This September I spent two weeks in Dagestan, the most southern and the most mountainous republic of Russian Federation, and it was one of the most impressive trips I've ever had. In «russian» Russia we have some strong stereotypes about Dagestan and its people. They say, this region is dangerous, unfriendly and radically islamic. I always have doubted this opinion, but now I know for sure: it's an amazing region with various unique cultures, welcoming and hardworking people, delicious food and breathtaking nature, from sea and desert to highest mountains and clouds.
Please don't be afraid and travel to Dagestan while it's not overcrowded with tourists.
Cute patio of Dom 15, trendy cafe in Makhachkala
Traditional food of Dagestan: kurze (amazing beef dumplings with broth) and hinkal (steamed corn buns and lamb)
Two famous spots not far from Makhachkala: Sulak canyon (deeper than Grand one) and Sari-Kum barhhan (the biggest in Eurasia)
Enormous dam of Chirkei reservoir. On the right below it's the beginning (or ending) of Sulak canyon
Ruined house of XIX centrury in Chokh, extremely cozy mountain village
Gamsutl, the very famous abanoned mountain village of Dagestan
Pretty nice local history museum of Gunib, another mountain village (not so cozy and tiny as Chokh)
Very hard-to-draw view from the top of Gunib
Left one is at ZM coffee, nice cafe in Derbent. I tried coffee with urbech here, and it was something very special. On the right it's a carpet I met on the street and bought
This is monstrous soviet ekranoplan Lun, never been in a fight. Now it was towed to Derbent for becoming an exhibit of military park
An old armenian church in Derbent, now it's a museum with beautiful carpets, utencils and household items
Kubachi, another mountain village, appeared to be one of the most amazing places I've been to. There was a building on the left but I couldn't see it because of the dense fog
Amuzgi, abandoned village, which had been famous once with its cold steel craftsmen. This is a house of it's last inhabitant (old lady, died in 2016), from outside and inside
Pieces of the place where we stayed at in Kubachi. Our host is a school teacher, but also a jeweler as almost all men in the village. This silver jug on the left was hamdmade by him at home with this set of tools.
Gostinaya, another beautiful cafe in Makhachkala, just before out flight home.
Thanks so much for watching, hope you enjoyed my trip!
