Digoria Ossetia. Digorskoe Gorge in North Ossetia-Alania

Digoria occupies the southwestern outskirts of North Ossetia, covering the territories of the modern Digorsky and Irafsky regions of the Republic. They make up the plain and mountainous parts of this region. The historical name of the area comes from the name of the local ethnic group of Ossetians - Digorians. Irafsky district is named after main river Urukh, which the Digors call Iraf. In this article, we want to tell a little about this little-known and almost unvisited place with amazingly beautiful and untouched nature.

The most popular among travelers is the mountainous part of Digoria. Fascinating pictures are already opening from the unofficial natural "gates" to this fabulous country. They are the Akhsinta Canyon. Here, the stormy waters of Urukh, roaring through the huge wall of the Rocky Range, form a narrow passage no more than 30 meters wide. The height of the steep "gates" reaches 300 meters. In the narrowest places, the riverbed does not exceed a couple of meters. At the bottom of this eternally gloomy gorge, the rays of the sun never fall. Once upon a time, a small path ran along the steep slopes of this canyon, which was the only way connecting the Digorians with the North Caucasus. In the twentieth century, it was expanded, but still its width did not allow two cars to pass. Now a safe tunnel has been cut through the ridge. Nevertheless, thrill-seekers today choose the old detour for themselves. Nearby, a concrete bridge was thrown over a stormy river, popularly referred to as "Devil's".

This narrow passage made mountainous Digoria one of the most inaccessible regions of the Caucasus, where the lowlanders have found refuge from outside invaders for centuries. These natural gates were stopped by the hordes of the Tatar-Mongols, Timerlane, Persian shahs, detachments of Turkish Janissaries and Crimean khans. At the moments of the greatest danger, the defenders arranged whole stone avalanches, completely interrupting the connection of Digoria with outside world. The ruins of numerous watch and combat towers, as well as geographical names testify to the dramatic pages in the history of this region. So the nearby village of Akhsarisar, translated from Ossetian, means "the height of military prowess." According to legend, the heroic battle of their ancestors took place here - the Alans against the invincible Central Asian commander Tamerlane.

At the very end of the canyon, from sheer cliffs, travelers are greeted by a winged statue of the patron saint of Ossetia - the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious. The Ossetians call him "Uastirdzhi" (in the Digorian manner - "Uasgergi"), and his worship combines the interweaving of alien and local traditions. Which is not surprising, because for Ossetians this is not so much a Christian saint as a Nart hero who helps warriors, travelers and shepherds. Praise and prayer are offered to him at any table and at the beginning of every business. There are many sculptures of the Saint in Ossetia, but in the Digorsky Gorge it is special. Here he is depicted without a sword and the usual serpent. He seems to bless people for righteous deeds, stretching out his hand over the steep serpentine of the modern highway.

Nearby is the ancient sanctuary (dzuar) Uastirdzhi. It should be noted here that he is considered an exclusively male saint; therefore, women are not allowed to enter the territory. Saying their prayers and making requests, men traditionally bring a cash offering, and always an odd number. Ossetians are superstitiously afraid of even numbers. In anticipation of their strong halves, women can also usefully spend time: enjoy the picturesque views, quench their thirst at the icy spring located here and take a walk to the nearby waterfall.

Digoria is often called "Paradise for climbers". And she deserves that title. After all, this is the land of the highest peaks, sheer cliffs, huge glaciers, stormy rivers and other mountain obstacles. Gigantic mountain ranges rise here to a height of more than four thousand meters. The height of steep slopes reaches 2000 m, and the difference absolute heights between peaks and valleys is up to 3500 m. high mountain in Digoria - Wilpata has a height of 4646 meters above sea level. Here you can find passes of any complexity. With a special desire, you can even feel like a pioneer here, go through a place where no human foot has yet set foot.

But the majestic nature of Digoria opens up not only for professional athletes, but for lovers of a comfortable stay. Even unprepared people without much physical exertion can feel all the greatness wildlife Digoria. There are a huge number of routes of the so-called weekend. When spending the night at recreation centers, wearing scarves, or just coming for a day from nearby cities, you can make a little walk to a variety of attractions: waterfalls, glaciers, canyons, mountain peaks, medieval castles. But you can just enjoy the most picturesque panoramas, the cleanest air, the aromas of alpine meadows and coniferous forests.

One of the main business cards Digoria are its glaciers. Its mountainous part is a real kingdom eternal ice and snow left over from the Ice Age. In a relatively small area, there are more than 60 glaciers, with a total area of ​​​​about 90 square kilometers, which is comparable to major city like Elista.

The region has the second largest glacier in the Caucasus - Karaugom (26.6 sq. km). Its huge ice shell, stretched for almost thirteen and a half kilometers from a bird's eye view, appears as a huge silver lizard crawling into the green valley of the river of the same name. At the same time being the lowest glacier North Caucasus(its tongues reach the level of 1850 m) The Karaugom glacier is considered one of the most difficult to pass. Its very name, translated from Ossetian, means “Blind Gorge”, or a gorge that has no way out. It earned this fame thanks to the vast icefall, consisting of a large number of ice rocks, cracks and labyrinths. Nevertheless, the beauty of this Caucasian giant can be enjoyed by walking just a few kilometers along a relatively simple mountain path.

The melting of huge glaciers and snowfields forms a great variety of beautiful waterfalls. For their number, Digoria is often called the "Land of a thousand waterfalls." And they are here for every taste: from huge cascades hundreds of meters high to small but beautiful water streams. The most famous in Digoria are waterfalls originating from the Taimazi massif. The people poetically dubbed them "Three Sisters". This name is determined by the number of three largest streams of water rushing in parallel threads from the wide cap of the mountain. From a distance, they really look alike like relatives, but when approached, it turns out that each “sister” has its own disposition and characteristics. One is more gentle, the other has many thresholds, the third is unusually winding.

