Dagestan

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Dagestan
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Information
Country:	Russia
State:	Republic of Dagestan
Major roads:	R217
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Republic of Dagestan (Russian: Республика Дагестан) is the southernmost and one of the most multinational regions of Russia. It is part of the North Caucasus Federal District. The administrative center is the city of Makhachkala.

Dagestan borders Azerbaijan to the south, Georgia to the southwest, the Chechen Republic to the west, Stavropol Krai to the northwest, and the Republic of Kalmykia to the north.

Hitchhiking out and Travel Features

• Hitchhiking is better than in central Russia but slightly worse than in Chechnya. On asphalt roads, traffic flow is good and hitchhikers usually get rides quickly from any position. On the “Caucasus” highway, Chechens and other religious Muslims are usually the most willing to give rides.
• As throughout the Caucasus, most locals treat travelers well. Outside the cities, hospitality and openness remain strong, and guests are genuinely welcome.
• In Dagestan, some people consider themselves “Wahhabis.” If you get a ride from such people, don’t be afraid—politely remind them about the laws of hospitality written in the Quran. According to Sharia law, Muslims try to assist peaceful travelers in any way possible.
• There can be problems during Counter-Terrorism Operations (KTO) aimed at neutralizing Wahhabis. You will be warned about these zones in advance. Do not attempt to enter KTO zones!
• Even outside KTO zones, Dagestani police and federal forces prohibit photographing any objects that, in their or their superiors’ opinion, are “strategic.” For example, in 2013, someone was nearly arrested for photographing a monument across from a police station in Makhachkala. Photographing military objects, police, or checkpoints is especially risky.
• Do not accept offers to drink alcohol, smoke, or use drugs. In most cases, such activities lead to unwanted problems for travelers, especially in a traditional region like the Caucasus.
• Female travelers should travel in Dagestan accompanied by a man, preferably introduced as a husband or brother. See here (2015) and here (2020) for experiences of women traveling alone in Dagestan.
• Cross the borders with neighboring regions only by main roads. Enter Azerbaijan only through official checkpoints on highways. There are no border crossings from Dagestan to Georgia! The border is very strictly guarded and border guards may use lethal force, considering all illegal border crossers as Islamist militants. To enter Georgia legally, you must travel via the Verkhny Lars–Dariali Border Crossing near Vladikavkaz or through Azerbaijan.
• The border zone in Dagestan is a strip up to 40 km wide in Mountain Dagestan, including towns such as Bezhda, Kidero, Akhty, and the entire Caspian seacoast, except for the cities of Makhachkala, Derbent, Izberbash, Kaspiysk, and Dagestanskiye Ogni. You must obtain a special permit in advance (for example, through the State Services website) to visit the border zone. Detailed instructions for 2021 can be found here.
• “Dagestan” Nature Reserve Contact: +7 (8722) 62-85-07 Email: [email protected]

Cities

• Makhachkala
• Buynaksk
• Dagestanskiye Ogni
• Derbent
• Izberbash
• Kaspiysk
• Kizilyurt
• Kizlyar
• Khasavyurt
• Yuzhno-Sukhokumsk

Motorways

• The "Voenno-Akhtynskaya road" is the historical name of the route through the Shinsky gorge over the Greater Caucasus. It connects the city of Nukha (now Sheki) with the village Akhty in the Samur valley in southern Dagestan.
• The "Gimry–Chirkata" highway is a regional road in Dagestan, connecting Buynaksk and mountain areas of the republic, as well as the capital Makhachkala with border military units. Length — 24 km. Passes through Untsukulsky and Gumbetovsky districts, via villages Gimry, Ashilta, and Chirkata.
• Template:R “Kavkaz” — federal highway from Pavlovskaya (Krasnodar Krai) to Yarag-Kazmalyar (Dagestan border with Azerbaijan). Until December 31, 2017, it could also be designated Template:M “Kavkaz.” Highway length — 1118 km. Connects with Template:M "Don."

Border Checkpoints

• “Garakh” Russia-Azerbaijan (bilateral), only for citizens of Russia and Azerbaijan. Permanent, 09:00 - 17:00.
• “Tagirkent-Kazmalyar” Russia-Azerbaijan (multilateral). Permanent. 24/7.
• “Yarag-Kazmalyar” Russia-Azerbaijan (multilateral). Permanent. 24/7. Phone/Fax (8240) 25-7-96

Other useful info

• Wikivoyage
• My City encyclopedia about Russian cities and regions
• Transport schedules for “All Transport of Russia and CIS”
• Link collection for independent travelers
• Samokatus road trip guide
• Subjective guide by Ilya Buyanovsky (Varandej)
• Wild travels in the North Caucasus travel blog
• Traveling in Dagestan: ancient towers, winding highways, and latte with urbech. Olga Zavyalova on Perito.media
• Yandex Travel
• TravelAsk portal
• Travel.ru portal
• Add more links to online guides!

Useful Telegram groups

• TUT DAGESTAN chat
• Tourism in Dagestan chat
• DAGTRAVEL - tourism in Dagestan
• Tourism in Dagestan
• Tourism in Dagestan
• Add relevant TG links for visitors/travelers.