Dombay in summer - photo trip to the mountains of Dombay glade. Holidays in Dombay: Take a walk in the alpine meadows, ride down the mountains, swim in stormy waterfalls. What kind of trees are in Dombay?
When I was leaving on the train North Caucasus, I assumed, of course, that I would get vivid impressions. But I had no idea how much this region would captivate me. How beautiful these mountains, passes, gorges will be...
And in this article I want to tell you what a ski resort is Dombay resort in summer.
What does an ordinary person know about Dombai? That it is somewhere in the Caucasus, that avid skiers strive to get there, that it is beautiful there. We went there with approximately the same knowledge. And this is what came out of it.
Dombay: why you should come here even if you are not a skier
Usually, when people say the words “unique nature” to me when describing a place, I begin to suspect that it is not so unique after all.
Well, think for yourself: would it occur to anyone to put emphasis on the unique nature in a guide to Austria? I doubt. For this is illogical, if only because in neighboring Germany and Switzerland it will be very similar. In general, all big mountains are somewhat similar. And the most interesting thing: having visited some big mountains, you fall in love with everyone else in absentia. Did you notice?
How to get there
By plane You can fly to the airport in Kavminvody. From the Mineralnye Vody bus station you can take a bus to Teberdy , and from there by taxi or bus to Dombay.
But the most pleasant option is, of course, to travel around the Caucasus, as we do - in your own car. We drove from the direction of Kislovodsk and left the mountains on the highway just near Cherkessk.
By car from Cherkessk (the capital of Karachay-Cherkessia) you will reach Dombay along the A-155 highway in 2-2.5 hours. And believe me, this will be one of the most beautiful roads in your life!
While we were driving, I involuntarily had associations with the same Swiss landscapes:
“Alpine pastorals” would be the name of these paintings if the minaret towers and rickety fences were removed from them. And add the bell towers of Catholic churches, coupled with high-speed rail and a highway.
By the way, one of the peculiarities of this region is cars without license plates. This is how local horsemen ride. The traffic police officers obviously don’t touch them (hey, yes, they’re still their own!), but it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to come to an agreement with the camera that the feds installed and which records everyone by their license plate number.
Instead of cows with bells, lean stallions graze on the slopes along the road. In the Caucasus, it’s customary to be proud and admire horses! As in, Karachay-Cherkessia has its own source of pride.
The existence of two separate breeds, Kabardian and Karachay, was officially recognized in 1935 - although in the first volume of the state stud book all Caucasian breeds were united under the general term “mountain”. In 1943, after the repressions and deportation of the Karachais to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, all references to this people, including the name of the local horse breed, were erased. Of course, the Karachai horses themselves continued to exist, but they were recorded as Kabardian. It was possible to “rehabilitate” the breed as a separate breed only in the 1980s, but the controversy still does not subside.
And we are already approaching Teberda - once the largest anti-tuberculosis resort in the USSR.
Teberda: say yes to nature
The resort is located at an altitude of 1300−1400 meters above sea level, in the picturesque valley of the Teberda River.
It is this resort that will become your transit point if you go to Dombay not by car, but fly by plane to the Caucasus Mineralnye Vody.
For a resident of large cities, Teberda will seem like a large village. But once upon a time it was with it that the tourist boom to these places began. Only then it wasn’t skiers or mountain trekking enthusiasts who were eager to come here on vacation. And people suffering from tuberculosis, which was called the “plague of the 19th century.”
Teberda's climate is characterized by low atmospheric pressure, low humidity and high air ionization (50 times higher than in cities and on the plain). Another point is the special wind regime. Both fresh air from the surrounding mountains and warm air from the Black Sea enter the valley. At the same time, thanks to the mountains, biologically active substances and phytoncides produced by plants - relict pines and meadow herbs - are retained in the valley. So this place is one big natural inhaler.
In 1870, in these places, the wife of Captain Kuzovlev, who was the right hand of the commander of this entire district, was successfully cured of consumption. To celebrate, the captain built a dacha in these places, where his wife lived happily for another 20 years.