In Digoria, as in the whole Caucasus, it is difficult to pass by geographical names, because each of them necessarily hides some interesting story or legend. There is the toponym "Taimazi", which is worn by the mountain peak itself, as well as glaciers, rivers and a clearing. According to local legends, they come from the name of a certain Digorian Taymazov, who in ancient times fled from captivity in neighboring Georgia. Fearing a chase, he began to make his way to his native places not through the beaten paths, but

over the top of a nearby mountain. Subsequently, in honor of him as a pioneer, these places were named.

Relatively small waterfalls also have a special charm. One of the most visited is the thirty-five-meter waterfall "Pearl", located on the river Galdorion. The seething water stream has seven cascades falling into a small bowl. Thrill seekers love to swim in this vast natural shower. But to stay under the jets of water is not so easy. In addition to the powerful pressure of water, the slippery bottom of the bowl also prevents daredevils.

Digoria is also a kingdom of wild nature. In the alpine and subalpine meadows of high-mountainous Digoria, herds of brave Caucasian aurochs and chamois graze. In the forest zone you can meet graceful roe deer, wild boars, wolves and brown bears. Badgers, foxes and martens live in deep ravines littered with windbreak. Periodically, in the most inaccessible regions of Digoria, cases of meeting with the main living symbol of North Ossetia, the Persian leopard, which the inhabitants of the East proudly call "leopard", are recorded. Larger than a large mastiff, this wild cat is unusually wary and rarely seen by humans. Seeing her is considered a great success.

Travelers in Digoria can be surprised not only by wild inhabitants of mountains and forests, but also quite domestic animals. So, herds of highland yaks and Asian buffaloes may turn out to be very unusual for Europeans. These huge furry bulls give a special exotic flavor, more characteristic of the distant Himalayas than mountainous Caucasus. In order to preserve the unique nature of Digoria, the Alania National Park was created on its southern outskirts in the late 90s of the last century.

Digoria is famous not only for its picturesque nature, but also for its unique original culture. The ruins of ancient mountain villages, legendary watchtowers, family crypts, and ancient sanctuaries testify to the dramatic and turbulent history of the region.

Digoria is especially proud of its castle complexes. Perhaps the most famous is the frigate castle in the village of Khanaz. There is no second such castle in the entire North Caucasus, and in terms of its architectural complex it is very similar to classical European citadels. Attention is attracted by its unusual shape, reminiscent of sailing ship. In foggy weather, it seems that this stone frigate, stuck on a sheer cliff, seems to be floating on the transcendental sea of ​​the Caucasian mountains. According to legend, this castle was built by a certain Mansau, the only one of the men who remained in these places after a bloody battle with the invaders. He was a robber and his main trade was stealing children and selling them into slavery in distant Turkey. Foreign ships impressed Mansau so much that he decided to build a fortified castle similar to them.

Amazing Medieval architectural complex located in the village of Galiat. It is an example of traditional mountain villages. The houses here were built in tiers. The roof of one house served as a yard for another, so the Galiatians could easily visit guests without leaving their own yard. The village also has the highest family towers in Ossetia.

A typical Ossetian tower (ganakh) consisted of four floors. The first floor was intended for livestock, the second and third were assigned to the living compartment, the fourth floor was a defensive compartment. In turbulent times, family members alternately kept watch and controlled all approaches to the tower from loopholes.

On the stones of the outer walls of many houses in Galiat there are mysterious petroglyphs - ancient drawings-writings. Scientists still have not been able to accurately determine the date of creation of these ancient works of art. Today, no more than a couple of dozen inhabitants live in Galiata, but once this village was very rich medieval city. It flourished thanks to one of the branches of the Great Silk Road passing through it. The local nobility traded cattle, famous far beyond the borders of Ancient Ossetia. Large handicraft workshops worked in the village itself. The development of Galiat is evidenced by the remains of a water supply and sewerage system found by archaeologists dating back to the 10th century. On the spurs of the ridge around Galiat there are several large religious complexes.

In Digoria, places of sacred significance for the history of the centuries-old Ossetian people have been preserved. So in the village of Zadalesk there is a crypt dedicated to one of the most revered women of Ossetia - Saint Zadaleski Nana. According to legend, after the devastating campaign of Tamerlane, the once powerful Alania was devastated. Being unable to conquer the proud people, the invaders indiscriminately exterminated local residents. Neither women, nor children, nor the elderly were spared. By sacrificing themselves, parents sheltered their small children in small shelters inaccessible to adults. One miraculously surviving woman, after the departure of the enemy, walked through the devastated Alanian villages, collected orphaned children and took them by secret paths to hard-to-reach mountain shelters. Once, in search of food, she went down to the village of Zadalesk. Local residents built a separate house for the woman and orphans and helped in any way they could. Over time, the children grew up and took root in the nearby villages. Unfortunately, the name of this brave woman was lost for centuries, and only her honorable name for her advanced age, Nana, remained in the memory of her descendants. After her death, grateful descendants made a sanctuary out of her house. Now there is a museum in the village, where you can learn the history of the region, immerse yourself in the realm of ancient legends and legends. In memory of those events, every year on the third Saturday of July, the village celebrates the holiday “Zadaleski Nana”. Responsible for the holiday are three families who donate a ram for the kuvd (holiday), brew beer, prepare araka. Families in which girls were born during the year bring a sacrificial animal to the sanctuary, bring pies, araka, and beer. The elder prays, entrusting children and youth to Nana, asking them to avoid illnesses and troubles, difficult roads by her grace. They entrust the patronage of Nan and those who go on the road.

In the village of Matsuta there is a crypt of the legendary Nart Soslan. Narts were analogues of medieval Russian heroes, who bravely fought against any opponents. Their adventures and deeds are captured in the famous Nart epic, the main cycle of legends of the Ossetians and other Caucasian peoples. Soslan was one of the main defenders of Digoria and, according to legend, even after death he defended his native land. According to legend, as soon as the enemy army approached the Digorsky Gorge, the locals ran to the Nart’s crypt and shouted loudly: “Exiled, fadis!” (“Exiled, alarm!”), to which Soslan immediately jumped out of his tomb with one single question - from which side the enemy is. And moments later, the enemy was defeated. But one day, out of simple curiosity, one man called a mighty Nart, and when he saw him, he laughed out loud. Since then, Soslan stopped helping his descendants.

Like the Russian heroes, the Narts were not fictional characters, but were real people, whose glorious life path was shrouded in fairy-tale legends. So in 1880, during excavations in the Matsut crypt, Professor V. Miller found a skeleton of "really remarkable size", which confirmed the burial of a mighty warrior here.

Travelers are genuinely interested not only in impressive monumental structures, but also in traditional Ossetian grave monuments - tsyrts, which are installed in large numbers on the outskirts of villages and along roads. They are vertically placed rectangular stone slabs, the height of a person. A complex ornament reflecting the image of the deceased is carved on their front part. The direct ancestor of the Ossetian tsyrts are ancient Scythian tombstones. From the Scythian culture, they migrated to the Alanian, and then to the Ossetian.

But Digoria is famous not only for its ancient architecture. The attention of visitors is also attracted by a small chapel, erected in 2007 in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Search for the Lost". Located at an altitude of 2300 meters above sea level, it is one of the highest objects of religious worship in Russia and Europe.

A special flavor to any region is given by the people who inhabit it. By their ethnic origin, being part of the Ossetian ethnic group, the Digors are also descendants of many ancient Iranian-speaking peoples: Scythians, Sarmatians and Alans. Before the arrival of the Tatar-Mongol hordes, they dominated the central part of the North Caucasus. After the foreign invasion, their ancestors took refuge in remote areas isolated from each other. Mixing with the local population, they gradually formed separate sub-ethnic groups with certain ethnic, linguistic, cultural, material and other differences. One of these groups is the Digorians, who took refuge in the gorges of the upper reaches of the Urukh River. The main distinguishing feature of the Digorians is their language. They speak a very specific dialect of the Ossetian language, which until the middle of the 20th century was considered a separate literary language of the Iranian group of Indo-Europeans. In addition, the Digorians have quite complex religious traditions. In this regard, among them there are Christians, Muslims and representatives of traditional Ossetian (pagan) beliefs. At the same time, all of them are intricately intertwined, and here it is difficult to meet orthodox believers who strictly observed the canons of only “their” religion.

Like other Ossetians, the Digorians are distinguished by their special Caucasian hospitality. It is here that the most sincere cannot eat. Local residents, receiving guests and communicating with visitors, do not so much strive to show how good they are, but express their love for native land and natural kindness. Locals are happy to tell legends about their region and show local sights.

Unfortunately, the famous mountain villages are gradually dying out. In the once crowded places where hundreds and even thousands of people lived in the distant Middle Ages, today only a few families remain. In some places, there are more chances to meet foreign tourists than native Digorians. Sometimes it seems that life has stopped here. However, it is in such silence, especially near the abandoned ruins, that eternal serenity is felt.

As for the best time of the year to visit Digoria, this is without a doubt the middle of summer - the beginning of autumn. In the summer months, alpine and subalpine meadows look most advantageous, delighting travelers with multi-colored carpets of various colors. In autumn, tourists are spoiled by warm, dry and windless weather. At the turn of August and September, in addition to enjoying the most picturesque views, you can also enjoy the generous gifts of the mountainous region: raspberries, blueberries, lingonberries, stone berries, barberries, currants and mountain ash. In winter, mountains and valleys are covered with many meters of snow.

In conclusion, I would like to say that there are places where you want to return, but after visiting Digoria, you understand that there are still places, having visited which you want not only to return, but to continue the journey, to walk the entire region far and wide. Digoria is such a place, having visited it, you fall in love with this mountainous region and you feel an irrepressible desire to travel all over Ossetia, to look into all corners of this glorious Republic, to be imbued with its special flavor.

Tour itinerary: Mineral water - Digorskoe gorge- Matsuta - Karaugomsky gorge - Uazakhohsky massif - medieval settlements of Zadalesk and Khanaz - gorge of the river. Tana-don - Tana-tsete glaciers - Taimazinsky waterfalls - 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 Khares River, the blessed sun, which becomes closer to you by as much as 2000 meters, the endless blue ocean of the sky, ice cliffs, indescribable beauty and grandeur of the mountain peaks 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 enriched by visiting local residents, touching the history of this ancient land.

Suitable for active tourists who have no contraindications to active physical activity.
The tour does not require special physical training, but a normal state of health.
Recommended age up to 65 years.
By the number of seats, one group can consist of 6-10 people.

Transport: Bus / minibus.

Accommodation

1-, 2-seater:
"Tana Park Hotel" 3* comfortably located in the farthest picturesque corner Digorsky Gorge on the left bank of the Khares River in the "horseshoe" of natural attractions: Metelaska waterfall, Mount Kubus, spurs of Laboda and the Sugan Range. On the protected territory of the complex there is a hotel building and a bar-restaurant "Khares". There is a small library and a chess table in the lobby. The hotel's plumbing system receives the purest glacial water, so you can drink from the tap. There is a swimming pool on site open sky and Russian bath.
The Standard room assumes single or double occupancy (22 sq.m). The room has a hairdryer, refrigerator, TV, internet (wi fi), bathrobes, slippers.
The bar-restaurant "Khares" will be glad to offer you dishes of Caucasian and European cuisine, prepared with soul by a team of chefs from local farmers' products and gifts of nature. In the cozy halls of the restaurant, made in the author's style, you will be served by attentive staff and guided by the menu.
Breakfast buffet from 08.30 to 10.00.
Check-in from 14.00.
Check-out until 12.00.

Tour program

1st day

Arrival. Acquaintance with Digoria.
Arrival in the morning at the airport (railway station) in Mineralnye Vody.
Group transfer at 11.30 to the Digorsky Gorge of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania(to the border on the way 3 hours).
Lunch on your own. In the national cafe of the village of Chikola you will be offered dishes of Ossetian cuisine.
In the company of a guide, you will drive to the main gate of the mountainous 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 beats among the rocks at a depth of seventy meters. The canyon is striking in its grandeur. Its sheer walls are formed by cliffs of gray layered Jurassic limestone. Several karst springs effectively fall into the abyss.
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 (Ossetian Uastirdzhi). You will also visit the village of Matsuta, located at the confluence of the Aigomugidon 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 spurs of Laboda and the Sugan Range. In the evening acquaintance of the group, discussion of the tour program.

