Holidays in Guniba - how to get there, what to see, where to stay

Gunib is a small village in the mountainous part of Dagestan, the center of the Gunib district. The village is located at an altitude of about 1500 meters and far from the beaches and shores of the Caspian Sea, 140 kilometers from Makhachkala to it, and 170 kilometers from Derbent (Gunib on the map). Nevertheless, Gunib is an important tourist center of the republic, and perhaps the most popular non-beach resort in Dagestan. It is worth going here if you want to enjoy the magnificent views of the mountains, visit waterfalls and gorges, get acquainted with historical and cultural attractions, go hiking in the surrounding area and much more. Gunib is very convenient to use as a starting point for day trips to other villages and attractions of the mountainous part of Dagestan, and there are a lot of such places here.

Despite its small size and very modest population (less than 3,000 people live here all the time), Gunib has played a very important role in the history of Dagestan. It was here that the long Caucasian War ended in 1859, when the Russians took the Gunib fortress, which today is one of the main historical attractions. Another significant historical place that is associated with those events is Shamil's Gazebo and a monument to the heroism of the peoples of the Caucasus in the Caucasian War of 1817-1864, installed at the place where negotiations took place between the leader of the rebels Imam Shamil and the Russian military commander Prince Baryatinsky, and during which the final point of the Caucasian war was put and a peace treaty was signed.

Few tourists and travelers go to Gunib for their entire vacation. Indeed, it will be too boring to spend 7-14 days here, even taking into account daily trips around the neighborhood. Therefore, it is best to combine a visit to Guniba with a vacation on the coast at one of the beach resorts. For example, spend most of your vacation in Izberbash, Kaspiysk or Derbent, and go to Gunib from the coast for a few days, usually 3-5 days is enough. Sometimes vacationers come here only for one day in the form of an excursion, but to be honest, you will spend almost the entire trip on the road and will not see much, and, in our opinion, it's not worth it at all.

There are cafes and restaurants around the central Imam Shamil Square in Gunib, where you can have a cheap and tasty meal. Especially popular among the guests of the village are:

• Adat Restaurant
• Cafe "U Aishat"
• Gamsutl Cafe (located on the highway at the entrance)
• Cafe "Veranda".

But you will surely find charm and delicious cuisine in other local restaurants and cafes.

A couple of years ago, only a few dozen hotels and guest houses could be found in Guniba. But now, due to the rapid development of tourism in the region, local residents have begun to actively rent private housing, and the number of options for tourist accommodation in this small village has exceeded two hundred. And there are campsites and glamping sites near Gunib on the way to Mount Mayak. So there will definitely be no problems with finding housing or a guest house here. However, during the high tourist season in summer, we still recommend booking accommodation at least a week before the trip.

To search and book, we recommend using these reliable Russian systems:

• 🛌 Search for hotels in Guniba on Ostrovok.ru
• 🛌 Search for affordable housing in Guniba on Sutochno.ru (we recommend it, the bonus system works)
• 🛌 Search for hotels in Guniba on Yandex.travel
• 🛌 Search for hotels in Guniba on Otello from 2Gis

• By public transport

  Unfortunately, despite the growing popularity among tourists, getting to Gunib by public transport is not easy at all. You can get here only on rare minibuses departing from the Northern bus station of Makhachkala (located on the outskirts of the city on Akushinsky Avenue 100/Kazbekov Avenue, 4, bus station on the map). The fare starts from 300 rubles, 3 hours on the way. There is no clear schedule for their work, they are sent as they fill up and in low season or if there are not enough passengers, they may not go at all, so it's like a lottery. Therefore, it is much more reliable and convenient to travel by your own transport, taxi or with excursions.

• With a guided tour

  There are day trips to the Gunibsky district with a visit to the village itself, the Saltinsky waterfall, the Tobot waterfall and other places in the vicinity. But the disadvantage of such excursions is that you will spend most of your time on the road, and you will get to know the village itself and most of its sights only briefly. Therefore, if there is an opportunity and you will find such options, we advise you to go here with multi-day excursions.

