Digor gorge in the Irafsky region of North Ossetia - one of the most beautiful and wild gorges in the North Caucasus. It was dug by the Urukh River in the Rocky Range, parallel to the Main Range. The road here goes along a narrow cornice carved into the rocks above the stormy waters of Urukh.
Conditions for rest and recreation in the gorge - at different altitudes above sea level there are dry mountain steppes, humid forests, alpine meadows, forest-steppe zone, lakes, glaciers, streams, waterfalls. There are opportunities for hiking along ecological paths, you can go in for educational tourism, making excursions to different landscapes with their historical, cultural and architectural monuments, and practice water slalom.
Currently, you can relax here mainly during the warmer months. In winter, during the season of heavy snowfalls, the recreation sites are not functioning, but the landscapes at this time of the year are beautiful here in their own way, and it will be interesting to see these places also in the winter months.
WHERE TO STAY
There are the following accommodation options for tourists: the Dzinaga camp site, the Digoria-Rostselmash health alpinist base, the Taimazi alpinist base of the Taganrog Radio Engineering Institute, the Komi-Art alpine base, the Eagle's Nest recreation center.
Tourist base "Dzinaga" provides hikes and walks for vacationers National park "Alania", multi-day hikes in the Bartuy gorge, to the Paradise glade and the Taymazi glade, to the Karaugom glacier - one of the largest glaciers Caucasus mountains, to the village of Zadalesk - the place of the Alan revival, to the waterfalls, along the "Digorsky ring" with a visit to auls and historical and architectural monuments.
The tourist base is more focused on summer vacation children and adolescents, whose stay here is financed from budgetary funds and extra-budgetary sources. There is a possibility to host families, tourist groups and individual vacationers. On the territory of the base there are eight buildings designed for 450 children. The cost of one day with a three-time stay is 500 rubles.
The distance from Vladikavkaz to the Dzinaga tourist center to Vladikavkaz is 115 kilometers, travel by bus (GAZelle minibus) from Vladikavkaz from bus station No. 1, the fare is 75 rubles. Travel time is 2 hours 30 minutes. Departure daily at 15.55.
Vacationers on recreation center "Digoria-Rostselmash" have the opportunity to take walks to the waterfalls, popular trekking to the Paradise glade, the Karaugom glacier, excursions around the territory of the Alania national park, acquaintance with its flora and fauna, to the sanctuary of Zadaleski Nana.
On the territory of the recreation center there are summer houses and brick buildings. The total capacity is 250 people. The cost of accommodation together with three meals a day is from 300 rubles in a four-bed room and up to 600 rubles in a double room.
The distance from Vladikavkaz to the recreation center is 125 kilometers, travel by bus from Vladikavkaz from bus station No. 1, the fare is 75 rubles. The journey takes about three hours.
Tourist base "Komy-Art" (formerly "Digoria"). The total capacity is 150 people. Accommodation in two and four-bed rooms in wooden cottages and brick houses. The cost of living is 500 rubles per day per person.
Most sought after in summer time there are routes to the peaks of the eastern part of the Sugan ridge and hiking in the Gebe gorge. For more prepared climbers, ascents to the peaks of the central and western parts of the Sugan ridge are supposed.
For experienced climbers there are routes of a high category, which involve climbing the peaks of Mount Uruimagovaya, Aikhva, Zagadok, Agibalova, Akritov, which are located in the eastern part of the Sugan ridge.
The distance from Vladikavkaz to "Koma-Art" is 125 kilometers, the bus departs from bus station No. 1, the fare is 75 rubles, the route to the village with. Stur-Digora, and from there five kilometers to the base.
Recreation center of Taganrog State Radio Engineering University "Taymazi" located in scenic location Digorsky gorge on the Urukh river, at an altitude of 2100 m. Accommodation in houses for 4-6 rooms (in rooms for 2-5 people), the total capacity is 100 people.
For vacationers, two-three-day hikes are possible. tourist routes all categories of complexity. The proximity of the mountains of the Main Caucasian Range allows using the camp as a base for mountaineering ascents.
During walking tours you can get acquainted with historical monuments and ancient towers, it is possible to collect unique medicinal herbs, berries, mushrooms, hazelnuts.
