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Little Journeys Academy Llc - Newtown Square PA Child Care Center

About the Provider

Description : Our mission is to offer quality, affordable, flexible, and safe child care for all children from eight weeks through five years of age, while providing peace of mind for the parents of every child.

• 3722 WEST CHESTER PIKE, 3722 WEST CHESTER PIKE NEWTOWN SQUARE PA 19073
• (610) 986-4822
• Company Website

Operation Hours

• Monday 7AM - 6PM
• Tuesday 7AM - 6PM
• Wednesday 7AM - 6PM
• Thursday 7AM - 6PM
• Friday 7AM - 6PM
• Saturday Closed
• Sunday Closed

Program and Licensing Details

• License Number: CER-00175202
• Capacity: 85
• Enrolled in Subsidized Child Care Program: No
• District Office: Early Learning Resource Center for Region 15
• District Office Phone: (610) 713-2115 (Note: This is not the facility phone number.)

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• Fight Discussion
• UFC Discussion

Azamat Murzakanov (beat Menifield yesterday) from Nalchik in Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia

• Thread starter Robbocop
• Start date Aug 4, 2024

Purple Belt

• Aug 4, 2024

I found Murzakanov's performance against Menifield to be quite brutal, and the dude seems extremely legit. I have read Murzakanov is from Nalchik in Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia. It is a small Russian republic near Georgia, which is also almost entirely Muslim, comprised of Kabardians who are "One of the 12 Circassian tribes". This interested me because his style and appearance is similar to the many Dagestani Russian fighters of which there are too many to list. Also I am aware of Russian Muslim fighters coming from Chechnya like Chimaev, but I have never heard of fighters coming from Kabardino-Balkaria, or to be honest I was not familiar with the notion of Kabardians or Circassian tribes until I did some reading after watching Murzakanov's fight. My question is, does anyone know any info about Murzakanov, Kabardians, Circassian tribes etc? Are they pretty much very similar to Dagestanis or are they different in some distinct ways? That part of the world between Georgia and Russia seems a very interesting little area where there is some very rich culture and a lot of stuff going on. Sorry for the long post, interested in any comments from my fellow Sherdoggers. EDIT: I might just add, is there an MMA scene in Nalchik? Any other fighters from that region?  

Common Traits Across the North Caucasus:​

• Wrestling Base: Like Dagestani fighters, many athletes from Kabardino-Balkaria, Chechnya, and other North Caucasus regions have a strong background in wrestling, especially freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, which are popular in this area.
• Sambo and Judo: These disciplines are also commonly practiced, with many fighters transitioning from these sports into MMA, similar to their Dagestani counterparts.
• Cultural Emphasis on Combat Sports: The North Caucasus has a deep-rooted tradition of combat sports, with societal respect and support for wrestlers and fighters. This is also a key characteristic of Dagestani fighters.

Differences:​

• Ethnic and Cultural Identity: While Dagestani fighters are often Avar, Dargin, or of other Dagestani ethnicities, fighters from Kabardino-Balkaria might be Kabardian, Balkar, or Circassian. This influences their cultural identity and sometimes their fighting style, though the differences are subtle.
• Specific Training Focus: Fighters from different regions might emphasize different aspects of training due to local traditions or coaching preferences. For example, some Circassian fighters might have a strong background in traditional wrestling forms like Circassian Kuresh, which can influence their grappling approach in MMA.
• Representation in MMA: While Dagestani fighters are highly prominent in MMA (with fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov bringing international attention to the region), fighters from Kabardino-Balkaria and Circassian tribes are less well-known but still making their mark. Azamat Murzakanov, for instance, is a fighter from Kabardino-Balkaria competing in the UFC.

Notable Fighters:​

• Azamat Murzakanov: From Kabardino-Balkaria, he has been making a name for himself in the UFC with a strong grappling and striking base.
• Imam Shamilov: A Circassian fighter with a strong wrestling and combat sambo background.

Spinning Back Kick Belt

Robbocop said: I found Murzakanov's performance against Menifield to be quite brutal, and the dude seems extremely legit. I have read Murzakanov is from Nalchik in Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia. It is a small Russian republic near Georgia, which is also almost entirely Muslim, comprised of Kabardians who are "One of the 12 Circassian tribes". This interested me because his style and appearance is similar to the many Dagestani Russian fighters of which there are too many to list. Also I am aware of Russian Muslim fighters coming from Chechnya like Chimaev, but I have never heard of fighters coming from Kabardino-Balkaria, or to be honest I was not familiar with the notion of Kabardians or Circassian tribes until I did some reading after watching Murzakanov's fight. My question is, does anyone know any info about Murzakanov, Kabardians, Circassian tribes etc? Are they pretty much very similar to Dagestanis or are they different in some distinct ways? That part of the world between Georgia and Russia seems a very interesting little area where there is some very rich culture and a lot of stuff going on. Sorry for the long post, interested in any comments from my fellow Sherdoggers. EDIT: I might just add, is there an MMA scene in Nalchik? Any other fighters from that region? Click to expand...

taugrim said: Imam Shamilov: A Circassian fighter with a strong wrestling and combat sambo background. Click to expand...

EndlessCritic

Titanium belt.

Murzakanov moves way faster than he looks. He really is a modern Fedor.  

Carrotman23

taugrim said: Obligatory ChatGPT question & response: In terms of MMA, how many fighters hail from Murzakanov, Kabardians, Circassian tribes etc? Are they pretty much very similar to Dagestanis or are they different in some distinct ways in terms of combat disciplines? Fighters from the North Caucasus region, including those from Kabardino-Balkaria, where the Murzakanov name originates, as well as Circassian tribes and other ethnic groups, are part of a broader tradition of martial arts that has produced many successful MMA athletes. While they share some similarities with fighters from Dagestan, there are also distinct differences. Common Traits Across the North Caucasus:​ Wrestling Base: Like Dagestani fighters, many athletes from Kabardino-Balkaria, Chechnya, and other North Caucasus regions have a strong background in wrestling, especially freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, which are popular in this area. Sambo and Judo: These disciplines are also commonly practiced, with many fighters transitioning from these sports into MMA, similar to their Dagestani counterparts. Cultural Emphasis on Combat Sports: The North Caucasus has a deep-rooted tradition of combat sports, with societal respect and support for wrestlers and fighters. This is also a key characteristic of Dagestani fighters. Differences:​ Ethnic and Cultural Identity: While Dagestani fighters are often Avar, Dargin, or of other Dagestani ethnicities, fighters from Kabardino-Balkaria might be Kabardian, Balkar, or Circassian. This influences their cultural identity and sometimes their fighting style, though the differences are subtle. Specific Training Focus: Fighters from different regions might emphasize different aspects of training due to local traditions or coaching preferences. For example, some Circassian fighters might have a strong background in traditional wrestling forms like Circassian Kuresh, which can influence their grappling approach in MMA. Representation in MMA: While Dagestani fighters are highly prominent in MMA (with fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov bringing international attention to the region), fighters from Kabardino-Balkaria and Circassian tribes are less well-known but still making their mark. Azamat Murzakanov, for instance, is a fighter from Kabardino-Balkaria competing in the UFC. Notable Fighters:​ Azamat Murzakanov: From Kabardino-Balkaria, he has been making a name for himself in the UFC with a strong grappling and striking base. Imam Shamilov: A Circassian fighter with a strong wrestling and combat sambo background. Overall, while there are many similarities due to shared regional training practices and combat sports traditions, there are also unique cultural and stylistic elements that distinguish fighters from different North Caucasus ethnic groups. Click to expand...

Siver! said: Who? I can't even get a profile lol Click to expand...

Ashmouz is Circassian (his ancestors moved from Russia to Ottoman Empire and nowadays this territory is Israel). In other promotions I think there is Berkhamov in Bellator, Tokov brothers is Balkar through their mother, there were Dugulubgov in WSOF or PFL and founder/owner of K-Dojo gym in New Jersey is Circassian and his nephew was an mma fighter.  

I feel like Husky needs to aware of this tism that is going on in this thread.  

DoctorStoppage

I’m been very impressed with Murzakanov’s last few fights, I think he’ll make waves in the division. I believe that Circassia was a Christian kingdom on the Black Sea that got conquered by the Ottoman Empire back in the day. Think Circassia or their royalty was related to the Byzantine Empire too. I don’t feel like looking it up to be sure though.  

Carrotman23 said: Chat GPT really is good at making banal points or regurgitating outright bullshit that can be said in one or two sentences and extending it to multiple paragraphs. Literally just said " they are similar because they are from similar parts of the world that emphasize martial arts and especially wrestling." And "they are different ethnicities and there are more Dagestanis in MMA" Wow what a break through lol . Not saying this is necessarily the case here, but Chat GPT and similar AI programs have been known to just literally make shit up ha. Like when asked medical questions it can spit out fancy sounding medical advice/analysis that's actually just complete world salad bullshit with no consistently logical thread . This is because these "AI" programs aren't actually what most people would call "AI" . They are just advanced algorithms that compile information, but they have no base logic or perspective to center reality . For instance if you ask an AI "what would it take to carry the San Francisco bridge to New York" , some programs will try and answer it , obviously this is an illogical question. Nothing with "intelligence" would try and answer that question. Or if you ask it "what's the perspective of a ham sandwich" it will try and describe what it's like to be a ham sandwich lol . They are just blank input algorithms with powerful computing. That's why "AI" has become bigger as GPU's get more powerful, it's just raw data being able to be read extremely quickly, it's nothing resembling conscious intellect. Click to expand...

Most K Dojo dudes or guys cornered by Murad Keshtov are Circassians  

The Siege said: I tried now and it seemed to have gotten dumber lol I am not sure if they nerfed the algorithm on purpose to get us to upgrade the paid version, but it was getting a lot of basic things wrong. Click to expand...

EndlessCritic said: Murzakanov moves way faster than he looks. He really is a modern Fedor. Click to expand...

KavkazDominance

BJJ4Tone said: That whole Caucuses region is a hot bed for combat sports/martial arts. For years, people only knew Dagestan and only knew them for wrestling. Buvaisar Saitiev, Adam Saitiev, Abdulrashid Sadulaev, etc. But Chechnya (Tons of MMA fighters), Kabardino-Balkaria (Bibert and Albert Tumenov, Murzakanov), Ingushetia (Movsar Evloev, Musa Evloev), North Ossetia-Alania (Arsen Fadzayev, Artur Taymazov, Makharbek Khadartsev, Soslan Andiyev), Georgia (Geno Petriashvili, Levan Tediashvili), Azerbaijan (Haji Aliev, Toghrul Azgarov) and Armenia (Artur Aleksanyan, Edmond Tarverdyan ) have all produced COUNTLESS high-level athletes. Each region is very unique from the others, but the one thing they definitely have in common is their high percentage of elite combat athletes. Click to expand...

The_Renaissance

Sherdog bunceweight champion.

• Aug 6, 2024

Is he Muslim? I didnt see that mentioned in the first post and feel like that's kind of an important part of the Dagestani culture. I would have assumed he was Eastern Orthodox, And thus not similar to the Dagestani school in anyway way... But I'm still learning too. Am also a huge fan of his.  

RichardHarrow

'arrow.

WillyWill said: Is he Muslim? I didnt see that mentioned in the first post and feel like that's kind of an important part of the Dagestani culture. I would have assumed he was Eastern Orthodox, And thus not similar to the Dagestani school in anyway way... But I'm still learning too. Am also a huge fan of his. Click to expand...

Feniamin said: Ashmouz is Circassian (his ancestors moved from Russia to Ottoman Empire and nowadays this territory is Israel). In other promotions I think there is Berkhamov in Bellator, Tokov brothers is Balkar through their mother, there were Dugulubgov in WSOF or PFL and founder/owner of K-Dojo gym in New Jersey is Circassian and his nephew was an mma fighter. Click to expand...

• Aug 14, 2024

Joinho10 said: Ali Bagov in ACA MMA is one aswell. Click to expand...

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Travel Tips to Kabardino-Balkaria: More than Mt. Elbrus!

If you’ve traveled to the North Caucasus before, there is a good chance you’ve already been to Kabardino-Balkaria, and you didn’t even know it!  Kabardino-Balkaria lies in the center of the North Caucasus region, is home to Mt. Elbrus, but more than that is a treasure chest of travel possibilities.  Here is our guide to traveling through the republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, or 9 travel tips to this beautiful land:

1. How do I get there?

Kabardino-Balkaria hosts a large number of both foreign and Russian travelers every year, and has an improving infrastructure able to handle the incoming masses.  Let’s start with the obvious.  You might be a mountain climber or skier coming to enjoy the slopes of Mt. Elbrus.  That means you’re likely arriving on an airplane to Russia.  Here are your travel options:

A. Plane – We advise you fly into the Mineralni Vodi (MRV) airport in the Stavropol Region, which is about 45 minutes from the border of Kabardino-Balkaria.  MRV is the largest airport in the North Caucasus, and has daily direct flights to and from all 3 airpots in Moscow (SVO, DME, and VKO), direct flights from St. Petersburg, and several international flight routes as well, including from Istanbul, Dubai, Greece, Tel Aviv, and Bishkek.  The MRV airport has a growing infrastructure and is the most obvious choice to fly into if going to Elbrus.  From MRV, it’s a 2 hr. drive to Nalchik, and a 3.5 hr. drive to Mt. Elbrus.

That being said, the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria, Nalchik (NAL), also has a small regional airport with a daily flight to/from Moscow as well as weekly flights to Istanbul. As is to be expected in most smaller, regional airports around Russia, the service standard at a small airport like this will be minimal.  As a result, we recommend you flying in and out of MRV if able.  It’s a 2 hr. drive to Elbrus from Nalchik.  You can also fly into other regional airports which are 2 hrs. from Nalchik, such as OGZ in North Ossetia (Vladikavkaz) or IGT in Ingushetia (Magas).

B.  Car/Public Transport – If you have a car, are using a taxi, or are hitch-hiking your way to Kabardino-Balkaria, the region is accessible by a variety of roads and vehicles.  A major Russian federal highway E50 runs through Pyatigorsk into Kabardino-Balkaria, and can take you towards Mt. Elbrus, Nalchik, and deeper into the North Caucasus.  There are daily mini-buses, or “marshrutkas”, that travel to Nalchik from Pyatigorsk, Vladikavkaz, Grozny, and Magas, if you’re coming from a neighboring republic.  From the main Nalchik bus station, there is a marshrutka that goes to Terskol (i.e. Mt. Elbrus) daily around 12:30 pm; for that matter,  marshrutkas run daily into every valley of this beautiful republic.  For the seasoned international traveler, you can drive from the country of Georgia up the famed “Georgian Military Highway” through the heart of the Caucasus Mountains, cross the border into Russia at the “Verkhni Lars” border stop, and be in Nalchik in about 2.5 hours as well. 

Anyone traveling on their own should download the “Yandex” taxi app, which is Russia’s version of Uber, and has a very user-friendly app with affordable prices.  In smaller villages/towns where Yandex’s service doesn’t reach, just ask a local and they’ll direct you to a friend or relative who can taxi you where you need to go!

