The best outing excursions from Essentuki: choosing the best routes
Essentuki attracts tourists with its relaxed lifestyle, picturesque parks and, of course, healing mineral springs. If you decide to combine relaxation and wellness, this is definitely the place for you!
After exploring the city itself, it makes sense to think about outbound routes. With them, your vacation will be brighter and more interesting, and the beauty of the Caucasus will be fully revealed. We bring to your attention an overview of the best outdoor excursions from Essentuki in 2021.
Welcome to Essentuki! Or rather, on field trips from Essentuki...
From Essentuki to Elbrus
Our review opens with the most popular route - to Elbus.
Excursion to the Elbrus region
The group bus and walking “Excursion to the Elbrus region” costs 1,800 rubles per person and lasts 12 hours. Schedule: Friday to Sunday, starts at 06:00. The tour is long, but quite easy and will appeal even to travelers who are not used to physical activity.
The highest point in Europe is Elbrus.
Together with a charming guide, you will discover the beauty and power of the highest mountain in Europe - Elbrus. The program includes a visit to a colorful market in the mountains, a climb to observation platforms, and tasting water from Narzan springs. You will remember a walk through the snow-covered alpine meadows for a long time!
Travel to Elbrus - the highest peak in Russia
There is an alternative option to the previous group tour - an individual excursion from Essentuki “Journey to Elbrus - the highest peak in Russia.” Its cost is 12,950 rubles for a family or group of up to 5 people, duration is 14 hours.
We transfer to the cable car to see the incredible beauty of the Caucasus Mountains.
The guide on this day will work only for you, and this program itself focuses on the flora and legends of the mountains. You will analyze the unique plants that cover mountain passes, listen to ancient interesting legends and fairy tales.
Lyubov from Moscow writes in a review:
“I thank the guide Irina for a wonderful field trip! We set off on our journey in a comfortable car. All the way, this sweet girl had a casual conversation, talking with inspiration about Elbrus. The mountain itself is definitely stunning. I have never seen such grandiose natural beauty anywhere else.”
Where to stay
Essentuki (attractions, photos with descriptions of which are very diverse) has numerous hotels for city guests.
Worthy suggestions are:
- Hotel Rodina, located near the railway and has 4 stars. Here tourists are provided with spa treatments, excellent service and delicious food. You can stay in rooms with bathtubs, hairdryers and bathrobes, toiletries, tea sets and a TV.
- Five-star hotel Pontos Plaza. This charming hotel offers impeccable service and sophisticated ambience and features excellent swimming pools. The hotel is located near the Semashko mud baths.
- Hotel Verona in the city center has modern rooms with well-appointed living areas. Guests are attracted by both prices and quality of services. The service also includes parking, laundry, and there are many rooms with balconies.
To Dombay
Dombay is another popular destination from Essentuki.
Dombay and thermal waters of the Pearl of the Caucasus
For 1,800 rubles, hurry up and buy a ticket for one of the best group excursions in the vicinity of Essentuki, “Dombay and the thermal waters of the Pearls of the Caucasus.” Plan it for Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday. Departure is at 08:20.
The pristine nature of Dombay.
During this walk, you will see the following attractions: Silver Stream, the city of Teberda and the resort village of Dombay. You will also be able to climb the mountain peak by cable car, taste authentic Caucasian dishes, and take colorful photos in the Dombai meadow.
Dombay - the amazing nature of Karachay-Cherkessia
The individual route “Dombay - the amazing nature of Karachay-Cherkessia” lasts 12 hours, the price for 2022 is 15,000 rubles for a compact group of up to 5 people.
Ullu-Muruju River.
Before your eyes will appear the mountain villages of Upper and Lower Mary, a unique monument from the Middle Ages, the Sentinsky Temple, the Gum-Bashi pass and many more beautiful natural attractions.
Winter tourism
During the frosty season, there are slightly fewer vacationers in Essentuki than in summer. People who are tired of the city like to take advantage of this circumstance. In warm weather, you can stroll along the streets and admire the winter landscapes.
And mud baths and museums are available even at this time of year. In winter in Essentuki it is also good and healthy to visit hot springs, nightclubs and cafes.
