If your suitcase is sadly covered with dust in the corner, then quickly take it out and go on an exciting journey! For your inspiration, we prepare weekly lists of the most beautiful places in our country. One of them is the sights of Dagestan. Only the most amazing places worth visiting, only unconventional routes: pack your bags - they are hungry for new adventures!
The Karachay-Cherkess Republic is a delightful Russian region. Here, different cultures, as well as climatic and landscape zones, are intricately intertwined. The central region of the Greater Caucasus offers many options for recreation. Do you want to see azure lakes and waterfalls, walk through the high mountain meadows of the legendary Dombay, explore ancient caves and ride over the abyss? Welcome to Karachay-Cherkessia!
Sofia Lakes
“Blue Eyes” by Arkhyz.
At an altitude of 2,800 meters above sea level, you will see one of the main attractions of Karachay-Cherkessia. The name of the system of three crystal clear lakes was given by Mount Sofia, located nearby. The hiking route to the reservoirs is not easy, but all efforts are compensated by breathtaking views of mountain meadows and the nearby village of the famous Arkhyz.
The ascent to the Sofia Lakes along steep mountain slopes will take 4-5 hours. It is difficult to swim in them: the water warms up slowly, the maximum temperature is +12 °C. But thousands of tourists come here not for the sake of swimming: the local nature and landscapes are worth the difficult journey.
- Where and when: a comfortable time to visit the Sofia Lakes is from July to September. All tourist routes start from the village of Arkhyz (15 km). The distance to Cherkessk is 115 km, to Mineralnye Vody – 215 km.
How to get to Karachaevsk
By bus.
From the Shchelkovsky bus station by bus "Moscow - Stavropol". Next, take the bus “Stavropol - Karachaevsk”. Travel time - 32.40 hours.
By plane.
From Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports on flights Moscow - Stavropol. Next, take the bus “Stavropol - Karachaevsk”. Travel time - 6.20 hours.
By long-distance train.
From Paveletsky station by train "Moscow - Stavropol". Next, take the bus “Stavropol - Karachaevsk”. Travel time - 37.30 hours.
By car.
Along the M-4 Don highway. Travel time - 33.40 hours.
Sofia waterfalls
Water arteries of Arkhyz.
The valleys of Mount Sofia presented many attractions of Karachay-Cherkessia. During the melting process, the Sofia Glacier formed a system of 9 cascading waterfalls, which, in turn, feed the Sofia River.
Sofia waterfalls are a grandiose spectacle: streams of water rush down from the mountain slopes to a height of 70 to 90 meters. Nearby you will find many camping areas and a ski resort. The route to the waterfalls is simple and does not require special preparation.
- Where and when: Sofia Falls are more often visited in the summer; in winter the flows are not so impressive. Hiking trails start from Arkhyz (15 km); you can drive up to the waterfalls themselves by SUV. Distance to Cherkessk – 115 km, to Mineralnye Vody – 215 km;
- Tip: Sofia waterfalls and lakes are located very close, so it is customary to visit them at the same time. Don't forget to take your passport with you, as Mount Sofia is located in the border area.