C.  Train – Kabardino-Balkaria is also very accessible by the famous cross-country Russian train system if that’s your preferred method of travel.  Almost all trains to the North Caucasus pass through Mineralni Vodi in the Stavropol region to the north, so make sure wherever you are coming from, Mineralni Vodi is one of the stops.  Despite Nalchik having a train station, the city is about 45 minutes from the main railway route that runs diagonal through the North Caucasus, and as a result it’s a bit convoluted to get a train directly to Nalchik.  That being said, the town Prokhladni is a regular stop on trains going to/coming from Baku, Makhachkala, Grozny, Nazran, and Vladikavkaz, so you can always hop off there and find your way by public transport or taxi.

2.  What are the best places to stay?

This list could get exhaustive, fast. 🙂  Let’s first look at an overview of the republic’s geography, followed by hotel recommendations:

A. Nalchik – This is the capital city of Kabardino-Balkaria, with a population of around 250,000.  Nalchik is growing and new, modern hotels are being built regularly.  Here are some of our recommendations:

-Modern and comfortable:  Azimut , Butik Otel

-Budget with less frills:  Hotel Rossia , Korona

You could comfortably spend a week in Nalchik, while doing day trips into Kabardino-Balkaria’s beautiful mountain valleys.

B.  Baksan Valley – This is the most traveled road in Kabardino-Balkaria, the road to Mt. Elbrus.  If you have questions about its safety because of travel warnings, please see our detailed blog here of the drive to erase any doubts or fears.  Needless to say, because of the draw of Mt. Elbrus, there are a huge variety of lodging options at the end of this valley, from 4-star to mid-range to budget to hostel.  Here are just a few we’ll recommend from our experience:

-Modern and comfortable 4-star-ish:  Azau Star , Kristall 139

-Budget with less frills 3-star-ish:   Laguna , Povorot

If you’re a mountain climber with your sites set on the summit of Elbrus, you’ll have to spend at least 3-4 nights at Elbrus’s famous base camp at 13,000 feet.  The “barrel huts” are not easy to book directly with, and we highly recommend you do your climb (and hence, have your bookings handled) through a trusted climbing company.  Here are two shelters at base camp we recommend:

-Modern and comfortable:  Leaprus

-Budget with less frills:  Heart of Elbrus Lodge

If you’re interested in climbing Mt. Elbrus and staying in these barrel huts, click  here  to see our climbing itineraries, pricing, and group dates.

C.  Chegem Valley – Chegem Valley is the adjacent valley to Elbrus’s Baksan Valley, and is famous for its beautiful waterfalls as well as being Russia’s top paragliding location.  The “ Paradrome ” has modest accommodations for those wanting to get to know this beautiful valley for a longer period of time.

D.  Upper Balkaria, or Cherek Valley – This is another beautiful mountain gorge not too far from Nalchik.  There is an authentic lodging complex in Upper Balkaria called Tau-El, with amazing local food for meals as well.

E.  Border Zone lodging – Several of Kabardino-Balkaria’s mountain gorges run into the border zone with neighboring country Georgia, i.e. an area that foreigners cannot enter without a special permit from the local government (often taking 2 months to receive).  There is a famous mountaineering lodge in Bezengi Valley, where several generations of Russian mountain climbers have honed their craft in the Caucasus Mountains.  Perpendicular to Baksan Valley (about 25 minutes from the base of Mt. Elbrus) is Adyr-Suu Valley, where there is a lodge for back-country skiers to stay, while trying their hands (and feet!) on the untouched snow of that valley.  Both these valleys require border permits for foreigners, but are possible to access for the more adventurous!

3.  Top cities to visit?

Most locals would agree that Nalchik is the main city of significance to visit in Kabardino-Balkaria, but let’s be honest, even more would say, “Just go to the mountains!”  Tirnauz is the capital of the Elbrus district, and is an interesting town to spend some time in, with its unique location in the mountains and place in Soviet history as a once-booming mining town.  The main thing to consider in visiting Nalchik and other cities in the lowlands, is the chance to experience Kabardian culture and food.  Whereas the deeper you go into the valleys, the more you’ll encounter Balkar culture and food.

