September is an ideal month for traveling. The weather is good, there are not so many tourists at popular attractions anymore, you can still enjoy the warm sea or, conversely, feel the romance of golden autumn. And it is not necessary to spend a lot of money: we have collected a selection of budget destinations where a vacation will be memorable, but not with huge bills, but with impressions.
Contents
- Arkhyz
- Krasnodar Territory
- Buryatia
- Adygea
- Karelia
- Issyk-Kul
- Sevan
Travel all autumn
In September, perhaps, there are more options for an eventful vacation, but October and November should not be written off. We prove in the article that autumn can be rich, fun and interesting.
Arkhyz: to see the face of Christ, go hiking and fall in love with the Caucasus Mountains
How to get there: first by plane to Mineralnye Vody. If the goal is to save as much as possible on tickets, have “Victory” they can be snatched from 1800 rubles. one way from the capital — but this is an option with a conditional departure tomorrow. Then you need to cover 211 km by taxi (~ 5000 rubles and 3.5 hours), bus or minibus (from 718 rubles per ticket, 5 hours on the way).
The forests of Arkhyz, generously covering the local mountains, begin to dress up in gold and different shades of red just in September. You can admire this natural splendor while riding the cable car: there are only eight of them at the resort, and all with romantic names. For example, the Milky Way or Lunnaya Polyana will take you straight to an altitude of 2240 meters, where there is an observation deck with a stunning panorama of the Main Caucasian Ridge.
The forests of Arkhyz, generously covering the local mountains, begin to dress up in gold and different shades of red just in September. Photo: Logvinov53/Shutterstock.com
If you want something more complicated, then you can go to the Fedoseyev pass at an altitude of 2987 meters. The ascent can take up to 4 hours, it’s windy and cool at the top, so grab warm clothes, water and sandwiches for a snack.
For trekking lovers, there is a real expanse here: Arkhyz is included in the Teberdinsky State Reserve, so there is a place to roam. You can go on an easy one—day hike, or you can get involved in a real mountaineering climb – if you have training. For multi—day trips, a border pass may be required.
If hiking is not your path, then go for a horse ride or rafting on the Bolshoy Zelenchuk River. Seekers of places of power will like the face of Christ: A rock image of Jesus is located at a height of 526 steps built into the natural landscapes of the staircase. Its origin is not known for certain, but the place is atmospheric and salty.
Seekers of places of power will like the face of Christ: A rock image of Jesus is located at a height of 526 steps built into the natural landscapes of the staircase. Photo: VisualFormat/Shutterstock.com
Krasnodar Territory: catch the velvet season at sea
How to get: we fly to the glorious city of Sochi (one—way tickets from Moscow from 4,700 rubles), and then by taxi or bus, depending on the chosen resort.
It would seem that Krasnodar Territory and inexpensive vacation are incompatible concepts. Yes, prices for holidays on the Black Sea coast have been biting hard lately, but if you choose not the central Sochi or the popular Gelendzhik, but one of the small villages, you can save significantly. In addition, the sea is even cleaner and more beautiful in some places, and there are fewer people.
Pay attention to the village of Blagoveshchenskaya and Bugaz spit: in addition to beach holidays at the sand spit, you can learn kitesurfing here. And in Olginka, you can eat plenty of traditional kebabs at reasonable prices, lie on sun loungers on pebble beaches, go trekking or cruise to the photogenic Kiselyov rock.
The village of Dzhubga will offer mud baths and extreme jeep tours through relict forests along rivers and waterfalls (local drivers like to drive reckless, so hold on tight). Next to Dzhubga is Lermontovo, here you can relax like a savage in a tent. Go to Loo for impressive diving: rocks, reefs, schools of horse mackerel, mullet, humpback and swallow fish hide under the water, as well as sunken ships.
You can go trekking or on a cruise to the photogenic Kiselyov rock. Photo: Vitalij89/Shutterstock.com
What to do in autumn at the main resort of the country
Autumn in Sochi is a time for long walks, even along the embankment, even in the mountains. We have collected ideas for recreation and travel in September and October.
Buryatia: see the storm on Lake Baikal, eat booze and get into Buddhism
How to get there: fly to Ulan-Ude (one-way tickets from Moscow from 8013 rubles) or Irkutsk (from 7046 rubles one way).
Upon arrival in Buryatia, the first thing we recommend is to try the bouzas. They are also poses — a traditional dish in the form of meat with spices and herbs in a dough with broth. It is recommended to eat them exclusively with your hands: carefully bite off the edge of the dough, pour soy or hot sauce to taste, drink the broth and then savor the dough with meat.
Upon arrival in Buryatia, the first thing we recommend is to try the bouzas. Photo: Marika Kosheleva/Shutterstock.com
After that, you should definitely look at the main cradle of Buddhism in our country, Ivolginsky Datsan — a unique temple complex, striking with the beauty of architecture and energy. If in Tibet it is customary to receive wise advice from the Dalai Lama, then people come here to ask for what they want to the incorruptible body of the XII Pandito Hambo Lama Dashi-Dorjo Itigelov.
They also go to Buryatia to see the majestic Lake Baikal. And even if swimming in autumn is unlikely to come out, water treatments are replaced by walks and photo shoots against the background of a golden forest. Go to the mysterious Olkhon to enjoy solitude and make wishes at the sacred pillars of Serge, or to the Chivyrkuy Bay — next to the second, the infrastructure is not very developed, but nature is protected and wild, there are thermal springs, and there are few people.
They are also going to Buryatia to see the majestic Lake Baikal. Photo: Julia Agin/Shutterstock.com
Adygea: taste khychiny, go around the mountains and find ancient ammonites
How to get there: the nearest airport is in Krasnodar, but it is temporarily closed. Therefore, you should fly to Sochi, and from there take a Swallow or a train to Maykop (about 6 hours on the way).
