The most INCREDIBLE canyons in Russia

Where to go if you want to see Martian landscapes or take rejuvenating baths? Into one of the amazing canyons of Russia, that's where! These natural and man-made wonders are worth seeing with your own eyes at least once. Some of these places can be reached by taking a bus tour. Here are the prices for bus tours from the Vesely Tourist company.

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1. Sulak canyon, Dagestan.

One of the largest canyons in the world is located in Dagestan, in the valley of the Sulak River. Its length is 53 km and its depth reaches more than 1900 meters. From this height, the river looks like a small stream, despite being one of the most turbulent rivers in the region. Sulak canyon is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the mountainous republic. It is beautiful here all year round, but especially in summer and autumn. Not far from the observation deck is the Cherkesskaya hydroelectric power station - the largest in the North Caucasus. It can be visited with a guided tour. You can also take a boat ride on its reservoir.

2. Marble Canyon, Karelia.

Ruskeala canyon, created by human hands, is located not far from Sortavala. This is the result of a decade of marble mining. The magnificent Karelian marble was used to decorate St. Isaac's Cathedral and Mikhailovsky Castle in St. Petersburg. Until the beginning of the twentieth century, mining was carried out in Ruskeale, after which the mines were flooded. Today, Ruskeala Mountain Park is located here: visitors can ride a boat through the turquoise waters of the marble canyon, ride a zipline from one end to the other, or dive to the bottom with scuba diving.

3. Grand Canyon, Crimea.

In the center of the canyon fault in the Bakhchisarai region of the Crimea, there are "baths of youth" - a small lake soaked in silver. Legends say that swimming here rejuvenates a person. Be that as it may, there is still a lot to see in the Grand Canyon: Yew Falls, which descends between massive boulders; Blue Lake, where the water temperature is 10 degrees Celsius all year round and Yablochny Brod, where there is a powerful mountain spring. Cross-country hikers will love it here!

4. Kok-Asan Canyon, Crimea.

A small canyon in Crimea, Kok-Asan ("blue glade") is another interesting gorge to explore. It is located in the Belogorsk district, not far from the Morskoye resort. The canyon got its name from the presence of blue clay in the local soil, which, under certain lighting conditions, creates a reflection in the water and stains the surface air with a blue haze. Another place that you will love is the incredible Russian Gorki waterfall, where the water zigzags 20 meters! As in the Bolshoi, in Kok-Asan there are also "rejuvenating" baths ... with ice water.

5. Dangerous Canyon, Kamchatka.

Kamchatka is an incredibly picturesque region known for its volcanoes and geysers. The canyon with a waterfall and an eloquent name literally meaning "dangerous" is located in the area of ​​the Mutnovsky volcanic crater, about 60 kilometers from the regional capital of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. It is really dangerous to wander here: the edges of the hanging walls can collapse at any moment, and it is best to admire the view from a distance. The water here is unsuitable for life, as it contains a lot of sulfuric acid and other toxic elements. But the view is fantastic!

6. Canyons of the Putorana plateau, Taimyr.

The Putorana Plateau is one of the most inaccessible places in all of Russia and one of the most exciting. This Siberian nature reserve (not far from the notorious city of Norilsk) is literally teeming with powerful waterfalls and majestic canyons. And not a soul around. Only rare curious bighorn sheep or foxes. By the way, if you have ever wondered where the geographic center of Russia is - it lies here and runs along with Lake Vivi.

7. Colored mountains, Altai.

You will meet real Martian landscapes in the valley of the Kyzyl-Chin river ("red gorge") in Altai, not far from the Chuyskoye highway. The rocks in this place contain many metals and minerals: iron, manganese, chromium, quartz, chalcedony, and many others, which give the canyon a surreal shine and color. You are visiting another planet without leaving Earth!