The formation of groups and transportation to the place of rest is under the jurisdiction of the Taganrog State Radio Engineering University, and vouchers are purchased directly from the administration of the university.
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CLIMATE CONDITIONS
The climate of mountainous Digoria is very diverse. The most important climate-forming factor for this region is the relief. Mountain ranges and their spurs, many valleys, gorges and intermontane basins greatly complicate the general circulation of the atmosphere and create a wide range of microclimatic features.
Within this region, two territories are distinguished in terms of climate: the Zadalesskaya depression as a mid-mountain zone and a high-mountain zone.
Zadalesskaya depression , like all the basins of the North Jurassic depression, is distinguished by a peculiar dry climate. A rocky ridge protects it from the intrusions of cold arctic air. Therefore, winter temperatures are not high here. In Fasnal, the average January temperature is -2.4 degrees. This is the highest winter air temperature in North Ossetia. Rare drops in temperature here can reach -30 degrees. The average July temperature reaches 15.8 degrees. In summer, although there are some hot days, the nights are always cool. The annual air amplitude is usually small and is 18-19 degrees. The basin is characterized by low precipitation (400-500 mm) and optimal relative humidity (62%).
The protective effect of the relief affects not only a small amount of precipitation, but also a low wind speed. Local winds include mountain valley winds and hair dryers.
Alpine zone , located above 2000 m, has a harsh climate. During the long winter there is a significant accumulation of snow. A stable snow cover lasts 120-160 days. Winter is comparatively cold here. The average monthly temperature in February at an altitude of 3000 m is 11 degrees below zero. Spring comes in late April and early May. Summer is cool. At an altitude of 2500 m, the average temperature in August is just over 10 degrees.
Glaciation of the Vodorazdelny and Sugan ranges has a great influence on the local climate. The significant reflectivity of ice and the heat expended on melting glaciers create a noticeable temperature difference between the upper and lower parts of the valley. This generates downward glacial winds that merge with mountain winds at night.
ATTRACTIONS
The main attraction of the Digor gorge is lake Tsada (Tabarakhtytsad). This is a unique mountain natural reservoir, a relict lake - the only one located on an ancient landslide, at the southern foot of the Rocky Range in the Digor Gorge, in the valley of the Aygamugidon River, above the village of Verkhniy Faraskat (1500 m above sea level). In 2004, the first joint expedition of employees of the North Ossetian Reserve and the Ossetian National Park to the specified lake was undertaken.
According to experts, the lake is at an age stage called "old age", abundantly overgrown and gradually turns into a pond. The bottom and walls of the original basin are covered throughout by a more or less thick layer of silt, completely hiding its original shape. The original depression turned into a lakebed.
Above the lake rises a rock-outlier - Alhoyna ("spindle") of limestones that once slipped from the Rocky Range. Near it there are traces of landslides with separate boulders and talus. A karst spring gushes out from under the rocks, and the sound of water is constantly heard. To the west of the lake there is a small, non-drying stream.
The lake is oval, about 60 m long and 20-25 m wide. Along the periphery, the lake is already overgrown with reeds and other moisture-loving grasses. On the dam itself there are individual birch trees. Shrubby willows, birches and shrubby cinquefoil (Kuril tea) grow from woody plants around the lake. This overgrown part, apparently, is flooded with water only during periods of snow melting and heavy rains, that is, when the lake is overflowing with water.
In winter, the lake freezes over. Ice formation begins in late November-December. The shallowness of the lake, its relatively small size and small water exchange are not remarkable, but for this area, that is, the southern foot of the Rocky Range, this is the largest natural reservoir. The lake is a good object for natural science excursions.
There are other places in the South of Russia that are good for winter holiday... A wide selection of materials with practical information about the resorts and sights of the Caucasus is offered to the readers' attention on the page "Tourism" and in the corresponding thematic section of the "Handbook" on the site of the "Caucasian Knot". We also invite you to see and appreciate the natural beauty of the Caucasus, with its unique landscapes and landscapes, in our special photo album "
This article will talk about amazingly beautiful mountainous places, famous for its numerous historical monuments and magnificent natural landscapes.
This unique natural monument located in What is the Digor Gorge? The relief, sights and many interesting things will be discussed in this article.
