Kabardino-Balkaria

Understand

Kabardino-Balkaria, a republic named after its native Kabardin and Balkar people, is one of Russia's poorest regions. Two ethnic territories form Kabardino-Balkaria: one predominantly of Kabardin (who speak a Caucasian language) and the other predominantly Balkar (who speak a Turkic language). There is also a significant Russian population. The Kabardians and the Balkars are Sunni Muslims. In 1944, Stalin accused the Balkars of collaborating with Nazi Germany and deported the entire population, removing their name from the republic's title. They were allowed to return only in 1957. In 1992, the region was born. The republic felt pray to the instability afflicting other parts of the region and to the contagion of conflict in nearby Chechnya. In 2005, militants attacked security forces in the capital; many people were killed in the incident. Almost all of the population live on agriculture, the main industrial backbone for the Kabardian economy. The tourism sector is rapidly growing, due to proper capital investment, but has attracted few tourists so far.

Getting there

By plane Virtually all enter via Nalchik NAL IATA, which is easily reached from the airport at Mineralnye Vody in Stavropol Krai.

By train Trains from Moscow leave every day.

Do

Skiing

Mountain climbing Mountain climbing is the biggest attraction of Kabardino-Balkaria, and here it's a serious sport. The most popular climb is undoubtedly Mount Elbrus, as it is one of the Seven Summits, and is a fairly easy climb in technical terms (Russian Grade: 2B). But bear in mind it's one of the world's deadliest climbs in terms of fatalities per climber—it's a long climb to the top and the mountain often has dangerous and unpredictable weather. Dykhtau and Koshtan-Tau are considerably more technically challenging climbs. Two of Georgia's highest peaks, Shkhara and Ushba, are also climbable from the Russian side. Although these climbs are illegal, since you cross the Russian-Georgian border, border enforcement is lax at 17,000 ft (5,200 m). The Shkhara climb is a lot easier and safer on the southern face. Because dealing with Russian officialdom is hellish bordering on impossible, it's best to embark on a mountaineering expedition via guided tour (the tour agencies pick you up from Mineralnye Vody or Nalchik right at the airport and act as your intermediary with all Russian officials. Russia-based tour agencies are much cheaper than Western ones:

Pilgrim Tours, ☏ +7 495 660-3501, [email protected]. Pilgrim Tours is a reliable company which specializes in Mount Elbrus climbs.