Dombay

Dombay is a climatically recreational country located at the mountain hollow right at the foot of the north slope of Main or Watershed ridge of Big Caucasus at the altitude of 1600 meters above sea level at the Amanauz, Dombay-Ulgen and Alibek rivers confluence place. It is 115 km south of Jeguta railway station and 26 km south of Teberda health resort.

Dombay meadow is located at the Teberda nature preserve territory and it is "The heart of the mountains". It's surrounded by the mountains, covered by conifer forests, mostly with silver firs. Dark conifer forests and emerald grass of alpine meadows, violent rivers, waterfalls, eternal snow and glaciers make this place of unique beauty. Dombay meadow itself is surrounded by mountains.

The highest peak of Dombay is Ulgen (4046m) covered by eternal snow and glaciers. The tetrahedral peak of Belaly-Kaya (Striped Mountain) is located at the opposite side of Dombay meadow and on the left side you can always see the Black Tooth of Sofruju (Watershed). The hard Amanauz walls are seen deep in the gorge. The many-headed Juguturlu-Chata ridge (Caucasian goats dwelling-place) and pointed peak of Ine (Needle) are located at the front line.

Climate

Climate of Dombay hollow is weak continental with the great number of sunny days, full of ultra-violet radiation, particularly pure air. Winter is long, average temperature in January is from minus 5°С to minus 7°С, snow cover is about 1,5 meters high. Summer is cold, average temperature is 13°С in July. Both of average precipitation quantity is about from 1000 to 1600 mm and the sun is shining 1420 hours throughout the year. The mountain climate can be used for the climatotherapy all over the year also.

Resort nature advantages and tourism

Resort nature and mineral waters brought to the surface by a boring channels make the advantages for it's carbonic (2,2 grammes per litter) and siliceous (50 milligrammes per liter) acids.

Dombay is the Caucasian alpinism and tourism center. The tourist camp was activated in 1925. There is 1900 meters long twin-seat rope provided way for the tourists and mountain skiers at the slope of Mussa-Achitara mountain (Perfidy ridge) as well as two take in tow cable ways. There is a hotel and ski station in Mussa-Achitara. The "Alibek" skiing camp is located at the foot of glacier, which is in the Alibek river valley.

Dombay Meadow

There are some well-known places with magnificent view to the Dombay meadow, which neighbouring to it. It has got the fascinating view of snowy chain of 30 kilometers wide mountains, surprising you with color and shade combination and even beauty because of its own proportionality when it opens to you from the Mussa-Achitara ridge (2400m) slope. Many footpaths begin from the Dombay meadow. Visitors' great attention is paid to the Chuchkhur waterfall (Small waterfall) which is next to the entrance of the Ptysh river valley. After digging a deep cause of its own the Chuchkhur stream comes down with thunder of cascades from ledge to ledge and furiously streams to crossing the Ptysh River. Chuchkhur and Ptysh are making a source of the Dombay-Ulgen river stream after their junction. The magnificent view of peak and glaciers of Main ridge opens from the waterfall, which is not seen from the Dombay valley. The Alibek glacier is the most accessible because of the good path leading from Dombay meadow to it. The glacier is situated next to the forest plant.

The Alibek glacier spreads on territory of 9,75 thousands square meters. There is small pure Turye Lake, which is located at Alibek and two-heated glaciers' moraines junction. Deep in the severe canyon of the rough Amanauz river there is Sofrujuk waterfall which falls down from the glacier grotto, located at some ten meters height and throwing diamond splashes everywhere seems to be like a water curtain and making unforgettable impression. There are picturesque lakes with pure water situated in the hollow on the north slopes of the Mussa-Achitara ridge.