Photo: Alexander Novikov ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Canyons, auls and the Caspian.
A week in mountain Dagestan from Makhachkala: the Sulak canyon, among the deepest in the world, Gunib and the Khunzakh plateau with the Tobot waterfall, the ghost village of Gamsutl, the underground Saltinsky waterfall and Derbent with the Naryn-Kala citadel. New tarmac hairpins alternate with gravel climbs to the auls. The club’s most accessible motorcycle tour, rich in food and hospitality.
- The Sulak canyon and Chirkey reservoir
- The Tobot waterfall on the Khunzakh plateau, 70 m
- The ghost aul of Gamsutl at 1,400 m
- The Naryn-Kala citadel in Derbent
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · 80 km, tarmac
Makhachkala and the Sarykum dune
Airport pick-up, bike collection and a short ride to the Sarykum dune, 250 m high and the largest in Europe. The Caspian seafront in the evening.
Overnight: Hotel in Makhachkala - DAY 2 · 140 km, tarmac
The Sulak canyon
Via Buynaksk and the Chirkey dam to the village of Dubki above the 1,920-metre-deep Sulak canyon. Viewpoints, an optional boat trip along the canyon and a night in Dubki.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Dubki - DAY 3 · 170 km, mountain tarmac
The Gimry tunnel and Khunzakh
The 4.3 km Gimry tunnel, the switchbacks above the Irganai reservoir and the climb onto the Khunzakh plateau at 1,700 m. The Tobot waterfall and the Stone Bowl at Matlas.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Khunzakh - DAY 4 · 120 km, gravel and tarmac
The Karadakh gorge and Gunib
A gravel descent off the plateau to the Karadakh gorge, just 2–4 m wide, then Gunib at 1,500 m, where the Caucasian War ended in 1859. Upper Gunib and Shamil’s gazebo.
Overnight: Hotel in Gunib - DAY 5 · 250 km, gravel and tarmac
Gamsutl and the Saltinsky waterfall
Gravel to Chokh, then a 3 km walk up to the ghost aul of Gamsutl at 1,400 m. After lunch the underground waterfall at Salta and the road via Levashi to Derbent.
Overnight: Hotel in Derbent - DAY 6 · 130 km, tarmac
Derbent and the return along the Caspian
A morning at the sixth-century Naryn-Kala citadel and the Juma mosque, Russia’s oldest. Then the Caspian coast back to Makhachkala, bikes returned and a farewell dinner of chudu and khinkal.
Overnight: Hotel in Makhachkala - DAY 7 · Transfer
Flight home
Breakfast and transfer to Makhachkala airport.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Honda CB 500 X / Royal Enfield Himalayan / Voge 525 DSX hire
Support vehicle carrying luggage
Ivan and a local riding guide
Guesthouses and 3-star hotels
Breakfasts and Dagestani dinners
Fuel for the whole route
Makhachkala airport transfers
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Motorcycle deposit
Lunches
Boat trip in the Sulak canyon
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
Category A licence, two or more years of riding and experience of gravel switchbacks. Ivan gives a short course on exposed mountain roads and covers local customs.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Full riding kit: helmet, protection, gloves and boots
- Rain gear and waterproof covers
- Documents and insurance for your chosen riding format
- Compact soft luggage without unnecessary weight
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.