Dombay attractions and entertainment

The main attractions of Dombay are its natural beauty, because the village is surrounded by incredible beauty of mountains and gorges, mountain rivers and waterfalls, lakes and glaciers. Most of these places can be visited during one-day tourist routes on the territory of Teberdinsky reserve, but to get acquainted with them yourself, you need to be ready to walk a lot, and, as a rule, up and down, since the differences on the routes reach several hundred meters. to ease your hard tourist fate, part of the way can be done on your own SUV or hire an Excursion SUV on the spot. But there are very few organized group excursions in Dombay, so you will have to negotiate with drivers and distributors on the streets, or order a tour by phone from advertisements that are placed everywhere. At the beginning of the routes, drivers on off-road vehicles are also sometimes on duty, or you can sit down with them already on the route.

Here are the most popular tourist routes and attractions that are directly next to Dombay or start in the village:

• Tourist route "Alibek gorge" with a visit to Alibek waterfall, Turi Lake, Alibek glacier, Cemetery of climbers.
• Tourist route "Amanauz Gorge" and waterfalls "Devil's mill" and "Sofruzhinsky".
• Tourist route "Dombay-Ulgen Gorge" and Chukhchur waterfalls.
• Tourist route "Gonachkhir gorge" and Lake Tumanly-Kel.

About all the other attractions of Dombay, see below in the list.

• 📷 search for excursions in Dombay on Tripster.ru
• 📷 search for excursions in Dombay on Sputnik8.com
• 📷 excursions in Dombay from the tour operator TEZ Tour

Also from Dombay you can visit some of the route and attractions teberda resort (located 22 kilometers away) and more distant surroundings, including Arkhyz and KMV Resorts. The nearest interesting places:

• Museum and zoo of Teberdinsky Reserve.
• Tourist route "Baduk lakes".
• Ancient Sentino temple.
• Ancient Shoan temple
• Mukhinsky gorge.

About the rest attractions of Teberda here....

Wherever and however you go, do not forget to bring drinking water, raincoats, good comfortable shoes (not necessarily trekking, but good sneakers with thick soles are very desirable), sunglasses, insect repellents and sunscreen. On some routes, trekking poles will not interfere. All routes are paid (the territory of the Teberdinsky reserve), well marked. In order to get to some of them, you will have to present your passport and communicate with border guards, since the border with passes nearbyAbkhazia. But do not worry, problems with this usually do not arise, and the procedure for checking documents takes a couple of minutes.

Entertainment in Dombay is quite a bit, especially in summer. As entertainment, you can ride one of the ski lifts, visit the bath or sauna, rent an ATV or ride horses. Rafting is offered (from 800 USD). You can go to Cherkessk in one of two thermal springs (paid). In the evening you can sit in one of the bars or cafes, but there are no discos with modern music.

Below is a brief description of the attractions of Dombay, indicating the opening hours, the cost of visiting, ways to get to them and the position on the map, as well as tips for visiting:

Tourist route "Alibek gorge"

This is the most popular tourist route from Dombay, so if you do not know what to see with a lack of time, go right here, especially since on the route you can see not only wonderful views of the mountains, but also visit four other attractions at once:

• Alibek waterfall - the most beautiful waterfall in Dombay, formed in the middle of the last century from the waters of the glacier.
• Turye Lake - a beautiful mountain lake with turquoise water, appeared on the site where there used to be a glacier.
• Alibek glacier - the most accessible for tourists in the vicinity.
• Cemetery climbers - here are buried climbers or monuments to the dead climbers who stormed the peaks of the mountains in the vicinity of Dombay.

The route passes through the Teberdinsky Reserve, and if it is completely overcome on foot, you will have to go about 16 kilometers back and forth, and the height difference is more than 600 meters. But it is also possible to shorten the route only to the waterfall, or to the waterfall and the lake without climbing to the border of the glacier. Learn more about the tourist route "Alibek gorge" here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: entrance through the checkpoint of the Reserve from 08:00 to 18:00, It is better to visit from May to September.

💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: entrance to the Route - 200 rubles, children under 7 years-free of charge.

