The Caucasus is a huge region, amazing in terms of the beauty of nature and historical attractions. A place where you can go on vacation for many years and discover something new every time. There are mountains and seas, the purest lakes and the most beautiful waterfalls.

Here you can really relax your body and soul. Traveling through the Caucasus will allow you to touch the beautiful, enjoy the purest mountain air and delicious dishes. Moving away from the tourist areas located along the Black Sea coast, you will see that holidays in this part of Russia will be relatively inexpensive, but more interesting.

Where to relax in the Caucasus in the first place

Ingushetia and its architectural heritage

The smallest region of the Russian Federation, despite its size, surprises with an abundance of historical, architectural and natural monuments. These are the beauties of the Erzya Nature Reserve, the 20-meter long Lyazhginsky waterfall, the silver spring of Hiovra Hiy, which is believed to have healing properties.

History lovers will be delighted with the medieval tower complexes of Vnushki, Morch, Targim and Tsori, the Egical castle complex. These monumental buildings seem to grow out of the surrounding mountains and rocks. They extend to the splendor surrounding them, exuding power and centuries-old history. The Abi-Guv Mound, the Khatoy-Boars settlement, the Dzheyrakh-Assin Museum-Reserve will be interesting to visit.

Hiking enthusiasts go to conquer the mountains of Canteen, Tsey Loam, Cherekhkort. They admire the beauty of the Jeyrakh and Assin gorges. Fans of winter sports have chosen the Armkhi ski resort. Listing far from all the sights of this small Republic, it seems that traveling around the Caucasus can last indefinitely. And that's right, there are still many interesting places ahead.

Dagestan and Derbent

Here everyone will find their place of strength: the unspoilt nature of the Sulak Canyon, the sand dune Sarykum, one of the highest waterfalls in Russia — Tobot and the underground Saltinsky waterfall. For lovers of traditional recreation in the republic there are sandy beaches on the shores of the Caspian Sea, healing mineral springs and various excursions around the region and Derbent — the oldest city in Russia, founded more than 2 thousand years ago.

There are a large number of monuments in Derbent and its surroundings. These are the Naryn-Kala fortress, the Derbent Lighthouse, the Juma Mosque and the old town with the Upper Bazaar and the main TagiZade Avenue. What kind of Vacation in the Caucasus is complete without tasting local cuisine. Dishes such as chudu, khinkal, shish kebab, lula kebab, lagman and rich-tasting Dagestan cognac are waiting for you in Derbent.

Karachay-Cherkessia and Arkhyz

Different historical cultures, climatic zones and landscapes are intricately intertwined in the republic. Therefore, it offers a wide variety of vacation options. There are azure lakes and magnificent waterfalls, alpine meadows of the legendary Dombai and ancient caves. Among the main attractions are the Sofia Lakes and waterfalls, the scientific observatory of the SAO RAS, the rock face of Christ, the Baduk Lakes, the Southern Elephant Cave.

Arkhyz is a resort town offering winter and summer types of tourist recreation. There are beautiful natural locations here: waterfalls, lakes, majestic mountains and protected areas. On the territory of the city there is a ski resort Arkhyz with slopes for downhill skiing and snowboarding. In the warm season, they are artificially covered with snow. Mountain lovers can choose one of the hiking routes or take a lift to the peaks of the mountains. Lovers of history and architecture should visit the ancient settlement dating from the X—XII centuries. It is located near the settlement of Nizhny Arkhyz. If you want to spend an unforgettable vacation in the Caucasus, welcome to Arkhyz and other locations in Dagestan!

What else to see while traveling in the Caucasus

Experienced tourists recommend visiting North Ossetia and Kabardino-Balkaria. Extreme sports are widely developed in Ossetia: rafting, para-skiing, rock climbing. You will enjoy the beauty of the National Park "Alanya", Donisar Lake, located at an altitude of 3,100 meters, the Tsey gorge with dozens of tourist routes of different difficulty levels. These are ski and hiking excursion routes, numerous trails, following which you can go to Georgia and Kabardino-Balkaria.

The Kabardino-Balkarian Republic is known for its lakes and waterfalls. The most striking natural locations: Elbrus National Park, Kanzhol Plateau, Aushiger thermal springs, Narzanov Valley. If you have never been to the Caucasus before or have limited yourself to a beach holiday, it's time to discover this great and truly unique region. Novice tourists can choose easy routes, book excursions with experienced guides. These impressions will not be limited to simple photos and social media feeds. You will discover a new world, expand your worldview, and gain invaluable experience.

Source: Russian travel website otpuskrf.ru