Cities: Mineralnye Vody, Matsuta

Attractions: Akhsinta Canyon, Sugan Ridge

Reservoirs: Khares river

2nd day

Walk along the Karaugom gorge.
Breakfast in the hotel.
Meeting with the guide, departure on an off-road vehicle to the auto-walking route to the Karaugom gorge (the length of the walk in both directions is 10-12 km).
After the village of Dzinaga, you will issue a pass to the border zone and go towards the glacier. The trail goes along the Karaugom-don River among deciduous and coniferous forests, which are full of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. Once the Karaugomsky glacier was the only glacier in the Caucasus that cut deep into the forest zone, but its ice has retreated and it is now dangerous to approach it close due to rockfalls. The route ends at the crossing over the Karaugom-don River from which opens great view on the glacier and picturesque Mountain peaks. The length of the Karaugomsky glacier is now just over 13 kilometers, it has two magnificent icefalls and is considered one of the largest in the North Caucasus.
Lunch en route (dry rations).
Return to the hotel, rest. Dinner on your own in the hotel restaurant.

Nutrition: Breakfast, lunch (dry rations).

Cities: Dzinaga

Attractions: Karaugom gorge

3rd day

Mount Kubus and Taimazinsky waterfalls.
Breakfast in the hotel.
Today you will climb to the top of Mount Kubus. This low mountain is covered with legends and legends. The ascent will delight you with beautiful panoramas and virgin forests covering the slopes of Kubus. Having descended from the mountain, you will continue your walk around its foot to the Taimazinsky waterfalls, which look 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 and picturesquely break down from sheer cliffs.
On the bank of the crystal clear river Tana-dong, lunch (dry rations) and herbal tea are waiting for you.
On the way to the hotel, the guide will offer you to get acquainted with the Bairadi waterfall, which, falling from the rocks, breaks with thousands of splashes. If you are not afraid of an icy shower, then you can come very close to this waterfall.
Return to the hotel, rest. Free time at the resort.
Dinner on your own in the hotel restaurant.

Nutrition: Breakfast, lunch (dry rations).

Attractions: Taimazi glacier, Tana-dona gorge

Reservoirs: Taymazinsky waterfalls, Bayradi waterfall

4th day

Ancient Ossetian villages Khanaz and Zadalesk.
Breakfast in the hotel.
Today you will go on a journey through the medieval Ossetian villages and get acquainted with the life, culture and architectural traditions of medieval Ossetia. Rising on an off-road vehicle to the village of Khanaz, you will see unique monuments of medieval architecture - the Frigate castle, which looks like a ship, Ossetian circuses and crypts, the Sedanov tower, located on an impregnable rock. Then you will go to the village of Zadalesk. Near the village is the main functioning sanctuary of these places, the Dzuar Digori-Izad (Angel of Digoria), which has been revered by the Digorians since time immemorial. Digori Izad is a large cave in which there are tables for sacred meals, the ceiling is made of deer horns, and the walls are decorated with the skulls of sacrificial animals. In the village of Zadalesk you will visit the museum of the mother-savior of Alanian children - Nana Zadalesk.
Lunch awaits you in the Wallagkom gorge, in a hospitable Ossetian family, where you will be treated to homemade Ossetian pies and tea with herbs collected in the mountains. During the meeting, you will learn about the lifestyle and customs of modern locals.
Leaving Wallagkom you will go up to the battle tower of the Abisalovs, located in the village of Makhchesk. The tower is built on a mountain ledge and, as it were, soars above the gorge.

Nutrition: Breakfast lunch.

Attractions: Uazakhohsky massif, medieval settlement Zadalesk, medieval settlement Khanaz (North Ossetia-Alania Republic)

5th day

Tana-tsete glaciers.
Breakfast in the hotel.
Exit to the route. Today you will hike through the Tana-dona gorge to the Tana-tsete glaciers. The length of the route in both directions is 10-12 km. During the walk you will find yourself in captivity of the unique intricate vegetation: juniper, dwarf perennial deciduous trees. mountain path will take you to the amphitheater of the mountains: Taimazi Western, Chashura, Tsiteli, Digoria Peak, the peaks of Western and Main Laboda. On the slopes of these peaks there are glaciers, among which the largest is the Tanatsete glacier.
Lunch en route (dry rations).
Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own in the hotel restaurant.

Nutrition: Breakfast, lunch (dry rations).

Attractions: Tana-dona gorge, Tana-tsete glacier

6th day

Trekking in the upper reaches of the Khares river.
Breakfast in the hotel.
No wonder 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 a guide, you will go hiking along the gorge of the Khares River (the length of the walking part in both directions is 11-12 km). During the walk you will see a deep and narrow canyon of the Kharese River, many waterfalls and rocky peaks of the Sugan Range.
Lunch (dry ration). Return to the hotel.
In the evening, a gala dinner of the group, during which you will share your impressions of meeting Digoria.

Nutrition: Breakfast, lunch (dry ration), dinner.

Attractions: Sugan Ridge

Reservoirs: Khares river

7th day

Departure.
Breakfast in the hotel. Check-out from the hotel until 12.00. Free time at the resort.
Optionally, you can make an excursion to the village of Galiat (additional fee).
The village of Galiat is located in the Wallagkom Gorge. This is a unique medieval architectural complex. Houses here used to be built in tiers. The roof of one house served as a yard for another, so the Galiatians could safely visit each other without leaving their own yard. Typical Ossetian towers, consisting of four floors, have also been preserved in Galiata.
Lunch on your own.
At 14.00 departure from the gorge to Mineralnye Vody airport (5 hours on the way) for evening flights after 19.00.

Nutrition: Breakfast.