North Ossetia: general information
Alania (North Ossetia), belonging to Russian Federation, located in the north of the Caucasus Mountains. The entire territory has an area of \u200b\u200bapproximately 8 thousand square meters. km, and it is inhabited by more than 670 thousand people. The overwhelming majority of Ossetians (about 53%) and Russians (30%) live here. There are also Ingush and Armenians in the Republic. The administrative center of the Republic is the city of Vladikavkaz.
Most big cities regions: Beslan, Mozdok and Alagir. Since 1991, North Ossetia has had the status of a Republic that is part of the Russian
Forests occupy a fifth of the territory, and they are predominantly broad-leaved (hornbeam, beech, linden, ash, alder, oak, maple).
Mountain range of the region
Let's briefly consider the mountain range of these places before we find out what it is like - the Digorskoye gorge.
North Ossetia in the west has a border with Kabardino-Balkaria, with the Stavropol Territory in the north, and in the east with the Chechen Republic and Ingushetia. Its southern territory borders on Georgia.
The entire republic is located in the foothills of the Greater Caucasus and on its northern slope. The northern territories are located on the Stavropol Plain, the southern ones - on the Sunzhensky and Tersky ridges. In the southern part of the region, there are the Lateral and Glavny ridges of the Greater Caucasus. The highest point is Dzhimar Peak (height 4780 m). The Ossetian plain stretches in the central part of the North Caucasus. From it rise the aforementioned low-mountain ranges, and behind them is the Mozdok plain.
In the Ossetian mountains there are eternal glaciers, the largest of which are Tseyskiy and Karaug. The highlands are crossed by numerous Kasarsky, Dargavsky, Kurtatinsky, Alagirsky, Koban, Tseysky. Digorskoye gorge also belongs to them. Along them and their lateral branches are the channels of mountain rivers of glacial-snow origin and connecting at the exit from the mountains with the deep large Ardon, Urukh, Kambileevka.
Features of climatic conditions
The climate in these places is moderately continental. On average, January temperatures reach -4 ° С, and in the middle of summer - up to +22 ° С. In total, about 800 mm of precipitation falls per year.
The area of \u200b\u200bNorth Ossetia is marked by increased seismicity. Also in the mountains there are quite frequent descents of powerful snow avalanches, numerous mudflows and rockfalls occur. Heavy hail is often observed on the foothill plain. He does great harm to the republic.
In any case, North Ossetia (Alania) is very popular among tourists and vacationers.
The most beautiful and most remote from the city of Vladikavkaz (120 km) is the Digorskoye gorge, located in the west of North Ossetia.
It is located in the basin of the Urukh (Iraf) river, the tributaries of which originate in the kingdom of huge centuries-old glaciers and ancient snows. The rocky ridge, in which the gorge was formed, is located parallel to the main ridge.
Digoria has a wonderful national natural Park "Alania". Depending on the heights above sea level, here you can find either humid forests or magnificent ones. There is also a forest-steppe zone, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, streams.
Like the whole North Caucasus, Digorskoe gorge is replete with amazing historical and cultural monuments.
Facts from history
The narrowest point of the gorge is Akhsinta, which is a natural fortress. It should be noted that its walls have repeatedly saved local highlanders from enemies.
There is one more interesting point. In the area of \u200b\u200bthe villages of Lezgor, Donifars, Nar and Zadalesk there was the 2nd defensive line (center of Matsute). On watchtowers, on the hills, in case of any danger, damp straw was lit. Thanks to the resulting smoke, the news of the threat quickly spread throughout Digoria.
Watchtowers and family towers have been preserved in many areas of Digoria. Some ancient dwellings have also remained here, especially in the villages of Dzinaga, Kamunta, Mosca, Dunta and Odola.
Rest in Digor gorge: attractions
As a rule, a trip to Digoria usually starts from the village of Chikola. Due to the large distance from large settlements and due to the lack of a good road, people come to these places to rest not for 1-2 days.
In general, you can relax in these places only in the summer months, and in winter time it is better not to go there, as heavy snowfalls prevail during this period. However, it should be noted that the landscapes in the gorge are beautiful at any time of the year.
Let's spend small excursion on the way to the gorge. After the first village, the road along the plain leads through the village. Ahsarisar. Its name translates as "the top of military valor". It was named in honor of the fact that in ancient times in these places the Alans heroically fought with the Tatar-Mongols (Timur's troops), who tried to penetrate into the depths of the gorge.