Another lucky person who was helped from tuberculosis local climate, was Islam Krymshamkhalov, Karachay artist and public figure. Having settled in Teberda, Krymshamkhalov became one of the main developers of the resort. In 1910, a letter was written to the then governor of the Caucasus, Illarion Ivanovich Vorontsov-Dashkov, and the following year the construction of state-owned dachas - prototypes of modern boarding houses - began in Teberda.
That same year, at the Pirogov Congress of Doctors in Moscow, Teberda was officially recognized mountain climatic resort . Thus, Teberda became an alternative not only to the Crimean one, where domestic asthmatics and tuberculosis patients were traditionally treated, but also to expensive resorts and. Here they are, the origins of import substitution, friends :-)
The first Soviet health resorts appeared here in 1923, and in the 1930s Teberda turned into a privileged resort; large ministries and departments built sanatoriums here.
Teberda has not lost either its status as a resort of federal significance or its main advantages. The nature here is still defiantly beautiful, as we have personally seen. And it is through Teberda, like a hundred years ago, that the only road passes - the former Military Sukhumi, now - federal highway A-155.
From here there are only 25 kilometers left to Dombay (20 minutes by car).
And the closer we get to it, the more it begins to seem to me that I am again traveling in the mountains of Switzerland...
Because that pyramidal peak over there reminds me very much of the Matterhorn.
And here I am Dombay village. It is located at 1600 m above sea level. This place is called Dombayskaya Polyana. Three gorges converge here. And accordingly, three rivers merge together - Alibek, Dombay-Ulgen and Amanauz.
The town itself is small. Just a couple of turns and we are already entering the parking lot at the lower cable car station.
Dombay in summer: what is worth coming for
Mount Dombay-Ulgen - highest peak Western Caucasus (4046 m), which gave its name to the entire region. It is located east resort village Dombay, on the border of Abkhazia and Karachay-Cherkessia.
How ski resort Dombay has been known in our country since the late 1960s. Nowadays, in terms of infrastructure, the resort lags behind more modern competitors. But the prices here are more affordable, and the atmosphere is almost homely.
Before we had time to get out of the car, an uncle jumped up to us and, in his own way, offered us not to overpay for the ride on the new cable car, but to take a ride on the old one, which was 300 rubles cheaper.
We looked at her... Maybe it’s romantic, of course, but I don’t want to risk it. We go to the ticket office of the new cable car.
Prices for a new lift
One lift to 3 stages costs 1050 rubles. Winter ski passes (judging by the price list at the checkout) were as follows: for 1 day - 1600 rubles, 2 days - 2840, 3 - 3910 rubles. Very sincere, compared to Krasnopolyansk prices.
The rise begins at 1590, which is already quite a lot. The first stage of the cable car - up to 2277 meters - is a gondola, i.e. 8-seater closed cabins. And the view of the valley from them is like this:
At 2277 meters you can walk a little, take photos and gather your courage. If you are afraid of heights, there will be a chair lift next.
If you like hand-made souvenirs, then here you will also find great shopping:
And before boarding the chair, you should warm yourself up - the temperature at the top will be 10 degrees lower than in the valley. So take advantage of your last chance.
We go to the chair. Of course, there are no queues for boarding now.
We rise higher and higher. So the snow appeared on the highway. There are no snow cannons visible, which means it’s a natural product, as they say.
As I found out later, after returning from Dombay, an artificial snowmaking system had already been purchased and will appear on ski slopes resort "Dombay" in December 2018, at the beginning of the new winter season.
In the meantime, let's admire the natural beauties. The landscapes are simply breathtaking! Is it possible to put this into words?
True, the sight of people riding in oncoming seats is a little alarming - they are wrapped in clothes, like the Germans near Moscow:
But after Elbrus, which greeted us with a snowstorm, we are no longer afraid of anything.
Why is it worth taking the cable car in summer?
