Cave Cities of Crimea

 From Simferopol, where the group is meeting, we will move to Bakhchisarai - the capital of the Tatar khans. We will visit the Khan's palace and the active Orthodox cave monastery of the Assumption. And of course we will see Chufut-Kale - the first of the cave cities on our way, as well as the sacred cemetery of the Karaites. For the night we will camp near the Beshik-Tau mountain.

 The next cave city is Tepe-Kermen. There are much fewer people here than in Bakhchisarai, and “black” archaeologists often take advantage of this. From the plateau you can see the remains of another cave city, Kyz-Kermen. Well, it’s time for us to move on, to the cave monastery Kachi Kalyon. There is almost nothing left of it, but there is water in the holy spring. Nearby, on the banks of the Kacha River, we will set up our tents.

Most of the route will pass through a real Crimean forest of fluffy oaks and beeches abundantly entwined with vines. Alimova Gully, which we will walk along, in some places resembles a real jungle. On the other side of this forest we will ascend to the Chelter Koba cave monastery. We will spend the night nearby, at a sacred spring.

 In the morning we will look at the ruins of the Shuiren fortress, located on the same plateau. Today we are going to Mangup. This cave city was the capital of the Principality of Theodoro, which included all the cave cities we had seen before. Fragments of the fortress wall, basilica and princely castle have been preserved here. The ruins are home to various archaeologists and hippies. These "Indians" live on the plateau all year round, have children and decorate their caves with wall paintings.

 We descend from Mangup and go to the Sheldan monastery. It was founded almost 2 thousand years ago and has now regained its operating status.  Next we will visit the cave city of Eski-Kermen. Thanks to its exotic landscape, it is very popular among filmmakers. "The Ninth Company" and many other films were filmed on the stone-hewn streets of Eski-Kermen. We can also shoot a couple of shots with your participation.

 After spending the night in Pyata Balka we will go down to the village of Ternovka. From here we will take a bus to Sevastopol - the last point of our route.  Those who want to continue their holiday by the sea, explore Sevastopol, see the ruins of Chersonesus or go to Balaklava to admire the Chembalo fortress and the Bay of Symbols itself.