Further, the road passes the village of Kalukh and stretches to the very foot of the Skalisty ridge. In these places, not far from the tunnel, there is the Akhsinta canyon, across which a concrete bridge was built, nicknamed by tourists "Devil's". This bridge offers a magnificent view of the Urukh River, the forest in the western part of the gorge, and streams descending from the steep walls and flowing from karst springs.
Many not only historical monuments, but also natural attractions in North Ossetia. Digorskoye Gorge is famous for one of the most magnificent and largest glaciers - Karaugomsky, which is the second largest in the entire North Caucasus.
A little about the origin of the name of the gorge
It comes from the name of the Ossetian ethnic group - the Digors (in Ossetian - "Digoron" or "Dyguron").
They are native speakers of the Digor dialect of the Ossetian language and represent the bulk of the population of this republic.
Travel plan
Arrival in the morning at the airport (railway station). Mineral water... Group transfer at 11.30 to the Digorskoye Gorge of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania (3 hours to the border on the way). Lunch (on your own). In the national cafe of the village of Chikola, you will be offered Ossetian cuisine. In the company of a guide, you will drive to the main gate of mountain Digoria - Akhsinta canyon.
It is in this place that the canyon narrows so much that it turns into a stone gutter, and it becomes clear how the Urukh River is beating among the rocks at a depth of 70 meters. The canyon is striking in its grandeur. Its steep walls are formed by cliffs of gray layered Jurassic limestone. Several karst springs effectively fall into the depths.
On the way, you will be met and taken on a good journey by the sculpture of the most revered saint in Ossetia - St. George (Osset. Uastyrdzhi). You will also visit the village of Matsuta, located at the confluence of the Aygomugidon and Urukh rivers. "There is no further way" - this is how its name is translated.
Arrival at the hotel "Tana Park" ***, which is comfortably located in the farthest picturesque corner of the Digorsky gorge on the left bank of the Khares river in the "horseshoe" of natural attractions: the Metelaska waterfall, Mount Kubus, the Laboda spurs and the Sugan ridge. Discussion of the tour program in the evening. Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant.
Breakfast in the hotel. Meeting with the guide, departure by off-road vehicle on the auto-walking route to the Karaugom Gorge (the length of the walking tour in both ends is 10-12 km.)
Before entering the route, you will issue a pass to the border zone. Hike to the Karaugomsky glacier. The Karaugomdon River starts from under the tongue of the glacier. The very name "Karaugom" in translation from Ossetian means "blind gorge" or "gorge that has no way out." It got this name due to the fact that earlier it was possible to get into the gorge only through a high icefall. The length of the Karaugomsky glacier is slightly more than 13 kilometers, the area is 27 square kilometers, the glacier descends to an altitude of 1820 meters. The glacier has two icefalls. The upper one, the most powerful, breaks out through the narrow "gates" of the Karaugom ridge and flows out from a height of 3500 meters, the tongue of the glacier reaches a length of 800 meters. The lower icefall is smaller, about 500 meters. Lunch on the way (dry rations). Return to the hotel, rest. Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant.
Breakfast in the hotel. Today you will climb to the top of Mount Kubus and walk to the Taimazinsky waterfalls. Climbing Mount Kubus will delight you with beautiful panoramas and virgin forests that cover its slopes. Descending from the mountain, you will continue your walk around the foot of Kubus to the Taymazinsky waterfalls. The waterfalls are especially spectacular from afar. Three snow-white streams fall at a distance of 150-200 meters from each other. The waterfalls originate on the Taimazi glacier, in the Khares gorge. Below the streams break on ledges stone pyramids... Over the years, water has carved out many depressions in the pyramids, which are a real decoration of each of the waterfalls. Water, falling into these depressions, splashes out from them in fountains. Lunch at the waterfalls on dry rations.
Return to the hotel, rest. Free time at the resort. Dinner on your own.
Breakfast in the hotel. Today you will go on a trip to the medieval Ossetian villages of Kumbulta (visit to the Bagayt castle), Lezgor, Donifars.
The route runs along the spur of the Skalisty ridge, more precisely, along the spur of the Oazakhokh massif. Here is the most high point The rocky ridge in North Ossetia is a mythological peak - Uazakhokh, resembling a dilapidated fortress in its outlines (3,529 m).
Moving to the villages of Lezgor and Donifars, which in the Middle Ages were communities independent from anyone, where a democratic form of self-government was preserved, which was different from governance in other societies of Digoria. Today these villages are abandoned by people and represent an old ethnographical museum in the open air with numerous remains from the monuments of mountain architecture: towers, crypts, castles, sanctuaries ... Lunch (dry rations).
On a huge clearing between the villages of Lezgor and Donifars, there is the second largest in North Ossetia, after Dargavsky, a unique early medieval Lezgorsko-Donifarsky crypt. There are 64 tombs of various types and 7 tsyrts - memorial pillars. There is also a temple of Satayi-Obau (second half of the 15th - early 16th centuries).
You will devote most of the program to acquaintance with the necropolis and the remaining monuments of mountainous medieval architectural architecture.
You will drive to the medieval settlement of Zadalesk, where you will visit the museum of the mother - savior of Alan children - Zadaleskoynan.
Then go to the settlement of Khanaz, in the past one of the largest settlements in the mountainous Digoria. The settlement is famous for the castle of the Tsallaev family, which is called "Frigate". The second such architectural building not in the entire North Caucasus. Indeed, a person who first came here cannot understand what is rising on a high rocky ledge at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level. m. - sailing frigate or medieval castle, cutting with a sharp stone nose air waves... This unique example of medieval mountain architecture dates back to the 14-16 centuries. After the tour, you will visit an Ossetian house, where hospitable hosts will treat you with homemade Ossetian pies and tea on herbs collected in the mountains.
During the meeting, you will learn about the lifestyle, customs local residents... Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant.
Breakfast in the hotel. Group gathering in the hotel lobby. Exit on the route. Today you will hike along the Tana-dona gorge to the Tana-tset glaciers. Walking distance in both ends is 10-12 km. During the walk you will find yourself in captivity of unique intricate vegetation: juniper, dwarf perennial deciduous trees. Leaving the vegetation zone, you will find yourself in the amphitheater of the mountains: Taymazi Glavnaya, Chashura, Tsiteli, Digoria peak, the peaks of the Western and Main towers of Laboda.
At the end of the path you will see the Tana-tsete glacier. Lunch on the way (dry rations). Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant.
The village of Galiat is located in the Uallagkom gorge. It is unique medieval architectural complex... Houses here used to be built in tiers. The roof of one house served as a courtyard for another, so the Galiatans could easily visit each other without leaving their own courtyard. Preserved in Galiat and typical Ossetian towers, consisting of four floors.
Lunch yourself.
At 14.00 departure from the gorge to Mineralnye Vody airport (5 hours on the way) for evening flights after 12.00.
Digorskoye gorge in North Ossetia is one of the most beautiful and wild in the North Caucasus. It appeared under the influence of the waters of the Urukh River in the Rocky Ridge. Urukh still flows below, and above the river, along a narrow cornice among the rocks, a road is carved along which cars travel. 
The conditions for recreation in the Digor gorge are diverse. At different altitudes above sea level, there are dry mountain steppes, moist forests, alpine meadows, forest-steppe zone, lakes, glaciers, streams, waterfalls. 
There are opportunities for hiking along ecological paths, you can go in for educational tourism, making excursions to different landscapes with their historical, cultural and architectural monuments, and practice water slalom.
Who needs to be closer to the benefits of civilization, perhaps it makes sense to consider
Currently, you can relax here mainly during the warmer months. In winter, during the season of heavy snowfalls, the recreation sites are not functioning, but the landscapes at this time of the year are beautiful here in their own way, and it will be interesting to see these places also in the winter months.
This is just a small part of what is possible to visit and see in one of the wild gorges of the Caucasus. 
Entry
When entering the Digor Gorge, the main thing is not to slip through the Urukh Akhsinta Canyon (also called the Digorskaya Gorge). There is a major road bridge (in the common people Devil's). A stunning view opens from the bridge - the height is 80 meters above the Urukh River, stop if you are not afraid. Akhsinta canyon is the main entrance to the mountain Digoria. Good asphalt is laid to the village of Matsuta, but further there is a dirt road.