Dombay Glade and the mountains surrounding it are legendary places. For climbers, Dombay is generally a cult place. It was with them, climbers, that the development of the area began back in pre-war years. The skiers arrived later. But it is for their sake that money is now being invested in the region’s infrastructure.
Although it is the old recognizable species that remain business card Dombaya. Like, for example, that hotel in the shape of a “flying saucer”:
In this regard, local guides will definitely tell you the legend of how aliens once landed at this place, and they liked it so much that they changed their minds about flying away and parked their “ship” here forever... Well, looking at the panoramas of these mountains, you willingly believe it.
At the same time, I note to myself that trails in Dombay not difficult: quite wide and not too steep in slope.
We are approaching 3035 meters above sea level. It’s certainly cool here, and warm clothes come in handy. You can go another 200 m higher on a chairlift. But for now we decide to look around here.
First, we go to capture the excellent view of Mount Belalakaya:
If you, like us, have seen a lot mountain resorts for your tourist age, and in your archive there are 100,500 photos with mountain views, then this inscription will remind you exactly where you enjoyed the panoramas of snow-capped peaks.
There are simple cafes here, where skiers apparently dine.
Tourists with pretensions will definitely not be enthusiastic about visiting such “authentic” establishments. I’m not even talking about the toilet, which hangs over the abyss (note that the cost of visiting is 30 rubles):
There are also about a dozen different souvenir stalls here - what if you urgently need that cute hat with ears to be completely happy?
But this is understandable, everything is as it should be. Where there are tourists, there are souvenirs.
But we still don’t understand what this guy was doing at the ski resort with two machine guns in his arms:
We let him go ahead and wait for the next chair. We decided not to climb another 200 meters: everything was drowned in a cloud, visibility was zero, and we were not in the mood for completely freezing on the chair.
On the way down, a piercing wind blows in your face. But we still manage to take a couple more beautiful shots:
At the bottom we are overtaken by a feeling of hunger, and in search of food we go to the other side of the river, across the bridge:
How much does it cost to eat in Dombay?
On the other side of the river we find tightly packed shopping arcades and a couple of cafes.
Prices for food in Dombay in summer and winter are almost the same and depend on the level of the establishment. The khychins we love cost from 100 rubles in a cafe, from 130-200 in a restaurant. The main fillings are meat, potatoes, cottage cheese or soft cheese with herbs. But you can’t guess with them: they can serve small ones, with the fillings the cat cried, or, on the contrary, they can bring such ones that you can fill up with this one snack.
The main dishes include: river and lake trout (from 250 rubles per serving, usually one large fish), mountain and Karachay meat cost the same. A kettle of mountain tea with honey or jam - from 150 rubles. Lagman and shurpa usually start from 150 rubles per serving. In general, you can eat in a cafe from 500 rubles for two.
What to see in the vicinity of Dombay
And we begin to desperately regret that we did not take a couple more days to visit Dombay...
Some attractions are accessible by our car - roads are built to them. However, the mountain roads cannot be traveled by bus, so there are no large groups of excursionists at these sites. To get to some of them, as we were told, we would have to walk along picturesque mountain paths.
All in all, summer rest in Dombay it can be very, very diverse; there is no shortage of excursions and entertainment.
Prices for some activities: ATV rental - about 2000 rubles; horseback riding - from 1000 rubles per person; fishing - from 500 rubles
There is one caveat: many natural beauty Teberda Biosphere Reserve, in addition, the border with Abkhazia passes nearby. Therefore, the scheme here is the same as in Krasnaya Polyana: if you go on these routes, you will have to apply for a pass to the border zone. Previously, it had to be done in advance (2-3 days in advance) in Cherkessk, but now you can get it directly from the forester on the route. But you need to have your passport with you and fill out a form. This is done for free.
But the trails in the reserve are paid. The cost of passage is 100-150 rubles. Agree, this is not much, if all these lakes and waterfalls are really as beautiful as in the photos in tourist brochures.
