sir richard branson yacht

A Closer Look at Richard Branson’s Yacht Necker Belle

While most people need to save up to even enjoy a package holiday, many rich and famous people have the financial means to buy their own means of taking a vacation. One toy that millionaires may buy itself is a luxurious yacht. They can use this to travel to anywhere in the world while enjoying the luxury of everything that a yacht has to offer. Each yacht is different, and this means that a variety of styles are available that feature different amenities. One particularly stunning yacht owned by someone who is both rich and famous is Richard Branson’s Necker Belle, and he certainly has the financial means to buy and enjoy this expensive toy. According to Yacht Harbour, this 32-meter catamaran was launched in 2009 and it was originally called Lady Barbaretta. In 2009, the yacht underwent a full refurbishment and was then bought by Richard Branson , who renamed the yacht, Necker Belle. He chose this name because he owns Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands.

Yacht Information

Branson had wanted a catamaran for some time as his previous vessel was the motor yacht in which he had broken the world record for crossing the Atlantic. Not a fan of motor yachts, he sold it as soon as he had broken the record and bought the catamaran instead. He based his catamaran at the island after which it is named and used it to sail around the British Virgin Islands and the Caribbean Islands. The interior of this yacht was originally designed by Chenus Presles $ Associates, but the 2009 refit was done by Azzura Marine while the catamaran was in drydock, says Superyacht Times . During this refit, both the interior and the exterior were updated, and a fourth stateroom was added. The year after the refit the boat won the World Superyacht Award for the Best New Refit.

Necker Belle has twin CAT 425 horsepower engines, can cruise at around 10 knots, and tops out at 14 knots. These speeds are achieved because the yacht is made from ultra-light carbon fiber. It has the capacity to host 10 guests in a layout over four large cabins, including a master, a double, and two twins. Each of the rooms is beautifully appointed and has its own en-suite bathroom, a flat-screen, and an iPod docking station. There is also enough space to accommodate six cabin crew. Richard Branson and his guests could also relax in the yacht’s main saloon, which is a spacious and relaxing area. This living space is fitted with bamboo and maple features that give the room a light and calming appearance. There is plenty of room for guests to spread out and relax. However, it is not the guestrooms or the saloon that are the main feature of this luxurious catamaran. The element of this yacht that sets it apart from the rest is what the catamaran offers on its yacht.

The deck is just as spacious as the interior and it is designed with fun in mind. There are several swimming pools on the platform if you want to take a cooling dip when you are in the Caribbean sunshine. If guests prefer to take a dip in the ocean, then they can use the six-foot diving board off the end of the yacht. An open-air cinema is another way that Branson and his guests could enjoy some entertainment. The deck area is designed in the style of a beach club, which adds to the sense of fun of this vessel. Necker Belle also boasts some exciting toys and equipment for guests to enjoy while onboard. Club Yacht says that the yacht also has water skis, equipment for game fishing, scuba diving gear, wakeboards, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, inflatable towel toys, and Hobie Cats.

Branson’s personal favorite toy that he liked to use when he spent time on Necker Belle was the excursion submersible Necker Nymph. Like a mini-submarine, this allowed Branson or his guests to go underwater in a tiny vessel that remained buoyant even when not under power. Branson also enjoyed scuba diving when he was on his catamaran as he loved to explore the underwater environment wherever he went. In the evenings, guests can relax in the warm breeze while sitting at one of the deck’s dining areas. Branson and his guests would often enjoy sipping wines in the evenings, as this yacht boasts its own wine cellar that Branson kept fully stocked. When Richard Branson owned Necker Belle, the vessel was operated by Captain Beez Evans who was supported in the running of the yacht by six crew members. They were responsible for keeping the ship up to standard, preparing meals for Branson and his guests, and generally ensuring that the needs of everyone on board were met.

Final Thoughts

Although Branson loved this catamaran, he decided that it was time to sell. Branson reportedly sold the catamaran in 2018 for its asking price of $3 million. His reasons for selling are not known, although it certainly isn’t that he needs the cash as he is one of the wealthiest men in the world. In fact, Wealthy Gorilla estimates his personal net worth at $5 billion. It is now called Bella Vita and it is available for charter via the company Charter World. The price for you and nine friends to enjoy a week on this yacht is a whopping $70,000. During that week, you will have access to the same amenities that were enjoyed by Branson and his guests. This includes a cabin crew that can fulfill your needs and make your experience on this yacht truly special and memorable . You can enjoy all this while sailing around some of the most beautiful areas in the world and using the Caribbean Sea as your playground. You may make several stops at various islands during your week of sailing, including the British Virgin Islands and the Caribbean Islands.

Lily Wordsmith is a freelance writer who has had a love affair with the written word for decades. You can find her writing blog posts and articles while sitting under a tree at the local park watching her kids play, or typing away on her tablet in line at the DMV. In addition to her freelance career, she is pursuing ebook writing with an ever-growing repertoire of witty ebooks to her name. Her diversity is boundless, and she has written about everything from astrobotany to zookeepers. Her real passions are her family, baking desserts and all things luxe.

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Adventures With Necker Belle - The Private Yacht Of Sir Richard Branson

Feel like cruising around in the Caribbean? There's a variety of islands to visit - the Bahamas , Antigua , St. Lucia, St. Croix or Barbados. And why not Richard Branson's Necker Island? Especially now that the Great House has been reopened and is once again receiving guests, after it burned down in 2011 and was raised anew over the last 18 months.