🚶 How to get there: the route starts directly from Dombay, and stretches along the Alibek river for 8 kilometers from the city center (route on the map. You can pass it without problems yourself: roads and trails are marked, it is difficult to get lost. In addition, there are always enough people in the season. You can also hire a Jeep, which will save almost half the time, but the cost of the trip will be about 1000 rubles per person, or 4000 for the whole car for 4-6 people.

Here is a description of the route: almost immediately after leaving Dombay, you need to pay for the entrance to the Reserve, and follow the dirt road to the alplager "Alibek", on the way looking at the cemetery of climbers. After the camp in 1 kilometer there will be a border point where your documents will be checked due to the proximity of the border with Abkhazia. After the border point there will be a fork to the left to the waterfall, and to the right to the lake and Glacier. The glacier can be seen from the waterfall, but you have to climb to its top on the rocks.

Attention! At the checkpoint you need to present a Russian passport. Foreign citizens are not allowed.

Alibek waterfall

This is the number one attraction visited in the summer by tourists from Dombay. It is considered the largest in the vicinity of the resort, and by some estimates even the largest in all of Karachay-Cherkessia, and is easily accessible. It is part of the tourist route "Alibek gorge" Teberdinsky Reserve.

Remarkably, this is a very young waterfall. It appeared as a result of climate change, which is believed to have occurred due to human actions. Due to global warming in the middle of the last century, the bilingual glacier began to melt, and from this water it was formed. Therefore, it can be called man-made, and the creators were all mankind. Learn more about Alibek waterfall and how to get to it here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: entrance through the checkpoint of the Reserve from 08:00 to 18:00, It is better to visit from May to September.

💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: entrance to the tourist route "Alibek gorge" in the Reserve is 200 rubles, children under 7 years old are free of charge.

🚶 How to get there: the waterfall is located 6.5 kilometers from the center of Dombay, the height difference will be more than 360 meters (waterfall on the map), but the road is gentle. To visit it in the Teberdinsky reserve, the Route "Alibek Gorge" is provided. It will take 6-12 hours to overcome it on foot along with Tula Lake and the glacier (in both directions). Part of the way can be overcome by Jeep (offered at the entrance to the Reserve), then you will save almost half the time, but the cost of the trip will be about 1000 rubles per person, or 4000 for the whole car for 4-6 people.

Alibek glacier

This is the lowest located and accessible to tourists in the form of a one-day hike glacier in the area of Dombay. To see it and even walk on snow and ice in the summer, you will not need any special equipment or climbing experience, although it will take a lot of strength.

Due to global warming, the glacier is melting, and each year retreats by 8 meters. A hundred years ago, the territory on which Turya Lake is located was occupied by ICE, and today subalpine meadows bloom here. From the waters of the glacier, by the way, the Alibek waterfall and Turye Lake were formed. But even taking into account the reduction in size, its dimensions are impressive: an area of about 975 hectares, an ice depth of up to 60 meters, a length of 4.5 kilometers. Learn more about Alibek glacier and how to get to it here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: entrance through the checkpoint of the Reserve from 08:00 to 18:00, It is better to visit from May to September.

💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: to access the lake, you need to pay 200 rubles for the entrance to the tourist route to the reserve, children under 7 years old-free of charge.

🚶 How to get there: the glacier is located 8 kilometers from the center of Dombay on the tourist route "Alibek gorge", the height difference to its border will be more than 600 meters (glacier on the map. There are two ways to get to it, for more information about which see the link with a full description of the glacier.

Turye Lake

A very beautiful mountain lake in Dombay, surrounded by mountains and glaciers on the tourist route "Alibek gorge" Teberdinsky Reserve. You can visit it in the form of a one-day hiking trip.

The water in the lake is turquoise and very cold, because it is fed by melting glaciers. Therefore, by the way, in the cold season it decreases in size, as the water ceases to flow. Ice on the lake persists until mid-June, and only the most hardened can swim even in the height of summer. Learn more about Turiye Lake and how to get to it here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: entrance through the checkpoint of the Reserve from 08:00 to 18:00, It is better to visit from May to September.

💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: to access the lake, you need to pay 200 rubles for the entrance to the tourist route to the reserve, children under 7 years old-free of charge.

🚶 How to get there: the lake is located 8 kilometers from the center of Dombay, the height difference will be more than 580 meters (Lake on the map).

Cemetery climbers

In this cemetery are buried climbers who died during the assault on the peaks in the Dombay mountains from 1960 to 2003. Most of them are experienced athletes and rescuers who have made more than a dozen ascents. In total there are about 30 monuments, but there are few real graves. Most of the monuments are erected to the dead, whose bodies were never found in the mountains, or buried elsewhere. You should not go specifically to the cemetery, but be sure to look here on the way to the Alibek waterfall and other attractions of the tourist route "Alibek gorge". Learn more about the cemetery of climbers here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: entrance through the checkpoint of the Reserve from 08:00 to 18:00, It is better to visit from May to September.

💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: entrance to the tourist route is 200 rubles, children under 7 years old are free of charge.

🚶 How to get there: the cemetery is located 2.5 kilometers from the center of Dombay on the tourist route "Alibek Gorge" (cemetery on the map. Almost immediately after leaving Dombay at the checkpoint (Checkpoint at the entrance on the route map you need to pay the entrance to the Reserve, and follow the dirt road. The cemetery will be about halfway to the alplager "Alibek". This is the only attraction along the Route "Alibek Gorge", which does not need a contract to enter the border zone.

Tourist route "Dombay-Ulgen Gorge" and Chukhchur waterfalls

Immediately a whole series of chukhchur waterfalls can be seen east of Dombay. They are reached by one of the easiest routes in the vicinity, but quite long – about 7 kilometers in one direction. But what is good, almost the whole way can be overcome by excursion or own car. Along the way, you will enjoy wonderful views of the snow-capped peaks of the mountains, and the surrounding Glades are covered with emerald Alpine Meadows. Learn more about Chuhchurskiy waterfall here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: entrance through the Reserve checkpoint from 08:00 to 18:00, visit from May to October.

💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: entrance to the tourist route to the waterfall is 200 rubles, children under 7 years old are free of charge. Ascent by cable car (optional) 250 rubles in both directions.

🚶 How to get there: located on the territory of the Teberdinsky nature reserve, 6 kilometers from the center of Dobmay (waterfall on the map).

Tourist route "Amanauz Gorge" and waterfalls "Devil's mill" and "Sofrudzhinsky"

This is the shortest route to the waterfalls from Dombay, only 7 kilometers in both directions, and 560 meters of vertical drop. It passes through the beautiful gorge of the Amanauz River south of Dombay towards the border with Abkhazia through the Teberdinsky nature reserve.

First, in less than one and a half kilometers you will meet the waterfall "Devil's mill", and after another one and a half kilometers the primary Sofrudzhinsky waterfall, and after a couple of hundred meters the second. And the second is the largest and deepest in Dombay, its height is about 60 meters. Both waterfalls are fed by the waters of the melting Sofruja glacier. Learn more about the amanauz Gorge and waterfalls here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: entrance through the Reserve checkpoint from 08:00 to 18:00, visit from May to October.

💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: entrance to the tourist route Amanauz - 200 rubles, children under 7 years-free of charge.

🚶 How to get there: the route along the gorge begins in the center of Dombay from Alanskaya Street, and stretches for 3 kilometers to the south (route on the map. The waterfall "Devil's mill" is about one and a half kilometers along the way (Devil's mill on the map), and after another one and a half kilometers Sofrudzhinsky (Sofrudzhinsky on the map. The trail is simple and marked with red dots on rocks and trees, but sometimes dangerous, you have to overcome piles and boulders. The round trip will take from 2 to 4 hours.

New cable car

In Dombay there is a system of new cable cars, but they are interesting not only for skiers, but also for ordinary tourists visiting the resort in winter or summer. They can climb to the observation decks on Mount Mussa Achitara, from where you can enjoy stunning views, and in good weather you can even see Elbrus. Therefore, every tourist who comes to Dombay should ride at least one cable car, and the new one in this regard is out of competition. Learn more about the new cable car in Dombai here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: Monday-Friday from 09:00 to 16:30, Saturday and Sunday from 08:00 to 17:00. Working hours vary depending on the season, but in general they work seven days a week and only during daylight hours.

💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: the price varies according to the season and usually discounts are available in the summer. As of the summer of 2020, the ascent and descent cost: 1-level-500 rubles, 1+2 level-1000 rubles, 1+2+3 - 1300. Children from 3 to 16 years old, persons over 65 years old receive discounts.

🚶 How to get there: the station of the new cable car is located in the city center (lower cable car station on the map), it is impossible to skip it. Tourists arriving in the city in the summer are always invited to ride on cable cars by meeting agents-ticket distributors. Do not rush to agree to the proposals, first clarify what you are offered, the old pendulum or New Road, and therefore choose based on your desire and budget.

Old chairlift

The old chairlift is quite an extreme entertainment for inexperienced tourists and skiers. The fact is that it is climbed in narrow single seats, which are adapted for experienced skiers, and not ordinary tourists with backpacks and children. With children, we would not recommend climbing on it at all, since we will have to take them on our knees, since it is quite dangerous to put them on their own in a chair. The chairs move very quickly, and you have to sit down and get off them almost on the run.

However, a chairlift is Cheaper Than a new one, and leads almost to the same place: to the top of Moussa Achita. In addition, the first stage of the cable car will be useful for those who are going on foot to go to the tourist route "Dombay-Ulgen Gorge" and Chukhchur waterfalls, since it can reach the checkpoint at the entrance to the Reserve and reduce the kilometer of the way and 100 meters to climb.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: from 09:00 to 17:00.

💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: the cost depends on the number of queues (there are three in total), starts from 250 rubles for the first turn.

🚶 How to get there: How to get there: the station of the old chairlift is located in the center of Dombay near the hotel "Krokus" (cable car station on the map. On the main road of the village there is a pointer to it, from it you need to go along the dirt road a little up.

Old pendulum cable car

It is one of the oldest surviving cable cars, commissioned in 1986. But it is interesting not for its history, but for the fact that it is one of the few cable cars operating in the low season (in summer) for tourists. On it in 8 minutes you can climb to the observation deck on the slope of Mount Moussa Achitara to a height of 2250 meters, the height difference during the Ascent will be 650 meters. In the summer it is done just to see the beauty around, and in the high season (in winter) it is used for its intended purpose for lifting skiers. Learn more about the old pendulum cable car here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: from 08:00 to 17:00.

💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: in both directions 400 rubles adults, 200 rubles children under 10 years, up to 5 years - free of charge.

🚶 How to get there: the Lower Station of the pendulum cable car is located in the city center on Lifeguard Lane (lower cable car station on the map).

Mount Mussa-Achitara

The mountain, or rather the Moussa Achitara Ridge – is the main place of activity in Dombay in winter, since it is on the slopes of the mountain that all the ski slopes of the resort pass. But in the summer the mountain will be interesting for tourists, since it is the most accessible three-thousandth in the vicinity of Dombay. Its height according to various sources from 3012 to 3200 meters, and our (authors of the site) measurements showed 3130 meters. The easiest way to get to the top is with the new cable car, but for those who want to test their strength, this path can be done on foot in both directions for one day. Learn more about Mount Mussa-Achitara here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: it is better to start hiking early in the morning. Cable cars operate from 08:00 to 17:00.

💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.

🚶 How to get there: the mountain is near Dombay (Moussa Achitara peak on the map. The ascent on foot should begin with a small alley from the hotel "Crocus" and the campsite "Dobmayskaya Polyana".

Baduk lakes

The route to the Baduk Lakes is the easiest and probably the most beautiful hiking route from Teberda to the Teberda nature reserve. Tourists staying in Dombay also visit it with interest. These three mountain lakes are located at an altitude of 1980 meters. Interestingly, they appeared relatively recently, no more than 200 years ago due to the collapse of the soil. The route is not technically difficult, but you will have to climb up a lot: on foot you will have to overcome 3.8 kilometers and a little more than 600 meters in height. It is worth planning 6-12 hours for a hike. Learn more about the Baduk lakes here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: the route to the Lakes is only open from May to October. The time of the route is from 08:00 to 16:00, but to walk to the lakes and have time to return, you need to go before 12:00.

💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: the lakes are located on the territory of the Teberdinsky reserve, for the entrance to the route in which adults will have to pay 300 rubles, children under 7 years old - free of charge.

🚶 How to get there: the lakes are 13 kilometers from Teberda and 10 from Dombay on the road between them (lakes on the map. You need to get by car, taxi or bus to the parking lot (parking on the map. Here you need to leave the Transport, go to the other side of the river on the suspension bridge, pay the entrance to the Reserve, and follow the trail.

Tumanli-Kel Lake and Gonachkhir gorge tourist route

This is the easiest tourist route from Dombay and Teberda through the Teberda nature reserve, since it can be overcome by car. A good asphalt road leads to the lake along the military-Sukhumi road, which can be easily overcome by any transport. The path passes through the gorge of the Gonachkhir River, where you will have beautiful views of the mountains and valleys, also in one place you can drive off the asphalt to the place of rest. The route ends near Lake Tumanly-Kel at an altitude of 1850 meters. In general, it can not be said that this is the most beautiful route and the most picturesque lake, but if you could not see Turya Lake and go through other hiking routes, then you can go here. Learn more about Lake Tumanly-Kel and Gonachhir gorge here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: entrance through the checkpoint of the Reserve from 08:00 to 18:00, It is better to visit from May to September.

💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: entrance to the route to the Reserve is 200 rubles, children under 7 years old are free of charge.

🚶 How to get there: the entrance to the route is on the main road between Dombay (6 kilometers) and Teberdoy (15 kilometers away), there is a signpost (route entry on the map. Then follow the route to the lake 12 kilometers (Lake on the map). Go back the same way. You can go on your own transport or buy a group tour from Dombay or Teberda.

Shumka Waterfall

This waterfall is located next to the teberda-Dombay highway almost at Teberda itself. It is formed by the Shumka River, which flows into the Teberda River. This is the easiest and shortest hiking route in the reserve, but the problem is that you still need to get to its beginning, because it is located 17 kilometers from Dombay. But from the center of Teberda it can be reached on foot. Next, you will have a simple walk through the forest with a length of about 500 meters and a climb of 90 meters. The whole walk will take at most an hour.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: entrance through the checkpoint of the Reserve from 08:00 to 18:00, It is better to visit from May to September.

💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: entrance to the Reserve is 100 rubles, children under 7 years old are free of charge.

🚶 How to get there: the beginning of the route to the waterfall is on the route connecting Teberda and Dombay, 1 kilometer from Teberda and 17 from Dombay (waterfall on the map. On the road there is a sign, and on the opposite side a small platform where you can park the car. Getting to the beginning of the route is best by private transport, but from Dombay you can get by bus or with a tour.

Teberdinsky Reserve Zoo and Museum

This is not a traditional zoo, but an aviary complex. It differs from the usual zoo in that the animals here are not kept in cages, but in spacious enclosures. There are deer, hares, ducks, geese, Wild Boars, raccoons, goats, bison, Foxes, vultures, wolves, bears, jackals, tours, Lynx (very old), Caucasian tours, forest cat, raccoon dog, etc., including the Red Book. The variety is not very large, but the conditions of their maintenance are satisfactory, which is why this place will appeal to almost everyone, especially children. Some animals can be fed and even petted. Learn more about Teberda zoo here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: from 9:00 to 18:00.

💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: the zoo is visited together with the museum for one ticket worth 200 rubles, children under 7 years old - free of charge.

🚶 How to get there: the zoo is located in the center of Teberda on the territory of the Reserve administration, Baduksky Lane, 1 (Zoo on the map).

Sentino temple

The sentin temple is one of the most striking historical monuments in the vicinity of Teberda. It is a Christian sandstone church erected in traditional cross-domed architecture. It is believed that it was built in 965, but there are other versions. But it is known that the frescoes inside date back to the 11th century.

In the XIX century, the temple was greatly rebuilt by novices of a nearby convent, but in the last century it was returned to its former state. Today the temple is in poor condition and requires restoration, but nevertheless you can see its original architectural appearance. But inside there is complete devastation: almost nothing remains of the frescoes, Vandal inscriptions appear in their place. Learn more about the Sretinsky temple here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: it is better to visit during the day.

💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free.

🚶 How to get there: the temple is located near the village of Nizhnyaya Teberda, almost 30 kilometers from Dombay towards Karachayevsk (temple on the map. You will have to get here by taxi or private car. You can get almost to the temple by Navigator on any car, and then a little walk to the top of the hill. But be careful when driving on your own in wet weather, it's easy to get stuck on a slippery road on a simple passenger car. Theoretically, you can also take suburban buses to the center of the village, and walk to the temple in 30-40 minutes, but you have to go up.

Shoan temple

The Shoan temple was erected at the end of the X century, and there is a version (not confirmed) that this is the oldest Christian temple in Russia. However, if we look at the period of construction, then presumably the Shoan Temple appeared in the late X-early XI centuries, which is later than Zelenchuk temples in Nizhny Arkhyz and even Sentinsky temple. Today it can be visited as a historical place, examine it in detail. There are also ruins of other ancient buildings nearby, since the hillside on which it is located was previously densely built up and inhabited. Learn more about the shoaninsky temple here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: open during daytime.

💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: free, donations are welcome.

🚶 How to get there: the temple is located near Karachaevsk near the village of Kosta Hutagurov (temple on the map. From Dombay here 75 kilometers, from Teberda 55 kilometers. The easiest way to get here is with excursions that are offered from Dombay, but you can stop at the temple on your own car on the way to the resorts, since it is located next to the only main road leading to them. The temple is located on a hill, and it leads to a bad rocky road, which, however, in dry weather can be reached by any car. There are signs on the road. Then you have to climb a little on foot along the slope and stone stairs.

Jamagat narzans and gorge

These are natural sources of cold mineral water in the Jamagat gorge, stretching along the Jemagat River. To get to them, a tourist route is organized along the Teberdinsky reserve, the end point of which is narzan. But the route is interesting not only for them,but also for the mountain river itself and the magnificent views of the mountains. It is especially interesting to go on the route on foot, but you will have to walk 8 kilometers from the center of Teberda, and from Dombay you will first have to get to the beginning of the route. Read more about Jamagat narzany here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: entrance to the trail through the Reserve checkpoint from 08:00 to 18:00.

💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: entrance to the Route-200 rubles, children under 7 years-free of charge, car entry - 200 rubles.

🚶 How to get there: Jamagat narzans are located 8 kilometers from Teberda, and 34 from Dombay (sources on the map. From Dombay, jeep tours are offered here, but you can also get there yourself by private car. A dirt road leads almost to the springs, and if you have experience, you can even drive a regular car, but it is better to use an all-terrain vehicle. From Teberda you can walk along the route for about 3 hours in one direction.

Thermal springs

Thermal springs are located quite far from Dombay and Teberda near Cherkessk, and this is more than 120 kilometers. Nevertheless, they are quite a popular place to visit from all the resorts of Karachay-Cherkessia, especially since they work all year round, and therefore even in winter you can swim in them. But it is most convenient, of course, to visit them on the way to the resorts, since most of the routes still lead through the city of Cherkessk.

There are two sources near Cherkessk: Juice "Gorki" and the Pearl of the Caucasus. Learn more about thermal springs here.

Practical Information

🕐 Working hours: from 10:00 to 22:00.

💵 Entrance fee / tickets price: from 300 rubles per visit, additional services for a fee.

🚶 How to get there: both thermal springs are located near the city of Cherkessk (Gorki juice on the map, Pearl of the Caucasus on the map. From Dombay and Teberda, excursions are offered to them, or you can take your own transport or taxi. There is no way to get directly by public transport.

🕒 19 April, 2026