Cities: Mineral water

Tour conditions

Meeting point 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 at the parking lot opposite the arrivals hall, bus / guide with a sign "Legends of Mountain Digoria". A group transfer from the airport leaves at 11.30 (the number and brand of the bus, the driver's phone number are reported in advance).
It is possible to meet at the railway station Mineralnye Vody with the arrival of trains before 11.00, contacts for the meeting are transferred before arrival. At the railway station of Mineralnye Vody, a meeting in front of the main entrance to the railway station.
Seeing off- on the day of departure (from the gorge) at 14:00, 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 19:00.
Moscow time. Transport Bus / minibus. Included in the price Transport services according to the program, including group transfers airport (railway) Mineralnye Vody - hotel - airport (railway) Mineralnye Vody, accommodation in the hotel "Tana Park", meals according to the program (breakfasts at the hotel, lunches in the form of dry rations on 2 days , 3, 5, 6, family lunch on day 4, gala dinner on day 6), mountain guide service, national park eco-fees. Possible surcharges Meals not included in the program (lunches - on days 1 and 7, dinners), extra. accommodation services, alcoholic drinks, individual transfers, luggage service, insurance.
Private transfer - extra. fee 6000 rub/car. Discounts According to the price table. Meals According to the program. Complex. Breakfast at the hotel, packed lunches on days 2, 3, 5, 6, family lunch on day 4, gala dinner on day 6. Important In case of deterioration weather conditions we reserve the right to change the program or itinerary of the tour.
Citizens of the Russian Federation are advised to take a card-policy of compulsory medical insurance for each participant of the trip.
The travel agency reserves the right to change the order of excursions, as well as to 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.
In case of non-appearance of tourists by the appointed time, a refund for unused excursions is not made.
It is necessary to arrive at the meeting point at the appointed time, otherwise the responsibility for joining the group lies entirely with the tourist.
Accommodation in a 2-bed room (i.e. booking one place in a 2-bed room) is possible in agreement with the Dolphin tour operator. Children Accepted from 12 years old Attention The route passes through border area. For citizens of the CIS countries, it is necessary to issue a border pass, submission of documents 45 days in advance. For citizens of the Russian Federation, a pass will be issued during the tour. Helpful Hints Recommended items: sunscreen and glasses, sun hat, comfortable walking shoes (sneakers with non-slip soles or light trekking boots), comfortable clothing for the season (insulated jacket, sweater, light hat, gloves), waterproof windproof jacket (raincoat), bathing suits, a towel, individual medicines in the presence of chronic diseases, a polyurethane foam seat, trekking poles, a headlamp with spare batteries, a flask or a plastic bottle for drinking water. Documents for the trip REMINDER on the tour, a passport (general civil), for children under 14 years old - a birth certificate. Cancellation conditions By agreement.

The purpose of the trip to Upper Digoria in one day: visit natural beauties Urukh river basin, southwestern part of the Republic of North Ossetia - Alania - Upper Digoria.

Our small company of four "girls" of different ages and a driver left the city of Essentuki (we live there) for North Ossetia early in the morning. We ordered a car with a driver-guide for the whole day (the cost is 10,000 rubles for 6 people, but at the last moment two could not go, therefore, the amount had to be divided by 4 people).

Uastirdzhi

Upon entering the territory of North Ossetia, we immediately saw a sculpture carved in the rock of the patron saint of warriors and travelers, St. George the Victorious (Uastyrzhi). The Ossetian name Uastirdzhi came to us from the epos of the Narts - the progenitors of modern Ossetians (Alans). Later, during the era of the adoption of Christianity in the second century, Uastirdzhi became associated with the Christian Saint George. At present, this is a favorite Ostetinian patron.

Zadalesk

Further, our way on a trip to Upper Digoria in one day lay in Zadalesk - a small high-altitude village in a gorge on the banks of the Urukh River. At the entrance to the village is guarded by a snow leopard. Zadalesk is famous for the house-museum of Nana Zadaleski. The story goes that in the 14th century, when the armies of Tamerlane (Timur) the lame-footed during jihad destroyed civilians, including women and children, one miraculously surviving Ossetian woman found children and took them to a secret gorge where enemies could not penetrate. Thus, Nana was able to save and raise several dozen orphans, for which she was canonized as a Saint.

That terrible time for the Alans was reflected in folk songs and poems:

Leaders of Tapan Digori,
Their courageous youth, one better than the other,
Drowning in blood at the hands of the enemy
Thinning in the realm of the dead are sent.
Even though they fight to the last man.

The museum recreates the life of the Ossetians of that time, national clothes, kitchen utensils, and there is also a stand with photographs of ordinary Ossetian women - mothers of many children of our days. Every year, at the beginning of August, the Nana holiday is celebrated in Zadalesk, which attracts pilgrims from all over Alanya and some other countries of the so-called ethnic camp of the “Alan trace” (Ossetian diasporas from different parts of the world). Entrance to the Nana House Museum is free.

Further, on a trip to Upper Digoria, we passed by the mima of the village of Dzenag, where there is a monument to the soldiers who died in the Second World War. By the way, 37 Ossetians for their exploits during the Great Patriotic War was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

We passed the Urukh River - not wide, but like all mountain rivers, very restless.

Our path lay to Galiat. On the way, we met the remains (more precisely, only the walls) of a stone and ore processing plant, which was devastated back in the days of the USSR. Pay attention, the inscriptions of 1932 (!!!) of the year. It reminded me a little of the Palace of Winds in the Indian city of Jaipur (there is only one wall). Now, in the ruins of this plant, locals are engaged in agriculture.

Galiat and Kumyldon waterfall

And here we are in Galiata, a famous medieval settlement. When it was one of the richest and cleanest villages in North Ossetia (one of the first here had water supply, sewerage); an interesting way to build houses - longline, when often the roof of one house served as the porch of another; settlement of petroglyphs - ancient writings and images of people and animals. Now it is almost a dying settlement with a dozen local residents. Some Ossetians living in other cities have dachas here and come here to relax (to fry kebabs, to drink).