• On your own or rented transport

  If you are traveling by car or renting a car at Makhachkala airport or resorts, then this is the best option to visit Gunib. Obviously, this way you can not only get acquainted with Gunib itself and enjoy spending time in it, but also travel around the neighborhood during the day to see the sights of Gunib district and neighboring districts.

  The road to the village of Gunib leads well, asphalt everywhere. From the coast (from Makhachkala, Derbent, Izberbash) you can safely go here along the route through Sergokala and Levashi, and through Bunaksk and Gimry.

  If you are going to go to Gunib from Chechnya from Grozny, then you can go through Khasavyurt, there is excellent asphalt here. But there is also an alternative route from Grozny via Shali, Vedeno, Botlikh, Matlas. The road along it is generally not bad either, but there are sections of the primer. In addition, it passes through the mountains in complex serpentines, and there are dangerous areas where landslides and rockfalls occur, so in bad weather it is better not to go along it. Despite the difficulties, you can drive here without any problems in any car, an SUV is not required. But on the other hand, along the way you will be able to visit a lot more interesting places: the mosque in Shali, the fortress in Vedeno, Lake Keznoi-Am, the city of the dead Khoy (Khoy historical and architectural complex of the XII-XIX centuries), The Transfiguration Fortress, the Muni Tower. Also along the way there will be Matlas plateau, The Matlas stone Bowl and sights of Hunzah, or Akhulgo Memorial complex depending on the chosen route. Of course, it will not be possible to visit all these interesting places in one day, so it is better to plan an overnight stay along the way, you can also stay in a tent. Another good place to spend the night is the village of Khunzakh or camping near Lake Mochoh.

To be completely honest, then directly in the Gunib of sights "the cat cried". But in the Gunibsky district and in the neighboring areas there will be enough interesting places for a whole week of travel. Next, we will tell you about the most interesting and must-see sights of Gunib and the surrounding area.:

• Gunib fortress

  

  This is the main historical attraction of Guniba and the largest in this famous tourist village. It has been declared a monument of architecture and history of regional significance, and is under state protection. It is also called the fortress of Imam Shamil or Shamilevskaya in honor of the leader of the Caucasian peoples in the Caucasian war, which lasted from 1817 to 1864. Some sources even point out that it was this fortress that was Shamil's last stronghold, where he suffered the last defeat from Russian troops and surrendered to Prince Baryatinsky. Today, only a wall, several towers and two gates have survived from the fortress, which once represented a whole fortification complex. Nevertheless, it is still an interesting and worth visiting attraction. Read more about the Gunib fortress here.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: the fortress is located on a mountainside near the village of Gunib (fortress on the map). An asphalt road leads here from the center of the village, along which you need to drive 3 kilometers and gain a height of more than 300 meters!!! You can do this whole route from the center of Guniba on foot, but such a climb will require a lot of effort, and it will take at least an hour and a half in one direction.

• Shamil's Gazebo

  

  One of the iconic points in the Gunib district near the village of Gunib, a monument to the feat of the peoples of the Caucasus in the Caucasian War of 1817-1864. It was here that negotiations took place between the leader of the rebels, Imam Shamil, and the Russian military commander, Prince Baryatinsky, during which the final point of the Caucasian war was put and a peace treaty was signed. The monument is a white rotunda, in the center of which there is a stone on which Prince Baryatinsky is believed to have sat, and it is this plot that is depicted in many paintings. Today, the Gazebo is one of the places where groups of tourists with excursions are necessarily brought during a trip to Gunib. Learn more about Shamil's Gazebo here.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: located on the territory of the nature park "Upper Gunib" 4 kilometers from the center of Gunib (gazebo on the map). There is a good asphalt road leading here along the serpentine, you can easily get there on foot, there are parking spaces.

• Mayak Mountain

  

  This is one of the natural attractions in the Gunib district, which can be visited during the day while relaxing in the village of Gunib. The height of the Lighthouse is 2352 meters, but in order to climb it, you do not need mountaineering skills, because a relatively simple gentle path leads to the top. This is just a hiking route that will require a little physical effort from you, and nothing more. Of course, you need to take drinking water with you for a walk, you can have something to eat, and be sure to wear sports or hiking shoes. When you get to the top, you will be rewarded with magnificent panoramic views of mountainous Dagestan, and actually it is for this that you should climb here. Learn more about Mount Mayak here.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock, but it is best to visit in the morning, as after noon there is a greater chance of clouds.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: visiting the mountain is free, but you will have to pay 100 rubles for access to the territory of the Verkhny Gunib Nature Park, where it is located. Children of school and preschool age, preferential categories - free of charge.

  🚶 How to get there: Mount Mayak is located in the Upper Gunib Nature Park, 10 kilometers from the center of Gunib (Lighthouse on the map). Getting to the top will not be difficult, climbing skills will not be required. You can walk from the center of Gunib, but you will have to walk 20 kilometers back and forth with a climb of about 1300 meters. You can do part of the journey by car. Read more at the link with the full description.

• Gunibsky or Slavikov waterfall

  

  This is the hidden gem of Gunib village. The waterfall is high and powerful, at its foot you can swim in a small natural pool and even get a natural water massage with falling jets of water for fun. But at the same time, the waterfall is almost always deserted, since large groups of tourists with excursions are not taken here, and indeed few people know about it yet. Read more about Gunibsky or Slavikov waterfall here.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock, it is better to visit during the daytime in spring or early summer, because in late summer or autumn it may dry out.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: the waterfall is located just a little more than a kilometer from the center of the village of Gunib (Gunibsky waterfall on the map). You can get here from the center of the village on foot, although for this you will have to gain a height of 150 meters, and this is the height of an almost 50-storey building. The entrance to the trail is located on a steep bend of the road that leads to the Gunib fortress, here it is on the map (entrance/start of the trail on the map). Further from this point to the waterfall, it remains to walk along a simple path called Absheron, only 250 meters.

• Andalal Tower and Gunibskaya HPP

  

  Andalal Tower is a replica of the watch signal tower, an example of ancient Dagestan architecture of the Middle Ages. Although on the Internet it is sometimes called an old tower and attributed to it an interesting centuries-old history, in fact the tower was built only in 2005 in conjunction with the construction of the Gunibskaya HPP, next to which it is located. It is interesting except that you can climb up the steep steps, and from there you have a good view of the surroundings, the hydroelectric dam and the powerful artificial waterfall that it forms. You can stop here for a few minutes on the way to Gunib. Read more about Andalal Tower and Gunibskaya HPP here.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: the tower and the hydroelectric power station are located 10 kilometers from Gunib (Andalal Tower and Gunibskaya HPP on the map).

• Saltinsky underground waterfall

  

  The Salta Waterfall is a unique natural place in Dagestan, and perhaps the most famous, unusual and beautiful waterfall in the Republic. Its difference from other waterfalls is that it is underground, and the only one like it in Dagestan. You can visit it either on your own or as part of an organized group with excursions from Makhachkala, Derbent or Gunib. Learn more about the Saltinsky waterfall here.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: the opening hours of the Saltinsky Waterfall are not set, but for safety we recommend visiting it during daylight hours. It is better to come here on weekdays or early in the morning, then you can take beautiful photos without crowds of tourists in the frame. After 10 o'clock, large groups from Gunib arrive here, and a little later from Makhachkala and Derbent, and then it becomes difficult to pass a narrow gorge and a section with a handrail, traffic jams appear and oncoming groups have to pass. In addition, there is not much space near the waterfall to just stand and enjoy the view.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: adults - 100 rubles; children of school and preschool age, preferential categories - free of charge.

  🚶 How to get there: located in the village of Salta, Gunibsky district (waterfall on the map). It is 20 kilometers or about 40 minutes drive from Gunib.

• The abandoned ghost village of Gamsutl

  

  This is the most famous and most visited abandoned ghost village in Dagestan. This picturesque highland village is an amazing and stunning place that is definitely worth a visit during your trip to Dagestan. Sometimes it is even compared to the ancient Inca city of Machu Picchu in Peru, and indeed, there is something similar and mysterious about them. You can visit Gamsutl on your own or with excursions from Makhachkala and Derbent, or while relaxing in the tourist village of Gunib, and we will tell you in detail how to do this at the end of the article. . Read more about the ghost village of Gamsutl here.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock. It is better to visit early in the morning or in the evening before sunset to avoid overcrowding of the place with large groups of tourists.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Gamsutl is located 10 kilometers from the village of Gunib (ghost village on the map). It is quite possible to go here for one day with an excursion or on your own transport. For more information on how to get there, follow the link with a full description.

• Karadakh gorge

  

  The Karadakh gorge is one of the most beautiful natural attractions of Dagestan, accessible to tourists in the form of a short hiking route. In our opinion, this is generally the most beautiful and interesting gorge in the Republic available to tourists without special training and trips to remote regions that are difficult to access for transport, and therefore we definitely recommend visiting it during a trip to Gunib. Read more about the Karadakh gorge here.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock, it is better to visit during the day for security reasons. Also keep in mind that during rain and bad weather, the gorge is closed to the public due to the danger of rising water, so it's better to check the weather forecast before traveling here.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: 100 rubles adults; children of school and preschool age, preferential categories - free of charge.

  🚶 How to get there: the gorge is located 30 kilometers from Gunib (Karadakh gorge on the map). There are two roads leading here from Gunib: through the dam of the Gunib hydroelectric power station and the village of Murada, a short route of 30 kilometers; a detour on asphalt through Kurmi, Kikuni, Chalda 50 kilometers. It is better to drive on asphalt in a detour.

• Dagestan pyramids and terraces

  

  Dagestan pyramids or Dagestan terraces are an amazing creation of human hands and one of the most picturesque sights. They are multi-tiered fields built on hills for growing agricultural products. It is not known exactly when they appeared here, but it is believed that Dagestan was one of the most ancient centers of terrace technologies that spread around the world. Read more about Dagestan pyramids and terraces here.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: there are several places where you can see Dagestan terraces in the Republic of Dagestan. Here are the ones closest to Gunib: near the village of Chokh, perfectly visible from the asphalt road (terraces on the map); in the village of Silta near the Saltinsky underground waterfall, from the prakovka waterfall you can walk to the observation deck, from where they are a little visible (terraces on the map).

• Chokh village and Mamalov's house

  

  Chokh is one of the oldest Avar villages in the territory of modern Dagestan. And although it is quite small (its population is only slightly more than 3 thousand people), the history of this ancient aul is full of important events that influenced the fate of the whole of Dagestan. Choh can be visited for a short walk around it and get acquainted with several of its sights during a trip to the famous ghost village of Gamsutl. Read more about the village of Chokh and Mamalov's house here.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: around the clock.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.

  🚶 How to get there: Chokh is located in the mountainous part of Dagestan in the Gunibsky district, 17 kilometers from Gunib and 150 from Makhachkala (Chokh village on the map). Unfortunately, it will not be possible to get here by public transport, you can only get there by your own transport or with excursions.

• Vatan Memorial Complex

  

  Vatan is a memorial complex in the Gunibsky district of Dagestan, built in 2004 as a symbol of the power and unity of the peoples of Dagestan, united to defeat the invaders. There are 2 buildings on the territory of the complex: a traditional Dagestan tower with a height of 16 meters and a mosque with a minaret. A small museum is organized in the tower building, part of the exhibition of which is dedicated to the events of the war of 1741, and part to the traditional occupations and household items of local residents. Read more about the Vatan Memorial complex here.

  Practical Information

  🕐 Working hours: daily from 10:00 to 18:00, the ticket office closes at 17:15, Monday is a day off.

  💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: adults – 100 rubles, students and schoolchildren - 50 rubles, excursions from 300 rubles / group (by reservation). The Pushkin card is valid.

  🚶 How to get there: the Vatan complex is located near the village of Sogratl (Vatan complex on the map). It is far from other tourist places and the coast, and no transport goes here, so you can only get there by car or with individual excursions. An acceptable asphalt road leads to the complex itself, there is free parking at the entrance.