The star of local gastronomy is his Majesty hychin, a traditional flatbread made of unleavened dough with stuffed with cheese, meat or potatoes. Photo: Nailya Yakubova/Shutterstock.com
Well, now about Mother Nature. The most famous location in Adygea is the Lago—Naki plateau at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. On the way, look into the Big Azish Cave to inspect the stalactites. You can come to Lago Naki for a walk for a couple of hours and admire the panorama of the Caucasian Ridge from the observation decks, or you can go on a full-fledged backpacking trip for several days. The most popular multi—day route is “Through the mountains to the sea” with a length of 50 km, the hike will take 3-5 days.
Another interesting place is the ammonite valley, formed on the site of the ancient Tethys Ocean. Who lives at the bottom of the ocean? That’s right, clams! They became fossilized millions of years ago, when the ocean dried up, they became known as ammonites and to this day we can find them. Surprisingly, it is a fact. If you can’t find anything yourself, then go look at ammonites about 400 million years old in the “Rock Garden”.
On the way, look into the Big Azish Cave to inspect the stalactites. Photo: DedMityay/Shutterstock.com
How to save on accommodation
Sign up for the loyalty program of the GURU Island and book hotels all over Russia with a discount from 10% to 40%.
Karelia: catch zen, visit monasteries and fish on lakes
How to get there: travel to Karelia traditionally starts from St. Petersburg or Petrozavodsk. The most convenient way to get to the latter is by plane (one—way tickets from Moscow — from 7124 rubles), by car (from Moscow — 1000 km, from the Northern capital – 440 km) or by train (there are different options from Moscow, the fastest goes a little less than 11 hours, from St. Petersburg “Swallow” will take for five).
Autumn is the best time to pick mushrooms and berries. Photo: Vera Prokhorova/Shutterstock.com
Among other things, Karelia is famous for its holy places: many people from all over the country make pilgrimages to the Valaam, Solovetsky and Annunciation monasteries.
And another place that autumn suits very well is the Ruskeala Mountain Park, because the golden forests perfectly harmonize with the emerald water in the quarry. Among other things, from here you can take a ride to Sortavala on one of the most elegant trains in the country — the Ruskeala Express. Driving through the autumn landscapes in a train on a locomotive, sitting in a restaurant car and sipping hot tea under the sound of wheels is the most cozy and unusual pastime that you can think of in these parts.
The place that autumn suits very well is the Ruskeala Mountain Park, because golden forests perfectly harmonize with the emerald water in the quarry. Photo: Locomotive74/Shutterstock.com
Issyk-Kul: live in a real yurt, try your hand at eagle hunting and soak up the springs
How to get there: direct flight to Bishkek (from Moscow — from 13,800 rubles one way plus taxi or bus to the lake) or immediately to Issyk-Kul airport, but with a long transfer in Novosibirsk (from 13,400 rubles one way, transfer from 14 hours). You do not need a visa, you can fly with a Russian internal passport.
Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan is among the top 30 largest lakes in the world by area and is considered one of the deepest and most beautiful reservoirs. It is not difficult to get there at all, so here is a ready-made plan: we will take the city of Cholpon—Ata as a starting point – from here you can arrange a trip along Lake Issyk-Kul from north to south. The beach season lasts until September inclusive: you can swim, ride horses, get acquainted with the popular eagle hunting here, enjoy national cuisine, hot springs and leisurely rest.
Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan is among the top 30 largest lakes in the world by area and is considered one of the deepest and most beautiful reservoirs. Photo: teh_z1b/Shutterstock.com
If you get tired of relaxing, go explore the area. We recommend visiting the petroglyph Museum: images carved on rocks with dates from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages reflect the way of life of a variety of times.
And you can also go boating on the lake and go to the Rukh Ordo cultural center. There are five chapels on its territory, each of which represents one of the world’s faiths — Islam, Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Buddhism and Judaism.
Well, in order to finally get into the local flavor, it’s worth staying for a night or two in a real traditional yurt. Vivid impressions will be provided!
To finally get into the local flavor, you should stay for a night or two in a real traditional yurt. Photo: shirmanov aleksey/Shutterstock.com
Sevan: admire the sunsets and rush to neighboring Dilijan for a couple of days
How to get there: we fly to sunny Yerevan (from Moscow in one direction from 10,200 rubles), and then take a taxi or minibus for about an hour to the lake itself.
The largest lake in Armenia resembles Lake Baikal: the same boundless, picturesque, cool water of deep blue color, mountains around, and watercolor sunsets on the horizon. Locals go to Sevan to enjoy freshly cooked fish in one of the many restaurants and spend time with their relatives in nature. The atmosphere on the lake is relaxed: I just want to let go of all the obsessive thoughts, which, however, evaporate themselves with such magnificent views.
On Lake Sevan, you should just enjoy a leisurely life: fishing, contemplation of beauty, tasting delicious Armenian wines and a trip around the area. First, go to the Sevanavank monastery, and after that we advise you to look into the atmospheric Dilijan, because in autumn this city is damn good and romantic. There are options for walking for every taste, because the city is located at an altitude of 1,500 meters in a protected area. The air is fresh (Dilijan was a resort in Soviet times for a reason), the autumn views are like a picture, and the old town immerses in another time.
The largest lake in Armenia resembles Lake Baikal: the same boundless, picturesque, cool water of deep blue color, mountains around, and watercolor sunsets on the horizon. Photo: Thiago B Trevisan/Shutterstock.com
Well, you have plans for September (and we’re not talking about blankets and sad melodramas). Choose a direction, have a good rest, because as you meet autumn, you will spend it!
Cover photo: Vas_Kondr/Shutterstock.com