There are many beautiful places here. Here and there old buildings or ruins. It can be seen that people have been living in these remote places for a long time. One can note the Three Sisters waterfalls, which look especially spectacular from a distance. Three streams fall from the rocks at a distance of 150-200 meters from each other. The source of the waterfall is located on the Taymazi glacier. Therefore their official name "Taymazinskie waterfalls". 
They produce unforgettable impression fall height and beauty. Below, streams of water crash against stepped stone pyramids. Over the years, water has carved many depressions in the stones, which are a real decoration of each of the waterfalls. Water falls into these depressions and through the thought spills out of them in fountains. There is an excellent hiking trail leading to the falls. But the waterfalls freeze during the cold season.
Tour itinerary: Mineralnye Vody - Digor gorge - Matsuta - Karaugom gorge - Uazakhokh massif - medieval settlement Zadalesk - Tana-don gorge - Nakhashbit glade - Taymazinskie waterfalls - Khanaz - Mineralnye Vody
In mountain Digoria you will be greeted by clean soft air, silence, broken only by the eternal splash of the waters of the Hares River, the blessed sun, which is getting closer to you by as much as 2000 meters, the endless blue ocean of the sky, ice rocks, indescribable beauty and grandeur tops of mountains and, of course , an indescribable feeling of the infinity of the universe and a living connection with it. Active walks to glaciers and waterfalls are the main part of the program, and it will be adorned by visiting local residents, touching the history of this ancient land.
Suitable for active tourists, does not require special physical training, but normal health. The tour is contraindicated for people with heart disease, hypertension, obesity and phlebological pathologies. Recommended age up to 65 years.
According to the number of seats, one group can consist of 6 - 10 people.
Transport: Bus / minibus.
Accommodation
"Tana Park Hotel" 3*
comfortably located in the farthest picturesque corner of the Digorsky gorge on the left bank of the Khares river in the "horseshoe" of natural attractions: the Metelaska waterfall, Mount Kubus, the spurs of Laboda and the Sugan ridge. The hotel, which opened in October 2015, the only boutique hotel in the gorge, is designed to pleasantly surprise its guests with high standards of service, good cuisine, tastefully decorated interiors, a good location with excellent vistas and much more. The guarded territory of the complex includes a hotel building and a bar-restaurant. The hotel has 17 rooms.
In standart rooms (22 sq. M.): Two single beds or one common double bed, combined bathroom with bathtub, hairdryer, mini-bar, bathrobes, slippers, TV, telephony (intercom), internet (charge).
Tour program
1st dayArrival in the morning at the airport (railway station) in Mineralnye Vody.
Group transfer at 11.30 to Digorskoye Gorge of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania (3 hours to the border on the way).
Lunch yourself. In the national cafe of the village of Chikola, you will be offered Ossetian cuisine.
In the company of a guide, you will drive to the main gate of mountain Digoria - the Akhsinta canyon. It is in this place that the canyon narrows so much that it turns into a stone gutter, and it becomes clear how the Urukh River is beating among the rocks at a depth of 70 meters. The canyon is striking in its grandeur. Its steep walls are formed by cliffs of gray layered Jurassic limestone. Several karst springs effectively fall into the depths.
On the way, you will be met and taken on a good journey by the sculpture of the most revered saint in Ossetia - St. George (Osset. Uastyrdzhi). You will also visit the village of Matsuta, located at the confluence of the Aygomugidon and Urukh rivers. "There is no further way" - this is how its name is translated.
Arrival at the Tana Park hotel, which is comfortably located in the farthest picturesque corner of the Digorsky gorge on the left bank of the Khares river in the "horseshoe" of natural attractions: Metelaska waterfall, Mount Kubus, Laboda spurs and Sugan ridge. In the evening, meeting the group, discussing the tour program.
Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant.
Cities: Mineral Waters, Matsuta
Sights: Akhsinta canyon
Reservoirs: Hares river
2nd day
Breakfast in the hotel. Meeting with a guide, departure by off-road vehicle for an auto-walking program in the Karaugom gorge (the length of walking in both ends is 10-12 km).