Where to stay in Dombay
There are quite a lot of guest houses and hotels in Dombay. They all differ from each other in the level of accommodation and the quality of services provided. However, all Dombay hotels are famous for their Caucasian hospitality and home comfort. Price levels in the summer and winter months are, of course, different.
In the off-season, a double standard can be found from 1,300 rubles; in winter, room rates in most hotels start from 2,000 rubles. Modest apartments cost from 2 thousand rubles, higher levels - from 4 thousand. As a rule, prices increase even more for the New Year.
We vacationed in Dombay in the off-season (May 2018) and, choosing options for ourselves, looked at the following hotels:
- Chateau Leopard
- Hotel National
- Crystal Hotel
- Meridian
- Andersen Hotel
- Hotel Gonachkhir
If you need something simpler, you can check out these options:
- Hotel Sokol
- Crown of Dombay
- Star
- Altair-Dombay
- Sky Hotel
- Hotel Stella
If you do not want to organize your holiday in Dombay yourself, then you can buy a ready-made tour.
All hands on deck!
In general, if you plan your vacation in Dombay not in ski season(and it lasts here from December to April), get ready for dizzying mountain trails and incredible adventures. And take at least a week for your vacation!
Because now, having returned from this region, I have already made a whole list of why I want to return there. If you are also a supporter of active recreation, then these places will also captivate you...
I look forward to your comments and questions.
See you on the blog!
If earlier Russian tourists chose a quiet and slightly lazy holiday in warm countries, then that's it now more people prefer leisure and unity with nature.
Dombay fits these characteristics perfectly. This beautiful place in Karachay-Cherkessia in the Teberda basin in the North Caucasus. Dombay combines picturesque nature, a ski resort and adventure. You can go to Dombay at any time of the year. But experienced travelers prefer to go there in the cold season.
What to see in Dombay in winter? We'll tell you in this article.
A little about winter Dombay
Winter in Dombay is mild and cozy: there are no severe frosts - the temperature is from 0 to -2 degrees, there is a dense layer of snow all around - 2-2.5 meters. The snowy splendor lasts from December to March.
Despite the favor of the cold season, some attractions of Dombay become inaccessible in winter. In cold weather you cannot climb the glacier or go to the waterfalls. But at the same time, the ski season begins, which compensates for all this.
Ski holidays in Dombay
The ski season in Dombay lasts from December to March. Some manage to ski until April, but according to reviews at this time the snow is already stale, heavy and sticky. February and March are considered the most favorable.
And here best places Riding options vary depending on level. Of all the trails, those on the southwestern slopes of Mount Mussa-Achitara are suitable for beginners. The track there is calm, without sharp changes. “Red” and “black” slopes for experienced skiers are located lower down the slope.
In addition to slopes of varying steepness and complexity, on Mount Mussa-Achitara you can enjoy stunning views of the Teberda valley and. And also delicious food - next to each of the five ski lifts there are cafes, bars and kebab shops with local food. Interestingly, the higher you go, the cheaper the food will be.
Nature of Dombay and hiking
In winter, it is best to go to Dombay for those who are interested in skiing. But if you love nature and hiking and you have the opportunity to go to Dombay in the cold season, then you shouldn’t refuse. Of course, snow and slight frosts make many hiking trails inaccessible, but there are still places to walk.
Conventionally, winter trails can be divided into those that are simpler and those that are more difficult. If you are not confident in your abilities, then go to the already mentioned Mount Mussa-Achitara - you can get there using a lift.
If you don’t mind walking a little, then go to the Dombay-Ulgen gorge. The road is simple and short, and its first section can be covered by chairlift cable car. Once there, you can ride horses, go to the Reserve and walk through the coniferous forest to Russkaya Polyana. At the final point, a panoramic view of the Musa-Achitara ridge and the Main Caucasian Ridge opens.
For even more vivid impressions For winter beauty and spectacular photographs, go to the Gonachkhir gorge. A short steep climb, a leisurely walk and from the gorge you will reach Lake Tumanly-Kel.
