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4 Day itinerary in Russia, Europe

Authentic Dagestan

This tour is not a quick change of pictures, but a relaxed immersion in the culture and nature of Dagestan. You will get acquainted with the history of individual Caucasian families and the customs of different peoples of the republic: Avars, Kumyks, Laks, Lezgins, and also taste the local cuisine. ... Read More

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KseniiaJulia

By Kseniia and Julia

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Light
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Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English

GUIDANCE

Tour Leader, Driver

starting point

Derbent

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Indigenous culture

Meet local people

Rural home stays

Culture & History

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

You'll learn how to cook a traditional Avar dish - botishal

2

You'll visit one of the region's main landmarks - the ghost town of Gamsutl

3

You'll visit the house-museum in Kubachi and try on national costumes on

4

Have a tea party according to local traditions next to the ancient fortress Naryn-Kala in Derbent

Itinerary

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Day 1

place The city of the Silk way

On the day of the start of the tour, we will meet you and our group at the Makhachkala airport, from where we will head to the most ancient city of Russia - Derbent. Before we see its old districts or "magals" and the famous fortress Naryn-Kala - we will check into the hotel and leave our stuff. Next, we will have a small but exciting walk accompanied by a local guide. And in the evening after the excursion, we have dinner and a tea-drinking ceremony according to the local traditions in a cafe right next to the fortress. Starting point: Makhachkala airport * You have to arrive before 13:00 Meals: lunch box on the way from the airport, tea set Overnight: hotel "Main Street", Derbent

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

  • Standard: Main Street Hotel
Day 2

place Kubachi village

Today we continue our immersion in the culture of Dagestan and go to the famous "city of craftsmen" - the village of Kubachi. Literally, in every house, there lives some master, and children learn to draw intricate Kubachi patterns at school so that when growing up they can embody them in the form of amazing silver jewellery or other things. Here we will get to know the Gadzhi's family, visit the local fortress and look at the carefully collected antiques. We will try on national costumes and, of course, we will taste delicious local food while sitting in a cosy room by the fireplace. In the evening we return to Derbent. Meals: breakfast, tea/coffee with sweets on the way, lunch Overnight: hotel "Main Street", Derbent.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks

Accommodation:

  • Standard: Main Street Hotel
Day 3

place Chokh village

Chokh is an unofficial cultural centre of Dagestan. The houses there are located one above the other because the village is located high in the mountains. One can wonder for a long time how different it is compared to the places we've seen before, both inside and outside, and how different people are. Today we will visit a smiling hostess Aunt Haniy, who will sit us on the veranda with a magnificent view, tell many stories, and also teach us how to cook the national dish khinkal. We will also go for a walk around the village, visit a small museum with local antiquities and have free time to walk around the area. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner Overnight: Ethno-house in Chokh (guest house in ethnic style)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard: Etnodom
Day 4

place Gamsutl ghost town

Today is another amazing day! We'll try not to think that it's the last one on this journey and will live it brightly. After enjoying breakfast with a fantastic view of the mountains, we drive to the neighbouring gorge to explore the abandoned village of Gamsutl. Be prepared to take 40 min. walk because this place isn't possible to reach by car. Yet we must say it's absolutely worth it because the history of this place and the stunning views won't leave you indifferent! Later on, after a picnic lunch, we drive back to Makhachkala, and on the way, we see such places as the Gimrinsky tunnel, the Gimrinskaya tower, the Irganayskoye reservoir, the Gunibskaya hydroelectric power station. Meals: breakfast, lunch On foot: 40-50 min. at a medium pace, one way Book a flight from Makhachkala airport with the departure no earlier than 19:00

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

What’s Included

Accommodation expand_less

  • Main Street Hotel
  • Etnodom

Meals expand_less

  • Lunch (4)
  • Dinner (2)
  • Snacks (2)
  • Breakfast (3)

Transport expand_less

  • Comfortable minivans throughout the tour
  • Pickup from the airport and return

Activities expand_less

  • Entrance fees to fortresses, museums
  • Cooking workshop
  • Trying on national costumes

Not Included expand_less

  • Tickets from your city to Makhachkala and back
  • Meals not indicated in the program
  • Single occupancy

About Kseniia

TEAM LEAD

+1 Local experts

verified Baboo Certified

star_outline 5 (3 reviews)

Expertise: 

Hiking

Visit markets

Meet local people

Rural home stays

Indigenous culture

Culture & History

Purposeful Travel

Nature & Wildlife

Water & Coastline

Besides organising hiking and cultural tours in the Caucasus starting from 2013 and just loving my region, I actually studied International Tourism at a university in Germany (MA).

Travel that Makes a Difference

By choosing to travel with us, you support local communities, wildlife, and the environment. We are dedicated to positively impacting the world through every journey we offer.

Let’s regenerate the planet together

We overcompensate your entire journey’s carbon footprint including flights - for free.

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FROM PRICE PER TRAVELER

$953.00 USD