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RussiaWhat to Expect and Is It Worth Visiting
Noho Cave
Nokhyo or Salatau Cave is a relatively new location in Dagestan, which opened in 2022, and is inextricably linked with the main natural attraction of the Republic – Sulak Canyon. Many tourists who have visited this place even believe that they have visited the Sulak Canyon here, but this is not entirely true. In fact, the location of the Nokho cave is just one of the equipped convenient viewing points on the canyon, which does not give an idea of even a small fraction of its beauty and scale. Nevertheless, this place itself is very interesting and definitely worth a visit, even taking into account the somewhat high entrance fee, but we'll tell you everything in order.
In general, there are several caves here, they are a network of artificial tunnels left after geological exploration carried out in the last century. These tunnels have been mothballed for a long time, but now they have been specially equipped for tourist visits. But do not be afraid, it is impossible to get lost in them, so you can walk along them as much as you want. In addition, some of the tunnels lead to observation points with cool views of the canyon and the entire complex.
To be honest, the cave-tunnels themselves are not particularly interesting inside, there are no cave formations such as stalactites and stalagmites in them. But visiting this tourist location is not limited to caves alone, because it is a whole tourist complex with entertainment, and quite modern, well-equipped and safe. For an entrance fee, you get the opportunity to walk along an uncomplicated tourist route through an artificial cave, and then get to the aerial pedestrian bridge hanging in one of the narrowest places of the Sulak Canyon. The bridge leads to the other side of the canyon, and there is another artificial cave consisting of several branched tunnels and observation decks, and there is also a cafe. You return back to the original side of the canyon via another air bridge.
Noho Cave entertainment
And finally, for an additional fee, you can get extreme entertainment here:
- Giant swing over the canyon is a very extreme entertainment when you are dropped into the canyon tied to the swing cables. It costs 5000 rubles, without a queue – 10000 rubles.
- Bungee is a traditional bungee jumping, i.e. a jump on a rubber cable. It costs 7000 rubles, 14000 rubles without a queue.
- Extreme trail (Via Ferrata route) is a walk along an equipped cliff track with an instructor and equipment for rock climbing (mountaineering) – 3000 rubles.
- Zipline (trolls) to the other side of the gorge – 1000 rubles.
Useful information on visiting the Noho caves
- A walk through the cave complex is carried out in protective construction helmets, which are provided free of charge at the entrance after paying for tickets.
- During the high tourist season (in summer) in the middle and on weekends, large queues accumulate at the entrance to the caves and extreme entertainment, the route is also crowded, so if possible, come here at the beginning or end of the day.
- It is worth allocating at least 40 minutes for a walk along the route and caves, and additional time if you decide to eat in a cafe and have fun on extreme rides.
🕐 Working hours
In summer, Nokho Cave is open from 09:00 to 19:30, in low season the opening hours are reduced, you can check by phone + 7 925 444 -48-88.
💵 Entrance fee / ticket price
- On weekdays, adults – 500 rubles, children under 14 years – 250 rubles, children under 5 years – free of charge.
- On weekends, adults – 700 rubles, children under 14 years - 300 rubles, children under 5 years – free of charge.
Cards, cash, and QR code payments are accepted for payment. Extreme entertainment is paid extra already inside the complex at will.
🚶 How to get there
Nokho Cave is located in the rocks on the Sluak Canyon near the Glavryba Recreation Park and next to the Miatlinskaya HPP (Noho on the map). From Makhachkala there are 75 kilometers (one and a half to two hours on the way), from Derbent 200 kilometers (more than 3 hours on the way).
It is impossible to get to the cave by public transport. In theory, you can take a minibus Makhachkala-Dubki and then get to the cave on foot or by hitchhiking, but this option is not suitable for tourists, since minibuses to Dubki go rarely and unstable. Therefore, it is best to count on a trip here by car, by taxi or with an excursion:
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With a guided tour
Excursions are not specially taken only to the Nokho Cave, but its visit is included in other excursions, mainly to the Sulak Canyon. Therefore, if you want to come here with an excursion, look for tours to the Sulak Canyon with a visit to the cave. You can buy such excursions on the spot at resorts from guides, or online on trusted sites:
- 📷 Sulak Canyon and Sarykum dune — Premium from Makhachkala
- 📷 Sarykum dune and Sulak Canyon with boat trip from Makhachkala
- 📷 Group trip to Sulak Canyon (to waterfalls) and Sary-kum barkhan from Makhachkala
- 📷 Turquoise Sulak Canyon, boating and Sarykum dune from Derbent
- 📷 Sulak Canyon and Sarykum dune from Kaspiysk
- 📷 Sulak canyon and Sarykum dune from Izberbash "Premium"
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On your own transport
An asphalt road leads to the cave itself, there is a spacious free Parking. You can go both through Kizilyurt and through Buinaksk, and there and there the road is about the same. However, the situation on the road in terms of traffic jams can be very different at different times, so it's better to use the recommendations of the navigator. Well, it's even better to do a conditional "ring" route: Makhachkala – barkhan Sarukym – Kizilyurt – Glavryba – Viewing the canyon in the village of Dubki – Chirkeyskaya HPP – Chirkeyskoye reservoir – Buinaks.
💥 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: