lady lara yacht ibiza

Discovering Lady Lara: The Epitome of Luxury at Sea

By Yachts Zenith, 26.02.2024

Key Specifications

Lady Lara, a majestic 91-metre superyacht, represents the pinnacle of luxury yachting, designed by the esteemed Reymond Langton Design and delivered by the prestigious German shipyard Lürssen in 2015. With accommodation for 18 guests and a crew of 40, she offers unparalleled luxury and service.

Interior Elegance

The interior of Lady Lara, designed by Reymond Langton Design, is a testament to luxury and comfort, accommodating 18 guests in lavish style. Featuring VIP suites with fold-down balconies, a bright and welcoming ambiance, and extensive health and beauty centres including a spa and beach club, Lady Lara offers an opulent yachting experience.

Exterior Design

With an exterior also crafted by Reymond Langton Design, Lady Lara features sweeping curves and a harmonious balance of elegance and strength. Her full displacement hull and sophisticated lighting create a stunning visual display, highlighting her white aluminium superstructure and teak decks.

Advanced Specifications

Lady Lara boasts advanced specifications including a maximum speed of 18 knots and a cruising speed of 14 knots, powered by twin MTU engines. Her sophisticated stabilisation system ensures utmost comfort at sea. Classified by Lloyd's Register, she adheres to the highest standards of safety and performance.

• Length Overall (LOA): 91 meters (298 feet)
• Beam: 14.8 meters (48.5 feet)
• Draught: 4.2 meters (13.8 feet)
• Gross Tonnage: Approximately 2,950 GT
• Year Built: 2015
• Builder: Lürssen Yachts
• Naval Architect: Lürssen Yachts
• Exterior Design: Reymond Langton Design
• Interior Design: Reymond Langton Design
• Accommodation: Up to 12 guests in 6 staterooms, including a master suite, 3 VIP staterooms, and 2 twin cabins. Crew accommodations for up to 29 members.
• Engines: 2 x Caterpillar (12V 4000 M73) producing 2,984hp each
• Maximum Speed: 18 knots
• Cruising Speed: 12 knots
• Range: 4,000 nautical miles at cruising speed

Amenities and Features

Lady Lara is outfitted with an array of luxurious amenities and bespoke features for the utmost comfort and entertainment of her guests:

• Expansive beach club with fold-down terraces
• On-deck Jacuzzi and swimming pool
• Fully equipped gym and spa
• Cinema room
• Helipad for easy access
• State-of-the-art stabilization system for smooth sailing
• Advanced navigation and communication systems

Sustainability and Innovation

In line with modern yachting standards, Lady Lara incorporates several sustainable practices and innovations to minimize her environmental impact:

• Energy-efficient propulsion system
• Advanced wastewater treatment facilities
• Use of eco-friendly materials in construction and interiors

Award-Winning Recognition

Awarded at the Asia Boating Awards in 2016, Lady Lara is not just a testament to luxury yachting but also to nautical innovation, showcasing cutting-edge design and engineering that places her at the forefront of the maritime world.

• Impressions

At 91 meters in length, Lady Lara is an ultramodern superyacht with sweeping curves and an elegantly balanced profile. Dynamic, sculpted features carry through her exterior and interior design, by Reymond Langton Design. Exceptional features include a large waterside beach club, VIP guest suites with fold down balconies and extensive spa and treatment facilities. Her on-board atmosphere is bright, with inviting interior spaces and a subtle selection of light complementary finishes enhancing the open areas. Generous exterior decks offer range of options for guests to enjoy, from sun-drenched, open entertainment areas to more sheltered, intimate formal spaces.

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Lady Lara Mega Yacht

LADY LARA – Lurssen – 91 m – 2015 TOP SPEED 18 kn GUESTS 14 CREW 19 CRUISE SPEED 12 kn BEAM 14.35 m GUEST CABIN 7

Lady Lara Accommodation

Lady Lara’s interior configuration has been designed to comfortably accommodate up to 14 guests overnight in 7 cabins. She is also capable of carrying up to 19 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.