Excerpt characterizing Karachaevsk
- Which officers? Who did they bring? “I don’t understand anything,” said the Countess. Natasha laughed, the Countess also smiled faintly. – I knew that you would allow... so I’ll say so. - And Natasha, kissing her mother, got up and went to the door. In the hall she met her father, who had returned home with bad news. - We've finished it! – the count said with involuntary annoyance. – And the club is closed, and the police come out. - Dad, is it okay that I invited the wounded into the house? – Natasha told him. “Of course, nothing,” the count said absently. “That’s not the point, but now I ask you not to worry about trifles, but to help pack and go, go, go tomorrow...” And the count conveyed the same order to the butler and the people. During dinner, Petya returned and told him his news. He said that today the people were dismantling weapons in the Kremlin, that although Rostopchin’s poster said that he would shout the cry in two days, but that an order had probably been made that tomorrow all the people would go to the Three Mountains with weapons, and what was there there will be a big battle. The countess looked with timid horror at the cheerful, heated face of her son while he said this. She knew that if she said the word that she was asking Petya not to go to this battle (she knew that he was rejoicing at this upcoming battle), then he would say something about men, about honor, about the fatherland - something like that senseless, masculine, stubborn, which cannot be objected to, and the matter will be ruined, and therefore, hoping to arrange it so that she could leave before that and take Petya with her as a protector and patron, she did not say anything to Petya, and after dinner she called the count and with tears she begged him to take her away as soon as possible, that same night, if possible. With a feminine, involuntary cunning of love, she, who had hitherto shown complete fearlessness, said that she would die of fear if they did not leave that night. She, without pretending, was now afraid of everything. M me Schoss, who went to see her daughter, further increased the Countess’s fear with stories of what she saw on Myasnitskaya Street in the drinking establishment. Returning along the street, she could not get home from the drunken crowd of people raging near the office. She took a cab and drove around the lane home; and the driver told her that people were breaking barrels in the drinking establishment, which was so ordered. After dinner, everyone in the Rostov family set about packing their things and preparing for departure with enthusiastic haste. The old count, suddenly getting down to business, continued walking from the yard to the house and back after dinner, stupidly shouting at the hurrying people and hurrying them even more. Petya gave orders in the yard. Sonya did not know what to do under the influence of the count’s contradictory orders, and was completely at a loss. People ran around the rooms and courtyard, shouting, arguing and making noise. Natasha, with her characteristic passion in everything, suddenly also got down to business. At first, her intervention in the bedtime business was met with disbelief. Everyone expected a joke from her and did not want to listen to her; but she persistently and passionately demanded obedience, became angry, almost cried that they did not listen to her, and finally achieved that they believed in her. Her first feat, which cost her enormous effort and gave her power, was laying carpets. The count had expensive gobelins and Persian carpets in his house. When Natasha got down to business, there were two open drawers in the hall: one almost filled to the top with porcelain, the other with carpets. There was still a lot of porcelain laid out on the tables and everything was still being brought from the pantry. It was necessary to start a new, third box, and people followed it. “Sonya, wait, we’ll arrange everything like this,” Natasha said. “You can’t, young lady, we already tried,” said the barmaid. - No, wait, please. – And Natasha began to take out dishes and plates wrapped in paper from the drawer. “The dishes should be here, in the carpets,” she said. “And God forbid that the carpets be spread out into three boxes,” said the barman. - Yes, wait, please. – And Natasha quickly, deftly began to take it apart. “It’s not necessary,” she said about Kyiv plates, “yes, it’s for carpets,” she said about Saxon dishes. - Leave it alone, Natasha; “Okay, that’s enough, we’ll put him to bed,” Sonya said reproachfully. - Eh, young lady! - said the butler. But Natasha didn’t give up, threw out all the things and quickly started packing again, deciding that there was no need to take the bad home carpets and extra dishes at all. When everything was taken out, they began to put it away again. And indeed, having thrown out almost everything cheap, what was not worth taking with us, everything valuable was put into two boxes. Only the lid of the carpet box did not close. It was possible to take out a few things, but Natasha wanted to insist on her own. She stacked, rearranged, pressed, forced the barman and Petya, whom she carried along with her into the work of packing, to press the lid and made desperate efforts herself. “Come on, Natasha,” Sonya told her. “I see you’re right, but take out the top one.” “I don’t want to,” Natasha shouted, holding her loose hair over her sweaty face with one hand and pressing the carpets with the other. - Yes, press, Petka, press! Vasilich, press! - she shouted. The carpets pressed and the lid closed. Natasha, clapping her hands, squealed with joy, and tears