Ten days in North Ossetia, for two
Caucasus gorges, thermal springs at Karmadon, the medieval towers of Dargavs, cliffside monasteries and the Midagrabin waterfalls: an untouched mountain honeymoon at the foot of Mount Kazbek.
Full 10-day trip for two, door to door from the USA
Where the money goes
Estimated budget for two over 10 days, in US dollars. A private driver-guide is the main ground cost.
| Category | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| International flightsUSA ⇄ Vladikavkaz via Istanbul or Dubai and Moscow, 2 people. | $2,200 – $3,800 |
| Accommodation (9 nights)About $70–$200 a night: city hotels and mountain guesthouses. | $630 – $1,800 |
| Meals and diningOssetian pies, shashlik and mountain cheeses. | $450 – $850 |
| Activities and experiencesGuides, hot springs, gorge and waterfall hikes. | $400 – $800 |
| Transport in the regionPrivate driver for the mountain gorges. | $700 – $1,200 |
| Ground totalAll costs on the ground, excluding international flights | $2,180 – $4,650 |
| Grand totalFull 10-day trip for two, door to door from the USA | $4,380 – $8,450 |
Estimates only. Prices vary by season, departure city and availability.
Suggested 10-day itinerary
Gorges, springs, towers and waterfalls. Each stop shows the estimated cost of your stay.
Vladikavkaz
Arrival
- Walk Prospekt Mira and the Terek embankment.
- Ossetian pie dinner.
Check the current US State Department advisory for Russia before booking; US bank cards do not work there.
Koban and Karmadon
Into the Genaldon gorge
- Koban village and the Genaldon gorge.
- Memorial to Sergei Bodrov and his film crew.
Karmadon lower hot springs
Karmadonskiye Nizhniye Vanny
- Soak in natural thermal pools under the mountains.
Karmadon upper thermal springs
Karmadonskiye Termal'nyye Istochniki
- Higher springs with views up the valley.
Dargavs and Verkhny Fiagdon
The City of the Dead
- Dargavs necropolis and its stone crypts.
- Arrive in Verkhny Fiagdon.
Verkhny Fiagdon
Monastery, Tsmiti and Kurtatin Gorge
- Alania Monastery.
- Cliffside village of Tsmiti.
Kadargavan Canyon
And Dzvigis Fortress
- Narrow canyon walk.
- Dzvigis cave fortress.
Tsey Valley and Midagrabin
Waterfalls
- Midagrabin waterfalls, among the tallest in Europe.
- Tsey Valley pine forests and glacier views.
Uastyrdzhi and Zaramag
Return
- Giant Uastyrdzhi statue on the cliff.
- Zaramag reservoir and return to Vladikavkaz.
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Vladikavkaz
Departure
- Last walk in the city and transfer to the airport.
Special notes for an intimate escape
Mountain moments.
Hot springs at dusk
Go late in the day when the day-trippers have left and the mountains turn gold.
Guesthouse dinner
Mountain guesthouses serve home-cooked Ossetian feasts with three pies, a local tradition.
Logistics and travel tips
Entry and advisories
Check the current US State Department advisory for Russia before booking; US bank cards do not work there.
Best time to go
June–September for open mountain roads.
Money
Bring cash; foreign cards don't work.
Getting around
Hire a local driver-guide; mountain roads are narrow.
Local tour operators in North Ossetia
Operators listed on your page who arrange drivers, guides and day trips from Vladikavkaz.
Big Country Travel
Rusmania — Dargavs day tour
Piligrim
TA Alliance
Kavkaz Ski Tour — Midagrabin
Plan the North Ossetia trip at $219 – $422 per person a day
Browse tours and activities, or compare it with our 15-day Thailand honeymoon.