Before entering the route, you will issue passes to the border zone. Hike to the Karaugomsky glacier. Karaugomdon flows from the glacier. The very name "Karaugom" in translation from Ossetian means "blind gorge" or "gorge that has no way out." It got this name due to the fact that it is possible to get into the gorge only through a high icefall. The length of the Karaugomsky glacier in North Ossetia is just over 13 kilometers, its area is 27 square kilometers, the glacier descends to an altitude of 1820 meters. The glacier has two icefalls. The upper one, the most powerful, breaks out through the narrow "gates" of the Karaugomsky ridge and flows out from a height of 3500 meters, the tongue of the glacier reaches a length of 800 meters. The lower icefall is smaller, about 500 meters. Lunch on the way (dry rations).
Return to the hotel, rest. Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant.
Sights: Karaugom gorge
3rd day
Breakfast in the hotel. Today awaits you climbing to the top of Mount Kubus and a walk to the Taimazinsky waterfalls. The waterfalls are especially spectacular from afar. Three snow-white streams fall at a distance of 150-200 meters from each other. The waterfalls originate on the Taimazi glacier, in the Khares gorge. Below the streams crash against stepped stone pyramids. Over the years, water has carved out many depressions in the pyramids, which are a real decoration of each of the waterfalls. Water, falling into these depressions, splashes out from them in fountains. Lunch (on your own).
After lunch, return to the hotel, rest. Dinner on your own. Free time.
Reservoirs: Taymazinskie waterfalls
4th day
Breakfast in the hotel. Today you will go to travel to the medieval Ossetian villages of Kumbulta (visit to the Bagayt castle), Lezgor, Donifars.
The route runs along the spur of the Skalisty ridge, more precisely, along the spur of the Oazakhokh massif. Here is the highest point of the Rocky Range in North Ossetia - the mythological peak Uazakhokh, resembling a dilapidated fortress in its outlines (3,529 m).
Moving to the villages of Lezgor and Donifars, which in the Middle Ages were independent communities, where a democratic form of self-government was preserved, which differed from governance in other societies of Digoria. Today these villages are abandoned by people and represent an old ethnographic open-air museum with numerous remains from the monuments of mountain architecture: towers, crypts, castles, sanctuaries ... Lunch (packed rations).
On a huge clearing between the villages of Lezgor and Donifars, there is the second largest in North Ossetia, after Dargavsky, a unique early medieval Lezgorsko-Donifarsky crypt. There are 64 tombs of various types and 7 tsyrts - memorial pillars. There is also a temple of Satayi-Obau (second half of the 15th - early 16th centuries). You will devote most of the program to acquaintance with the necropolis and the remaining monuments of mountainous medieval architectural architecture.
You will drive to the medieval settlement of Zadalesk, where you will visit the museum of the mother - savior of Alan children - Zadalesskaya nana.
Then go to the settlement of Khanaz, in the past one of the largest settlements in the mountainous Digoria. The settlement is famous for the castle of the Tsallaev family, which is called "Frigate". There is no second such architectural building in the entire North Caucasus. Indeed, a person who first came here does not understand what rises on a high rocky ledge at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level. m. - a sailing frigate or a medieval castle, cutting the air waves with a sharp stone nose. This unique example of medieval mountain architecture dates back to the 14-16th centuries. After the tour, you will visit an Ossetian house, where hospitable hosts will treat you with homemade Ossetian pies and tea on herbs collected in the mountains. During the meeting, you will learn about the lifestyle and customs of local residents.
Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant.
Sights: Uazakhokh massif, the medieval settlement of Zadalesk
5th day
Breakfast in the hotel. Gathering the group in the hotel lobby. Exit on the route.
Today you have to hike along the Tana-don gorge to the Tana-tset glaciers. Walking distance in both ends is 10-12 km. During the walk you will find yourself in captivity of unique intricate vegetation: juniper, dwarf perennial deciduous trees. Coming out of the vegetation zone, you will find yourself in an amphitheater of mountains. From left to right look down Taymazi Glavnaya, Chashura, Tsiteli, Digoria peak, peaks of the Western and Main towers of Laboda. At the end of the path you will see the Tana-tsete glacier. Lunch on the way (dry rations).
Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own at the hotel restaurant.
Sights: Tana-dona gorge
6th day
Breakfast in the hotel. It is not for nothing that Digoria is often called “the valley of a thousand waterfalls and rainbows”. There are really a lot of waterfalls here.