From Lady Barbaretta to Necker Belle

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Sir Richard Branson’s newest addition to the Virgin Limited Edition collection, Necker Belle , is a magnificent 32 metre catamaran sailing tailor-made itineraries year round.

SEE MORE: MOST FAMOUS STYLE ICONS OF ALL TIME

“As long as I can remember I’ve been fascinated by the world’s oceans, and I’ve spent a great deal of time sailing them in all kinds of conditions.  I’m therefore extremely pleased to welcome you to necker belle. as the name implies, the experience on board is not unlike a mobile version of necker island, my home and favourite hideaway. I hope you enjoy sailing her as much as I do ! ”

Sir Richard Branson

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Necker Belle sailing yacht was launched in 2003 by CMN Shipyard in France. Previously named Lady Barbaretta, the 32 metre yacht emerged from an extensive two-year refit in 2009, by Australian shipyard Azzura Marine.

Sailing yacht Necker Belle is part of the Virgin Limited Edition – a collection of Richard Branson’s luxury properties, including Sir Richard Branson's 74 acre Necker Island. Necker Belle, one of the world’s largest all-carbon multi hull yachts, can sleep up to eight guests. The master cabin is located starboard with en suite bathroom and large wall-mounted plasma TV. There is also a double guest room and a twin guest room. The light and contemporary saloon can convert into an additional sleeping berth in the evenings, with privacy screen is.

Necker Belle’s top deck is the perfect place for light lunches, whilst aft deck there is plenty of room to host a party of up to 30 people when docked. Necker Belle can reach an impressive top speed of 25 knots under sail.

• Yacht Builder CMN Yachts No profile available
• Naval Architect CMN Yachts No profile available
• Exterior Designer Azzura Marine No profile available
• Interior Designer Azzura Marine No profile available

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Richard Branson’s Charter Yacht ‘Necker Belle’ teams up with YachtAid Global

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By Editorial Team   14 November 2014

Following the devastating effects of Hurricane Gonzalo that ripped through St. Maarten last month, Sir Richard Branson’s luxury catamaran ‘Necker Belle’ has been assisting Yacht Aid Global in delivering supplies to locals on the Caribbean island.

Once again the yachting community has shown its strong sense of community in helping out with the post Hurricane Gonzalo efforts to provide the families of St. Maarten with much-needed supplies. With just 30 minutes’ notice of what was thought to be a tropical storm had turned into a Category 3 hurricane, the island residents were unable to install proper protection from the elements and considerable damaged was caused.

YAG’s mission simply is to seek out and find like-minded captains and owners to participate in our humanitarian efforts. Dhardra Blake

With the 2014 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show set to open on the 30th October, YachtAid Global Volunteer Event Advisor, Dhardra Blake headed out to see which superyachts would be able to help out. She commented: ‘YAG’s mission simply is to seek out and find like-minded captains and owners to participate in our humanitarian efforts. There are so many yachts which travel close to areas in need, whatever the cause. It’s our suggestion to deploy private yachts as a transport vehicle for donated aid and relief supplies.’

Sir Richard Branson is renowned for his philanthropic outlook and his ‘Necker Belle’ Captain Beez Evans, along with his crew were keen to participate despite his vessel’s short turnaround time. The 32m/105ft luxury charter yacht was then stocked up with relief aid supplies from local yachting industry firms including Yacht Chandlers, Medical Offshore Support Limited, MedAire and The Ditch Kit. In St Maarten IGY Marinas has donated a slip for the offloading of the aid and supplies as well as an overnight stay for the crew.

The St. Maarten recovery efforts are still ongoing and Founder of YachtAid Global Mark Drewelow is still calling for help from yachts: ‘We are still seeking more yachts to deliver needed supplies to Antigua which was also affected by Hurricane Gonzalo, and would like to assist the island in preparation for the 2014 Antigua Charter Show coming up in a few weeks.’

For more information about YachtAid Global visit their website. For details on booking a charter on board ‘Necker Belle’ contact your charter broker . 

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Sailing On Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Belle

by AnaCapri Estate | Jul 21, 2013 | Things To Do | 0 comments

Necker Belle catamaran, part of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Limited Collection in the British Virgin Islands

When you think of the British Virgin Islands Sir Richard Branson comes to mind. In the BVI he owns Necker Island, bought and is developing Mosquito Island (located just north of Virgin Gorda), and one of the newest additions to his Virgin Limited Edition collection is Necker Belle. Necker Belle is a 32 meter (105 feet) catamaran that is available for sailing excursions. Branson keeps this world class super yacht docked at Leverick Bay, located on the northern end of Virgin Gorda. The waters of Leverick Bay and this area are best known as North Sound.

If your budget can accommodate the 2013 weekly rate of $110,000 US and you prefer an all sailing adventure I’m sure Necker Belle is extraordinary. If your budget is less than 10% of that rate then AnaCapri Estate may be more your speed. A wonderful day trip from AnaCapri Estate is going by ferry to the North Sound area where you can enjoy Bitter End Yacht Club, Saba Rock, Leverick Bay, and possibly get a glimpse of Necker Belle should it be in the area.

Necker Bell, right, docked in Leverick Bay in the BVI

Sir Richard Branson’s mega yacht, Necker Belle

Necker Belle measures over 100 feet in length

The stern of Necker Belle – docked at Leverick Bay

Crew prepping Necker Belle for an excursion

Necker Belle enjoying a little rest in North Sound on the northern end of Virgin Gorda

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Sir Richard Branson's superyacht Necker Belle helps deliver aid to St Maarten

The skipper and crew of Sir Richard Branson’s catamaran superyacht Necker Belle stepped in to help deliver aid to St Maarten following Hurricane Gonzalo.

Necker Belle partnered with charity YachtAid Global after the hurricane caught the Caribbean island unawares in October, killing one person and causing widespread damage. A total of 37 boats were sunk or written off.

Hearing of the devastation, YachtAid Global volunteer Dhardra Blake sought out yachts at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show would be heading south after the show and could assist in delivering much needed supplies to St Maarten or Antigua.

“YAG’s mission simply is to seek out and find like-minded captains and owners to participate in our humanitarian efforts,” said Blake. “There are so many yachts which travel close to areas in need. It’s our suggestion to deploy private yachts as a transport vehicle for donated aid and relief supplies. With YachtAid Global assisting in disaster relief, literally any region is accessible.”

A series of marine industry connections made the venture possible, with Jessica Price from H20 Yachtwear putting YachtAid Global in touch with Captain Beez Evans of the Necker Belle . He was keen to help, but with a short turnaround time prior to the cat’s departure from Rybovich Superyacht Marina, the aid team needed to move fast.

Relief supplies were solicited from local yachting industry firms including Yacht Chandlers, Medical Offshore Support Limited, MedAire and The Ditch Kit. Yacht Chandlers took care of transferring the provisions to the superyacht, which was berthed in West Palm Beach. IGY Marinas in St Maarten donated a slip for the offloading of the aid, as well as an overnight stay for the crew.

“Working with YAG on disaster relief is a welcome opportunity for us and a meaningful philanthropic endeavor,” said Captain Evans.

The people of St Maarten were expecting a tropical storm and received notice the storm had grown into a hurricane only 30 minutes prior to landfall. With very little preparation time, residents could not put proper protection in place as the storm swept over the island.

Mark Drewelow, Founder of YachtAid Global, appealed for help from other skippers and owners. “We are still seeking more yachts to deliver needed supplies to Antigua which was also affected by Hurricane Gonzalo,” he said, “and would like to assist the island in preparation for the 2014 Antigua Charter Show which opens on 5 December.”

For more information about YachtAid Global and to donate, email [email protected] or visit www.yachtaidglobal.org

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Charter Richard Branson's yacht

The british billionaire and virgin group chairman is renting out his ultra-luxe sea retreat -- for $88,000 per week..

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Charter richard branson’s yacht and vacation like a billionaire.

If living the high life on the high seas is your idea of a dream vacation, you’ll be pleased to know you can now charter a yacht that used to belong to billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson — who has a net worth of about $5 billion, two private islands and a company with out-of-this-world aspirations to send tourists to space.

One week aboard this luxury yacht will set you back a cool $70,000, but it’s a week you’re likely to never forget.

Dive In: Richard Branson’s Net Worth Primed to Soar

Branson sold the Necker Belle in 2018 (the name probably comes from his islands; one of them is called Necker Island). It’s now available for charter thanks to Charter World. The boat was built in 2003 and purchased by Branson in 2008. He had a refit done in 2009, and it won a World Superyacht Award for best new refit in 2010. The yacht was refit again in 2018.

What You’ll Get on Richard Branson’s Former Yacht

The boat is made of ultra-light carbon fiber, which helps it travel at 14 knots under power and up to 20 knots under sail. As many as 10 guests can sail on this yacht charter and stay in four air-conditioned luxury cabins, including a master suite, a double cabin and two twin cabins. Each cabin includes its own shower room, as well as a flat-screen TV and iPod docking stations.

For an extra fee, there’s also more fun to be had on the Necker Nymph, an aero submarine with the ability to dive 30 metres deep — allowing you to “live out your James Bond fantasies” and “fly underwater and explore ancient shipwrecks,” according to Charter World’s website.

See: 15 Luxurious Vacation Spots Beloved by the Rich and Famous

Passengers also get access to a professional crew of six and a saloon in the main area, which has room for two more guests in need of an overnight stay.

Do It: Spare No Expense to Vacation at the 17 Best Beaches in the World

Other Yacht Options

If you’re concerned that Branson’s luxury catamaran may not be enough to impress your friends, there are other yacht rentals available on Charter World. You can charter a 272-foot Amels Limited Edition superyacht, which sleeps 12, for €1.2 million ($1.34 million) a week. If you’re in a hurry to get there, don’t worry — there’s a helipad so you can land your helicopter on the deck.

Read: 5 Luxe Hotels You Can Actually Afford

Of course, if you are not as well-heeled as Branson, you might opt for a more wallet-friendly ride, and there are plenty of those to choose from as well. For just $11,500 a week, you can charter the 64-foot catamaran Malisi , which sleeps up to 10 guests in five cabins. Or, charter the Serene motor yacht, which accommodates eight guests and a crew of three. Compared to Richard Branson’s yacht, this boat will get you there faster, with a top speed of 34 knots, and cheaper, at €15,500 ($17,421) a week.

Click through if you can’t quite cover the costs and need tips on how to afford a luxury vacation .

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : Charter Richard Branson’s Yacht and Vacation Like a Billionaire

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Necker belle sir richard branson's 105-foot luxury catamaran, is available for charter in the caribbean, sailing tailor-made itineraries year round..