Lady Lara Mega Super Yacht, is a motor yacht built in 2015 by Lürssen in Schacht-Audorf. She is owned by Israeli/Kazakh billionaire Alexander Mashkevitch. With an overall length of 91.00 m (298.56 ft) and a beam of 14.82 m (48.6 ft).

An ultra modern super yacht

Built under codename Orchid, Lady Lara has a full displacement hull, aluminium superstructure and a 14.35 metre beam. Exterior and interior design comes from the boards of Reymond Langton Design, a decision influenced by the desire to create a harmonious balance between spaces inside and out.

Zero speed stabilizers, elevator, beach club, helicopter landing pad on the bow, spa, swimming platform, tender garage with tender, air conditioning, on deck jacuzzi, gym, BBQ, underwater lights.

Her on-board atmosphere is bright, with inviting interior spaces and a subtle selection of light complementary finishes enhancing the open areas. Generous exterior decks offer range of options for guests to enjoy, from sun-drenched, open entertainment areas to more sheltered, intimate formal spaces.

Information about Lady Lara

Sweeping, sculpted curves give Lady Lara a feminine elegance and the interior reportedly flows just as sinuously. Lady Lara is a private yacht and following her maiden voyage to Norway, she headed to Florida, the Bahamas and the Eastern Caribbean islands for the winter season.

Lady Lara features a displacement steel hull and aluminium superstructure, with teak decks. She was built to Lloyds Register classification society rules.

This luxury yacht is also fitted with ‘zero speed stabilizers’ which work at anchor, increasing on-board comfort when the yacht is stationary, particularly in rough waters.

Lady Lara owner information

Who is alexander mashkevitch.

Mashkevich was born in Frunze, Kyrgyz SSR, Soviet Union, in 1954. His father Anton, a doctor born in Lithuania, and his mother, Rakhel Yoffe, a lawyer born in Vitebsk, were evacuated to Kyrgyzstan in 1941. His family background is Lithuanian Jewish.

He is a graduate of Kyrgyz State University where he studied philology. Mashkevich started out an academic career but became a businessman during perestroika. Mashkevich, Patokh Chodiev, and Alijan Ibragimov form “the Trio,” a group of Kazakh businessmen who became billionaires. The Trio gained control of the recently privatized chromium, alumina, and gas operations in Kazakhstan (some of the largest ones in the world).

Mashkevich is one of the owners of Alferon Management. Based in London, Alferon Management has acquired mining operations in different places: Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Kosovo, Russia, and other countries.

In 2010 he was on the Forbes list of billionaires at #287. In 2017, he was on the list at #1098, with a worth of $1.9 billions. Now his worth is 3 billion dollars.

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230,000,000 EUR

91M LÜRSSEN 2015 (2023)

Asking price

WELCOME ONBOARD

At 91 meters, LADY LARA embodies opulence in every way. Her vast size is awe-inspiring. The bridge deck houses a dedicated spa with a treatment room, hammam, beauty salon, and a fully equipped gym. A swimming pool transforms into a night-time dancefloor on the main deck with a custom music system. LADY LARA is elegantly lavish, accommodating up to 16 guests in eight cabins and offers two more cabins for up to 4 supernumeraries. She provides impressive capabilities, a longer range than similar yachts, a helipad for exploration, and continuous upgrades for immediate cruising. Much like the interior, LADY LARA's decks offer numerous ways to enjoy your time on board. Featuring two pools – one on the sun deck with a swim-up bar and another on the main deck – guests have ample opportunities to stay relaxed and refreshed. The main deck pool doubles as a dance floor at night, complete with a custom sound system, making it the perfect setting for celebrations or events.

Key features

• Stunning Raymond Langton Design 
• Accommodates 16 guests in 8 cabins, plus 4 staff in 2 cabins 
• Owner's deck with his and her bathrooms and dressing rooms
• Large pool on the aft deck with a raising dance floor and disco/party setup
• Beach club on the water featuring a sauna and steam room 
• Full spa on the Bridge Deck aft 
• Spacious Sun Deck with large pool, swim up bar, jacuzzi, bar, Teppanyaki dining and barbecue
• Seamless indoor/outdoor dining with a glass enclosure
• Guest elevator in glass servicing the Tank Deck to the Bridge Deck 
• Dedicated Cinema room 
• Touch & Go helipad on the foredeck 
• Used privately since delivery, offered in turnkey condition 
• Recently underwent a +15M EUR refit during winter 2022-23

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Yacht, IMO 1012311

• VesselFinder
• Miscellaneous

The current position of LADY LARA is at West Mediterranean reported 0 min ago by AIS. The vessel is sailing at a speed of 0.4 knots. The vessel LADY LARA (IMO 1012311, MMSI 319082300) is a Yacht built in 2015 (9 years old) and currently sailing under the flag of Cayman Islands .