4.  Best local foods to try?

There are 3 types of food that come to mind, when spending time in Kabardino-Balkaria:

A. Khychiny – This is one of the staple national dishes of the Balkar people, and what you’ll inevitably be served if guests of local Balkars.  It’s a thin buttery flat bread, sometimes cooked with fillings of cottage cheese, fresh greens, or potatoes.  It is often slathered in butter, but wow is that some tasty greasy goodness! 🙂

B.  Shashlik – Shashlik is a MUST for any visit anywhere in the North Caucasus!  Most people would agree that it’s the national food of the entire region.  Shashlik is meat shish kabobs; while pork and turkey can be found in some parts of the Caucasus, lamb or chicken are the preferred shashlik meats of choice in Kabardino-Balkaria. 

C.  Soup – No matter where you are in Russia, you’re sure to find a local soup that people love.  Kabardino-Balkaria is no different.  Especially in the winter months in the mountain valleys, there’s nothing better than to come inside from the cold weather and warm your body up to a bowl of hearty Caucasus soup.  Whether Georgian kharcho or local Balkar lakhman, make sure to try your hand at one of these soups with a side of fresh baked bread/lavash!

5.  Top Hole-In-The-Wall restaurants:

Of course, for a republic of this size, we’re bound to leave at least a few great local joints off our list, but here are a few to get you started. ***Note:  Restaurants in the North Caucasus are much better known for their food than their service, so prepare for tasty food, but manage your expectations about service:

-Elbrus – Kogutai Restaurant at Mt. Cheget – While this isn’t a hole-in-the-wall restaurant per se, it’s one of many to choose from in the Cheget tourist village, and we have found them to provide consistently good food and service.  Kogutai has a nice interior, and maybe most important, an English-language menu with good pictures. 🙂  There also is a nice outdoor patio with fantastic views of the surrounding mountains.

-Nalchik #1 – Tameris Restaurant – This is a cafe with a relaxed atmosphere in the capital Nalchik.  Local tour company Elbrus Elevation has taken foreign groups there on multiple occasions and always had good experiences.  Address is ul. Kuliyeva 3. 

-Nalchik #2 – Cafe-Bar Oasis – You have to know where this restaurant is to find it, but once inside, you won’t regret it!  There is a unique cafeteria-style ordering process, that includes several dishes being cooked on the spot once ordered.  You can sample local Kabardian dishes here.  The seating area is very modern and a pleasant atmosphere to have a meal in.  Address is ul. Kuliyeva 2. 

-Upper Balkaria – Tau-El Restaurant – This is the restaurant part of the Tau-El Tourist Complex in Upper Balkaria.  Whether spending the night or just passing through, make sure to stop here for a meal!

6.  Must-See Sites

This republic is so chock full of “must-see” destinations, it’s impossible to narrow the list down.  Here are just a few suggestions to get you started: (***Mt. Elbrus is a no-brainer and we’re assuming that’s on your list)

A. El-Tyubu and Paradrome – This is an amazing area towards the end of Chegem Valley.  Many tourists visit the famous Chegem Waterfalls and don’t drive any further down this gorge, which really is a shame.  El-Tyubu is a picturesque Balkar village with several historical sites to see, including some ancient mausoleums.  The real gem of the area, though, is the Paradrome , which is Russia’s premier paragliding destination.  The combination of the scenic surrounding mountains and constant winds produces almost daily conditions to sail through the beautiful Caucasus sky.  Highly recommend!