Necker Belle has four spacious cabins accommodating up to 8 people (can sleep up to 12 people). At night, the saloon area can be converted into a double bed with a privacy screen for a comfy night’s sleep. The remaining 2 people have the adventure of sleeping outdoors under the stars on the comfy relaxation area located on the upper deck – who wouldn’t want to take advantage of the cool Caribbean sea breezes? All cabins come equipped with a safety deposit box, bottled drinking water, slippers, a luxury bathrobe, plug adapters, iPod docking station, hair dryer, SPF lip balm, Necker Belle cap, and a selection of toiletries.

When you’re not exploring the islands, you’ll find endless watersports, a forward-beam trampoline and myriad ways to relax in sublime comfort. Dine where and how you like on fine cuisine prepared to your prearranged preferences, then settle into your spacious cabin. Whether you prefer formal or informal dining, fine cuisine onboard Necker Belle is a given.

Get a bird’s-eye view from the crow’s nest near the top of the main sailing mast — you’ll feel like you’re flying!

Virtuoso Amenities For 2018:

• Daily breakfast , generally served outside lower aft deck; can also be served in cabins if client wishes
• $100 USD credit on Advanced Provisioning Allowance per charter
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

Images courtesy of and ©Necker Belle Private Yacht Charters

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Sir Richard Branson reveals what Aussies can expect from his new adults-only cruise

It’s the “rock star” cruise for over-18s that’s nothing like we’ve seen before. This is how Aussies can get a piece of the action.

Common item banned from cruises

‘Exhausting’: Passenger’s rant on $175k cruise

Raygun spotted with billionaire

Table-top dancing, champagne on demand and a strict adults-only policy — it sounds more like an after-party than a pleasure cruise through the Caribbean.

But a cruise ship from billionaire Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson was never going to follow the same, safe formula we’ve seen on cruise ships before.

Sir Richard has promised to “disrupt” the cruise industry when his four-year-old venture Virgin Voyages dispatches its first ship, the adults-only Scarlet Lady , to the high seas next year.

In Sydney today to announce a new partnership between Virgin Voyages and Virgin Australia — which will fly Australian travellers to Miami to board the ship — Sir Richard told news.com.au how the Scarlet Lady was in a league of her own.

“She is very ‘Virgin’,” he said. “She’s going to be a fun cruise for people to go on. If they want to dance, there’s plenty of dancing. If they want to chill, there’s plenty of chilling.

“I think there are some people who would never dream of going on cruises and all our research suggests people are willing to give Virgin a try when we launch a new business and generally they’re happy with the results.”

The 110,000 gross tonne, Italian-built Scarlet Lady — which is the first of four ships on order by Virgin Voyages — will set off on her maiden voyage to the Caribbean from Miami in April 2020.

Accommodating 2770 passengers, which the company refers to as “sailors”, the ship is designed to look more like a sleek, luxurious yacht than a mega-cruise ship.

It features 1330 stylish cabins with mood lighting, 78 “Rock Star” suites and four “Mega Star” suites that come with standing hot tubs and guitar-lined music rooms.

Gone are the massive buffets — the Scarlet Lady has more than 30 more intimate restaurants instead. A “Shake For Champagne” service lets cruisers have bubbly delivered to them, wherever they are, in moments with a literal shake of their smartphone. In a nod towards Virgin’s rock n’ roll heritage, there is a tattoo parlour on board, as well as a vinyl record store, and there will be plenty of on-board revelry, Sir Richard said.

“I’m a great believer that every table should be made to dance on and in our Rock Star suites we even have stairs going up to the table so people can get up there and dance,” he said.

“The nice thing is we’re trying to treat everybody as rock stars. We’ve got big verandas where people can sit outside their suites looking at the beautiful views they’re going to enjoy as they travel around the Caribbean.”

Virgin Voyages chief commercial officer Nirmal Saverimuttu told news.com.au this was a ship for people who would not typically consider a cruise holiday.

“Virgin is a mindset, it’s for people seeking that cooler, hipper, younger-feeling experience,” he said.

“A lot of people afraid of ‘mass’. We’ve seen a trend in the industry towards bigger and bigger ships, so we built mid-size ships so we can offer more intimate spaces.

“We don’t have big dining halls, or big buffets — our biggest restaurant has 200 seats.

“We put bars in our restaurants, and no one has bars in their restaurants on ships. But if you think about how you live your everyday life, in London or New York or Sydney, we always go to the bar in the restaurant and have a drink before (a meal).”

From today, Australian travellers can buy packages through Virgin Australia Holidays to experience the Scarlet Lady for themselves when she sails through the Caribbean from Miami starting in April.

“Tail to Sail” packages for Aussies include return flights with Virgin Australia from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Miami, a night’s accommodation in Miami, and the cruise voyage.

But leave the family at home — this voyage is strictly for over-18s only, and that’s another big part of the appeal, Mr Saverimuttu said.

“We’ve made sure we’ve built in adults-only experiences to make everything feel more elevated and sophisticated,” he said.

“When we spokes to sales (department) about this, their eyes lit up and they said ‘Finally — we don’t have to worry about the chicken nuggets’.”

The Tail to Sail packages are available from today on the Virgin Australia website .

Prices start from $3420 per person twin share, departing Sydney for a four night cruise voyage.

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Travel Tips to Kabardino-Balkaria: More than Mt. Elbrus!

If you’ve traveled to the North Caucasus before, there is a good chance you’ve already been to Kabardino-Balkaria, and you didn’t even know it!  Kabardino-Balkaria lies in the center of the North Caucasus region, is home to Mt. Elbrus, but more than that is a treasure chest of travel possibilities.  Here is our guide to traveling through the republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, or 9 travel tips to this beautiful land:

1. How do I get there?

Kabardino-Balkaria hosts a large number of both foreign and Russian travelers every year, and has an improving infrastructure able to handle the incoming masses.  Let’s start with the obvious.  You might be a mountain climber or skier coming to enjoy the slopes of Mt. Elbrus.  That means you’re likely arriving on an airplane to Russia.  Here are your travel options:

A. Plane – We advise you fly into the Mineralni Vodi (MRV) airport in the Stavropol Region, which is about 45 minutes from the border of Kabardino-Balkaria.  MRV is the largest airport in the North Caucasus, and has daily direct flights to and from all 3 airpots in Moscow (SVO, DME, and VKO), direct flights from St. Petersburg, and several international flight routes as well, including from Istanbul, Dubai, Greece, Tel Aviv, and Bishkek.  The MRV airport has a growing infrastructure and is the most obvious choice to fly into if going to Elbrus.  From MRV, it’s a 2 hr. drive to Nalchik, and a 3.5 hr. drive to Mt. Elbrus.

That being said, the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria, Nalchik (NAL), also has a small regional airport with a daily flight to/from Moscow as well as weekly flights to Istanbul. As is to be expected in most smaller, regional airports around Russia, the service standard at a small airport like this will be minimal.  As a result, we recommend you flying in and out of MRV if able.  It’s a 2 hr. drive to Elbrus from Nalchik.  You can also fly into other regional airports which are 2 hrs. from Nalchik, such as OGZ in North Ossetia (Vladikavkaz) or IGT in Ingushetia (Magas).

B.  Car/Public Transport – If you have a car, are using a taxi, or are hitch-hiking your way to Kabardino-Balkaria, the region is accessible by a variety of roads and vehicles.  A major Russian federal highway E50 runs through Pyatigorsk into Kabardino-Balkaria, and can take you towards Mt. Elbrus, Nalchik, and deeper into the North Caucasus.  There are daily mini-buses, or “marshrutkas”, that travel to Nalchik from Pyatigorsk, Vladikavkaz, Grozny, and Magas, if you’re coming from a neighboring republic.  From the main Nalchik bus station, there is a marshrutka that goes to Terskol (i.e. Mt. Elbrus) daily around 12:30 pm; for that matter,  marshrutkas run daily into every valley of this beautiful republic.  For the seasoned international traveler, you can drive from the country of Georgia up the famed “Georgian Military Highway” through the heart of the Caucasus Mountains, cross the border into Russia at the “Verkhni Lars” border stop, and be in Nalchik in about 2.5 hours as well. 

Anyone traveling on their own should download the “Yandex” taxi app, which is Russia’s version of Uber, and has a very user-friendly app with affordable prices.  In smaller villages/towns where Yandex’s service doesn’t reach, just ask a local and they’ll direct you to a friend or relative who can taxi you where you need to go!

C.  Train – Kabardino-Balkaria is also very accessible by the famous cross-country Russian train system if that’s your preferred method of travel.  Almost all trains to the North Caucasus pass through Mineralni Vodi in the Stavropol region to the north, so make sure wherever you are coming from, Mineralni Vodi is one of the stops.  Despite Nalchik having a train station, the city is about 45 minutes from the main railway route that runs diagonal through the North Caucasus, and as a result it’s a bit convoluted to get a train directly to Nalchik.  That being said, the town Prokhladni is a regular stop on trains going to/coming from Baku, Makhachkala, Grozny, Nazran, and Vladikavkaz, so you can always hop off there and find your way by public transport or taxi.

2.  What are the best places to stay?

This list could get exhaustive, fast. 🙂  Let’s first look at an overview of the republic’s geography, followed by hotel recommendations:

A. Nalchik – This is the capital city of Kabardino-Balkaria, with a population of around 250,000.  Nalchik is growing and new, modern hotels are being built regularly.  Here are some of our recommendations:

-Modern and comfortable:  Azimut , Butik Otel

-Budget with less frills:  Hotel Rossia , Korona

You could comfortably spend a week in Nalchik, while doing day trips into Kabardino-Balkaria’s beautiful mountain valleys.

B.  Baksan Valley – This is the most traveled road in Kabardino-Balkaria, the road to Mt. Elbrus.  If you have questions about its safety because of travel warnings, please see our detailed blog here of the drive to erase any doubts or fears.  Needless to say, because of the draw of Mt. Elbrus, there are a huge variety of lodging options at the end of this valley, from 4-star to mid-range to budget to hostel.  Here are just a few we’ll recommend from our experience:

-Modern and comfortable 4-star-ish:  Azau Star , Kristall 139

-Budget with less frills 3-star-ish:   Laguna , Povorot

If you’re a mountain climber with your sites set on the summit of Elbrus, you’ll have to spend at least 3-4 nights at Elbrus’s famous base camp at 13,000 feet.  The “barrel huts” are not easy to book directly with, and we highly recommend you do your climb (and hence, have your bookings handled) through a trusted climbing company.  Here are two shelters at base camp we recommend:

-Modern and comfortable:  Leaprus

-Budget with less frills:  Heart of Elbrus Lodge

If you’re interested in climbing Mt. Elbrus and staying in these barrel huts, click  here  to see our climbing itineraries, pricing, and group dates.

C.  Chegem Valley – Chegem Valley is the adjacent valley to Elbrus’s Baksan Valley, and is famous for its beautiful waterfalls as well as being Russia’s top paragliding location.  The “ Paradrome ” has modest accommodations for those wanting to get to know this beautiful valley for a longer period of time.

D.  Upper Balkaria, or Cherek Valley – This is another beautiful mountain gorge not too far from Nalchik.  There is an authentic lodging complex in Upper Balkaria called Tau-El, with amazing local food for meals as well.

E.  Border Zone lodging – Several of Kabardino-Balkaria’s mountain gorges run into the border zone with neighboring country Georgia, i.e. an area that foreigners cannot enter without a special permit from the local government (often taking 2 months to receive).  There is a famous mountaineering lodge in Bezengi Valley, where several generations of Russian mountain climbers have honed their craft in the Caucasus Mountains.  Perpendicular to Baksan Valley (about 25 minutes from the base of Mt. Elbrus) is Adyr-Suu Valley, where there is a lodge for back-country skiers to stay, while trying their hands (and feet!) on the untouched snow of that valley.  Both these valleys require border permits for foreigners, but are possible to access for the more adventurous!

3.  Top cities to visit?

Most locals would agree that Nalchik is the main city of significance to visit in Kabardino-Balkaria, but let’s be honest, even more would say, “Just go to the mountains!”  Tirnauz is the capital of the Elbrus district, and is an interesting town to spend some time in, with its unique location in the mountains and place in Soviet history as a once-booming mining town.  The main thing to consider in visiting Nalchik and other cities in the lowlands, is the chance to experience Kabardian culture and food.  Whereas the deeper you go into the valleys, the more you’ll encounter Balkar culture and food.

4.  Best local foods to try?

There are 3 types of food that come to mind, when spending time in Kabardino-Balkaria:

A. Khychiny – This is one of the staple national dishes of the Balkar people, and what you’ll inevitably be served if guests of local Balkars.  It’s a thin buttery flat bread, sometimes cooked with fillings of cottage cheese, fresh greens, or potatoes.  It is often slathered in butter, but wow is that some tasty greasy goodness! 🙂

B.  Shashlik – Shashlik is a MUST for any visit anywhere in the North Caucasus!  Most people would agree that it’s the national food of the entire region.  Shashlik is meat shish kabobs; while pork and turkey can be found in some parts of the Caucasus, lamb or chicken are the preferred shashlik meats of choice in Kabardino-Balkaria. 

C.  Soup – No matter where you are in Russia, you’re sure to find a local soup that people love.  Kabardino-Balkaria is no different.  Especially in the winter months in the mountain valleys, there’s nothing better than to come inside from the cold weather and warm your body up to a bowl of hearty Caucasus soup.  Whether Georgian kharcho or local Balkar lakhman, make sure to try your hand at one of these soups with a side of fresh baked bread/lavash!

5.  Top Hole-In-The-Wall restaurants:

Of course, for a republic of this size, we’re bound to leave at least a few great local joints off our list, but here are a few to get you started. ***Note:  Restaurants in the North Caucasus are much better known for their food than their service, so prepare for tasty food, but manage your expectations about service:

-Elbrus – Kogutai Restaurant at Mt. Cheget – While this isn’t a hole-in-the-wall restaurant per se, it’s one of many to choose from in the Cheget tourist village, and we have found them to provide consistently good food and service.  Kogutai has a nice interior, and maybe most important, an English-language menu with good pictures. 🙂  There also is a nice outdoor patio with fantastic views of the surrounding mountains.

-Nalchik #1 – Tameris Restaurant – This is a cafe with a relaxed atmosphere in the capital Nalchik.  Local tour company Elbrus Elevation has taken foreign groups there on multiple occasions and always had good experiences.  Address is ul. Kuliyeva 3. 

-Nalchik #2 – Cafe-Bar Oasis – You have to know where this restaurant is to find it, but once inside, you won’t regret it!  There is a unique cafeteria-style ordering process, that includes several dishes being cooked on the spot once ordered.  You can sample local Kabardian dishes here.  The seating area is very modern and a pleasant atmosphere to have a meal in.  Address is ul. Kuliyeva 2. 

-Upper Balkaria – Tau-El Restaurant – This is the restaurant part of the Tau-El Tourist Complex in Upper Balkaria.  Whether spending the night or just passing through, make sure to stop here for a meal!

6.  Must-See Sites

This republic is so chock full of “must-see” destinations, it’s impossible to narrow the list down.  Here are just a few suggestions to get you started: (***Mt. Elbrus is a no-brainer and we’re assuming that’s on your list)

A. El-Tyubu and Paradrome – This is an amazing area towards the end of Chegem Valley.  Many tourists visit the famous Chegem Waterfalls and don’t drive any further down this gorge, which really is a shame.  El-Tyubu is a picturesque Balkar village with several historical sites to see, including some ancient mausoleums.  The real gem of the area, though, is the Paradrome , which is Russia’s premier paragliding destination.  The combination of the scenic surrounding mountains and constant winds produces almost daily conditions to sail through the beautiful Caucasus sky.  Highly recommend!

B.  Upper Balkaria – Also known as Cherek Valley, the entire drive to the actual village of Upper Balkaria is one big destination.  First, you can spend time at the 3 consecutive “ Blue Lakes ”, one of which is one of Russia’s deepest lakes with an underground spring.  Then, the drive itself becomes an adventure, as you pass by steep rock walls with a huge drop-off on the other side.  If you’re able to walk this part of the road, that is a bonus!  Once you’ve made your way through the valley walls, the region opens up into a beautiful panoramic view.  Many years ago, there were multiple villages in this region, but they’ve since been condensed into one main village.  You can see some of the ancient Balkar towers that their ancestors used to live in as well.

C.  Djili-Suu – Although hard to pronounce and not easy to get to, Djili-Suu is one of those places in the North Caucasus that people rave about that you “have to” visit.  It’s actually on the North side of Mt. Elbrus, and more accessible from the Mineral Waters region (2 hrs. from Kislovodsk).  The base camp for Elbrus climbers summiting the mountain from the North side is at Djili-Suu.  This area is famous in Russia for its numerous natural healing springs, as well as unique climate conditions that make for beneficial, long holidays for seeking a respite from their daily grind.  There are wide swaths of land available for camping, with probably the most unrivaled views of Mt. Elbrus in the North Caucasus.  Make sure to check this out!

7.  Off-the-beaten path destinations

A. King’s Waterfalls (Tsarskie), or Gedmisht – Probably the valley in Kabardino-Balkaria with the least amount of hype is the Malka Valley, which is the northernmost valley and mainly runs through the Kabardian lowlands.  At the point where the villages end, though (Khabas), the asphalt turns into dirt and the hills start to rise, culminating with the incredible King’s Waterfalls, or as one friend put it, Avatar Waterfalls.  These stunning waterfalls are best visited in the early summer, when everything is lush green and the water flow is strong, with many streams of water flowing down the earth’s surface.  The different colors are incredible and it’s hard to look away.  Once you’ve enjoyed the waterfalls, enjoy a meal of shashlik at one of the nearby lunch huts.  Having an off-road vehicle is ideal to visit these falls, but worth the time and effort!

B.  One-seater chair lift at Elbrus – As the infrastructure at Mt. Elbrus has modernized, some of the more “authentic” experiences have gone to the way-side.  This is one experience still available, though!  From the 2nd (11,000 ft.) to 3rd level (12,500 ft.) of Mt. Elbrus (whether skiing, going to base camp, or just touring), there is a single-seater chair lift for 100 rubles each way (less than $2).  This is an amazing experience if you have the time.  It’s 8-10 minutes each way, and a surreal experience of the majestic Caucasus mountain range surrounding you, skiers silently passing you by underneath, and in general enjoying the silent expanse of nature all around.  The chair lifts are from the Soviet times and so it feels like something from a different era.  For mountain climbers, the newer group cable car gives better access to most of base camp, but several huts are pretty close to this chair lift, so it still may be a good option for you.

C.  Abandoned Mines above Tirnauz – Tirnauz is about 1 hr. from Mt. Elbrus, and a town everyone drives through to and from the mountain.  Although today it looks old and half-abandoned, it was a booming mining town in the 20th century.  About a 45-minute drive above the city with an off-road vehicle, you can see the remains of the mining operations.  Learning about this history combined with the breath-taking views of the Baksan Valley and even into Georgia, you’ll wonder why more people aren’t visiting this place.  This is a great spot to see eagles soaring in the sky, as well as admire the Soviet city plan of Tirnauz from above.

8.  What do I need border zone passes to visit?

In Russia, any area within 5-10 km of a neighboring country, without a clearly delineated border (i.e. in the mountains) is considered a special border zone, and patrolled by Russian border guards.  This area IS accessible to all Russian citizens with their passports, but is NOT legally accessible to foreign citizens UNLESS you have a special permit from the FSB (Federal Security Bureau).  These permits are accessible, either through a tour operator or local friend, but require you to submit your application 45-60 days in advance.

Areas in Kabardino-Balkaria that are worth a visit if you have a border zone pass:

A.  Bezengi Wall – This is at the end of the Bezengi Valley, and holds a place of lore among Russian mountain climbers.  Many mountain guides go through training in this valley.  Five of the Caucasus Mountain’ range’s highest seven peaks are a part of the Bezengi Wall, so you can imagine the draw it has for climbers. There are great areas for trekking and camping in this area. 

B.  Adyr-Suu Gorge – This remote valley runs perpendicular to Baksan Valley and is about 25 minutes from the base of Mt. Elbrus.  It’s marked at the entrance by a relic of the past, a car lift from Soviet days that auto-cranks your car (and you) about 50 meters up the mountain.  After 45-60 minutes of driving on gravel road, the gorge opens up into a flat valley with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.  The Adyr-Suu Alpine Lodge is at the end of this valley and where back-country skiers base out of during the acclimatization phase of their Mt. Elbrus ski tours.  This is truly a place where you can experience untouched powder!

C.  Mt. Cheget (Elbrus) – Cheget is a neighboring mountain to Mt. Elbrus and where many climbers will acclimatize, both at its base and while doing some hikes.  It also is famous in Russia for its free-ride terrain for more experienced skiers.  Standard access to the chair lifts and mountain are available to all (i.e. mountain climbers don’t need to worry about accidentally crossing into the zone), but anyone wanting to summit the peak of Cheget OR visit the beautiful Cheget Lake needs a border permit. 

Foreigners violating the border zone areas is considered a serious offense in Russia; make sure to do your due diligence if wanting to visit one of these areas!  We highly recommend using a local tour operator and always traveling with a local person if visiting one of these areas.

9.  Any cultural “do’s” or “don’t’s” to be aware of

Kabardino-Balkaria is a fascinating republic with a combination of traditional and modern society.  The more you interact with local people, the more you’ll see a mixture of Muslim faith, post-Soviet mentality, and ancient local traditions all wrapped together.   

Kabardians mainly live in the lowlands (Nalchik, Baksan, and lowland villages), while Balkars primarily live in the mountain valleys (Elbrus, Chegem, Upper Balkaria, etc.).  There is a large population of Russians in the region as well.  Foreigners visit every area of the region regularly, and so local people are used to and will welcome your presence.

Come with an open mind to learn about these peoples, their traditions, and their land.  You won’t regret your trip to Kabardino-Balkaria!

***Want to learn more?  Here are several self-published resources from the podcast “ CaucasTalk ” related to Kabardino-Balkaria:

– Travel Tips to Kabardino-Balkaria (audio version of this blog)

– History of Mt. Elbrus (Part 1)

– History of Mt. Elbrus (Part 2)

– Interview with Local Elbrus guide

– Climbing Elbrus: Interview with American guide

– Who are the Kabardians? (Part 1)

– Who are the Kabardians? (Part 2)

– Skiing in the North Caucasus (Elbrus and more)

READY TO EXPERIENCE KABARDINO-BALKARIA FOR YOURSELF?

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• We no longer offer travel services to Russia. See Caucasus Quest Tours for new destinations
• Is it Safe to Travel to the Caucasus in 2024?
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Visiting Russia - Nalchik, Capital of Kabardino-Balkaria

By Koryo Tours

Nalchik, capital of Kabardino-Balkaria

Visiting Russia – Nalchik

Yoshkar-ola | cheboksary  |  astrakhan | elista | stalingrad (volograd)  | abakan  |  nalchik  | validkavkaz  | makhachkala  |  grozny.

Nalchik is a small city of around 240,000 people and serves as the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria, one of the lesser-known republics spread across the beautiful North Caucasus area of Russia, the mountain range that separates the former soviet states of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan from the Russian Federation.

This region has incredible diversity in ethnic groups and is a melting pot at the edge of empire. While there have been civilisations in the Caucasus for millennia Nalchik as a city is only a century old, having been a Russian fort since 1724. Today’s Nalchik is a mostly peaceful and relaxing place, being in the foothills of the mountains it has many areas of great beauty and multiple sanatoria for people looking to take the waters, over the last century it has certainly had its share of turbulence though, being occupied by Romanian troops fighting on the side of the Nazis, who embarked on an effort to exterminate the ancient community of Mountain Jews in the area (unsuccessfully), plus a 2005 Islamic militant attack on Russian security forces.

These days Nalchik is known as a clean city, a place for relaxing, and the starting point of expeditions to summit Mt. Elbrus, the tallest mountain in Europe, which lies within Kabardino-Balkaria.

Kabardians make up the largest ethnic group at just under 50% of the city’s population, followed by Russians, Balkars, other Caucasian nationalities as well as Ukrainians, Mountain Jews still live in the area but in very small numbers now, most having emigrated to Israel.

Arriving/Departing

Nalchik Airport (NAL) is a small one but is fully functional for getting in and out, usually the foreigners arriving here will be mountaineers heading for Elbrus.

The Airport is only 3km from the city centre so you could even walk into town from here, otherwise, there are taxis and marshrutkas waiting for arrivals. Flights arrive only from Moscow and St. Petersburg usually, the Caucasus has other larger airports for other international flights (such as those to Sochi). Nalchik has a railway station, dating from 1915, with links to Moscow and across the Caucasus. A good option for travelling around the region in a relaxing manner (usually slower than taking a marshrutka between cities though) For getting around inside Nalchik there are public buses all over the place, easy to use and very cheap. Otherwise most of the centre is very walkable, the main ‘high street’ is Lenin Avenue, which runs for several km through the centre of the city.

Concord Square

The centre of Nalchik and a good place to start a walking tour of the city, with the Kabardino-Balkaria parliament building on one side and Lenin stands at the other, fountains in the middle and Lenin Avenue cutting through the square

Religious Buildings

The central buildings of the main religions practised in Nalchik are both fine examples of their respective architectural styles; the Central Mosque and the Cathedral of Mary Magdalene are both worth visiting. Dress codes apply.

Not actually in Nalchik, but only 50km or so away so the city is the ideal base for starting an expedition. This is Europe’s highest mountain and a dormant volcano. There are cable car/chairlift options to get t the top for those who don’t wish to do it the hard way. It is possible to get up and down this mountain n a single day, making it certainly the simplest of the 7 continental highest peaks to climb.

Museum of the Kabardino-Balkar Republic

Great for explaining where you are and the history of the area. Mostly in Russian only though and does tend to assume some knowledge in advance. Still a good stop to get some intro into the complex history of this city and area in general.

Atazhukin Garden

A large park complex running for more than 2km along the eastern side of the city, alongside the Nalchik River. A very pleasant place with so much to see and do. The basic Nalchik Zoo is here, walking trails, restaurants and cafes, theatres, a very retro funfair, and a rickety but reliable cable car running up to a lovely viewpoint to see over the city and out to Mt. Elbrus.

Topped by a restaurant building built in the shape of a Kabardian warrior. An excellent few hours can be spent exploring this park and mingling with the locals of all ages who do their relaxing here.

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