The Caucasus Nature Reserve is the richest treasury of biological diversity, which has no analogues in Russia. It is located in the Western Caucasus. It is an oasis of wild nature between the big cities of Krasnodar, Maikop and Sochi. The world of the Caucasian reserve is mountains with glaciers and snowfields, mountain rivers with rapid waterfalls, crystal clear lakes, vast alpine meadows with aromatic grasses and bright flowers. One of the most unique places in the reserve is Khostinskaya yew-boxwood grove. Here relict plant species are reserved which have survived the ice age. This is the virgin ancient-old forest filled with Caucasian endemics. On the skirt of the grove roe deer, wild boars, badgers, foxes, hares and bears habitat, you can meet a forest cat and jackal. On the path tourists is accompanied by the singing of numerous forest birds, which it is very interesting to observe. The symbol of the Caucasian reserve is a bison, the reserve was created for protection of this species. You can see wild inhabitants of the Caucasus Nature Reserve in an open-air complex of the Sochi resort Krasnaya Polyana, bordering the biosphere reserve. The Kh. G. Shaposhnikov Caucasian reserve belongs to the UNESCO International Network of Biosphere Reserves. It is included in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List. This is the good place for ecotourism and family vacations.
The best time for visit is May - September.
What to see: Khostinskaya yew-boxwood grove, the ruins of an ancient fortress of the 11th-12th centuries, Lake Kardyvach, the Izumrudny waterfall, the Khosta river valley, the Achipsinsky waterfalls, the Chertovy Vorota canyon, Nature Museum in Guzeriple, dolmen, rope adventure park.
How to get to: The easiest way to get to the southern zone is from Krasnaya Polyana. To the north-eastern part - from the village Psebay. To the north-western zone - from Sochi.
You can go to Adler by plane or train. The open-air complex of the Caucasian Reserve is located on the Laura cordon of the Southern Reserve department, near the village of Krasnaya Polyana in the Adler district of Sochi, 2 km from the federal highway. You shall go from Adler to the village of Krasnaya Polyana by bus number 135 from the bus station Adler.
The territory of the Caucasus Nature Reserve borders with the Republic of Abkhazia, therefore, the border guard pass of the FSB of Russia (the Sochi or Circassian border detachments) is required to visit the route Kordon Karapyr - cordon Pslikh, you need to apply for it in advance, the period of preparation is 1 month.