To the Chegem waterfalls
Where to go from Essentuki for lovers of beautiful views and Instagram photos? Welcome to the Chegem waterfalls - a place that fascinates with its strength and beauty. Choose a route to suit your taste!
Chegem waterfalls and the nature of Kabardino-Balkaria
On Thursdays and Sundays, an educational group excursion “Chegem waterfalls and the nature of Kabardino-Balkaria” is held (1800 rubles per person).
There is a fabulous and wonderful place in Kabardino-Balkaria, hidden among the mountains.
In 12 hours you will explore places that give peace and inspiration: the Cherek Gorge, the abandoned village of Upper Balkaria, the blue lake Cherek-Kel. Interesting facts from an experienced guide will complement your positive emotions.
Chegem waterfalls and Upper Balkaria
If you prefer to travel in your own small group, book an individual tour “Chegem Falls and Upper Balkaria”. Its duration is 13 hours. Cost - 12,950 rubles for a company of up to 5 people.
A souvenir photo during a walk to the waterfalls along the Chegem Gorge.
A walk between steep cliffs and a stormy river has been prepared for you. Along the way you will meet amazing masterpieces of nature: Chegem waterfalls, Cherek Gorge, Aushiger thermal spring.
Marat Volkov and a company from the Tver region say in their review:
“Overall, the program turned out well. They arrived for us on time, the transport was new, roomy, the guide was friendly. The weather was a bit disappointing - it was raining in places. It would be more comfortable to explore the local beauty at these moments when the sun is shining, but what can we do, the weather is not under our control. We have no complaints about the excursion, thank you!”
What will the weather be like?
The weather forecast shows that August in 2022 will be the hottest month in Essentuki. The air temperature during the day is from +28 to +35°C, rains are rare, they are typical for the beginning of August. The city has many parks and green spaces, therefore, as both locals and tourists note, the heat in the city is not felt.
The nights are cold, especially at the end of August - the average temperature is +16°C. It's cool both in the morning and in the evening. Temperatures in the mountains are several degrees lower, and short-term rains are possible there. If you are planning an active excursion program and frequent walks around the city, take with you the following clothes:
- dresses, T-shirts, shorts - for walking during the day;
- hat, sunscreen, sunglasses;
- trousers, a thick sweater and a windbreaker for the morning and evening;
- a pair of comfortable shoes that can withstand hiking in the mountains.
Review of the trip from Anna, a teacher from Tambov:
“I thought that there was nowhere to swim in Essentuki - there was no sea, so I didn’t take a swimsuit. But in vain. I had to buy it. Firstly, my sanatorium had a good swimming pool. Some hotels also have swimming pools; entry there is not for guests - there is a fee. I also went to the beach near Lake Bolshoye, this is the White Coal station, not far from the center. There is nice sand, the lake is clean, there are sun loungers for rent. Nearby there are boat rentals and an excellent cafe with delicious food.”
Weather forecast in Essentuki for August 2022.
Ring Mountain and Honey Falls
One of the most interesting destinations in the CMS is Mount Ring and Honey Falls. It is very popular among tourists. Why, you ask? The tour takes little time, the road is not difficult, and there are many attractions and they are all located near Essentuki. What kind of excursion walks should you book to see them?
Honey Falls and Ring Mountain
Every day, except Wednesday and Friday, a good group route for the whole family “Honey Falls and Mount Ring” is organized (900 rubles, 4 hours).
On the way you will meet the Big Honey Falls, as well as the Maiden's Braids, the Devil's Mill, the most powerful - the Pearl, and the Small Honey Falls.
The program includes a visit to the ethnographic museum “Karachay Compound” and a real Caucasian market hidden among the mountains, tasting traditional Caucasian dishes. The highlight of the tour is an inspection of the 18-metre-high Honey Falls.
Feedback from Galina and her 13-year-old twin children Svetlana and Stas:
“Just a wonderful excursion: short, fascinating, educational for your horizons. Thank you very much to the guide for your attention and the right approach to children! My tomboys were constantly entertained, asked questions and puzzles. They were very impressed by the waterfall and had a real photo shoot there. Personally, I liked the market: I ate my fill of churchkhella and bought a couple of jars of delicious jam made from mountain flowers for pennies. Class!"