These are the Ossetians we came across when we wanted to go to the most beautiful observation deck, which turned out to be a dacha. There, the locals fried barbecue and did not let us go anywhere until we ate with them. 🙂 Such Ossetian hospitality. By the way, Ossetian women, whom we met in Zadalesk, and who traveled along the same route as we did, also happened to be with us.
Having eaten a lot (and we couldn’t “get off” or get off with one piece of meat), we wandered around the village, looked at the high stone watchtowers with loopholes and, at the exit, stumbled upon such a miracle. Piggy mother with children. 🙂

Having taken probably a hundred photos (and maybe more ...).

By the way, the pig did not react to us in any way - she enjoyed maternal happiness 🙂, we went to the final destination of our trip to Upper Digoria - the Kumyldon waterfall. The waterfall is small but very picturesque, and then we moved home.

So, in short, our trip to Upper Digoria in North Ossetia took place along the following route:
Essentuki - Zadalesk - Dzenag - Galiat - Kumyldon.

Useful information: how to get there

Nearest airports:

• Vladikavkaz (the capital of North Ossetia) - about 130 km;
• Nalchik (the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria);
• Mineralnye Vody.

These cities can also be reached by train.

You can stay both in numerous hotels of different levels, and in sanatoriums (in addition to accommodation and meals, treatment is also included). Local rent and apartments for rent.

Advice: At any airport at the exit (but not leaving it!) There are official round-the-clock taxi stands with fixed rates. It is necessary to order a car there. If you have already left the airport, then you will immediately fall into the clutches of rather arrogant private traders who charge visitors 3-4 times more than an official taxi.

Or you can leave the airport for public transport(only during the daytime).

I remember well when we returned home (to the Mineralnye Vody airport) from Egypt, where we got tired of the annoying attention of the locals who wanted to sell something, a taxi driver came to us (we were already waiting for the bus to the city). He walked around in circles for a very long time and insistently offered to leave with him. In my hearts I said: “My God, I'm already in Russia! Well, you stuck to me! I was given a brilliant answer: "You are not in Russia, you are in the Caucasus." So keep that in mind.

As for the trip itself to Upper Digoria in North Ossetia: you can rent a car and go on your own. You can (if you are a group) order a whole car - an SUV with a driver, who, most often, will also turn out to be a guide.

Advice: Dress in layers (that is, so that you can undress if it is very hot). Be sure to bring a raincoat sunscreen, cap. The weather in the mountains is very changeable. During our trip to Upper Digoria in North Ossetia, it rained twice, heavy fog descended, and then the sun shone.

Nutrition:
There are no cafes on this route. It is better to take food with you.

• Most residents of North Ossetia are Christians;
• Guests are always served 3 pies as a sign of respect - with Kadyndzdzhin cheese, Fydzhin meat and Tsakharadzhin greens (more precisely, with beet tops).
• Now there are Ossetian pies with cherries and dozens of other fillings, but the original national ones are those mentioned above.
• Strong dark homemade beer is very popular among Ossetians. It stands on a table in the courtyard, and the guest can drink it to their heart's content.
• When you pass by the monument to Uastirdzhi, you need to get up to show your respect. The driver does the same.
• Ossetians have a very strict table etiquette.

Almost all the houses of the Alans are surrounded by high stone fences (that is, the yard is not visible from the street at all). The fact is that legends were made about the beauty of white-skinned and dark-haired Ossetians, which is why they built such fences to protect women living in the house from the attention of men.

Digoria is not a mystical country from the world of Harry Potter, but a picturesque area in North Ossetia. The nature here is so unique that it was taken under protection by organizing national park"Alania". Digoria is a great place for hiking!

Under the protection of the Caucasus Range

The Republic of North Ossetia-Alania is located on the northern slope of the Greater Caucasus Range. In its western part there are two districts - Irafsky and Digorsky. It is here that the mysterious Digoria is located. Since the area has not an administrative, but a historical status, it does not have clear boundaries. Unlike the national park "Alania", the area of ​​​​which is strictly defined.

Irafsky district is the third largest in the republic. Almost all of its territory is occupied by mountains. administrative center considered the village of Chikola. Just over 15,000 people live in the entire region. Perhaps the same number of tourists come here during the year. In these places, many old buildings have been preserved, there are many natural monuments. Tourist and ecological trails are laid in the Alania park. There are places that are attractive for climbers and climbers.

The Digorsky district is two times smaller than the Irafsky one in terms of area, but 18 thousand people live here. The administrative center is the city of Digora. It was founded in 1852 on the banks of the Ursdon River. It is curious that the population of the town took an active part in the revolution of 1917. A local attraction is a small copy of Christ, installed in Rio de Janeiro. The city has a local history museum.

Digoria is often referred to as the Digorsky Gorge. The whole territory is conditionally divided into four parts - Stur-Digora (large Digoria), Tapan-Digora (flat Digoria), Donifars (river side) and Wallagkom (upper gorge). large settlements the city of Digora, the villages of Chikola, Dur-Dur and Lesken are considered. It is believed that the name of the area comes from the Ossetians-Digorians who lived here since ancient times.

Winters in these parts are quite mild. Summer cannot be called sultry. During this period, rains are frequent guests. Tropical cyclones often visit Digoria, bringing with them thunderstorms with torrential downpours. The wind rose is such that in the winter season, precipitation comes from the Caspian. The average temperature in July is +20 degrees, in January - minus 3 degrees. Of course, it decreases with height.

iron water

The largest river of Digoria is the Urukh, 104 kilometers long. Its sources are located on the Mostocete glacier, the shell of which covers the mountain slopes in the upper part of the Digorsky Gorge. The Urukh flows into the famous Terek, supplying it with 20 cubic meters of water every second. The mouth is located near the village of Aleksandrovskaya. In the narrow gorges, the mountain river creates downright postcard views.

Most a nice place is called Akhshinta, where the river cut through the Black Mountains like a knife. Urukh feeds several streams, which are also of glacial origin. These include Aigamuga, Tanadon, Karaugomdon and Khaznidon. If in the upper course the river has a clearly defined channel, then in the lower it is divided into many branches.

