The Best of the Northwest Caucasus

Region: Caucasus

Reserve: Caucasus Reserve

Northwest Caucasus occupies about 87 thousand km2. The diversity and richness of its nature makes it a wonderful place for a green-tourism holiday. There are vast black earth plains, mountains covered with forests with few snowy tops and subtropics at the Black sea coast.
The tours we offer at the Northwest Caucasus take place at Lago-Naki plateau. Its is only a small part of the Northwest Caucasus but it is quite particular geographically. The highest point of the plateau is Fisht mount (2,868m). On the slopes of the mountain mass about 540 species of plants grow, 22% of them are endemics. Subalpine and alpine flora dominates. Arboreal vegetation (pines, silver firs, beeches and birches) grows only on the southern slopes and at the bottom.
The program is for those who would like to see the most wonderful places of Northwest Caucasus but are not ready for long hikes, nights in tents and meals cooked over fire.

Our guides

Photogallery of tour:

Itinerary:

Day 1	Arrival to the camping. Accommodation. Lunch. Easy hike to a view point to see the tops of the Main Caucasus Range covered with snow. Dinner. Evening by the camp fire.
Day 2	9:00 Breakfast. Tour to karstic caves Nezhnaya, Bolshaya Azishskaya. Transfer to Azizhsky pass to enjoy the view of Lago-Naki plateau (2000 m above see level). Hiking through alpine meadows of Kavkazsky biosphere reserve. Lunch in the field. Return to the camping by night. 19:00 Dinner.
Day 2	9:00 Breakfast. Tour to Khadzhokh gorge. It is a unique natural and historical monument that gave its name to a village nearby. Impetuous mountain river decreases 10 times here. View points are well equipped so you can enjoy water show in complete safety. Along the upper trail we get to Rufabgo waterfalls. Rest by Bachurin stream and then the way back across Belaya river. Lunch in the field. Back to the camping. 19:00 Farewell dinner.
Day 4	9:00 Breakfast. Tour to Guamskoe canyon. First by car to Mezmay village and then by foot to the canyon. The trail leads along an old railway (about 3 km). The canyon is 3,5 km long, 400 m deep, in some places it is only 2 m wide. Besides being a very interesting nature object it is also a historical monument. Your guide will tell you more about it on the trail. Lunch in the field. 19:00 Dinner.
Day 5	9:00 Breakfast. Bus-walking excursion to Guzeriple settelment and Yavorovo field. The road runs along Belaya river, we'll observe Granit kanyon, visit museum of Kavkazsky nature reserve, we'll see dolmen -mysterious construction that was created III-II centure before Christ. Walking tour to Belaya river. From Olkhovy refuge the trail leads to dolmens - ancient monuments. Then the trail leads to the forest, passes rocks and waterfalls and gets to Angel's Wing cave. Views of Belaya river valley, Khamishky village, enormous boulders, Monk cliff. Bus transfer to the beginning point of rafting (1,5 hrs, optional activity). The guides are experienced sportsmen. Rafting activity is rather save but still quite fast so you really enjoy it. Lunch in the field. Back to the camping. 19:00 Dinner.
Day 6	9:00 Breakfast. Tour to Saint Michael Monastry while your guide tells the history of its creation. Saint Springs at Fiziabgo mount. A service in a local church can be attended. Lunch in the field. Return to the camping by night. 19:00 Dinner.
Day 7	9:00 Breakfast. Transfer to Maikop.

Price:

on request for groups

INCLUDED:

accommodation, meals according to the program, transport during the program, Russian guide, banya (Russian sauna), entrance fees to the tourist objects

NOT INCLUDED:

transport to / from the starting point (see notes), English-speaking guide; anything not mentioned in INCLUDED section

Equipment

Additional services, expenses:

The program of the tour may be changed according to the weather conditions.
Tourists are met in Maikop. Getting there: by plane / train Moscow - Krasnodar or by train Moscow - Beloretsk, then by bus to Maikop.

Additional information:

Accommodation:
Two-storied wooden houses surrounded by beech and fir forest. DBL, Tripl, Qdpl rooms (hot/cold running water, WC shared, heating).