A trend that has been observed for several years is the high interest of Russians in active and contemplative recreation in the mountains in the summer. Sales of this product from tour operators are growing. Some people combine mountains and sea during one trip. Others go exclusively to the mountains and do without the beach. We have compiled a price review of Russian mountain locations popular among Russians.
The top list of popularity of Russian mountain locations (if we talk about the volume of tourist flows) at the start of the summer season of 2024 is predictably headed by Krasnaya Polyana.
What helps the resort maintain its leadership are good prices, infrastructure that meets high standards, a wide selection of activities and entertainment for the most demanding tastes, and the sea is just a stone’s throw away. In general, there are no global changes in the position of summer mountain Sochi compared to last summer – demand remains strong.
ACTIVE TOURISTS “TASTED” ADYGEA
If we talk about new trends, then the Republic enters the summer “arena” Adygea and resorts Karachay-Cherkessia.
“Adygea is gaining fans. Summer demand in this direction increased by 25% compared to last year. Tourists travel with great pleasure through this unique and very beautiful republic. Moreover, we are not talking about one-day trips, which is typical for the Elbrus region, for example. They are going on full-fledged tours,” Sergei Romashkin, vice president of ATOR for domestic tourism, general director of the tour operator “Dolphin,” shared his observations.
Resorts strengthen their position in summer Karachay-Cherkessia – Dombay And Arkhyz.
“The growth is greatest in Arkhyze. The infrastructure of this resort is improving and new tourist routes are appearing. It is important that the routes in Arkhyz are very accessible; they are suitable not only for climbers and sports tourists, but also for everyone who simply loves to walk. It is worth noting that the demand for Arkhyz is growing both in winter and summer. We can say that the summer season “helps” winter demand and vice versa,” said Sergei Romashkin.
Summer Elbrus region is also in great demand. Sergei Romashkin recalls that during his recent stay at this resort he saw dozens of excursion buses there. But, as mentioned above, many come to the Elbrus region only for a day. There is no mass demand for proper rest in the Elbrus region.
Among the Russian locations that come to the attention of tourists looking for a beautiful natural holiday, including mountain ones, are, among others, Altai and Baikal, the Urals and Karelia, and the Krasnoyarsk Territory.
Below we will tell you what vacation options in popular natural locations are offered by tour operators and how much tours cost.
KRASNAYA POLYANA IN SUMMER. TOURS – FROM 65 THOUSAND. RUB. FOR TWO WITH FLIGHT
When choosing mountainous Sochi for a vacation, tourists do not have to make a choice between the mountains and the sea. You will be able to admire the dizzying mountain panoramas and go to the beach every day. The Sochi mountain summer is in no way inferior to winter in terms of the number of activities and entertainment. But the cost of accommodation in mountain hotels is lower in summer than in winter.
Hotel range for every taste – from hostel to 5 stars and even apartments in addition. Here are some examples of prices for holidays in Krasnaya Polyana in June:
- “Alpine Tale” 3* / without meals – from 64.9 thousand rubles. for two for 7 nights. Happy flight. Departure June 18. PEGAS Touristik
- Ski Inn SPA Hotel 4* / without meals – from 111 thousand rubles. for two for 7 nights. Happy flight. Departure June 19. FUN&SUN
- Green Flow Hotel 4* / breakfasts – from 216.5 thousand rubles. for two for 7 nights. Happy flight. Departure June 17. Coral Travel
- Sochi Marriott Krasnaya Polyana 5*/ breakfast – from 170 thousand rubles. for two for 7 nights. Without taking into account the road. Check-in June 12. “Multitour”.
MEZMAY AND ADYGEA IN SUMMER. TOURS – FROM 28 THOUSAND. RUB. FOR TWO WITHOUT FLIGHTS
Another popular “mountain place” among Russians in the Krasnodar Territory is Mezmay, located 180 km away. from Krasnodar. There are many natural and historical locations in Mezmay. Tourists especially love the Guam Gorge, Eagle Shelf, Pyramid Rock, waterfalls, and caves.
IN Mezmay you can go, for example, with the tour operator “Dolphin” as part of an excursion tour around Adygea, or buy only ground service (hotel) from the tour operator. For accommodation in the guest house “Villa Lila” “Dolphin” asks 36.7 thousand rubles. for two for a week. Check-in June 16th.
Mezmay goes well with Republic of Adygea. Tourists go there for colorful gorges and canyons, waterfalls and rivers. People go rafting along rivers, walk a lot along mountain trails, and hang gliding is also popular here. This is in addition to getting to know the culture, traditions and gastronomy of the small republic. One of the most popular natural locations of Adygea is considered Lago-Naki mountain plateau.
The demand for holidays in Adygea is growing and more and more tour operators are beginning to add this destination to their range. Here are some examples of prices for holidays in Adygea in June:
- ethno-tour “Adygea past and present” + geothermal springs” for 7 nights – from 116,000 rubles. for two. Without taking into account the road. The program starts on June 23. “Dolphin”
- recreation center “Two Rivers” (on the banks of the Belaya River) – from 27 thousand rubles. for two for 6 nights. Without taking into account the road. Check-in June 17. National tour operator ALEAN
- White River Dakhovskaya Health complex – from 37.1 thousand rubles. for two for 7 nights. Without taking into account the road. Check-in June 19. Multitour.