flowed from her eyes. But it only lasted for a second. She immediately set to work on another matter, and they completely believed her, and the count was not angry when they told him that Natalya Ilyinishna had canceled his order, and the servants came to Natasha to ask: should the cart be tied up or not and is it sufficiently imposed? The matter progressed thanks to Natasha’s orders: unnecessary things were left behind and the most expensive ones were packed in the closest possible way. But no matter how hard all the people worked, by late night not everything could be packed. The Countess fell asleep, and the Count, postponing his departure until the morning, went to bed. Sonya and Natasha slept without undressing in the sofa room. That night, another wounded man was transported through Povarskaya, and Mavra Kuzminishna, who was standing at the gate, turned him towards the Rostovs. This wounded man, according to Mavra Kuzminishna, was a very significant person. He was carried in a carriage, completely covered with an apron and with the top down. An old man, a venerable valet, sat on the box with the cab driver. A doctor and two soldiers were riding in the cart behind. - Come to us, please. The gentlemen are leaving, the whole house is empty,” said the old woman, turning to the old servant. “Well,” answered the valet, sighing, “and we can’t get you there with tea!” We have our own house in Moscow, but it’s far away, and no one lives. “You are welcome to us, our gentlemen have a lot of everything, please,” said Mavra Kuzminishna. - Are you very unwell? – she added. The valet waved his hand. - Don’t bring tea! You need to ask the doctor. - And the valet got off the box and approached the cart. “Okay,” said the doctor. The valet went up to the carriage again, looked into it, shook his head, ordered the coachman to turn into the yard and stopped next to Mavra Kuzminishna. - Lord Jesus Christ! - she said. Mavra Kuzminishna offered to carry the wounded man into the house. “The gentlemen won’t say anything...” she said. But it was necessary to avoid climbing the stairs, and therefore the wounded man was carried into the outbuilding and laid in the former room of m me Schoss. The wounded man was Prince Andrei Bolkonsky. The last day of Moscow has arrived. It was clear, cheerful autumn weather. It was Sunday. As on ordinary Sundays, mass was announced in all churches. No one, it seemed, could yet understand what awaited Moscow. Only two indicators of the state of society expressed the situation in which Moscow was: the mob, that is, the class of poor people, and the prices of objects. Factory workers, courtyard workers and peasants in a huge crowd, which included officials, seminarians, and nobles, went out to the Three Mountains early in the morning. Having stood there and not waiting for Rostopchin and making sure that Moscow would be surrendered, this crowd scattered throughout Moscow, into drinking houses and taverns. Prices that day also indicated the state of affairs. The prices for weapons, for gold, for carts and horses kept rising, and the prices for pieces of paper and for city things kept going down, so that in the middle of the day there were cases when the cabbies took out expensive goods, like cloth, for nothing, and for a peasant's horse paid five hundred rubles; furniture, mirrors, bronzes were given away for free. In the sedate and old Rostov house, the disintegration of previous living conditions was expressed very weakly. The only thing about people was that three people from a huge courtyard disappeared that night; but nothing was stolen; and in relation to the prices of things, it turned out that the thirty carts that came from the villages were enormous wealth, which many envied and for which the Rostovs were offered huge amounts of money. Not only were they offering huge sums of money for these carts, but from the evening and early morning of September 1st, orderlies and servants sent from the wounded officers came to the Rostovs’ yard, and the wounded themselves, who were placed with the Rostovs and in neighboring houses, were dragged along, and begged the Rostovs’ people to take care of that they be given carts to leave Moscow. The butler, to whom such requests were addressed, although he felt sorry for the wounded, resolutely refused, saying that he would not even dare to report this to the count. No matter how pitiful the remaining wounded were, it was obvious that if they gave up one cart, there was no reason not to give up the other, and give up everything and their crews. Thirty carts could not save all the wounded, and in the general disaster it was impossible not to think about yourself and your family. This is what the butler thought for his master.
Scientific Observatory of the SAO RAS
Meeting with the stars.
Karachay-Cherkessia is famous not only for its natural beauty - here you will see a world-famous observatory with the largest Large Azimuth Telescope (LAT) in Eurasia. The institution has open status, so not only scientists, but also ordinary tourists can get here - the observatory hosts excursions and space observation sessions for everyone.
- Where and when: the scientific observatory of the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences conducts excursions on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9.00 to 15.00. Night telescope sessions must be booked in advance for a tourist group of up to 10 people. The institution is located 15 km from the village of Nizhny Arkhyz. Distance to Cherkessk – 90 km, to Mineralnye Vody – 190 km;
- Tip: Find information about the cost and conditions of visiting the observatory here.
