Dagestan is shrouded in myths, most of which are easily debunked during the trip. But still, there are points that you should definitely keep in mind when traveling. I’ll tell you about the mistakes that are best avoided so as not to spoil your vacation.
Content
- Wear open clothes
- Search for alcohol in the menu
- Smoking in public
- Publicly show feelings
- Follow the weather forecast in Makhachkala
- Save on a guide
- Rent a car
- Get close to the edge of a cliff
- Forget comfortable shoes at home
- Expect five-star service in the mountains
To wear open clothes
The inhabitants of Dagestan profess Islam, so there are certain requirements for clothing here.
Rules for women. Most of the local women wear floor-length dresses or skirts and cover their heads. There are no such strict requirements for travelers, but if they decide to wear a mini or short shorts, it may be considered an insult. T-shirts with thin straps and tops are also prohibited. Of course, you don’t need to wrap yourself up from head to toe, but try to dress so that your shoulders and knees are covered.
Rules for men.Men shouldn’t get too naked either: even in hot weather, it’s better to choose breeches and a shirt or T-shirt, rather than bathing trunks paired with a bare torso.
The dress code should be especially strictly observed when visiting mosques. I advise you to go to the Juma mosque in Derbent: it is considered the oldest in Russia.
- What to see in Derbent
The largest mosque of the republic is located in Makhachkala: inside it is beautifully painted and decorated with stunning crystal chandeliers.
Juma mosque in Derbent. Photo: shushonok/Shutterstock.com
Search for alcohol in the menu
Many tourists rightly believe that Dagestan is a wine—growing region, because there are many vineyards in Derbent. Yes, wine is indeed produced in the republic, but it is not sold everywhere. In large cities, alcohol can be bought in shops and in some restaurants. For example, the Nomad restaurant in Makhachkala has a good wine list, and in Derbent, take a look at Eden or Terrace Victoria.
But you definitely won’t be able to buy wine in the mountains, where most travelers go. There are two options: wash down a barbecue with tea for the whole trip or stock up on local wine in advance. By the way, you can’t drink alcohol defiantly either. For example, when we had dinner at the Mountain Lake recreation center, the owner poured our wine into a jug so as not to put the bottle on the table.
There is a good wine list in the Nomad restaurant in Makhachkala. Photo: Nomad
Smoking in public
This prohibition does not apply to men.: they smoke a lot in Dagestan and almost everywhere. But a girl can be convicted for such behavior, so you have to do everything unnoticed.
Publicly showing feelings
Hugs and kisses in public are not welcome in Dagestan. Moreover, it is better for lovers not even to hold hands in public places. This is part of a strict morality that is passed down from the elders to the younger ones.
Hugs and kisses in public are not welcome in Dagestan. Photo: Elena Savva/Shutterstock.com
Follow the weather forecast in Makhachkala
Mountains are an obligatory part of a trip to Dagestan. The lion’s share of the sights — Gamsutl, Karadakh gorge, Sulak Canyon, Chokh village — are not located on the plain at all. The weather in the mountains is changing rapidly: it was just going to rain, but the sun is already shining around that bend, and the thermometer in the car has increased a couple of degrees. Therefore, it is pointless to focus on the forecast in Makhachkala: for example, the Irganai reservoir may be much warmer, with its own microclimate due to the mountain ranges. In other areas, on the contrary, it will be cooler.
Before departure, it is better to ask the guide about the weather in the coming days, but it is not certain that the forecast will be accurate. Therefore, just in case, bring a raincoat and something warm: it can be cool in the evenings even in summer.
Sulak Canyon. Photo: Olesya Lesly/Shutterstock.com
Save on a guide
It seems that only lazy people in Dagestan do not sell author’s tours and do not offer excursions. Unfortunately, the quality of such services is not always high: someone saves on transportation (believe me, you don’t want to drive 3 hours into the mountains on a bucket with bolts), someone forgets about safety (and, for example, exceeds the speed limit or suggests a walk through the gorge in the rain). So when choosing a guide, it is better to focus not on the low cost, but on reviews from open sources.
