Blue Lakes and Thermal Hot Springs

One of the excursions included in the health centers of Kabardino-Balkaria is a trip to the Blue Lakes, located in the area Cherek and near Bezengi valley.

Blue Lakes are rightfully one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kabardino-Balkaria. The chain of blue lakes is an incredibly beautiful natural phenomenon, this is a unique place not only for the republic, but for the whole country and the world. Lakes of karst origin are comfortably located against the backdrop of picturesque nature - deciduous forests, alpine flowering fields. There are steep cliffs around, and at the very bottom of the canyon there is a noisy and powerful river Cherek Balkarsky. Breathtaking and inspiring beauty!

Within the Rocky Range tourists gaze one of the most picturesque lakes in the Caucasus, sulfuric water with the color of different shades, from bluish pale to emerald. “Tserikkel” is not big lake, the water surface area is 26 thousand square meters and the depth is 368 m, it has no river flows in, and flows out only one unnamed stream. Flowing from Lake is permanent and has no influence from seasonal fluctuations. It is about 70 million liters water per day. Its color is variable. In clear weather, soft blue, and when other weather conditions changed to sky-blue. The water is crystal clear, transparent walls of the lake can be seen to a depth of 22 m. Water surface of the lake is calm, it seems it stopped, frozen in her mysterious, enigmatic beauty.

To the east of the lake “Tserikkel” one more interesting object of nature – empty lake “Kel-Ketchhen”. The basin of the lake is a deep karst pit with vertical walls 177 meters deep. Origin of Kel-Ketchhen is similar with origin of Tserikkel lake: it is the result of karst processes. Translated from local Balkar language Kel-Ketchhen means “lake flowed away”. Two more connected lakes are nearby.

Recently on the Lake opened scientific sports diving center. Here scientists have deep water equipment and special gas mixtures, and tourists extreme sports fans can immerse themselves in the depths of the lake under the supervision of experienced instructors.

On the way to the Blue Lake – hot springs Aushiger.

The place is located in the south-western outskirts of the village Aushiger, on the right bank of the river Khey, on the territory of the sanatorium “Aushiger”, 25 km from the city of Nalchik. Natural and climatic conditions of the area belong to the foothills of the republic with a temperate continental climate. The place characterized by the presence within the complex of health and leisure unique sources of nitrogen slightly mineral thermal hot water. Before designing health and recreation fundamental task was to attract the maximum number of tourists, regardless the level of their life. At the moment, there is a fairly well-developed infrastructure at the sanatorium “Aushiger”, which includes a rest area, bathing and house for 100 people.

We will make the first stop of our tour at Lower Blue Lake. It is the most important lake and has the most convenient location for tourists, in close proximity to the road.

The name of the lake is Tserik-Kol or Cherek-Kel. For a long time, the exact depth of the lake remained a mystery. Even such a famous scuba diver as Jacques Yves Cousteau did not establish it reliably. To date, it is considered that its depth is 360 meters, but not to all the crevices of the lake the bathyscaphe could descend, so this is not the final depth size. In terms of depth, Lower Blue Lake is the second karst lake in the world. Karst is a hole in the rock that looks like a well.

The color of the lake is unusually beautiful and changeable. From soft blue in clear weather to azure. The water surface is calm, as if the lake is frozen. The water is clean, completely transparent, the walls of the lake are visible. The place is full of mysterious and enigmatic beauty.

On the shore of the lake, the locals staged a real market. Here you can buy souvenirs, jewelry, toys made from natural materials, knitted items and much more, which tourists buy with pleasure as a keepsake of the trip.

Next we head to the hot Augisher Spring, just on our way to the Blue Lakes. A unique object, gifted by nature itself, is located on the outskirts of the village of Augisher. More than 70 years ago, during geological exploration, thermal springs were discovered here. The locals have built bathing areas there. To date, a large modern complex for recreation and rest has been built there. Nitrogen-thermal low-mineralized hot water attracts tourists and local residents. It contains in its composition chlorine, sodium, potassium, bicarbonates. This resort has been popular for a very long time. Now there are hotels, a recreation area, a healing lake, and open and closed baths. The springs are open to guests all year round.

We will spend about 40 minutes on the territory of the complex. For entrance to the springs, you will need to pay an additional fee - 100 rubles per person.

We will arrive back to Nalchik approximately at 18-00/19-00.

PRICE | 700 rubles per person |

DEPARTURE TIME | 13:00 from city Nalchik |

RETURN TIME | 17:00-18:00 |

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE |

Transport services all along the route | Tour guide service |

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ADDITIONALLY PAID

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Entrance fees to Aushiger thermal springs |

Lunch 500-600 rubles per person |

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BOOKING OF THE EXCURSION IS MADE AFTER FULL PAYMENT. IF THE EXCURSION IS CANCELED BY YOU ONE DAY BEFORE DEPARTURE AND BECAUSE OF WEATHER THE MONEY IS NOT REFUNDED. The program and time of the tour may change. Check with managers for details. |

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