Honorary citizens of the city
- Magometov Saltan Kekkezovich (1920-1989) - Soviet military leader, colonel general
- Ruslan Saryev - three-time world champion in arm wrestling, Honored Master of Sports of the Russian Federation
- Chivadze Alexander - Captain of the USSR national team, Soviet Georgian football player, Honored Master of Sports of the USSR
- Kurdzhiev Sagit is a master of sports of the USSR in freestyle and national wrestling. Honored coach of Russia.
- Berdiev Shamil - international master of sports in freestyle wrestling
Rock face of Christ
Mysterious Christian miracle.
20 years ago, near Arkhyz, in a grotto on a high rock, an unusual rock painting with the face of Jesus Christ was discovered. Since then, the image measuring 80x140 cm has haunted scientists. Its origins are still shrouded in mystery.
The only significant assumption today is that in the 9th-10th centuries, during a trip to these primordially Muslim places, the face of Christ was painted on a rock by a Byzantine artist. This seems to be true, because the Great Silk Road lay nearby, on which there were more than enough travelers. There is a staircase leading to the amazing icon, which attracts thousands of believers from all over the world, with places to stop along the way.
- Where and when: you can look at the face of Christ at any time of the year. The path to the icon begins from the Church of the Savior Image Not Made by Hands, 25 km from Arkhyz. Distance to Cherkessk – 90 km, to Mineralnye Vody – 190 km;
- Tip: you can combine a visit to scientific and religious attractions in 1-2 days. The Face of Christ is located 17 km from the Scientific Observatory of the SAO RAS.
Lake of Love
Azure heart of the highlands.
The village of Arkhyz has become widely known for a reason - nearby you will find dozens of the most beautiful places in Karachay-Cherkessia. For example, Lake of Love, which is famous for its ideal heart-shaped shape - and this, of course, gave rise to many legends and myths among local residents. The reservoir is located at an altitude of 2,350 meters, and the route to it is not the easiest, but the views of the heart-lake against the backdrop of alpine meadows are worth the effort.
- Where and when: tourists come to Lake of Love in spring and summer, when the meadows bloom. It is located in the Teberdinsky Nature Reserve, entrance is paid (100 rubles) and limited in time (from 8.00 to 18.00). The nearest settlement is the village of Arkhyz (7.5 km). The distance to Cherkessk is 110 km, to Mineralnye Vody – 210 km.
Attractions
- Administration building of the Karachay urban district
- Memorial complex to victims of deportation
- Cinema building named after. Khalilova
- KCSU named after. U. D. Alieva
- Alley of Heroes of the Soviet Union and Heroes of Russia
- Alley of noble people of Karachay
- Obelisk to those killed during the Great Patriotic War
- Obelisk to the Red Army soldiers
- Memorial to the victims of deportation
- Medieval settlement
On the slopes of Mount Dardon, slightly below the Dardon burial ground, there is a medieval settlement that stretches along the left bank of Teberda for 1-1.5 km. Along the bank of Teberda, as well as above, on the slope of Mount Dardon, archaeologists discovered the remains of buildings: stone masonry, ancient foundations, “fences”, fences, fireplaces with ash and soot, various household items, fragments of pottery, animal bones, broken and cut stone.
Baduk Lakes
Pearls of Dombay.
About 150-200 years ago, in the valley of the Baduk River between two mountain ranges of Dombay, a rock collapse occurred - this is how a system of three picturesque lakes was formed, which are included in the list of the most beautiful places in Karachay-Cherkessia.
The color of the water here changes depending on the weather and time of day - from azure blue to deep purple. The temperature in the lakes rarely rises above +10℃, although this does not stop lovers of lake bathing. The road to the Baduk Lakes will take 4-5 hours.
- Where and when: Baduk lakes are located in the protected area of the Teberda Nature Reserve. The nearest settlement is the village of Teberda (6 km). The pedestrian route starts from the suspension bridge over the river of the same name, and there is a parking lot right there. Entrance to the territory of the reserve is until 13.00, ticket – 300 rubles. The route itself is open from 8.00 to 18.00, so plan your time wisely. The distance to Cherkessk is 100 km, to Mineralnye Vody – 180 km.
