The company NEWROUTE is offering its clients tours of the canyons in Baizingi which, in itself, is a very rare event.  Indeed, very few people get the opportunity to see these canyons. At the moment, we, NEWROUTE, are the only tour operator with the right systems in place to be able to offer tours in this area.  Through regularly arranging ski-tours in Bezengi, we have developed excellent relationships with local partners and are well-known to residents.

Geography:

The region of the Bezengi glacier is one of the most beautiful places in the Caucasus Mountains, and the mountains have the highest snow tops.  It is the severest region in the Caucasus Mountains and represents the toughest challenge to climbers.  Here is the least precipitation in comparison with other canyons familiar to mountain-climbers.  The Bezengi region is far from civilization – there are no hotels and no internet, but only high mountains, plenty of snowy peaks and never-ending expanses of unspoilt nature.  You will not meet any ‘accidental’ tourists in autumn, winter or spring.  In spring, it shows itself to be the most solitary corner of the world.  Furthermore Bezengi has the highest mountains in the whole of the Caucasus range.   Notably, six out of its eight summits (except Elbrus and Kazbek), which are known as the ‘five-thousands’, are all situated in the Bezengi region.  However, the Bezengi region is particularly famous for its two mountain-masses – the Northern and Bezengi walls. 

The Northern Massif – this is a great 15 km horse-shoe of nine main summits, five of which exceed the five-thousand metre mark.  From East to West stretches Koshtantau (5,151m); Tihonov peak (4,670m), Krumkol (4,676m); Eastern Mizhirgi (4,927m); Western Mizhirgi (5,025m); Borovikov peak (4,888m); Pushkin peak (5,100m); Eastern Dyh-Tau (5,180m) and the Main Dyh-Tau (5,204m).

Weather:

The weather in the Bezengi region is related to the weather in the centre of the Caucasus Mountains.  On the whole, there is less precipitation than on shore of the Black Sea, although more than in regions in the East.  The Caucasus Mountains form parallel ridges which act as a barrier against northerly winds and, owing to their height, they are a key climate-forming factor in the region. Constant snow cover settles in November and holds out to March-April.  Strong winds in the valleys of the reserve, the so called Finai. The winds are particularly sharp at the end of winter, reaching storm-force.  For the rest of the year mountain breezes dominate.

 The average yearly temperature of the Bezengi glacier at an altitude of 2,000m is 2.9°C; at an altitude of 3,000m – 2.2°C and 7.9°C at an altitude of 4,000m.  The time when temperatures are generally unfavorable at 2,000m altitude begins in November and continues through to April, and from September to June at 4,000m altitude.

Local Inhabitants:

There are currently almost 1,000 inhabitants residing in the Bezengi region and nearly 200 of them are schoolchildren. The local inhabitants live independently and every family has their own home and garden.  They grow apples, pears, plums, cabbages, potatoes and carrots.  Bezengi has a moderate climate with enough sunny and rainy days to enable inhabitants to reap a good harvest.

Small Himalayas:

‘Small Himalayas’ is the name given to these mountains by Russian mountain-climbers and it is with good reason.  The severe conditions of these high peaks, their vast valleys and eternal snow and glaciers give support to such a name.  Bezengi – a paradise for experienced climbers, serious-climbing fanatics and the most unlikely place to meet tourists is the kind of place you can run into some interesting adventures and experience some really positive emotions. 

The tough climbs are compensated for by the long descents, where you will meet few skiers and be able to enjoy a beautiful snowy landscape, which is something you can count on regardless of weather conditions.  Usually people come in groups to Bezengi and stay for the whole spring and there is no need to stand in a queue to begin your climb.  The preferred season for ski-tours is from April to mid-June.  At this time the sun is already high enough and climbers can spend the whole day in the snow of which there is a lot or too much.  Despite the severity of conditions of the Bezengi area, life at the centre is very comfortable for a mountain home.  There is electricity, warm kitchens and two-bedroom apartments with fresh linen and baths, and the cordiality of the staff is particularly noteworthy. 

Important Information:

The Bezengi region is situated on a boundary zone which means tourists wishing to enter this zone must have a special permit.  If you travel with us as part of a group then we will ensure a clear passage through border controls.  Admission controls (rules) affect all tourists, including Russian citizens.  Besides a permit for the boundary zone, tourists or mountain-climbers should also have a permit for the prohibited zone.  If one person does not have a permit then border control officers have the right to detain the whole group while group-instructors apply for permission to pass through.