Dombay is a wonderful corner located in the North Caucasus. The unique beauty of nature, many attractions and accessibility all year round attract thousands of tourists here.
Location
You can see all the sights of Dombai by visiting this wonderful resort located in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic in the valley of the Teberdinsky Reserve. The total height is 1600 meters above sea level. A massive influx of tourists began in early 1925. And by 1960, by order of the government, the construction of a sports and tourist complex in this territory was approved.
The village is 230 km from Mineralnye Vody Airport. You can get from the airport by bus or taxi. You can also get by train, for example, to Pyatigorsk or Nalchik. A bus to Dombay also runs from the station of the railway station. Every tourist can come here by car. The resort has a developed infrastructure: hotels, cafes, campsites, parking lots, prepared ski slopes and ski lifts.
Sights of Dombay in the summer
Despite the fact that most guidebooks position Dombai as a ski resort, you can visit it not only in winter but also in summer. During this period of time there is no sweltering heat and the weather is fine, which makes long walking tours possible. Century-old fir forests, crystal clear lakes, snowy mountain peaks - all this can be seen by visiting the resort in summer or autumn.
The most popular are horse riding, cycling. As well as trekking and climbing various mountain trails. Sunny weather combined with a mild climate and beautiful landscapes make this mountain resort very popular.
Teberdinsky nature reserve
This reserve is part of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, namely the Karachayevsky district. It is located on the territory of the Teberda River Basin , which is a tributary of the Kuban. The reserve area is 69 535 ha. The sights of Teberda and Dombai are the most popular and visited tourists. This is where a huge number of natural monuments are located. Each of them impresses with its pristine beauty. The cleanest rivers of Teberda and Gonachkhir, transparent lakes impress even experienced travelers. Here you can see glaciers, amazing with their power and volumes: Ptyshsky, Amanauzsky, Alibeksky.
At the top of Mount Moussa-Achitara there is an observation deck, which offers amazing views of the surrounding landscape. In clear weather, the peak of the majestic Elbrus is clearly visible from this place. A peculiar object of Dombai is a hotel, made in the form of an alien ship ("plate").
Moussa-Achitara Ridge
Considering the various attractions of Dombai, one can not help but say about this place. In translation, the name of the ridge means "the cry of Moussa." This is due to an interesting legend. Once a thief named Moussa stole a flock of sheep and led them uphill on a gentle slope. Climbing up, he sat down to rest and began to count the livestock, wondering in his mind the size of his own income. But then he discovered that on the other hand the mountain was steep and rocky. Then he realized that he had no way either forward or backward. And wept bitterly.
Today, from the observation platform of the ridge, you can see the glaciers and peaks of Elbrus, the Teberda and Gonachkhir valleys.
Tourier Lake
The pond is spread between two glaciers: Alibek and Bilingual. Its height is 3 thousand meters. The lake is surrounded by greens and flowers from all sides. Until the middle of summer, the water of the lake fetters ice, and in the summer they have an unusual color. A snowfield descends to the very surface of the water, above which there is a glacier. All this forms snow caves, at the foot of which streams flow.
Amanauz Gorge
There are many places worth visiting Dombay for. Sights located in the immediate vicinity of the village are striking in their natural beauty. The gorge is famous for its sheer walls, canyons and waterfalls. The Amanauz River is the source of Teberda, the name in translation means "evil mouth." This gorge is considered the narrowest in Dombay. It offers scenic views of the surrounding peaks. Here is another attraction, known as the "Devil's Mill."
Muruja Lakes
Ponds are located 1.5 kilometers from the Ullu-Muruju River. There are two largest and most famous lakes: Black and Blue.
The largest of the lakes is Blue. Its area is about 12 hectares, the depth is more than 50 meters, and the distance between the banks is more than 500 meters. From the lake flows the river Muruju. The waters of this lake contain silver and are the purest. Black Lake lives up to its name. The jumper between the rocks closes it from sunlight, which makes the water in it appear black.
Shumka Waterfall
If you do not want to ski in the winter, you should visit Dombay in the summer. Rest, sights nature reserves in the warm season can be a great alternative to winter skiing. Interesting to visit is a waterfall formed by the waters of the river of the same name. The height of the waterfall is 12 meters. It is located at an altitude of 1523 meters. The gorge along which the river flows is wild, so the waters are unusually clear and transparent. The second name of the waterfall is Ak-Suu, which means "White Water".
Baduk lakes
Talking about what are the attractions of Dombai, do not forget about these mountain lakes. They are located along the Baduk River and the tributary of Hadzhibey. Until the middle of summer, snow avalanches lie in this area. Sometimes some of them descend directly into the lakes. Between the two lakes (first and second) the river flows underground. The first lake is located at 1.9 km. The second and third are even higher. In the third lake in good summer weather, the water warms up to +10 degrees.
Lift system
View all Attractions of Dombay You can use the cableway system. This is especially true for those who go there for the purpose of skiing and snowboarding.
The ski complex is serviced by a system of lifts. In total, it includes five lines of the cableway (in some places a chairlift). The fourth and fifth stages are delivered to the main ski area. They lead to the clearing "Moussa" to a height of 2500 meters. A cable-car and chairlift delivers to the crest of the ridge of tourists.
The pendulum road lifts using a trailer with a capacity of up to 40 people. It rises to a height of 2260 meters.
The new lift system includes a six- and four-seat chairlift. It delivers tourists to a height of 3200 meters.
There are also towing roads on all training slopes.
Of course, this is far from all that can be seen in this amazing corner of the Caucasus. Thinking about where to go on another vacation, you should pay attention to Dombay. Sights, photos of which will be taken from the heights of the mountains, will remain in memory for a long time. And unforgettable impressions from walks, excursions or skiing on the slopes of the mountains will definitely make you come back here again.