Alibek Waterfall
The life-giving spring of Dombay.
The most famous waterfall in Karachay-Cherkessia is located in the Dombai meadow. Alibek does not have the greatest fall height (25 meters), but remains a popular destination among active tourists due to the beauty and power of the water flow. The trail to the waterfall begins at the Alibek alpine camp (this is the extreme point that can be reached by car), the further walking route is equipped with places to rest.
- Where and when: Alibek waterfall is visited in mid-summer or mid-autumn. It is located on the territory of the Teberdinsky Nature Reserve, so at the checkpoint at the beginning of the eco-route you need to pay a fee (100 rubles). The nearest settlement is the village of Dombay (5 km from the Alibek alpine camp). Distance to Cherkessk – 120 km, to Mineralnye Vody – 200 km;
- Tip: since the Baduk Lakes, Lake of Love and Alibek Waterfall are located in the same reserve, the three attractions can be visited in 1-2 days with an overnight stay in a mountain camp. Again, don't forget to take your passport with you.
Archaeological finds
During numerous archaeological expeditions to the mountains of Karachay, bronze spearheads of the Kuban type were found on the territory of Karachaevsk. In the vicinity of Karachaevsk, a terracotta gilded round plaque with a relief image of the Gorgon Medusa of the Sarmatian period was discovered. In the vicinity of Karachaevsk, a multifaceted late medieval crypt was discovered, which, unfortunately, has not reached us.
In 1975, on the right bank of the Kuban, at its confluence with Teberda, the foundation of a small single-apse temple was discovered.
On the southwestern outskirts of the city, a one and a half meter stone cross was found, shaped like a Maltese one. Tentatively, the cross dates back to no later than the 10th century. n. e. Carved from a single monolith, such crosses were inserted into stone glasses. Five such crosses have been found in the CIS, two of them are in Karachay.
On the southern outskirts of Karachaevsk, not far from Kamennomostsky, a bronze encolpion cross was found.
Lake Tumanly-Kol
Trout reserve.
We continue to explore the most beautiful places in Dombay. Next up is a 2,000-year-old lake whose name translates as “foggy place.” And it is justified, because at an altitude of 1,850 meters above sea level, fogs are not uncommon.
The simplest tourist route in Dombay has been laid to the picturesque Lake Tumanly-Kel - it can be completely covered by car without any difficulty. Tourists come here to look at the trout (the second name of the lake is Trout) and feed the fish - they won’t be able to feast on it themselves: fishing is prohibited in the protected area. Daredevils can take a swim - like any glacial lake, Tumanly-Kol does not warm up well.
- Where and when: Tumanly-Kol is located in the same Teberda Nature Reserve, in the Gonachkhir Gorge. People often come to the lake in the summer; entry through the checkpoint is possible from 8.00 to 18.00, the cost of the environmental fee is 200 rubles per person and the same for a car. The nearest settlement is the village of Dombay (18 km). The distance to Cherkessk is 130 km, to Mineralnye Vody – 200 km.
Dombay cable cars
The path to the mountain peaks.
The mountainous terrain of Dombay, of course, cannot do without cable cars and ski lifts. There is a whole complex here, which is needed not only for ski lovers, but also for those who want to climb as high as possible and view the mountains from a height (maximum 3,168 meters).
In Dombay you will find almost a metro map - there are old and new cable car systems operating here at the same time, there are 9 of them in total. Tourists without skis more often use the picturesque road, built in Soviet times - line No. 5.
This road runs along the Mussa-Achitara mountain slope, from the top of which in clear weather there are beautiful views of Elbrus and the Gonachkhir Gorge. Be sure to use this type of transport - it has long become a tourist option in the mountains.
- Where and when: Dombay cable cars operate all year round, except on days when there is strong wind. All lifts are paid, prices vary greatly - from 100 to 1,300 rubles. The starting points of the roads are in the village of Dombay. Distance to Cherkessk – 120 km, to Mineralnye Vody – 200 km;
- Tip: More detailed information about the cable cars and lifts of Dombay, as well as current information on tickets and opening hours, can be found here.
