I did not prepare well for the trip to Dagestan. I marked the main points, but did not build the route itself. Before leaving for the mountains, we figured out an approximate route, but fate decided to give us its own plan.
Every time I plan a trip, I get excited. I I try to “ cram in unpushy : to cover as many points as possible in the minimum amount of time.
I book too little time , so I often do not have time to see everything I have conceived , or I spend in an interesting place not as much time as I would like.
You quickly get tired of such a rhythm, and when you do not have time to visit everything, you also get upset From such a rhythm you quickly get tired, and when you do not have time to visit everything, you also get upset
Therefore, so that you do not repeat my mistake , I will write you my route, scattered throughout the day. Specifically factual, not theoretical. You may find this helpful when planning.
Day 1. MakhachkalaMonument to a Russian teacher in Makhachkala and a capsule for descendantsMonument to a Russian teacher in Makhachkala and a capsule for descendants
We points arrived in Dagestan early in the morning, the flight was overnight . Having slightly replenished our strength, at 10 am we already set off from Kaspiysk towards Makhachkala. We spent all day in the city in order to slightly “ acclimate and do not strain after an overnight flight.
Article about Makhachkala: Makhachkala is scolded and not advised to visit. Listen? I share my personal opinion
Day 2. Ekranoplan – Derbent
Then we went to BlablaCar in Derbent, and from there immediately take a taxi to the Lun ekranoplan … The thought was this: it is better now to immediately get to the ekranoplan (it is farther from Kaspiysk than Derbent) while it is morning and, perhaps, there are few people there.
Ekranoplan LunEkranoplane Lun
There were really few people. The ekranoplan impressed, and we walked from the heart, took pictures and even had a snack in the bushes (the locals had a post, so we didn t want to tease them with food).
An article about an ekranoplan: Caspian monster. What kind of animal is this ekranoplan and why is it thrown ashore
From the ekranoplan we hitchhiked and got a minibus to Derbent. We walked along the embankment and the old town.
For a city that is not recommended for swimming, Derbent has a stunning beachFor a city that is not recommended for swimming, Derbent has a stunning beach
< i> An article about Derbent: A city ready to plug the capital of the region. Welcome to Derbent
And in the evening, closer to sunset, we went for a walk along the famous fortress Naryn-Kala , which is located on a hill, from where the whole city can be seen.
Naryn-Kala Citadel Naryn-Kala Citadel
An article about the fortress: Naryn-Kala. Dagestan landmark from the UNESCO World Heritage List
Day 3. Sulak Canyon
On the third day we went to rent a car . We took it in Makhachkala. After that we immediately went to see Sulak canyon and Chirkei reservoir. , but we didn t go there. My friend was there, and I decided that after the sands of the Sahara I would not be interested there (don t think it arrogant, this is pragmatism).
Canyon article: Deeper than the Grand Canyon. Visiting card of Dagestan
Day 4. Gimrinskaya tower – Irganai reservoir – Karadakh gorge
On the fourth day we had to go to the mountains … The weather scared us – there were clouds. And the very need to drive in the mountains frightened us, so we pulled our tires and left only at 10 am.
We headed for the Karadakh gorge as the first point of our trip through the mountainous terrain. On the way we saw Gimrinskaya tower and Irganayskoye reservoir.
Gimrinskaya Tower Gimrinskaya Tower
Article about the tower: A beautiful tower in the mountains of Dagestan. The place that made me feel awkward for being Russian
And then there was that completely knocked us out of the route . The Karadakh gorge was flooded … But we made a detour, so we spent the rest of the daylight hours here.
Karadakh gorge. Worth spending so much time on it It was worth spending so much time on it
An article about the gorge: < i> An unexpected meeting in Dagestan, which changed the whole route for us
And after we were invited to dinner by the locals , after which in the night, along a dark road went to Gunib , where we spent the night.
An article about spending the night in Gunib: The hostess silently made a bed for herself and … lay down next to us. An amazing in its absurdity case in the mountains of Dagestan
Day 5. Gamsutl – Gunib plateau
Getting up very early after a strange night, we went to Gamsutl, where we spent several hours . This is an amazing place, but it is worth coming here as early as possible to avoid the crowds of tourists.
Abandoned settlement Gamsutl Abandoned settlement Gamsutl
An article about Gamsutl: Abandoned village in the mountains … One of the most interesting places in Dagestan a
Next, we decided to visit a place that we did not have in plans . Thanks to the guys we met in the Karadakh gorge, they told us about the Gunib plateau. Because of him, we have redrawn the entire route and did not make it to the Saltinsky Waterfall.
Gunib plateau Gunib plateau
Article about the Gunib plateau: Gunib plateau in Dagestan … Difficult to get, but worth it
And again in the dark, but no longer at night, we went to another settlement – Khunzakh.
Day 6. Tobot waterfall – Mochoh lake – Stone bowl
This day was the last in our route. And we were in a great hurry to have time to enter the market in Kaspiysk. So in the morning we quickly admired Tobot . So fast that they didn t even come close to him. But in vain.
Tobot Waterfall Tobot Waterfall
Article about the waterfall: Dagestan. Powerful waterfall and life hack, how to get closer to it
Next, we decided to take a ride to the nearest places. The first on the list was mountain lake Mochoh , where there was almost no soul, but there was a separate little adventure.
Lake Mochoh Lake Mochoh
An article about the lake: Mountain lake in Dagestan. Is it worth watching. Personal opinion
And on the way back we dropped into the Stone Bowl , but didn t have time to walk further to the Matlas Caves. But the bowl itself turned out to be interesting.
Stone bowlStone bowl
Article about Stone bowl: Stone bowl bowl. Not crowded, but impressive attraction in the Republic of Dagestan
After that we returned to Kaspiysk, managed to buy some goodies, spend the evening with friends and calmly gather. The next morning we flew to Moscow.
Although it was difficult to leave such beauty Although it was difficult to leave such beauty
I can immediately note that in addition to the fact that I didn't plan enough time for the road and sights, I didn't take into account that it gets dark early in the mountains . And sometimes mountain roads are a separate attraction!
We have a lot of points left that we did not have time to visit. Looks like we ll have to come back … and more than once!
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My blog | tourist| travel Our route through Dagestan. How we changed it on the fly and why