Honey Falls and Mount Ring: the great mystery of the winds
You may be interested in an individual tour by car “Honey Falls and Mount Ring: the great mystery of the winds” (8,500 rubles for a company of up to 5 people, 4 hours in time).
The famous Mount Ring.
The route consists of a visit to the mysterious Mount Ring, Honey Falls, Karachaevsky Compound, Tea House with tasting of aromatic drink and Caucasian sweets. Children will enjoy the walk, because along the way you will meet goats, rabbits, and sheep, which you can feed and photograph.
Where to eat
In the restaurant Shashlychny Dvorik with an attractive interior you can discover quite large portions. Meat lovers will definitely like it here. As a side dish, diners will be offered a huge amount of greens and salad. The prices are average, but not for the budget tourist.
In the cozy Express cafe, prices are more reasonable. The cuisine here is not as extensively meat-based as in the previous restaurant, but not the worst either. Everything is quite good and tasty. It is very pleasant to return to such a cafe again.
Fans of satsivi, Adjarian khachapuri and dolma will certainly enjoy the Georgian restaurant Gamarjoba. Regular visitors claim that lula kebab and shish kebab are very good here. You can take the dishes with you by asking the waiter to pack them. In the evenings the restaurant is always quite crowded.
Golden Ring of the Caucasus: 5 cities in 1 day
The individual 8-hour tour “Golden Ring of the Caucasus: 5 cities in 1 day” will appeal to even experienced travelers. Cost: 8,500 rubles for a group of up to 5 people.
During this excursion, you will visit the five main resorts of the CMS in just one day.
You will see the largest sculpture of Jesus Christ in Russia, the grotto of Diana, the Narzan Gallery - in total more than 12 attractions in 5 different resorts of the Caucasian Mineral Waters (Pyatigorsk, Zheleznovodsk, Minvody, Kislovodsk and Essentuki themselves)!
What to see in Essentuki
Typically, tourists come to Essentuki to improve their health: drink local mineral water, undergo treatments with healing mud, take healing baths - and all this is surrounded by magnificent ancient architecture and the fertile nature of the Caucasus. Wooded slopes, snow-capped peaks, blue lakes - Essentuki is much quieter and calmer than other popular cities of the Kavminvod, for example, Kislovodsk and Pyatigorsk, in these places you can relax both body and soul.
The main city attractions are located in the Resort Park, the history of which began in 1847, when Count Vorontsov decided to green the Essentuki resort. His idea quickly came to fruition, and already in 1849, seedlings of trees and shrubs from the Tiflis Botanical Garden and Warsaw nurseries began to be imported to Essentuki.
And last spring, a large-scale restoration was completed here: specialists recreated the walking alleys according to the original historical plan of Prince Vorontsov. The huge park, where noble trees of rare species grow, is decorated with thousands of flowers. Even in autumn and winter, when the fountains “sleep” and the summer riot of colors gives way to a brooding naked landscape, there are many picturesque corners for walks and photo sessions: grottoes, cascades, romantic gazebos, buildings of the Lower and Upper Baths and much more.
The architecture of the city is especially worth noting. Essentuki is a real paradise for fans of antiquity and modernity: quiet streets and shady alleys are full of treasures hidden from view by tall trees. For example, the Essentuki railway station is one of the oldest in the country. If you walk from the station to Teatralnaya Square or along Andzhievsky Street and the adjacent streets, you can see many unique houses of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The famous building of the mud baths named after N. A. Semashko resembles an ancient temple in its beauty and grandeur. A bathtub made of Italian marble has been preserved here since Tsarist times; it can be used for treatments with healing mud and mineral water. Essentuki is also home to Europe’s largest drinking gallery, “Pyatysyachnik”.
However, local attractions and entertainment are not limited to sanatoriums, drinking galleries and medical procedures. For example, the F.I. Chaliapin Concert Hall is famous for its unique organ.