Today, under the guidance of an experienced guide, you will travel to hike along the gorge of the Khares river to the glade of Nakhashbit (the length of the walking part to both ends is 10-12 km). During the walk, you will see three waterfalls. Inspection of the picturesque canyon, waterfalls and peaks of the Sugan ridge.
Lunch on the way (dry rations). Return to the hotel.
In the evening, a group gala dinner, during which you will share your impressions of acquaintance with Digoria.
Sights: glade of Nakhashbit
Reservoirs: Hares river
7th day
Breakfast in the hotel. Check-out from the hotel before 12.00. Free time at the resort.
Optionally, you can take an excursion to the village of Galiat (additional charge).
The village of Galiat is located in the Uallagkom gorge. This is a unique medieval architectural complex. Houses here were previously built in tiers. The roof of one house served as a courtyard for another, so the Galiatans could easily visit each other without leaving their own courtyard. Preserved in Galiat and typical Ossetian towers, consisting of four floors.
Lunch yourself.
At 14:00 departure from the gorge to Mineralnye Vody airport (5 hours on the way) for evening flights after 20:00.
Cities: Mineral water
Tour conditions
Meeting point A meeting on the day of arrival at the airport or at the railway station of Mineralnye Vody with a sign “Legends of Mountain Digoria”.Meeting at the Mineralnye Vody airport in the parking lot opposite the arrival hall, bus / guide with a sign “Legends of Mountain Digoria”. Group transfer from the airport leaves at 11.30 (the number and brand of the bus, the driver's phone number are announced in advance).
A meeting is possible at the Mineralnye Vody railway station with the arrival of trains before 11.00, contacts by meeting are transmitted before arrival. At the railway station of Mineralnye Vody, a meeting in front of the central entrance to the railway station.
Seeing off - on the day of departure (from the gorge) at 2 pm, a group transfer is carried out (about 5 hours on the way) to the airport (to the railway station) Mineralnye Vody to trains / flights departing after 20.00 local time. Transport Bus / minibus. The price includes Transport services according to the program, including group transfers airport (railway) Mineralnye Vody - hotel - airport (railway) Mineralnye Vody, accommodation at the Tana Park hotel, meals according to the program (breakfasts at the hotel, lunch in the form of dry rations on days 2, 4, 5, 6 , gala dinner on day 6), mountain guide services, national park eco-taxes. Possible surcharges Meals not included in the program, add. accommodation services, alcoholic beverages, individual transfers, luggage tray, insurance. Discounts According to the price table. Meals According to the program. Complex. Breakfast at the hotel, lunches in the form of dry rations on days 2, 4, 5, 6, gala dinner on day 6. Important In case of worsening weather conditions, we reserve the right to change the program or route of the tour.
Citizens of the Russian Federation are recommended to take on a trip a compulsory health insurance policy card for each participant in the trip.
The travel agency reserves the right to change the order of excursions, as well as replace them with equivalent ones while maintaining the total volume of the excursion program.
The travel agency reserves the right to replace the hotel with an equivalent one.
If tourists do not appear by the appointed time, refunds for unused excursions will not be made.
You must arrive at the meeting point at the appointed time, otherwise the responsibility for joining the group rests entirely with the tourist.
Accommodation in a 2-bed room (ie booking one seat in a 2-bed room) is possible by agreement with the tour operator "Dolphin". Children are accepted from 12 years old Attention The route passes through the border area. For citizens of the CIS countries, it is necessary to issue a border pass, submit documents 45 days in advance. For citizens of the Russian Federation, a pass will be issued during the tour. Useful Tips Recommended items: sunscreen and goggles, a sun hat, comfortable walking shoes (sneakers with non-slip soles or boots for easy trekking), comfortable clothing for the season (insulated jacket, sweater, light hat, gloves), waterproof windproof jacket (raincoat), bathing accessories , a towel, individual medicines for chronic diseases, a polyurethane foam "seat", trekking sticks, a headlamp with spare batteries, a flask or a plastic bottle for drinking water. Travel documents Tourist voucher, REMINDER on tour, passport (civil), for children under 14 years old - birth certificate. Cancellation terms By agreement.
