Ethnotour to the Republic of Dagestan

Day 1 Tour to Derbent

There will be a group transfer at 2 p.m. from Makhachkala airport to Derbent – the southernmost city of Russia, situated on the Caspian sea coast. On the way, you will be offered lunchboxes with fruit, pastries and a drink, and there will be a stop for coffee as well.

You will arrive in Derbent around 4 p.m. and check in to your hotel. A local guide will then give you a tour of the city. Derbent is one of the oldest cities in Russia: it was first mentioned in the VI century BC. 

You will see the Naryn-Kala fortress – the main attraction of the city, included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From the fortress walls, you will have a beautiful view of the old town and the Caspian sea coast. Under the walls of the citadel, there are ancient temples and mosques, medieval baths and the ruins of the Shah's palace.

You will also see the Djuma Mosque, the oldest in Russia and the whole post-soviet area, and walk through the town's mahals – the small quarters of old Derbent, where the historical buildings are preserved.

In the evening you will have a traditional Caucasian tea ceremony in a cafe at the foot of Naryn-Kala fortress. You will be offered local sweets: dried fruits, halva, homemade pastry and jam. You can also order dinner here (extra charge).

In the evening you will return to the hotel and rest.

Day 2 Exploring Kubachi village

After breakfast, you will take a minivan trip to Kubachi village (3 hours); on your way, you will stop for tea and coffee with local sweets.

After arriving in Kubachi, you will walk through a labyrinth of ancient streets and climb up the defensive tower, which offers magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. There is a museum in the tower, where you can take pictures wearing national costumes. 

Then you will visit the locals and appreciate the scope of Caucasian hospitality: a real feast with homemade cheeses, different kinds of meat, fruits and vegetables will be organized for you.

In the fireplace room, where the dinner will take place, you will see many traditional household implements and ancient artifacts. You can explore the museum room and get acquainted with local culture. All those interested will be taught to dance the Lezginka, the national Caucasus dance.

After saying goodbye to the welcoming hosts you will go back to Derbent. In the evening there will be dinner in one of the restaurants in the city (extra charge), after which you will be taken back to the hotel where you will have a rest.

Day 3 Chokh Aul – the cultural center of the republic

After breakfast, you will pack your things and check out of the hotel. At 9 a.m. you will be transferred to the Chokh aul (3 hours). On the way, you will stop at the Gergebil hydroelectric power station and visit the observation point in the Levashi village. 

The Chokh aul is one of the most ancient settlements of the Northern Caucasus. Six highways of the Great Silk Road passed through it a long time ago, and now it is the most important cultural center of Dagestan, located in the picturesque Andalal valley and surrounded by mountains from all sides. 

When you arrive in the aul, you will check into a guest house. Then go to the local people for lunch and listen to the hostess's stories about the culture and history of Dagestan. If you wish you can take part in a workshop on making Avar botishal (flatbread stuffed with cottage cheese and potatoes).

After lunch, you will take a guided walk tour around the ancient village and visit the local museum, where various antique items of everyday use are displayed. Then you will have free time. At 6 p.m. there will be dinner with national dishes in the guest house cafe.

Day 4 Gamsutl Ghost Aul

After breakfast, you will leave Chokh and go to one of Dagestan's main sites – the abandoned Gamsutl aul.

Gamsutl is located on the crest of a mountain at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level, and it is only possible to get there on foot along a narrow path. Together with a guide you will walk through the abandoned village, whose last inhabitant left their home in 2015, and learn its history. The ghost village looks especially impressive from a height, but even without a drone, you will be able to take unusual pictures of the deserted houses in the steep cliffs.

If the weather permits, you will have a picnic lunch in Gamsutl and, in case of rain, you will return to Chokh and have lunch in a cafe. Then you will be transferred to the Makhachkala airport. Looping along the picturesque serpentine, you will pass through the picturesque places of the republic: Gimry tunnel with the tower of the same name, Irganayskoe water reservoir and the Gunib Hydroelectric Power Station.

The approximate time of arrival at Makhachkala airport is 6 p.m.