KABARDINO-BAKARIA IN SUMMER. TOURS – FROM 73 THOUSAND. RUB. FOR TWO WITH FLIGHT
“Elbrus” in Kabardino-Balkaria has long ceased to be exclusively a ski resort. There are tons of opportunities for recreation in summer too: cable cars to the foot of the highest mountain in Europe, trekking, horse riding and a lot of other activities.
On Elbrus, the possibilities of the Elbrus region, of course, are not limited. There are a lot of stunning gorges, only one Adyr-Su with the mountain Ullu-Tau deserves a separate trip to the Elbrus region.
A whole scattering of fascinating mountainous things is “scattered” near the capital of the republic, Nalchik. This includes the Aktoprak pass, the Chegem waterfalls, and the mountain kingdom of Upper Balkaria. Plus, Nalchik also has excellent sanatoriums.
Tour operators have a good range of tours to Kabardino-Balkaria, everyone will choose a vacation to their liking. Here are some examples of prices for holidays in the CBD in June:
- Hotel “Mountain Fairy Tale” 3*/without meals (Elbrus region) – from 72.6 thousand rubles. for two for 6 nights. Happy flight. Departure June 17. ALEAN
- Smile Hotel 3*/breakfast and dinner (Elbrus region) – from 35.1 thousand rubles. for two for 5 nights. Without taking into account the road. Check-in June 20. Anex
- Grand Caucasus 4*/breakfast (Nalchik) – from 142.3 thousand rubles. for two for 6 nights. Happy flight. Departure June 17. PEGAS Touristik
- excursion tour for 6 nights “Five Rings of the Caucasus” (Ossetia + Ingushetia + Chechnya + Dagestan + KBR) – from 113.3 thousand rubles. for two. Without taking into account the road. “Dolphin”.
KARACHAY-CHERKESSIA AND NORTH OSSETIA – ALANIA IN SUMMER. TOURS – FROM 53 THOUSAND. RUB. FOR TWO WITH FLIGHT
Kabardino-Balkaria often combined with Karachay-Cherkessia And Ossetia. Mountain lovers are attracted there by gorges, waterfalls, caves and high mountains, of course. Popular resorts are Dombay, Arkhyz, Tsey.
Tours to all these locations are available from tour operators. Here are some examples of prices for holidays in Karachay-Cherkessia and Ossetia in June:
- “Panorama” / breakfast (mountain resort Tsey in North Ossetia-Alania) – from 105 thousand rubles. for two for 7 nights with flights. Departure June 17. PEGAS Touristik
- “Guest House 1950” (Tseyskoye Gorge) – from 109.6 thousand rubles. for two for 6 nights. Without taking into account the road. Check-in June 25th. Dolphin
- “Snezhinka” 3*/breakfast (Dombay) – 53 thousand rubles. for two for 6 nights. Happy flight. Departure June 14. “Russian Express”
- hotel complex “Sofia Peaks” (Arkhyz) – from 71.4 thousand rubles. for two for 6 nights. No flight. Check-in June 24th. ALEAN.
DAGESTAN IN SUMMER. TOURS – FROM 67 THOUSAND. RUB. FOR TWO WITH FLIGHT
Natural landscape Dagestan does not leave you indifferent: this is the sea, mountains, rivers, canyons, waterfalls. Many tourists always go to mountain locations as part of their beach holiday in the Caspian Sea.
In the range of tour operators you can find a wide variety of nature excursions, including a new product – all-inclusive car tours.
Here are some examples of prices for holidays in Dagestan in June:
- hotel complex “Ocean” 3*/breakfast – from 75 thousand rubles. for two for 7 nights with flights. Departure June 17. Coral Travel
- tour “Hello, Dagestan! Maxi” – from 121 thousand rubles. for two for 7 nights with flights. Departure June 15. FUN&SUN
- Hotel “Andalusia” – from 67 thousand rubles. for two for 7 nights with flights. Departure June 19. “Intourist”.
URAL, KARELIA, ALTAI AND BAIKAL IN SUMMER. TOURS – FROM 50 THOUSAND. RUB. FOR TWO WITH FLIGHT
Tourists’ requests “we want to see beautiful nature” often lead them to regions such as Altai, the Urals, Baikal, Karelia, tour operators say. Travel companies call summer demand in all these areas strong.
Here are some examples of prices for holidays in Karelia, Altai, Baikal and the Urals in June:
- estate “Elovoe”/breakfast (near the mountain resort “Abzakovo” in Bashkiria) – from 49.4 thousand rubles. for two for 6 nights with flights. Departure June 28. PEGAS Touristik
- Apart-hotel LIST 3*/breakfast (Gorno-Altaisk, Manzherok) – from 147 thousand rubles. for two for 7 nights with flights. Departure June 27. PAC Group
- tour “Escape from Moscow to Karelia for 8 days: Ruskeala, Valaam, Skerries” – from 110 thousand rubles. for two for 7 nights with flights. Departure June 20. FUN&SUN
- Hotel “Greenwich” 3*/breakfast (Ulan-Ude) – from 110.8 thousand rubles. for two for 7 nights with flights. Departure June 25. ALEAN.