Several small settlements are scattered along the banks of the Urukh. In Ossetian, its name means "wide". In the lower reaches, it really is. However, another name is common among the locals - Iraf, which translates as "Iron water". The Ironians are a branch of the Ossetian people.

Cornucopia

The richness of the local nature led to the creation of the Alania National Park on the territory of Digoria. It happened in 1998. You can get into it along the only road that winds along the banks of the Urukh River. The lower border of the park is located at an altitude of 1350 meters, the upper - at around 4646 meters. The northern end of the buffer zone borders on Georgia. Animals are completely safe here.

There is no doubt that in such comfortable conditions, the fauna thrives here. Twenty-five of its representatives are listed in the Red Book. Among mammals, these are the Caucasian otter, the Caucasian forest cat and the lesser horseshoe bat, a rare species of bat. The list of valuable birds is much wider. This is a golden eagle, Caucasian black grouse, peregrine falcon, eagle owl and many others. An odorous beetle was included in the Red Book - a beetle that emits a pungent odor during danger.

On the territory of the reserve it is really possible to meet a wild boar, a yak and a brown bear. Very graceful local roe deer. Turs and chamois live high in the mountains. The forest is home to foxes, martens and squirrels. Quite a lot of "migrants" live in the park. Crossbills and bullfinches moved here from Siberia, song thrushes from Europe, bearded vultures and snowcocks from Central Asia. In total, there are 34 species of mammals and 116 species of birds in the park.

The flora of the reserve is no less diverse. In total, about a thousand species of plants grow in the mountains. But quantity is not the point. The uniqueness of the local flora is that many of its representatives are found only here. These include dolomite bell, Digor rye, Caucasian gentian and others. Almost 60% of the park's territory is covered with forests, where Koch's pine, Litvinov's birch, and gray alder grow. Spectacular decoration of subalpine meadows are mountain poppy and alpine aster.

Location cannot be changed

In terms of tourism, the most attractive is the Irafsky district, which is part of the historical Digoria. Here come lovers of hiking, horseback riding and skiing. The excellent ecology is of particular value, since there are practically no industrial enterprises here. The operation of the Fasnal hydroelectric power station does not affect the purity of the air in any way. Since the Russian-Georgian border runs along the south of the region, you should take care in advance about obtaining a pass to the border zone.

There are few traditional hotels in the area, but there are enough tourist centers. Among them are "Eagle's Nest", "Threshold of Heaven", "Tana-Park", "Taimazi", "Dzinaga", "Rostselmash". In the village of Kamata there is a visitor center of the park "Alania", where you can also stay for the night. Here tourists are received by two guest houses - "Kamatahostel" and "Khonkh". By the way, as many as 12 starts from here tourist routes by Digoria. In summer, there are four children's camps in the region, including Balts and Koma-Art.

Alania Park provides a rich selection of activities and entertainment. Tourists are offered mountain biking, horseback riding, rafting, paragliding, agricultural tours, mountain climbing and even photo hunting. For those who wish, excursions are organized to the Galdoridon waterfall, to the Tana glacier, to the Karaugom glacier and to the Chifandzar swamp. The first two tours are available even for children and the elderly. The other two have the 3rd category of difficulty. The length of the routes is from 3 to 16 kilometers. Travel time - from 2.5 to 12 hours. Tours run from May to October.

Hits from God and man

As it should national park, in "Alanya" most of the attractions are of natural origin. In total, there are 22 objects that have the status of a natural monument. Perhaps the largest of them is the Karaugom glacier, with an area of ​​35 sq. kilometers. In the Digorsky Gorge, he is the undoubted leader, and in the entire Caucasus he takes an honorable second place. In length, it is second only to the Bezengi glacier and Dykh-su.

The glacier begins at the peaks of Wilpat, Bubis-khokh, Burdzhula, Karaugom and descends down the slope of the Main Caucasian Range, stretching for 15 kilometers. Its width reaches 9 kilometers. Down it squeezes through a narrow depression in the ridge no more than one kilometer wide. Since the pressure in this place is maximum, down, from a height of 3.5 kilometers, it collapses in an enchanting icefall. The end of the glacier is at an altitude of 1750 meters.

Karaugom has long been a tidbit for climbers - it was too difficult to climb it. For the first time the glacier was conquered by the English climber Douglas Freshfield. In 1868, he managed to climb the icefall and cross the Main Caucasian Range. In 1902, the Russian climber Nikolai Poggenpohl tried to repeat the ascent of the British, but he failed to climb to the very top. There were also record holders on Karaugom. So the climber Endrzhevsky stormed the glacier 40 times, but never rose above the end of the icefall.

It's hard to believe, but Chefandzar swamp is considered a natural monument of Digoria! It would seem, from where high in the mountains can a swamp appear? The fact is that at an altitude of 2400 meters there was once a moraine lake formed by a glacier. Gradually, it overgrown to such an extent that it turned into a swamp. The thickness of its peat deposits today reaches three meters. Chefandzar has a length of 3 kilometers and a width of about one and a half kilometers. Outwardly, it is an ideal intermountain plain covered with yellow vegetation.

Digoria is rich in waterfalls - Taimazinsky waterfalls, Bayradi, Galauz and others have been seething here since time immemorial. The waterfall with the sonorous name of Galdoridon has five steps and falls from a height of 35 meters. It is located on the river of the same name in the Khare Gorge. A powerful stream of water knocked out a vast bowl in the black shales. The name "Pearl" is also popular among tourists. And it is also called "Kroshkin's waterfall" - in honor of the deceased climber from Taganrog. The alpine lakes Khuppara and Gularskie are very picturesque.

Fasnalsky is considered to be an attraction. Pinery, spread out on a slope at an altitude of one and a half kilometers. The Dzinaginskaya Glade of Fatanta on the banks of the Karaugomidon-Uruh River is very picturesque. It impresses with giant boulders that a glacier once brought here. A part of the ancient irrigation system has been preserved in the Dzagaraska tract. This place is located just two kilometers from the camp site "Dzinaga".

