CT59 – Travel Tips: Karachay-Cherkessia! Beyond Dombay | Unsung Arkhyz | Lovely Kislovodsk | Best Hotels | Salty-Bubbly Yogurt Drink

“Shurpa without ayran is like throwing your money to the wind.”—Rashid the Wise



If you want to know the delicious meaning of this proverb—and you should—just listen to today’s dive into Karachay-Cherkessia Republic. Back in the studio we welcome Rashid (see Episode 23) and this guy, well, he just knows everything. Mountain destinations for the adventurous, recipes to try for the more advenurous, and lots of good humor. SEe if you can bear to stay away after hearing this.



Links for Episode 59



Dombay HotelsHotel KristalHotel Kristal (Russian)



Stary Dombay – Cable car comes out of here!Stary Dombay (Russian)



GonachkhirGonachkhir (Russian)



Arkhyz HotelsEnergetik Hotel on River Bolshoi Zhelenchuk



Vertikal HotelVertikal Hotel (Russian)



Food!Zharkoye (meat cooked in sheep butt fat) recipe Susap (salty bubbly yogurt drink)Has Hus in Kislovodsk – tell them Rashid sent you!Has Hus 2



PlacesLake Hurla Kel / Хурла КёлPlateau BermamytMore on Plateau Bermamyt



Rashid’s website: caucasus.pro



Timestamps



2:32 – How to get there5:24 – Dombay: Where to stay9:33 – Arkhyz10:18 – Stories of old13:36 – Arkhyz: Where to stay18:48 – Top cities19:26 – Karahchayesk22:53 – Best local food27:16 – Salty bubbly yogurt after-dinner drink: susap30:07 – Hole-in-the-wall restaurant32:51 – Top 3 places to visit35:42 – Origin of Karachay: “People of Black River”39:15 – Border zone requirements40:32 – Cultural tips