Position & Voyage Data

Map position & Weather

Recent port calls, vessel particulars.

LADY LARA current position and history of port calls are received by AIS. Technical specifications, tonnages and management details are derived from VesselFinder database. The data is for informational purposes only and VesselFinder is not responsible for the accuracy and reliability of LADY LARA data.

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Lady Lara - IMO 1012311

Photo details

Description:

Name: Lady Lara Project Name: Orchid Length, LOA: 91.10 m, Beam: 15.56 m, Draft (max): 4.00 m IMO number: 1012311, MMSI: 319082300, Call: ZGEZ3 Flag: Cayman Islands Home Port: The Creek, CI Main Engine: twin MTU 16V4000M 63L, each 2589 hp, Complete: 5178 hp Crusing Speed: 15 knots Top Speed: 18.0 knots Guests: 14, Crew: 19, Decks: 5 Built: 2015 Builder: Lürssen , Bremen, Germany Naval Architect: Lürssen, Bremen, Germany Exterior Design: Reymond Langton Interior design: Reymond Langton Hull: 13684 Price: in 2024, approx. 230 million euros Owner: Alexander Machkevitch, Kazakhstan, Taken in front of the port of Ibiza, Spain.

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Ais position of this ship.

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Motor Yachts from 65 feet or 20 m LOA - 40 photos

Ships under Construction - 8 photos

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Aleksi Lindström

Manuel Hernandez Lafuente

Hilmar Peschel

Peter Beentjes

Lyndon Henry

Willem Oldenburg

Wolfgang Barnitzke

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Darren Round

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Recommended

Laurene powell jobs’ $120m super-yacht in minor crash with boat owned by mexican billionaire.

Talk about yacht rock!

Billionaire Laurene Powell Jobs ’ super-yacht, the Venus , was in a minor crash with another mega-vessel, the Lady Moura, owned by Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego , we hear.

The accident between the big ol’ boats — both reportedly worth upwards of $120 million each — happened on July 22nd in Italy.

A source familiar with the situation told Page Six that both yachts were actually anchored when the incident occurred.

Said our seaworthy source: “The Venus came into contact with the Lady Moura — which was also anchored,” adding that on Jobs’ boat, “No family was on board, only crew.”

The insider said the accident happened when, “The wind changed very suddenly, picking up from a breeze to 55 knots over the course of a few minutes.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Katia Damborsky (@theyachtwriter)

The source said, “Neither boat ‘dragged anchor,’” but alleged that the Lady Moura was, “on a chain double the length [to be] expected in the depth of water they were in… Both captains were in discussion immediately following the incident about minor repairs needed.”

According to the site Boat International, Pliego’s side recorded the incident, and there’s video of the nautical fender-bender on Instagram.

The outlet reported that the billionaire could be heard saying in Spanish, “I would like to know what the captain and crew were doing that they didn’t see a yacht the size of mine in front of me. Good thing nothing but a scratch happened, but it’s a big scratch that’s going to [cost] a lot to fix.”

The 256-foot Venus was custom created for Steve Jobs, and designed by Philippe Starck. But the late Apple founder never got a chance to use the boat before his 2011 death and it went to his widow.

At 344 feet, the Lady Moura was previously owned by a Saudi businessman and cost $200 million before it was reportedly bought for $125 million by Pliego, the third richest person in Mexico.

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Pliego is a billionaire businessman who runs banking, telecommunications and retail companies.