Trout farm, ostrich farm, Ring Mountain
Travelers with children will be interested in a busy outing, which takes place on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. It is called “Trout farm, ostrich farm, Mount Ring” (700 rubles, 4 hours). You can go to a trout hatchery, explore the unique natural monument Mount Ring, and visit an ostrich breeding farm.
Trout farming.
During your walk, you will try original trout dishes, feed the birds, and take beautiful photos against the backdrop of the majestic mountain. It will be a rich program!
Monuments
Essentuki (sights, photos with descriptions of which also depict them and sculptures) have several thematic monuments:
- Bird of Happiness, symbolizing peace on the planet;
- Victoria - victory stele;
- Rose of Love, located in the arboretum;
- the stela-monument Eternal Flame reminds of fallen soldiers;
- Cossacks monument dedicated to the city founders.
Jeep trip to Bermamyt
Extreme sports enthusiasts, you are welcome to the “Jeep trip to Bermamyt”! This is an individual 7-hour tour costing 8,000 rubles for a company of up to 8 people. You will be invited to appreciate the beauty of the majestic Elbrus, the Monakhi rocks and the main Caucasian ridge.
Secret places await you on Bermamyt, which can only be reached by jeep.
The trip to the mountains is made in a jeep, which will take you to hard-to-reach but extremely picturesque places.
City of the Dead and gorges of North Ossetia
We recommend booking an individual program by car “The City of the Dead and the Gorges of North Ossetia” for lovers of history and mysticism. Plan it for any day except Sunday. For 25,000 rubles (for a small group of up to 5 people) and 15 hours, you will reveal dozens of ancient legends and secrets.
The legendary "City of the Dead".
Together with your guide, you will explore the sites of the North Caucasus region, which carefully preserve the culture of ancient peoples. Among them, the Kuratinskoe and Karmadonskoe gorge, the city of the dead Dargavs, especially stands out. It will be a little scary, but incredibly interesting!
Grozny and Argun
On Sundays there is a 17-hour group excursion for experienced travelers “Grozny and Argun”. Cost - 2700 rubles per person. An exciting journey from Essentuki to Chechnya has been prepared for you.
In one day, visit two cities of the Chechen Republic - Grozny and Argun.
In Grozny, the Phoenix City, you will climb the Grozny City Tower, visit the largest mosque in Europe, walk through the park of roses and sakura, where you will see a rehearsal of local artists. Their dances and songs will definitely attract your attention!
The next point on the program is the cozy city of Argun and its original high-tech mosque. When darkness falls, 50 thousand LED lamps turn on, and the structure will shimmer with all the colors of the rainbow. Amazing sight!
Valentina, Olga and Maria, friends from Kirovsk, write in a review:
“Girls, we warn you right away: wear modest clothes, remember that you are going to a region of strict rules and traditions. It is also worth noting that this excursion takes a lot of time; the road from Essentuki to Chechnya and back is not close. But all this pales in comparison with the beauty of Grozny and Argun. These cities are modern, with tall skyscrapers, mosques and amazing culture. It was very interesting! The guide was wonderful, well-read, and didn’t let you get bored on the road. Thanks for the trip!”
Museums
Essentuki (sights, photos with descriptions, on them you can see images of the city’s museums) is also rich in museums.
In Kurortny Square you can visit the local history museum. The exhibitions there introduce visitors to paintings by city artists, the events of the Second World War and the history of the resort.
If you wander into the Munchausen Museum on Novopyatigorskaya Street, 7/2, you can discover a lot of new things about that same baron. Exhibitions here will tell about the prototype of the famous literary character and his great-great-grandson.
Fans of fine art will enjoy the Fine Art Gallery-Museum, where artistic objects and paintings by famous masters are exhibited. It will be very educational not only for adults, but also for children.
In 2003, a museum was inaugurated at the White Coal hydroelectric power station with an exhibition of equipment and historical objects of that era.
Essentuki has many villas on its territory. This is exactly what Razumovsky’s dacha is. But they used to call this attraction the Castle. The photo with the description shows that the mansion is indeed very similar to such an ancient building.