For example, if you are looking for trips on Tripster, carefully study the reviews.:
Rent a car
Roads in Dagestan are of good quality, even in the mountains, but drivers like to drive and do it often and with pleasure. So if you’re a new driver, it’s better to sit in the passenger seat and entrust the steering wheel to an experienced driver who will be your guide through the republic.
If you feel that the driving style scares you, do not hesitate to talk about it. What is the norm for a local can scare a traveler who is not used to serpentines and narrow roads.
- A ready-made route through Dagestan: what to see during the week
Roads in Dagestan are of good quality, even in the mountains. Photo: sommthink/Shutterstock.com
Get close to the edge of the cliff
Sometimes you really want to take a spectacular photo on the edge of a steep cliff. It’s better not to take risks, because you never know where the rock may crumble. In addition, there is often a strong wind in the mountains that literally blows you off your feet: when we went up to the observation deck overlooking the Sulak Canyon, I could barely get out of the car, and the huge jeep itself was rocking like it was made of cardboard. Take pictures only at a safe distance from the edge.: they turn out to be no less beautiful, and the risk is minimal.
- What you need to know about Sulak Canyon
Forget comfortable shoes at home
You will probably have to walk a lot in Dagestan, even if you take an individual tour, during which the guide will always take you in a high-terrain jeep from point A to point B. For example, it is simply impossible to get close to Gamsutl, which is considered one of the main attractions of the region, so it will take about an hour (or even longer) walking in one direction. So shoes should be as comfortable as possible, non-slip and preferably waterproof. If space in the suitcase allows, take two pairs.: That way you’ll have a chance to change your shoes.
It is simply impossible to get close to Gamsutl, which is considered one of the main attractions of the region, so you will have to walk for about an hour in one direction. Photo: Olga Gavrilova/Shutterstock.com
Expect five-star service in the mountains
In the mountains, the choice of housing is mostly limited to recreation centers. All the disadvantages are more than smoothed out by the hospitality of the hosts, who are ready to give you the last blanket if you suddenly complain that you are cold at night.
There are also proven options: I recommend the Mountain Lake recreation center already mentioned above: it has the most convenient location, and all the main attractions are literally 1-2 hours away. The houses themselves are small, but quite comfortable. And what a view from the balcony! Keep in mind that the water in the Irganai reservoir is drained for the winter, but it should return in June.
Recreation center “Mountain Lake”.
Latrines in the mountains
The moment is intimate, but important: the toilets in the mountainous regions are very bad. As a rule, the facilities are limited by a hole in the floor, and there is no toilet paper. Soap is also a rare guest in local latrines. So don’t be lazy to bring a pack of wet wipes with you. Fortunately, progress does not stand still: in some new cafes and restaurants it is easy to find the usual amenities.
Where else would you like to stay
- If you need to spend the night near the airport, I recommend staying at the AZIMUT Park Hotel Kaspiysk. It is located right on the beach, and it is very pleasant to walk along the embankment before going to bed. There is also an outdoor swimming pool: if you are lucky with the weather, you can swim. You can have a delicious dinner at the Beluga restaurant, and then return to the spacious room with everything you need, including bathrobes and slippers, and get a good night’s sleep on a comfortable bed.
- In Derbent, you can stay at the boutique hotel Old Town Derbent. It’s not a budget option, but it’s actually a luxury one. The hotel is conveniently located in the very center, so you can walk around for your own pleasure.
- A more democratic option in the same Derbent is Hotel Platan. The rooms are minimalistic and no frills (the cheapest ones have a shared bathroom), but the staff is friendly, and there are many nice cafes and restaurants nearby.
- If you want to swim and relax on the beach during your trip, consider hotels in Izberbash. Read more about the beaches in Dagestan here.
There are two things that have captivated me in Dagestan: the beauty of nature and the hospitality of the locals. Despite the fact that there are still many questions about the infrastructure, and some rules may seem too strict, it is definitely worth visiting this region. You will either fall in love with it with all your heart, or at least understand why all your friends liked these places so much.
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Cover photo: J_K/Shutterstock.com