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Steve Jobs' mega yacht bashed a billionaire's boat in Italy

Steve Jobs' Venus hits another yacht [Instagram/Ricardo Salinas Pliego]

Last updated 1 week ago

A pair of luxury yachts came into contact with each other off the coast of Naples, Italy on Wednesday. The at-sea incident saw Venus , a luxury yacht build for the late Steve Jobs impact that of Mexican retail and broadcasting giant Ricardo Salinas Pliego.

Salinas posted to Instagram a video of Venus drifting toward and into the side of the Lady Moura , his own super-sized yacht. Traveling at a luxuriously slow pace, the front bow of Venus made contact side-on with the other craft, reports Forbes .

After the impact, Venus was shown to bounce and drift backward, wafting away from the Lady Moura .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Don Ricardo Salinas Pliego (@ricardosalinas)

The video seemingly demonstrates that the crew of Venus failed to intervene quickly enough to avoid the collision, despite Salinas' crew using horns and shouting at the opposing crew.

"I would like to know what the captain and crew were doing that they didn't see a yacht the size of mine," Salinas commented with the video. "You see that there are no shortage of idiots in the world."

Salinas wasn't on the Lady Moura , with the 344-foot yacht anchored in place. Laurene Powell Jobs wasn't aboard Venus either.

While the glacial-speed impact didn't cause any serious damage to either boat, Salinas claims there is a "big scratch" on the side of his vessel. Since it's a big boat made for someone worth about $10 billion, the scratch will apparently cost a lot to repair.

Seemingly jokingly, Salinas asked his followers to buy Apple products via the Group Elektra retail chain that he owns, so Powell Jobs could pay for the damage.

It's likely that Powell Jobs, worth $14.4 billion, could probably afford the repair bill without needing some retail assistance if the insurance doesn't cover it.

24 Comments

Somebody is going to be dusting off and updating their resume. 

" Salinas asked his followers to buy Apple products via the Group Elektra retail chain that he owns, so Powell Jobs could pay for the damage." 😆

ihatescreennames said: Somebody is going to be dusting off and updating their resume.  I think multiple people will be let go after that.

Why does this amuse me? “Excuse me, do you have any Grey Poupon?” “Why of cour… TOO CLOSE! TOO CLOSE!!”

My guess is the boat captain was a little busy getting a happy ending somewhere not in the wheelhouse.

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Nalchik city, Russia

The capital city of Kabardino-Balkaria republic .

Nalchik - Overview

Nalchik is a resort city located in the south of European Russia, the capital of the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, its administrative, cultural, and educational center.

The population of Nalchik is about 239,600 (2022), the area - 67 sq. km.

The phone code - +7 8662, the postal codes - 360000-360904.

Nalchik city flag

Nalchik city coat of arms.

Nalchik city map, Russia

History of nalchik, foundation of nalchik.

The official date of foundation of Nalchik is considered to be 1724 - the time of the foundation of the first settlements on the banks of the mountain river of Nalchik at the foot of the wooded mountains of the Main Caucasian Range, when the auls of Prince Aslanbek Kaitukin moved here from the upper reaches of the Kuma River. From 1724, the auls of the main princes of Kabarda - Aslanbek Kaitukin, Dzhambot Tatarkhanov, Kuchuk Dzhankhotov - were located on the present territory of Nalchik.

The fortress of Nalchik was founded by General Aleksey Yermolov either in 1818 or in 1822, during the Caucasian War (1817-1864). The military settlement at the fortress was founded in 1838. In 1850, its population was 272 people.

In 1871, the military settlement of Nalchik was transformed into a civilian settlement (sloboda). Since that time, the local economy and industry began to develop. In 1884, about 3.5 thousand people lived in Nalchik. There were 13 brick-tile and lime factories, 4 smithies, 4 water mills, 20 inns, more than 50 shops, dozens of taverns and wine cellars.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Nalchik began to turn into a resort. Thanks to the mild climate and the presence of mineral waters, it became very famous. By 1913, the population grew to 18,600 people.

More historical facts…

Nalchik in the 20th century and beyond

Nalchik sloboda received the status of a city by the decision of the Constituent Congress of Soviets of Kabardian Autonomous Oblast in 1921. At the same time, the decisions were made to build a power plant in Nalchik, as well as a mechanical plant with a foundry (later transformed into a hydro-turbine plant) and a timber mill. In 1923-1928, an elevator, a mechanized mill, and the Nalchik confectionery factory were built.

In 1923, the Lenin Educational Town was established (today’s Kabardino-Balkarian State University - one of the largest universities in the North Caucasus) with pedagogical, agricultural and cooperative technical schools. In 1939 the population of Nalchik was 47,970 people.

During the Second World War, Nalchik was occupied by the Germans from October 28, 1942 to January 3, 1943, the city was largely destroyed. About 9 thousand residents died in the battles.

On March 8, 1944, the forced deportation of the Balkars began. In total, 37,713 people were sent from the Nalchik railway station to permanent exile to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Officially, the deportation was based on the facts of participation of the Balkars in collaborationist formations that sided with Nazi Germany during the Second World War.

Subsequently, by the highest state bodies of the USSR, and later - of Russia, this deportation was declared illegal, criminal, and an act of genocide. In 1957, a massive return of the Balkars to their homeland began. In 1959, the city’s population was 87,600.

In the 1960s-1970s, Nalchik was developed according to a new general plan corresponding to its status of a resort city. A distinctive feature of the urban development was that between the main streets with multi-storey buildings there were whole quarters of “hidden” private houses, many of which were pre-revolutionary buildings.

In the sanatoriums of Nalchik, about 36,000 people rested and were treated in 1958, 80,000 - in 1968, and 100,000 - in 1971. In the late 1980s, the Nalchik resort reached the peak in its development and presented an almost idyllic picture of the prosperity of a socialist state. In 1989, the population of Nalchik was 234,500 people.

In 1991, Nalchik became the capital of the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria within the Russian Federation. Just as in all of Russia, the collapse of the USSR and the severance of industrial ties led to the fact that most of the city’s enterprises were closed. By 1995, the situation worsened even more when refugees from Chechnya were accommodated in local sanatoriums and rest homes. The entire resort area and city park fell into disrepair.

1997 was a turning point for Nalchik - the city began to be actively decorated and landscaped again. In 1999, by the decree of the Government of the Russian Federation, the Nalchik resort was assigned the status of a resort of federal significance.

In October 2005, the city was attacked by Islamist militants. 14 civilians and 35 police officers and law enforcement officers were killed, more than 240 people were wounded, including 129 law enforcement officers. The number of militants killed according to various sources ranges from 41 to 97 people.

In 2010, Nalchik was awarded the honorary title “City of Military Glory”.

Pictures of Nalchik

Rainbow in Nalchik

Author: Deni Altmar

The restaurant Sosruko in Nalchik

Author: Vladimir Shelyapin

Nalchik Railway Station

Author: Karolina P.

Nalchik - Features

The Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria is one of the most beautiful and unique places in Russia in terms of natural, historical, and cultural characteristics. Nalchik, the capital of the republic, is located in its center in a picturesque area at the foot of the Main Caucasian Range at an altitude of 512 meters above sea level.

There are several versions of the origin of the city’s name. The most probable is that it got its name from the mountain river of Nalchik, which flows through its territory, and its geographical location in a semicircle of mountains resembles a horseshoe. The name of the city is based on the word “nal” - “horseshoe”, which is used in both the Kabardino-Circassian and Karachai-Balkarian languages. The horseshoe is depicted on the city’s coat of arms along with Mount Elbrus.

The climate of Nalchik is the climate of the foothill zone. The average temperature in July is plus 21 degrees Celsius, in January - minus 2.5 degrees Celsius. The main feature of the local climate is the daily fluctuations in air temperature, especially in summer.

According to the 2010 All-Russian Population Census, the ethnic composition of the population of Nalchik is as follows: Kabardians - 49.25%, Russians - 28.77%, Balkars - 12.16%, Ossetians - 2.04%. The majority of the city’s population are Sunni Muslims.

The federal highway “Caucasus” passes through Nalchik. From the Nalchik railway station, trains leave in the direction of Moscow located about 1,700 km north of it. The airport of Nalchik offers regular flights to Moscow and St. Petersburg. Minibuses (known as “marshrutka”) form the basis of the city’s public transport.

Nalchik is a fairly large industrial center. The leading branches of industry are non-ferrous metallurgy, light industry, food and pharmaceutical industries. Kabardino-Balkaria and its capital Nalchik are a popular center for tourism, mountaineering and skiing.

Due to the mild natural and climatic conditions, the presence of various mineral waters and therapeutic mud, the balneological resort of Nalchik is on a par with the resorts of the Caucasian Mineral Waters - Kislovodsk, Yessentuki, Pyatigorsk, Zheleznovodsk. About a quarter of the city is a resort area. In the resort part of the city and around it, there are about 40 sanatoriums, rest houses, tourist centers, boarding houses. On a relatively small territory of Nalchik, there are 18 mineral springs of various physical and chemical composition.

The valley of the resort is surrounded by mountains in a semicircle protecting this beautiful place from the winds. A magnificent panorama of the majestic peaks of the Greater Caucasus opens from any point.

Main Attractions of Nalchik

Atazhukinsky Garden - the largest park in the North Caucasus. Named after the Kabardian prince Atazhuko Atazhukin, it was founded in 1847. The total area is about 250 hectares, the length of the main alley - 1.5 kilometers. The park has over 150 species of plants, a river, lakes, an observation deck, sculptures, a pavilion with mineral water, a zoo, cafes and restaurants, a summer concert hall (Green Theater). In 2002, Atazhukinsky Garden was recognized as the best green park in Russia. Shogentsukova Avenue.

Nalchik Hippodrome . From time immemorial, Kabardino-Balkaria has been famous for its thoroughbred horses. Therefore, it is not surprising that one of the main attractions of Nalchik is its hippodrome. The hippodrome was built in the 1930s. In 2006, reconstruction was carried out. Horse races held here are very popular among locals and tourists. Malbakhova Street, 30.

Nalchik Central Mosque (2004) - not only one of the most original architectural objects of the city, but also a unique religious building of Islam. As conceived by the architect Andrey Asanov, not traditional canons were used in the construction of the building, but a modern high-tech style. The height of the mosque is 21 meters, the minarets - 30 meters. Shogentsukova Avenue, 133.

Restaurant “Sosruko” - one of the symbols of Nalchik. In the 1950s, it was decided to build a new restaurant in Nalchik where numerous vacationers could spend their evenings. The winner of the competition was the architect Palagashvili, who proposed to make the building recognizable and unique.

The exterior of the restaurant is stylized as a head dressed in a helmet and a hand with a flaming torch - the hero of the national epic Sosruko, who seems to grow out of a mountain 640 meters high. The helmet has an observation deck, which offers impressive panoramic views.

National Museum of the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria . The exposition of the department of nature displays a huge relief map of the republic and samples of minerals extracted in its different parts. Slides and dioramas introduce visitors to the natural monuments, flora and fauna of Kabardino-Balkaria, the uniqueness of which is due to the presence of five climatic zones on the territory of the republic.

The historical part of the exposition tells about the most interesting archaeological finds of Kabardino-Balkaria, about the history of the Kabardians and Balkars (the indigenous inhabitants of the republic) from ancient times to the present day, about their traditions, customs, ethnography, and culture. Gorkogo Street, 62.

Kabardino-Balkarian Museum of Fine Arts named after A.L. Tkachenko . The exhibition halls of this museum showcase works of European, Russian and national artists, sculptors, masters of decorative and applied art created in the 19th-20th centuries. The pride of the museum is the collection of masterpieces created by French watchmakers of the 18th century, antique Japanese, Chinese, European, and Russian porcelain. Lenina Avenue, 35.

Chegem Waterfalls in the Chegem Gorge - a picturesque natural monument, one of the natural tourist attractions of Kabardino-Balkaria and one of the most beautiful places in Russia located about 55 km from Nalchik. Here you can also buy wool products, souvenirs, and other Kabardian and Balkar goods. There are several small cafes with national cuisine.

Nalchik city of Russia photos

Streets of nalchik.

Nalchik - a city surrounded by mountains

Author: Shlykov Kirill

On the street in Nalchik

Author: Valery Podlesny

Apartment house in Nalchik

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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)

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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

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