B.  Upper Balkaria – Also known as Cherek Valley, the entire drive to the actual village of Upper Balkaria is one big destination.  First, you can spend time at the 3 consecutive “ Blue Lakes ”, one of which is one of Russia’s deepest lakes with an underground spring.  Then, the drive itself becomes an adventure, as you pass by steep rock walls with a huge drop-off on the other side.  If you’re able to walk this part of the road, that is a bonus!  Once you’ve made your way through the valley walls, the region opens up into a beautiful panoramic view.  Many years ago, there were multiple villages in this region, but they’ve since been condensed into one main village.  You can see some of the ancient Balkar towers that their ancestors used to live in as well.

C.  Djili-Suu – Although hard to pronounce and not easy to get to, Djili-Suu is one of those places in the North Caucasus that people rave about that you “have to” visit.  It’s actually on the North side of Mt. Elbrus, and more accessible from the Mineral Waters region (2 hrs. from Kislovodsk).  The base camp for Elbrus climbers summiting the mountain from the North side is at Djili-Suu.  This area is famous in Russia for its numerous natural healing springs, as well as unique climate conditions that make for beneficial, long holidays for seeking a respite from their daily grind.  There are wide swaths of land available for camping, with probably the most unrivaled views of Mt. Elbrus in the North Caucasus.  Make sure to check this out!

7.  Off-the-beaten path destinations

A. King’s Waterfalls (Tsarskie), or Gedmisht – Probably the valley in Kabardino-Balkaria with the least amount of hype is the Malka Valley, which is the northernmost valley and mainly runs through the Kabardian lowlands.  At the point where the villages end, though (Khabas), the asphalt turns into dirt and the hills start to rise, culminating with the incredible King’s Waterfalls, or as one friend put it, Avatar Waterfalls.  These stunning waterfalls are best visited in the early summer, when everything is lush green and the water flow is strong, with many streams of water flowing down the earth’s surface.  The different colors are incredible and it’s hard to look away.  Once you’ve enjoyed the waterfalls, enjoy a meal of shashlik at one of the nearby lunch huts.  Having an off-road vehicle is ideal to visit these falls, but worth the time and effort!

B.  One-seater chair lift at Elbrus – As the infrastructure at Mt. Elbrus has modernized, some of the more “authentic” experiences have gone to the way-side.  This is one experience still available, though!  From the 2nd (11,000 ft.) to 3rd level (12,500 ft.) of Mt. Elbrus (whether skiing, going to base camp, or just touring), there is a single-seater chair lift for 100 rubles each way (less than $2).  This is an amazing experience if you have the time.  It’s 8-10 minutes each way, and a surreal experience of the majestic Caucasus mountain range surrounding you, skiers silently passing you by underneath, and in general enjoying the silent expanse of nature all around.  The chair lifts are from the Soviet times and so it feels like something from a different era.  For mountain climbers, the newer group cable car gives better access to most of base camp, but several huts are pretty close to this chair lift, so it still may be a good option for you.

C.  Abandoned Mines above Tirnauz – Tirnauz is about 1 hr. from Mt. Elbrus, and a town everyone drives through to and from the mountain.  Although today it looks old and half-abandoned, it was a booming mining town in the 20th century.  About a 45-minute drive above the city with an off-road vehicle, you can see the remains of the mining operations.  Learning about this history combined with the breath-taking views of the Baksan Valley and even into Georgia, you’ll wonder why more people aren’t visiting this place.  This is a great spot to see eagles soaring in the sky, as well as admire the Soviet city plan of Tirnauz from above.

8.  What do I need border zone passes to visit?

In Russia, any area within 5-10 km of a neighboring country, without a clearly delineated border (i.e. in the mountains) is considered a special border zone, and patrolled by Russian border guards.  This area IS accessible to all Russian citizens with their passports, but is NOT legally accessible to foreign citizens UNLESS you have a special permit from the FSB (Federal Security Bureau).  These permits are accessible, either through a tour operator or local friend, but require you to submit your application 45-60 days in advance.