Are you ready for the challenge? Visit Devil's Mill Canyon. It is called the most interesting winter route. The passage to the canyon lies through the Teberdinsky State Natural Park Biosphere Reserve. Entrance there is paid, but the amount is rather symbolic - about 100 rubles.
Once inside, you will follow a marked trail along the Amanauz River. You will be accompanied by snow bridges over the river, frozen mountain streams, scree and beautiful views of Dombay.
Mandatory program: what to see in Dombay?
What to see in Dombay in winter? Of course, to the panoramic views of Teberda, Elbrus and the Main Caucasus Range. To a real coniferous forest with frosty and clean air. To the frozen wonders of nature. On the lungs mountain roads and mesmerizing narrow paths.
Any place in Dombay will be wonderful. The main thing is to be there.
Dombay is located in the middle between the Black Sea coast and Elbrus. In both directions in a straight line about 65 kilometers. Perhaps this influenced the fact that Dombay is especially beautiful in summer. For three weeks I waited for a clear sunny day, so that the trip to the mountains would not be overshadowed by fog and so that all the peaks with which Dombay Glade is rich would be open. I was able to see the Dombay mountains in all their glory!
Dombay resort
At 9 am we crossed the border of the Teberdinsky reserve. After 20 minutes we reached the village of Dombay from where we were to climb. From here from the village there is a stunning view of the beautiful BelalaKaya (3861m) - one of my favorite photos))
Hotels
Most resort hotels are open year-round. There are hotels in Dombay in summer, winter, spring and autumn to suit every taste and budget.
In general, there are more than a hundred accommodation options in Dombay. You can see them on our map.
Best hotels in Dombay
Budget hotels in Dombay
A large selection of apartments, cottages and apartments in Dombayskaya Polyana can be found using the form below.
Not everyone knows, but in Russia tour operators have started selling tours to Dombay. You can buy a tour on the following sites:
Amanauz - a river in Dombay
To get to the cable car, you need to cross the bridge. Here, through the rows of coniferous giants, the Amanauz River flows its waters.
Amanauz is a real mountain river. This turbulent molasses is the source of the Teberda River. By the way, in translation Amanauz means “evil mouth”.
From the other side of the bridge there is a stunning view of Sofrudzha (3781m) and the Crystal Hotel in the village of Dombay.
Dombay cable cars
There is a developed multi-level cable car system in Dombay; we used the one that was called new. The network of cable cars in Dombay allows you to climb to the top of Mount Mussa-Achitara. In summer, the old and new lines of the cable car operate. Looking ahead, it should be clarified that the system is 4-level, i.e. with two transfers. Upon arrival in Dombay, we found ourselves at an altitude of 1590 meters, from here we had to climb Mount Mussa-Achitara, about 3163 meters high. On weekends in the summer, Dombay is visited very a large number of tourists and excursions. Making your way to the ski lift as a savage in the morning is problematic.
Old pendulum cable car. It can only go up to the 2nd level.
Our ascent to the second level took place in a trailer that can be described as made in some kind of Swiss-futuristic style, in comparison with the familiar trailers of the Soviet period.
However, now such booths can be seen in many places. They run in and out.
The Dombay cable car map is as follows.
Climbing to the top of Dombay
It wasn’t even 10 o’clock in the morning when I was already on the second level - altitude 2277 above sea level.
From here in the rays rising sun the entire village of Dombay and the Alibek gorge are clearly visible, with views of Ertsog (3683m) and Dzhalovchat (3884m).
The Ine peak and the Dzhuguturluchat massif (3921m) are clearly visible - translated as “mountain above the gorge of the Turs”.
Glacier on the ridge of Mount Dzhuguturluchat. 
Here we spend no more than 10 minutes and continue the ascent further on open 6-seater seats. At the same time, we cross the old lifts from the top, also open, but of a 2-seater type.
A few minutes and we are on the third level. This level is the most equipped; there are various cafes and antennas.
The most interesting of the cafes - “3012” (apparently due to the height of the location) has the appearance of a stylized fortress of the Caucasian peoples.
