Legendary Caucasus self-drive vacations

To prepare for you the most beautiful routes, the most exciting encounters and unique attractions, we have driven over 15 000km, explored practically every corner of Dagestan and established countless contacts with local hosts.

We are happy to share our vast local knowledge and prepare your individual itinerary for you to get the most out of your time spent in Dagestan.

Border Crossing from Georgia, Purchasing a Local SIM Card, Currency Exchange at the Bank, and Journey to Dagestan

Day 1: Visit a huge, faithfully reconstructed Caucasian village. Drive through beautiful mountain roads and pass remote villages.

Day 2: Explore a traditional Urbetch mill, where nuts and seeds are being roasted over an open fire for centuries and then milled between water-powered stones according to old family recipes.

Day 3: In the mountains, you’ll find a place where salty water springs from the rocks. Some villagers still cook salt over wood fires here, as it was done in ancient times to gain salt for food preservation. For visitors with sturdy 4×4 vehicles, we have a special highlight: a unique campsite right on a nearly 1000m steep cliff edge with a unique panorama of the surrounding valleys.

Day 4: Visit some of our friends in their mountain village. Enjoy traditional tea with mountain herbs as they demonstrate the craftsmanship and skills passed down from their ancestors. You can even try yourself placing ornaments on wooden vases and bowls.

Day 5: Today, you’ll witness some beautiful natural spectacles, including one of the most impressive waterfalls in the North Caucasus. For 4×4 enthusiasts, there’s a beautiful overnight spot nearby, high above the clouds.

Day 6: Explore abandoned ghost villages deep in the mountains.

Day 7: The legendary cave waterfall is best visited around noon, when sunlight mixes with water droplets, creating a particularly beautiful atmosphere. Visit a friend of ours who operates a hands-on museum. He has faithfully restored and furnished an old house, showing you how people lived in the Caucasus 150 years ago.

Day 8: Explore a place famous for its pottery. Before metal and plastic became widespread, a large part of the kitchenware in Dagestan, and even the water piping systems, were made from clay. The pottery is still traditionally finished in small ovens heated with dried dung. You’re welcome to visit a friend of ours, a renowned master potter, and try your hand at the small traditional potter’s wheels.

Day 9: A friend who is an English teacher and silversmith will show you the craft for which his hometown is famous. You’re invited to stay for dinner with his family and enjoy local cuisine and hospitality.

Day 10: Today, you’ll visit a 1000-year-old mosque, one of the first built in Dagestan. The mountain village where it stands has long been abandoned, but the massive pillars and the carefully covered roof with large stone slabs will likely endure for many more centuries. Next, head to the Caspian Sea, where the famous Ekranoplan awaits your visit. There are some unique highlights here, including a hot spring that can be ignited due to the abundance of natural gas bubbling to the surface with the water.

Day 11: Derbent is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The ancient Persian Empire left its mark here, and many world religions have passed through. A friend of ours will guide you through her hometown, providing first-hand insights into the details and history of Derbent.

Day 12: Beautiful beach sections await you. Experienced 4×4 drivers can deflate their tires a bit and explore the dunes. Stand right by the Caspian Sea, enjoying the nature and wildlife around you.

Day 13: Climb the famous Balkhar dune and then head to the majestic Sulak Canyon. We have some hidden gems tailored to your vehicle here, where you can explore and enjoy the canyon, circling eagles, and the beautiful panorama all to yourselves.

Day 14: Today, you’ll visit the second, slightly more touristy part of the canyon. Here, you can cross the gorge on a suspension bridge and walk right between the rock walls.

Then your journey continues towards Kazakhstan.

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Total distance in Dagestan: approximately 1100 km

Costs: around 400-450 euros (everything described above, meetings, workshops, tours, meals, etc., are already included).

Questions? Get in touch with us.

• Individual travel itinerary tailored to your preferences, your vehicle, and the season
• Our custom-made self-drive handbook and map
• Personal meeting at the beginning of the journey to discuss the final details of your route (also possible via video conference)
• Timely application for required border permits or national park permits for certain locations
• 24/7 assistance during the journey via phone
• All workshops and meetings with local hosts, dinner invitations, guided tours, etc., already include.

This journey is planned individually for you, expect around 30-40 euros per day.

Interested? Get in touch!