Areas in Kabardino-Balkaria that are worth a visit if you have a border zone pass:

A.  Bezengi Wall – This is at the end of the Bezengi Valley, and holds a place of lore among Russian mountain climbers.  Many mountain guides go through training in this valley.  Five of the Caucasus Mountain’ range’s highest seven peaks are a part of the Bezengi Wall, so you can imagine the draw it has for climbers. There are great areas for trekking and camping in this area. 

B.  Adyr-Suu Gorge – This remote valley runs perpendicular to Baksan Valley and is about 25 minutes from the base of Mt. Elbrus.  It’s marked at the entrance by a relic of the past, a car lift from Soviet days that auto-cranks your car (and you) about 50 meters up the mountain.  After 45-60 minutes of driving on gravel road, the gorge opens up into a flat valley with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.  The Adyr-Suu Alpine Lodge is at the end of this valley and where back-country skiers base out of during the acclimatization phase of their Mt. Elbrus ski tours.  This is truly a place where you can experience untouched powder!

C.  Mt. Cheget (Elbrus) – Cheget is a neighboring mountain to Mt. Elbrus and where many climbers will acclimatize, both at its base and while doing some hikes.  It also is famous in Russia for its free-ride terrain for more experienced skiers.  Standard access to the chair lifts and mountain are available to all (i.e. mountain climbers don’t need to worry about accidentally crossing into the zone), but anyone wanting to summit the peak of Cheget OR visit the beautiful Cheget Lake needs a border permit. 

Foreigners violating the border zone areas is considered a serious offense in Russia; make sure to do your due diligence if wanting to visit one of these areas!  We highly recommend using a local tour operator and always traveling with a local person if visiting one of these areas.

9.  Any cultural “do’s” or “don’t’s” to be aware of

Kabardino-Balkaria is a fascinating republic with a combination of traditional and modern society.  The more you interact with local people, the more you’ll see a mixture of Muslim faith, post-Soviet mentality, and ancient local traditions all wrapped together.   

Kabardians mainly live in the lowlands (Nalchik, Baksan, and lowland villages), while Balkars primarily live in the mountain valleys (Elbrus, Chegem, Upper Balkaria, etc.).  There is a large population of Russians in the region as well.  Foreigners visit every area of the region regularly, and so local people are used to and will welcome your presence.

Come with an open mind to learn about these peoples, their traditions, and their land.  You won’t regret your trip to Kabardino-Balkaria!

***Want to learn more?  Here are several self-published resources from the podcast “ CaucasTalk ” related to Kabardino-Balkaria:

– Travel Tips to Kabardino-Balkaria (audio version of this blog)

– History of Mt. Elbrus (Part 1)

– History of Mt. Elbrus (Part 2)

– Interview with Local Elbrus guide

– Climbing Elbrus: Interview with American guide

– Who are the Kabardians? (Part 1)

– Who are the Kabardians? (Part 2)

– Skiing in the North Caucasus (Elbrus and more)

READY TO EXPERIENCE KABARDINO-BALKARIA FOR YOURSELF?

Where to find us.

• +1 704-810-4296
• [email protected]
• 1578 Pine Creek Rd., Gastonia, NC 28056

Travel Information

• We no longer offer travel services to Russia. See Caucasus Quest Tours for new destinations
• Is it Safe to Travel to the Caucasus in 2024?
• Climbing Kazbek & Kilimanjaro: Comparing two 5,000+ meter peaks
• How to Train to climb Mt. Kazbek in Georgia

Our Elbrus Climbing Tours

• Climb Elbrus South Route
• Climb Elbrus North Route
• Climb Elbrus & The Capitals
• Climb Elbrus & The Caucasus

Russia Cultural Tours

• Capitals of Russia
• Lake Baikal on Ice
• Delightful Dagestan
• Heart of the Caucasus

ALL Travel Services to Russia and Mt. Elbrus have been indefinitely suspended as of Feb. 2022.

Explore our new tour branch Caucasus Quest to climb Mt. Kazbek (5,054 meters) in Georgia or for immersive cultural touring experiences in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

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