On the way back, I dined on trout here for 200 rubles; I couldn’t deny myself a little pleasure on such a beautiful day.
After lunch, I wandered around for some time, took a few photographs, some of which for some reason very much remind me of Central Asia - Afghanistan-Pakistan, although I have never been there)))
Here the mountains move away, they become not so close, but now their entire huge massif appears before the eye - the Dombay meadow. From here you can clearly see the killed bison hiding in the Dombay-Ulgen gorge - the highest of the mountains of the western Caucasus - 4046 meters and its entire gorge. By the way, the word “dombai” itself translated from the Karachay language means “bison”. Once upon a time, whole herds of these animals lived here.
The Amanauz massif (3757 m) is visible - in the photo on the right.
Glacier Dzhuguturluchat, Amanauz and Sufrudzhu.
Semenov-Bashi (3608 m) rises in all its glory and the border of eternal ice begins.
By the way, from the third level there is a stunning view of the entire Teberda gorge, which is where we came from.
We had 3 hours of time - so much and so little to enjoy this beauty, plus we spent another hour on the descent.
Mountains of Dombay. Dombay glade from the top of Mussa-Achitara
But the climb is not over; further up, to the very top of Mussa-Achitara, another cable car leads. As of the time I was there, the road had not yet been put into operation. They built it, but according to the old Russian tradition, it refused to work and no one could understand why. In general, they were waiting for specialists, apparently from Switzerland, where this miracle of technology was produced.
Well, this is not even the wilds of Mount Beshtau and not even Zhelezka, I thought and decided that I would climb, no matter what!!
The climb came quite quickly. 10-15 minutes and I was already standing at the top of Mussa-Achitara main mountain Dombaya. The height was already 3 kilometers. From here the whole valley opened up Dombay Mountains— Dombai glade.
Dombai Glade is a place in the upper reaches of the Teberda River that unites several mountain gorges. The connection of the Dombay-Ulgen, Amanauz, Alibek and Gonachkhir gorges forms a circus, the mountainous territory of which is united under the name Dombay Glade or simply Dombay.
Dombay-Ulgen Gorge
Far left - Amanauz - Sofrudju - Belalakaya - Erzog + Jalovchat - Far right.
Dzhuguturluchat massif.
Alibek Gorge
Amanauz Gorge
Semyonov Bashi and the top of Mount Bolshaya Marka.
Teberda Gorge
You take a few steps and the Teberda begins in front of your feet at the confluence of the Amanauz and Gonachkhir rivers.
There is a view of the Teberda Gorge.
Gonachkhir Gorge
You look to the east and the Gonachkhir gorge with the Main Caucasian ridge on the other side appears before your eyes.
The gorge is crowned with the snow-white cap of Elbrus.
Peak Mussa-Achitara
Here, at the top, from where you can see all the mountains of Dombay, I spent almost an hour. I hung out in a chair on a non-working cable car, ate lunch on a backfill, practically dangling my legs from a cliff at an altitude of more than 3 kilometers, burned in the bright mountain sun and received incredible pleasure from the unforgettable views that the Dombay meadow gives.
By the way, Mussa-Achitara is also known as Musat-Cheri.
The Dombay glade contains an innumerable number of mountains, massifs and peaks. I tried to highlight at least the main, most pronounced peaks.
Summer Dombay on video
Our video shows Dombay in summer. Climbing to the top of Mount Mussa-Achitara and Mt. Dombayskaya Polyana.
Dombay in summer. Going down
Descending from the top was more difficult, since my path down ran through the remnants of the snow cap, and the remaining snow looked more like highly crushed melted ice. Sneakers are absolutely not suitable footwear for crossing such a tongue of snow, even ten meters wide.
Those who visit Dombay in the summer, at the top at the foot of the glacier, can see Biberstein's bells growing.
The place where the rivers begin, if you look closely at the photo below you can see a thin stream)))
There is snow on the peaks all year round as if bordering Dombay. Glaciers melt in summer, from Mussa-Achitara great view to Dzhuguturluchatsky waterfall. He is certainly not the only one. Dombay is rich in waterfalls in summer, but not all of them are easily accessible.
