Dagestan, Arani, Khunzakh (17pics)

Greeting, friends.
Dagestan is becoming a very popular tourist destination for Russians. People come here to get to know this region as if to another country. Indeed, Dagestan was unknown for a long time to a Russian from the central regions. I must say that the Russians have always had a not very friendly attitude towards the residents of Dagestan. It seems to me that now this hostility has begun to smooth out due to the greater openness of the region and the greater communication of Russians with the inhabitants of this hospitable mountainous republic. There are a lot more different TV shows on TV, telling about beautiful places and amazing cuisine.

December 24, 2022. My friends and I visited the village of Arani in the Khunzakh district. At this point, the Tsolotlinsky Canyon begins. This place is also called the Khunzakh Gorge. The depth of the gorge is about 100 meters. This is not the deepest and not the longest canyon, but perhaps one of the most beautiful, because two magnificent waterfalls — Tobot and Itlitlyar - still fall into it. In winter, the waterfalls are not very large and form large icicles that periodically crash down.

Observation decks are made on three sides of the canyon and the edge of the canyon is protected by a fence. It seems to me that this was done only a couple of years ago, when tourists began to come to this place. We were at the canyon in winter and it's not the most tourist season. But I think it's even much better, no one bothers to observe the beauty and take photos. But, of course, you still need to visit this place in early May, when the waterfalls are gaining maximum strength.

In addition to the village of Arani, the central district village of Khunzakh and the small village of Itlya are located along the canyon. The houses are located very close to the edge of the gorge, about 100-150 meters.
By the way, the Khunzakh plateau is located approximately at an altitude of 1700-2000 meters above sea level.

Dagestan is originally an agricultural region. This is due to its mountainous terrain. Dagestan has always been known for its sheep. Indeed, we happened to meet small-sized sheep flocks. It was also possible to meet goats and cows walking freely. I learned from local residents that shepherds with large flocks of sheep walk higher in the mountains. I wonder what they eat there in winter?

Khunzakh fortress. We didn't manage to visit it. It currently houses a museum. This fortress was built in 1867 during the Russian conquest of Dagestan. A strategically important road passed through the village of Arani, so this fortress was built. The road is still of great importance. We can say that the main number of settlements are somehow located along this road.

What do girls do in beautiful tourist places? Of course, a selfie. Sometimes it seems that girls lose their heads for the sake of a beautiful photograph. They fearlessly approach the very edge of the abyss, climb dangerous ledges. Guys are less susceptible to this. We just take just a photo to tell wife later - I was here, not drinking vodka at the hotel. Of course, it's a joke.

And a beautiful bald vulture flies over the canyon, which many tourists call an eagle. Sometimes it dropped below the edge of the canyon and ended up under our feet. He was looking for his prey, this is his hunting zone. He lives here.