In the Donisar Gorge, at an altitude of 3 thousand meters, the glacial Donisar Lake flaunts. You should definitely visit the Scottat mineral water source on the banks of the Aygamugidon River. In addition to it, springs "Astavkort", "Koltisaur" and "Khumes" gush in the reserve. All of them are cold - the temperature of the "mineral water" does not exceed 6 degrees all year round. The water is heavily carbonated.

Photo: Digorskaya mineral water is a natural soda

But not only natural masterpieces are protected in Alania Park. On the territory of Digoria there are many ancient structures - crypts, tower complexes. For example, the mountain village of Galiat is entirely an architectural complex of the Middle Ages. Ossetians built houses in the form of four-story towers, which were called ganakh. The buildings were located on the slopes of the mountains, so the roof of one house served as a courtyard for neighbors. Petroglyphs have been preserved on the rocks near the village. Once upon a time, the Silk Road passed through Galiat.

Photo: Tower of the Abisalovs in the village of Makhchesk

In the village of Makhchesk you can see the tower of the Abisalovs, the ancient crypt complex and the Gumerkhan sanctuary. Famous Digor sanctuaries are also Izad, Avd Dzuar and Rekom. By the way, Rekom is a male sanctuary, so women are not allowed to enter there. You can get inside the temple only during religious holidays. Climbing routes pass through the village of Fasnal to the Taimazi and Tanantset glaciers. Fans of hang gliding also come here. There is a club in the village, there is a deltadrome.

How to get there

The way to Digoria lies through Vladikavkaz or Mineralnye Vody. These cities have railway stations and airports. Then you should take a bus to the village of Chikola, which is considered the starting point for traveling in the western part of North Ossetia.

Our tourist club offers the following hiking programs:

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Travel plan

Arrival in the morning at the airport (railway station) in Mineralnye Vody. Group transfer at 11.30 to the Digorsky Gorge of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania (3 hours to the border). Lunch (on your own). In the national cafe of the village of Chikola you will be offered dishes of Ossetian cuisine. In the company of a guide, you will drive to the main gate of the mountainous 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 beats among the rocks at a depth of seventy meters. The canyon is striking in its grandeur. Its sheer walls are formed by cliffs of gray layered Jurassic limestone. Several karst springs effectively fall into the abyss.
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 (Ossetian Uastirdzhi). You will also visit the village of Matsuta, located at the confluence of the Aigomugidon 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: Metelaska waterfall, Mount Kubus, spurs of Laboda and Sugansky ridge. In the evening discussion of the tour program. Dinner on your own in the hotel restaurant.

Breakfast in the hotel. Meeting with the guide, departure on an off-road vehicle to the auto-walking route to the Karaugom gorge (the length of the walk in both directions is 10-12 km.)
Before going on the route, you will issue a pass to the border zone. Trekking to the Karaugom glacier. The river Karaugomdon originates 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 received 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 just over 13 kilometers, the area is 27 square kilometers, the glacier descends to a height 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 ration). Return to the hotel, rest. Dinner on your own in 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. Having descended from the mountain, you will continue your walk around the foot of Kubus to the Taimazinsky waterfalls. The waterfalls look 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 the ledge stone pyramids. Over the years, in the pyramids, water has hollowed out many recesses, which are a real decoration of each of the waterfalls. Water, falling into these recesses, splashes out of them in fountains. Lunch at the waterfalls 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 journey through the medieval Ossetian villages of Kumbulta (visiting Bagayt Castle), Lezgor, Donifars.
The route runs along the spur of the Rocky Range, to be more precise, along the spur of the Uazakhokh massif. Here is the most high point The rocky ridge in North Ossetia is a mythological peak - Uazakhoh, reminiscent of a dilapidated fortress (3,529 m) in its outlines.
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 was different from governance in other communities of Digoria. Today, these villages are abandoned by people and represent an ancient open-air ethnographic museum with numerous remnants of 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-Donifarssky crypt burial ground. Here are concentrated 64 tombs of various types and 7 tsyrts - memorial pillars. There is also the temple of Sataya-Obau (the second half of the 15th - the beginning of the 16th century).
You will devote most of the program to acquaintance with the necropolis and the remaining monuments of mountain medieval architectural architecture.
You will visit the medieval settlement of Zadalesk, where you will visit the museum of the mother - the savior of Alanian children - Zadaleskoynan.
After that, you will go to the settlement of Khanaz, in the past one of the largest settlements of mountainous Digoria. The settlement is famous for the castle of the Tsallaev family, which is called "Frigate". There is no second such architectural structure in the entire North Caucasus. Indeed, it is not clear to a person who first came here what rises on a high rocky ledge at an altitude of 2000 m above sea level. m. - 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 14th-16th centuries. After the tour, you will visit the Ossetian house, where hospitable hosts will treat you with homemade Ossetian pies and tea with herbs collected in the mountains.
During the meeting, you will learn about the lifestyle and customs of the locals. Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own in the hotel restaurant.

Breakfast in the hotel. Group gathering in the hotel lobby. Exit to the route. Today you will hike through the Tana-dona gorge to the Tana-tsete glaciers. The length of the walk in both directions is 10-12 km. During the walk you will find yourself in captivity of the unique intricate vegetation: juniper, dwarf perennial deciduous trees. Leaving the vegetation zone, you will find yourself in the amphitheater of mountains: Taimazi Main, Chashura, Tsiteli, Digoria Peak, the peaks of the Western and Main towers of Laboda.
At the end of the path you will see the Tanatsete glacier. Lunch on the way (dry ration). Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own in the hotel restaurant.

The village of Galiat is located in the Wallagkom Gorge. This is a unique medieval architectural complex. Houses here used to be built in tiers. The roof of one house served as a yard for another, so the Galiatians could safely visit each other without leaving their own yard. Typical Ossetian towers, consisting of four floors, have also been preserved in Galiata.
Lunch on your own.
At 14.00 departure from the gorge to Mineralnye Vody airport (5 hours on the way) for evening flights after 12.00 hours.