On the left is the Tooth of Sofrudju, on the right is BelalaKaya.
I spent almost another half hour on the second level. I never managed to find one of the symbols of Dombay - a hotel in the shape of a flying saucer. But my search ended successfully. The “Flying Saucer” was presented to Dombay by the President of Finland, Urho Kekkonen. The opening took place in 1979. The hotel accommodates up to 8 people.
For my search, I was rewarded with herbs from alpine meadows. Dombay in the summer is not only mountains, it is also stunningly beautiful nature!
How to get to Dombay
Dombay Glade is a mountainous area in the Caucasus. There is no airport or railway. Nevertheless, getting to Dombay is not difficult. By the way, entry into the territory of the Teberda Nature Reserve is paid.
How to get to Dombay from Moscow
The fastest way to get to Dombay from Moscow is by plane. The nearest airport to Dombay is in the city of Mineralnye Vody. About a dozen flights fly from Moscow to Mineralnye Vody every day different airlines any time of the day. The flight time will be 2 hours.
How to get from Mineralnye Vody to Dombay
Dombay is a little more than 200 kilometers from Mineralnye Vody. If you go by your own transport, then there are 2 roads, through Cherkessk or through. The road through the pass is more picturesque if you are not afraid of mountain serpentines.
As an option, you can rent a car, spend the night in Dombay, and the next day visit Arkhyz, adjacent to the Dombay meadow. You can even go to Elbrus or to. In addition to Dombay, in the summer there are a lot of places in the Caucasus that you can visit on your own. You can rent a car at affordable prices on the website.
You can get to Dombay by train, via Nevinnomyssk. From Nevinnomyssk, and Cherkessk, Pyatigorsk and Mineralnye Vody you can get to Dombay by regular bus from the bus station. On the downside, the bus goes to Teberda, you need to change trains there. You can view flights and purchase tickets.
You can take a taxi to get there. You can order a taxi to the airport on the website or by clicking on the form below. You will be met with a sign and taken to your doorstep.
At the resorts of Mineralnye Vody you can also purchase one day excursion. Departure almost every day at 6 am, price from about 1200 rubles per person. Individual excursions can be found .
How to get to Dombay by train
As I already wrote, you won’t be able to get to Dombay by train. By train, you can first get to Mineralnye Vody, or even better, to Nevinnomysskaya station. From Nevinnomyssk you can take the train to the nearest meadow to Dombayskaya railway station in the city of Cherkessk.
Dombay or Elbrus? Where is the best place to go?
To choose where it is better to go to Dombay or Elbrus, first of all you need to understand why? I’ll say right away that if possible, it’s better to go both ways. Better than the mountains there can only be mountains. If this is not possible, let's consider several options to choose Elbrus or Dombay.
If we talk about skiing, then Dombayskaya Polyana is more compact, it is more convenient to get to the slopes, but the slopes themselves are inferior to Elbrus. However, we won’t dwell on winter vacations, since the article is about Dombay in the summer.
If this is your first time in the Caucasus and you can only spend 1 day on the trip, then feel free to choose the direction that is closer to you in distance. If the distance is approximately the same, then I would recommend choosing Elbrus. Still, this is not only the most high mountain Europe, but also the highest mountain in Russia. Elbrus is not for nothing considered the pearl of the Caucasus. You can take a cable car to the glacier itself, and there, if desired and in good weather, you can take a snowmobile to shelter 11. You won’t be able to see Dombay in the summer and visit the glacier. You can catch last year's snowfield, but this is far from a glacier.
If you are planning a trip to Dombay or Elbrus for several days, then it is better to choose Dombay. The infrastructure there is more compact, the service in hotels is slightly higher. The mountains are a little more picturesque and closer than in the Elbrus region. Dombay Glade, and the whole of Teberda, is considered a place where the air is beneficial for people with pulmonary diseases. Here people were even cured of consumption. But on Elbrus there is not so much greenery.