Best Trip Of This Summer: Bezengi - “Small Himalayas”

Summer probably is the best time for travelling! This time I have visited a legendary russian alpine camp Bezengi. It was established in 1959, and since that time it is one of the most popular places for practicing climbers and mountaineers.

Bezengi is a unique place in Russia. Of 8 Caucasus mountains over 5,000 meters - 6 are located here at Bezengi district.

I am niether alpinist nor mountaineer. I came here to see this absolutely stunning place with my own eyes and walk thru several hiking trails which lead to a different glaciers.

I enjoyed this cool contrast at the end of August! It was really warm there in the day time, but after 4 PM the tempreture lowered quickly to +5C.

In case you’d like to try hiking in Russia and visist Bezengi this is what you should know:

The climbing camp "Bezengi" is located at the territory of the Mountain nature Reserve of Kabardino-Balkaria Republic in the border zone of the Russian Federation and Georgia.

Due to camp’s location (on the state border) it is necessary to obtain a special permission before visiting the camp. It is issued online. To receive the permit one should fill in a special application form.

More info about it here: http://bezengi.ru/en/permit

We found plenty of raspberry, wild strawberry and even some cranberry along the hiking trails at the end of August!

On the 2nd day we met this beautiful mountain goat (?) at about +2,850 m altitude. Haven’t seen any other wild animals or snakes along the trails there.

Every day after 7 hour -hiking we returned back to the camp at around 4 pm and enjoyed the beautiful foggy evenings and local food…

This trip to Bezengi was 100% the best trip of this summer. If you dare one day - highly recommend!