dune, Sulak Canyon and other beautiful places along the way with departure from Makhachkala, Izberbash and Derbent. You can also buy multi-day sightseeing tours throughout the republic, which, of course, is much more exciting.
You can find such tours on excursion search sites with reviews tripster.ru and sputnik8.com.
By your own transport to the Sary-Kum barkhan
It will not be difficult to get to the dune by private or rented car, an acceptable and well-marked road leads there. The access point to the Dune is located in the village of Korkmaskala (Turn to Sarykum on the map). You will get to it (the turn) on a good asphalt road, and then you will need to follow the sign from the asphalt to a dirt sandy road, along which you can drive 4 kilometers to the entrance to the reserve. You can drive any car, but carefully and slowly, because the road is very dusty and there are uneven places. And, by the way, this is the only way to get to barkhana, there are no other roads.
When you get to the entrance, you can park your car there for free in the spacious parking lot, and the ticket offices and the entrance to the trail are just a few minutes away on foot.
By public transport
We do not recommend this method, because transport is bad, and you will spend the whole day on the road just to see the dune from Makhachkala, while with excursions or on your own transport you will be able to cover at least Sulak Canyon in a day, Chirkeyskaya HPP and Chirkeyskoye reservoir. However, if there is no other option for you, you can take buses and walk part of the way.
To do this, you first need to get to the village of Korkmaskala. It is located on the main highway E50/E119, which connects Makhachkala and other cities of Dagestan with other regions. I.e. all intercity buses pass here. From Makhachkala, buses depart here from the northern bus station and the new DDR bus station (more about buses and bus stations in Makhachkala here), large intercity buses and minibuses run to Dubkov. Buses depart quite often, but you will have to negotiate with the driver or at the ticket office to be dropped off in the village of Korkmaskala, and at the same time you would not have to pay for a full ticket for an intercity bus.
When you arrive in Korkmaskala, then you will have to walk along the dirt highway to the entrance to the reserve 4 kilometers, or if you are lucky, you will be picked up by other tourists passing by cars.
You need to go back the same way and catch a bus or a ride on the road in Korkmaskale back to Makhachkala. Moreover, it is much more likely that passing drivers will take you than a passing bus.
💥 We remind you that it is much more interesting to get acquainted with the sights of Dagestan with the help of excursions, and therefore we advise you to look at online booking options on these proven search and price comparison sites: