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Russia
Dagestan is a magnificent land of mountain beauties, mysterious historical sights and natural locations beckoning with their beauty. And it is not at all surprising that Dagestan has become a real tourist discovery of recent years for domestic tourism in Russia.
There really is a lot to see here, especially if you are traveling on your own in your own or rented car. We ourselves have traveled to almost all corners of this beautiful Republic, and we still continue to discover something new here. And therefore, if you are planning to go here for the first time, and you have the opportunity to go by car, we will certainly recommend going that way. And to make it easier to make a route and decide where to go, we have compiled a selection of the best locations in Dagestan, where you can get by car.:
Sulak Canyon
This is the most exciting natural attraction of Dagestan and a place that we undoubtedly recommend to visit every guest of the Republic. This is one of the deepest canyons in Europe, and even leaves behind the world-famous Grand Canyon in the USA. It is a gorge up to 1920 meters deep and 53 kilometers long, along the bottom of which the Sulak River flows. There are two hydroelectric power stations on the Sulak River: Chirkeyskaya HPP and Miatlinskaya HPP, they are usually visited simultaneously with the canyon.
This natural attraction attracts tens of thousands of tourists annually. In clear sunny weather, the canyon offers stunning and fascinating views that take your breath away even from the most seasoned travelers: the surrounding mountains and hills covered with greenery, the emerald river winding among them and birds flying below. In addition to the views from the observation points, it is also possible and necessary to take a boat trip along the river at the bottom of the canyon. Learn more about the Sulak Canyon and how to visit it here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock, it is better to visit during the day. You can spend the night in the village of Dubki, Novo-Zubutli or in the village Zubuli.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: Access to the canyon and observation decks is free. Ready–made excursions with transport from Makhachkala and other resorts - from 3000 rubles (boat trip included). A trip to the village of Zubutli from Dubki or Novo-Zubutli (from the hydroelectric power station) by jeep for a boat ride along the bottom of the canyon – from 4000 rubles for the whole car. Boat trip from 700 rubles /person or 3500 rubles for the whole boat.
🚶 How to get there: The Sulak Canyon is very long, only its official length is 53 kilometers. The most visited and interesting site for tourists is located opposite the village of Dubki, 85 kilometers from Makhachkala (Sulak Canyon on the map). You can get to the canyon and visit it within one day from Makhachkala, Derbent, Izberbash and other cities and tourist places of Dagestan, but you need to leave early in the morning. It is also possible to visit the canyon with an overnight stay in Dubki, Novo-Zubutli or Zubutli. Read in detail about the visit and how to get there by clicking on the link with a full description.
Barkhan Sarykum
This is a unique natural place in Dagestan, one of the highest dunes in Eurasia, its height is 262 m. And although it is not located in Makhachkala, but 30 kilometers from the city, it is best to visit it from Makhachkala.
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. It is located on the territory of the Dagestan Nature Reserve and is part of the natural corner of the Sarykumsky 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. There is also a small nature museum here, where you can get acquainted in more detail with the diversity of the inhabitants of the reserves of Dagestan. Learn more about the Sarykum dune and how to visit it here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: during daytime.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: entrance to the trail and visiting the dune – 200/100 rubles; nature Museum - 100/50 rubles.
🚶 How to get there: 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. For more information on how to get there, see the link with a full description.
Chirkeyskaya HPP
This is one of the largest industrial attractions of Dagestan and the most powerful hydroelectric power plants in Russia. The huge arched dam of the hydroelectric power station, blocking the river, becomes the object of attention of travelers in this part of Dagestan, as a place that can be seen from an observation point. From it you can see the dam itself, part of the Sulak Canyon and the Chirkey reservoir. However, you can not only inspect the hydroelectric power station from the observation deck, but also visit the facility as part of a group excursion, for which you must pre-register for the excursion, which are held 2 times a day on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays. Learn more about the Chirkeyskaya HPP and how to visit it here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: observation deck around the clock, guided tours by appointment on the website https://visit.rushydro.ru/ Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays at 11:00 and at 14:00.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: access to the observation deck is free of charge. Excursion - 650 rubles for adults; schoolchildren, pensioners and the disabled - 250 rubles.
🚶 How to get there: Chirkeyskaya HPP is located 80 kilometers from the center of Makhachkala (Chirkeyskaya HPP on the map). You can get here only by your own transport or with excursions. Purposefully, ready-made excursions with a transfer are not offered at the HPP, so if you book it on the Rushydro website, you will still have to get here yourself. Ready-made excursions by bus or individual by car to the Sulak Canyon sometimes also make a short stop at the observation point without visiting the HPP itself. For more information on how to get there, follow the link with a full description.
Chirkeyskoye reservoir
The reservoir was formed as a result of the construction of the Chirkeyskaya HPP. Behind the hydroelectric dam, you can observe a huge pond with turquoise water – this is the reservoir. It attracts guests of Dagestan with beautiful views, there are unsettled beaches on its rocky and sandy shores, and water activities are also offered here. You can ride a high–speed carriage or rent a jet ski, but the most popular entertainment for tourists is a boat ride along the reservoir and Sulak Canyon. Learn more about the Chirkeyskoye reservoir here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free of charge, boating about 1000 rubles / person or 8000 for the whole boat.
🚶 How to get there: The Chirkey reservoir is located 80 kilometers from the center of Makhachkala (Chirkey reservoir on the map). You can get here only by your own transport, as well as some excursions to the Sulak Canyon pass by the reservoir and make a sightseeing stop. Read more at the link with the full description.
The abandoned ghost village of Gamsutl
This is a ghost village in Dagestan, the most famous and most visited abandoned village in the Republic by tourists. 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. Today it is an open-air museum of ruins, which anyone can visit. There are preserved streets and remnants of brick walls, some of which are even in good condition, and in some places there are wooden entrance doors and window frames. And this is not surprising, because the village was abandoned only in the 1980s, and in 2015 its last resident died. During the visit, you will plunge into the history of this place, walk along the winding narrow streets, look into the preserved houses, and if you are with a tour guide, you will also listen to an interesting story about history and traditions. In addition, from Gamsutl there are stunning views of picturesque landscapes and mountains, everything you see is truly fascinating. Read more about Gasmutl here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: Gamsutl is located 10 kilometers from the village of Gunib and 160 from Makhachkala at an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level (ghost village on the map). To get to Gamsutl on your own transport, you will not need an SUV, you can get there by any car. You can use the navigator to go, they "know" the way here. Almost to the parking lot in front of Gamsutl there is a tolerable asphalt road, from which there will be an exit towards the village to the dirt road, it will take about a kilometer to cross the Tsamtichai River on the bridge. There is no equipped parking as such, it's just a dirt playground where cars are put for free and whoever wants. There are drivers in the parking lot who offer to drive part of the way in jeeps or "loaves" for a nominal price of 100 rubles per person, but even with this in mind, you still have to walk at least a kilometer and about 30 minutes. There are brave souls who bring tourists in jeeps even higher, but it depends on the weather. Also, as an option, you can get almost to the most abandoned village on horseback for 1000 rubles / person.
Khuchna fortress or Fortress of seven brothers and one sister
This is one of the most striking historical sights of Dagestan, which is usually visited from Derbent. But, in our opinion, it is also worth coming here from other places in the Republic during a road trip or with an excursion. In addition to the fortress itself, when traveling in this direction, you can also visit Khanagsky (Khuchninsky) waterfall, Kuzhniksky natural bridge, Durk cave and ancient wooden bridge in Gulli. This is a medieval fortress, built presumably in the VII—VIII centuries. The shell stone that was used for its construction is only the same as that used for the construction of the Derbent fortress, therefore it is considered that they are "the same age". Originally it was two-storeyed, but now the first floor inside is covered with soil. Read more about the Khuchna fortress here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: the fortress is open around the clock, the museum is open from 09:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00, seven days a week.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: visiting the fortress and museum for free, tours of the fortress and museum for donations.
🚶 How to get there: the fortress is located on the outskirts of the village of Khuchni in the Tabasaran district of Dagestan (fortress on the map). A good asphalt road leads to the fortress itself, you can park nearby for free. From Derbent to go 50 kilometers or about an hour and a half, from Makhachkala here is almost 150 kilometers, and the road will take 3 hours or more.
Khanag (Khuchninsky) waterfall
Not very high, but full-flowing almost all year round Khanagsky or Khuchninsky waterfall is usually visited together with Khuchninsky fortress, or on the way to the Turaginsky natural bridge. It is considered one of the most beautiful in the Republic of Dagestan and is the most easily accessible. At the base of the waterfall there is a spacious natural pool where you can swim and even go fishing.
Khanag Waterfall is easily accessible and well equipped. There is a spacious paid parking (100 USD), gazebos for rent with a barbecue are offered, there are a couple of cafes nearby, and you can even stay in one of the two guest houses nearby. Learn more about the Khanag waterfall here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: adults - 100 rubles; children of school and preschool age, preferential categories - free of charge.
🚶 How to get there: Khanag waterfall is located near the village of Khanag, 55 kilometers from Derbent and 150 from Makhachkala (waterfall on the map). You can get here by car, a good paved road leads to the waterfall itself. The waterfall parking area is located below the main road, there is an exit leading to it. The cost of parking is 100 rubles, but if you only want to see the waterfall and do not plan to stay here for a long time, you can park the car upstairs on the side of the road and walk to the waterfall 5 minutes on foot.
Hydrogen sulfide source "Goryachka"
The hydrogen sulfide spring "Goryachka" is located in the open air and is completely free. It was formed in the place where hot hydrogen sulfide water from an old pipe has been coming out of the ground since Soviet times, and has not been running out for several decades. The water is not very hot, has a specific smell of hydrogen sulfide, and, well, it is flowing. There is one communal swimming pool for swimming, there is a changing cabin nearby, and there is no more infrastructure. There is no official information about the composition and beneficial properties of this water, but locals assure that it is very useful. Therefore, whole families come to the spring and live here for several days to improve their health. Well, the most interesting thing about this place is the burning water. It comes out of the pipe mixed with combustible natural gas, and if you bring a lighter to it, it really burns. This is very funny, and using this property, visitors to the source even try to make a "burning hydromassage", although, of course, this fire has no special useful properties. But be careful, because the fire is real, it can burn and instantly burns hair. Read more about the hydrogen sulfide source "Goryachka" here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: "goryachka" is located behind the village of Belidzhi, 30 kilometers or an hour's drive from the center of Derbent (source on the map). There is an excellent asphalt road leading to the village, only the last two kilometers will remain to drive along the dirt road. Almost at the entrance to the source, the road may be blocked by a barrier. If there is no lock on it, then you can go out and lift it yourself, and if there is a lock, then you can walk 15-20 minutes from the barrier to the source.
Kala-Koreish Fortress
This is an old abandoned village in Dagestan, a historical and architectural monument of the Middle Ages. It is located 10 kilometers from another famous tourist place – the craft center for the manufacture of metal products in the village of Kubachi. We recommend combining visits to these two attractions.
Kala-Koreish (or the Fortress of the Quraysh) in its heyday was a fortress on an impregnable rock. In this territory, in the IX century, the feudal state of the Kaitag utsmi (rulers) was formed, which lasted until the XVII century. Today, the remains of residential buildings have been preserved on the territory of the fortress, some even with glass in the windows. A particularly revered place for believers is the Juma mosque (XI-XII centuries), which can be entered with the permission of local residents looking after the shrine. The Juma Mosque is unique for its piece mihrab. The mausoleum of the Kaitag rulers is well preserved, and there are ancient burials next to it. Stone tombstones with elaborate carvings are interesting. On the way to the fortress along the path there is a branch to the ancient Arab cemetery, where large tombstones have been preserved. Read more about Kala Koreish here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free of charge.
🚶 How to get there: Kala-Koreish is located in the mountainous part of Dagestan about 50 kilometers from the coast, 60 kilometers from Derbent and 150 from Makhachkala (fortress on the map). The road to Kala-Koreish from the coast is asphalt, and only the last 7 kilometers will have to be driven along a dirt road. The primer is rocky, but without clay, dirt and ruts, so you can drive along it in any car, even in rainy weather. And, by the way, during our visit, repair work was actively carried out on this road, so it is possible that in the future the asphalt will be extended further up to Kubachi. Directly to the fortress from the end of the road and parking will take less than a kilometer, or 15-20 minutes. The walking part of the route is easy and accessible to everyone, there are no steep descents and ascents.
Ekranoplan Lun
The Lun ekranoplane or the 903 project is a miracle of engineering thought of Soviet designers, a military development for the Caspian Flotilla of the USSR. For the times of its construction in the 80s of the last century, it was an advanced and unique project, and it remains so today. The ekranoplan was designed to destroy ships with a displacement of up to 20,000 tons, had a phenomenal speed for naval military systems of up to 500 kilometers per hour and was invisible to radar. Unfortunately, due to the collapse of the USSR, it suffered a sad fate: only one of the 8 planned samples was built, and it was in operation for 10 years, and in 2001 it was decommissioned. Read more about the Lun ekranoplan here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: The Lun Ekranoplan is located 30 kilometers from Derbent on the shore of the Caspian Sea right on the beach (Lun Ekranoplan on the map). You can get here by car, a good road leads to the beach with an ekranoplan.
Akhtyn hot springs
Akhtyn thermal springs or Akhtyn baths are equipped with hydrogen sulfide sources of hot natural water from the neighboring Ukhindag mountain. Water is saturated with hydrogen sulfide and beneficial trace elements, and it is believed that it has a therapeutic effect on joints, muscles and skin, relaxes and fills with strength. There are three houses for taking hot baths with the names "Soldier's bath", "Officer's bath" and "Service bath". But you need to understand that these are not baths at all, but just a place to take a hot bath. Here you will not be able to sit comfortably and drink hot tea or beer comfortably, well, who prefers what. And it is not recommended to swim in hydrogen sulfide water for a long time, so payment is provided for 30 minutes of bathing. Learn more about the Akhtyn thermal springs here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: from 08:00 to 20:00, seven days a week. Advance booking is not required, you can immediately arrive and pay for the service at the box office.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: swimming in any of the three cabins for 100 rubles / person, the cabins are rented for a group. Bathing in the shower – 50 rubles, bathing in the shared bathroom – 30 rubles. All for 30 minutes, it is not recommended to swim longer. There are also VIP hotel rooms from 2000 rubles and a bed from 300 rubles/person. Only cash is accepted.
🚶 How to get there: the springs are located in the village of Kurukal, it is 7 kilometers from the center of Akhta (Akhtyn springs on the map). Unfortunately, getting here by public transport is very difficult, it is impossible with a group tour. It is better to take a taxi or your own car. The road as a whole leads to the very sources of normal, asphalt everywhere, and there is ample free parking near the sources themselves.
Abandoned aul-ghost Gra
Old abandoned villages are one of the most interesting and intriguing types of attractions in Dagestan. And the ghost village of Gra is one of them. Its beauty is that it is located far from the main tourist routes and is little known among mass tourists. There are no bus tours here, and even rarely anyone gets to it during a road trip on their own transport. At the same time, it is in no way inferior in entertainment to other such promoted places, and the absence of crowds of tourists here only gives it a special charm. Of all the abandoned villages we visited in Dagestan, it was Gra that I remembered and liked the most, and therefore we can safely recommend it for a visit. Read more about the abandoned ghost village of Gra here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock, it is better to visit during the day in clear, dry weather. Try to get to the village in the first half of the day, as in the second there is often cloud cover and precipitation.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: Gra is located 7 kilometers from the district center of the village of Akhty (Abandoned aul-ghost Gra on the map). Group excursions are not carried here, so you can only get there by private transport, taxi or with an individual excursion. For more information about the route to Gra, follow the link with a full description.
Akhtyn Fortress
Akhtyn Fortress is a historical monument and an object of cultural heritage of federal significance of the XIX century in the village of Akhty, notable for being the southernmost fortress in Russia. It was built in 1839 by General E. A. Golovin to protect the occupied territories of the Samur Valley, and it fulfilled its purpose. In Soviet times, it lost its purpose, and there was a winery, the production of cinder blocks, a prison, an orphanage, an Electrosignal defense plant, and even paving slabs and mechanisms for wind-up toys were produced. Today it is abandoned, the preserved premises and walls are gradually being destroyed, and local residents use the territory for walking livestock. Read more about the Akhtyn fortress here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free of charge.
🚶 How to get there: the fortress is located in the village of Akhty a little away from the center near the main highway (Akhtyn fortress on the map), you can get from the center on foot.
Zrykhsky waterfall
The Zrykhsky waterfall is located far from most of the popular tourist routes of Dagestan far in the south of the Republic beyond the village of Akhty. Only the rarest and most inquisitive travelers get here, because it's really not worth going so far just for this waterfall. However, if you decide to visit the village of Akhty and its sights, you can include this waterfall in the program of the trip. It is formed by a mountain stream, one of the tributaries of the Samur River. Its height is about 20 meters, but, unfortunately, in the second half of summer and autumn you may not see it in all its glory, because the stream is drying up. But even without its beauties, a walk along the trail to it will be a small interesting adventure. Learn more about the Zrykhsky waterfall here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: The Zrykh waterfall is located near the village of Zrykh in the Akhtyn district, it is about 18 kilometers from the center of Akhty (Zrykhsky waterfall on the map).
Kubachi village
Kubachi is a village in the Republic of Dagestan in the Dakhadaevsky district, 93 kilometers from Derbent and 180 from Makhachkala, located at an altitude of 1600-1800 meters above sea level (Kubachi on the map of Dagestan). Kubachi is known not only in Dagestan, but also far beyond its borders for its masters in the manufacture of unique silverware – weapons, knives, dishes, jewelry. Already in the X century, and according to some sources much earlier, the village of Kubachi was famous for gunsmiths. Since then and to this day, Kubachin silver remains in demand, and craftsmen continue to create amazing jewelry that amaze with its beauty and craftsmanship. Kubachin silver is so famous that the works of the masters are exhibited in the main museums of Moscow and St. Petersburg, in the world museums of London and Paris. And although after the collapse of the USSR local workshops and factories fell into disrepair, today the tradition of handicrafts is still preserved here, and you can see and buy unique handmade silverware. Learn more about the village of Kubachi here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: if you travel by your own or rented transport, you can easily visit Kubachi during the day from Makhachkala, Derbent and any other place on the coast. For more information about the road to Kubachi, follow the link with a full description.
Gunib village
Gunib is a small village in the mountainous part of Dagestan, the center of the Gunib district. 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. Learn more about the village of Gunib here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: the village of Gunib 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). You can easily get here by any car, because an excellent asphalt road leads to the village itself, although in some places it leads along difficult serpentines. Read more at the link with the full description.
Gunib fortress
This is the main historical attraction of Gunib 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 entire 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.
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 carried 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 of charge.
🚶 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.
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.
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, you can walk from the waterfall parking lot to the observation deck, from where they are slightly 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.
Tobot Waterfall
Tobot Waterfall is sometimes called Khunzakh Waterfall because of its location near the village of Khunzakh. This is one of the most famous and frequently visited waterfalls in Dagestan, along with Khanagskiy and Saltinskiy waterfalls, and it is also one of the most easily accessible.
Tobot falls to the bottom of the Tsolotlinsky canyon (Tsolotl), forming one powerful jet with a height of about 70 meters, which is as much as 25 floors. In general, estimates of the height of the waterfall are very different, from 50 to 100 meters, and depend on the starting points for measurement. The views of the waterfall and the canyon are very beautiful, you can watch it from several viewing points. Learn more about vodopah Tobot here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock, it is better to visit in spring during snowmelt or in summer during rains, and the rest of the time it may be low-water.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: adults - 100 rubles; children of school and preschool age, preferential categories - free of charge.
🚶 How to get there: Tobot is located near the village of Khunzakh, which in turn is easily accessible by any car on an asphalt road, although part of the way passes through dangerous serpentines, so be careful. You can look directly at the waterfall from one of several observation decks, here are the most popular and convenient:
Itlyatlyar Waterfall
Itlyatlyar is one of the most beautiful and easily accessible waterfalls in Dagestan, while in beauty and power it is not much inferior to the Tobot waterfall, which for some reason is much more popular and famous among tourists and travelers. Both waterfalls are only a few minutes walk from each other and are visited together. Sometimes they are even confused, but it is worth noting that Tobot is located at the very beginning of the canyon on the outskirts of the village of Arani, and Itlyatlyar is 200 meters further along the canyon, then their exact coordinates will be. The Tirontyar River forms a waterfall, which flows along the plateau and falls into the Tsolotlinsky Canyon, where it meets the Tobot River. The height of the water jet is about 100 meters, which is even higher than that of the more popular and famous Tobot. The waterfall becomes full-flowing in the summer from May to July, at other times it may dry out and be barely noticeable. Learn more about Itlyatlyar waterfall here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock, it is better to visit in spring during snowmelt or in summer during rains, and the rest of the time it may be low-water.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: adults - 100 rubles; children of school and preschool age, preferential categories - free of charge.
🚶 How to get there: the waterfall is located near the village of Khunzakh, which in turn is easily accessible by any car on an asphalt road, although part of the way passes through dangerous serpentines, so be careful. You can see the case from one of several viewing rooms, here are the most popular and convenient:
Datong Temple
This is a medieval Christian church built in the IX-XI centuries, one of the most famous architectural and iconic sights of Dagestan. It is located in a gorge and is surrounded on three sides by the Andichtlar River. Well preserved, you can go inside freely. The temple was built by Georgian preachers during the spread of Christianity in Dagestan, but the exact date is unknown, and therefore it dates back to the IX-XI centuries. It existed for three centuries and was abandoned. During the Caucasian War (1817-1864), the leader of the liberation movement for the freedom of the peoples of the North Caucasus from the influence of the Russian Emperor, Imam Shamil, allowed the soldiers of the Christian faith who went over to his side to use the ancient Temple for their intended purpose. Today there are no divine services held in the temple, but they are looking after it: inside you will see small icons and candle stubs. Read more about the Datun Temple here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: located 163 kilometers from Makhachkala and 202 kilometers from Derbent near the village of Datuna, a good asphalt road leads here from the coast (temple on the map). There is a sign at the entrance to the temple, but the parking space is not equipped, and the roadsides are very narrow. If there is no parking space near the entrance to the path to the temple, you will have to leave the car further down the road and walk. Next will be the entrance to the trail in the form of a gate. Usually these gates are closed, but this does not mean that it is impossible to pass on the path, just try to open them (the gate). Then follow the trail for 5-10 minutes to the bridge over the river, and on the other side you will see a temple and stalls with souvenirs.
The abandoned village of Goor
This is one of the brightest historical sights of Dagestan, known for its towers and ruins of an ancient settlement. The village is located on the top of a mountain at an altitude of 1700 meters, offering a stunning view of the surrounding hills and valleys. The view from here is breathtaking, and another natural attraction in this place will cause special unique sensations – the observation deck Troll Language, which is considered one of the most picturesque and photogenic places in the whole republic. Even from here you can see an amazing man–made landmark - Dagestan terraces, built in Soviet times on the slopes of a nearby mountain. Read more about the abandoned village of Goor here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free of charge.
🚶 How to get there: Goor is located 170 kilometers from Makhachkala and 218 kilometers from Derbent (Goor on the map). Almost the entire road to Goor is paved and of good quality. Previously, after the village of Hebda there was a difficult primer 10 km to Goor. But now repairs have been made here and asphalt has been laid, so now it's generally easy to get there and you can drive any car without any problems. When you get to the new residential village of Goor, the normal primer will end in it. As such, there is no organized parking here, but there are plenty of places where you can park your car, everything is free. Further to the top of the mountain, where there are ruins, towers and magnificent views, it will remain to overcome one and a half kilometers, which can be done on foot or by a high-traffic car.
Troll Language
This is a rocky ledge on top of a cliff above a picturesque gorge. Without exaggeration, dizzying views open from it, perhaps even the most exciting in the whole of Dagestan. Indeed, when you enter it, you may even feel dizzy from the height and endless expanse. From a height of 1700 meters you will have a fascinating and beautiful view of the surroundings. Words cannot convey this – you must definitely come here and see with your own eyes. And it is also one of the most popular places for lovers of beautiful and vivid photo and video sessions for selfies. It is also very convenient that the Troll Language is located in the abandoned village of Goor, which in itself is one of the most fascinating historical sights of Dagestan. And on the way here you can visit a few more worthy places. Therefore, we definitely recommend visiting the Troll Language in Dagestan without fail. Learn more about the Troll Language in Goor here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: The troll language is located in the abandoned village of Goor, 170 from Makhachkala and 218 kilometers from Derbent (Troll language on the map). Almost the entire road to Goor is asphalt and not bad in quality. Previously, after the village of Hebda there was a difficult primer 10 km to Goor. But now repairs have been made here and asphalt has been laid, so now it's generally easy to get there and you can drive any car without any problems. When you get to the new residential village of Goor, the normal primer will end in it. As such, there is no organized parking here, but there are plenty of places where you can park your car, everything is free. Further to the top of the mountain, where the ruins of the village of Goor and the troll language are located, it will remain to overcome one and a half kilometers, which can be done on foot or by a high-traffic car.
Matlas stone bowl
This is a natural landmark, which is a deep gorge, along the bottom of which there is an equipped hiking trail. The high stone walls of the gorge, rising steeply on both sides of the trail, create the feeling that they are about to close overhead. In addition to the main passage through the gorge, there are also branches in which the camps really close and form almost a cave. The views while walking along the trail are impressive: the walls are covered with moss and vegetation, which gives them additional beauty and smoothes the effect of an enclosed space. In general, this place is interesting, and sometimes it is compared to the Karadakh gorge. However, in our opinion, this is just a mini-version of Karadakh, and if you have already visited the Karadakh gorge, then we do not recommend going here specifically just for a walk along it. However, in addition to the stone bowl itself, there are several other interesting places nearby on the Matlas plateau are the Matlas waterfalls and baths, a mosque and a monument to Leo Tolstoy and H. Murat. We advise you to visit all this together in one trip. Read more about the Matlas stone bowl here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: The Matlas stone bowl is located 17 kilometers from the village of Khunzakh and 158 from Makhachkala (stone bowl on the map). Driving your car here will not be difficult. The road leads almost to the parking lot at the stone bowl is good, asphalt is everywhere, and only the last few hundred meters is a gravel primer, but it will also be covered with a hard surface in the near future. Parking at the entrance is free, and if there is no space on it, you can park the car on the side of the road nearby.
Matlas Plateau and waterfalls
The Matlas plateau in Dagestan is a large natural complex, where there are several natural and man–made attractions at once: Khan and Matlas waterfalls, Khan baths, a mosque, a monument to Leo Tolstoy and H. Murat. Each of these places in itself is a separate attraction that deserves attention. There are also extreme entertainment, horseback riding, buggy rental, cafes. In general, this is a great place to relax and walk in good weather, and perhaps in the near future there will be a full–fledged mountain and ski resort. In addition to just walking along the plateau and viewing the local beauties from the observation deck, you can go down into the gorge and take a little walk along it. True, it will not be possible to go down to the very bottom of the gorge. A conventionally equipped walking route runs along one of the rocky ledges at a depth of 30 meters from the upper edge of the gorge, a walk along it takes about 20 minutes. From the monument to Leo Tolstoy, a stone path leads down from the left, which consists of stone steps cut into the rock, going between the rock slabs. Be careful, the trail may not be immediately visible. Then the trail leads to the left, passes under the Matlas waterfalls and ends with a climb to one of the observation decks. Learn more about the Matlas plateau here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: The Matlas plateau is located 17 kilometers from the village of Khunzakh and 158 from Makhachkala (plateau on the map). The road to the plateau itself is good, asphalt everywhere. You can use paid parking for 100 rubles, and if you are ready to walk a little and want to save money, then you can easily leave the car a little before reaching the parking lot on the side of the road.
Koroda village
Dagestan is known for its abandoned ghost villages, which were abandoned decades ago by residents, and they are one of the brightest cultural attractions of the Republic. However, in addition to the abandoned villages, no less interesting for the guests of the republic are the original old residential villages, one of which is the ancient Avar village of Koroda. According to some sources, it is considered one of the oldest villages in Dagestan, and according to some estimates it was founded in the III—IV century. It is interesting for its ancient architecture, of course, on the scale of this small original rural settlement, but you will not see any elegant architectural buildings here. There is also a mosque (Mazhgit), an underground relatively well-preserved ancient part of the chela "Old Koroda", it is also called the "Ancient City". Learn more about the village of Koroda here.
Practical Information
🕐 Working hours: around the clock.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price: free.
🚶 How to get there: The village of Koroda is located in the Gunib district, 35 kilometers from Gunib (by the shortest route) and 150 kilometers from Makhachkala (Koroda village on the map). The navigator will offer you two routes, how to get to the village:
- Through the dam Gunibskaya HPP and the village of Murada leads a short route of 35 kilometers. This is a bad dirt road, along which in good weather you can easily drive any car, but you will have to overcome the pass with a large climb and subsequent descent. We do not recommend going this way.
- Detour on asphalt through Kurmi, Kikuni, Chalda 52 kilometers. Although this road is longer, you will get there without adventures and faster.