nimmo brothers tour 2023

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You can't compare Nimmo to anyone, they are in a world/league of their own which is hard to do these days. Totally inspiring performance. Cannot wait to see what's next for this incredible band.

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The nimmo brothers tickets.

For over a decade The Nimmo Brothers, from Glasgow, Scotland have proven themselves to be one of the most respected exponents of modern blues the UK has seen since the blues boom of the 1960’s. It is from this period, that brothers Stevie and Alan Nimmo first drew their influences, which makes them the fine musicians they are today. Inspired by such greats as Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers they had no doubt that when the time came, they have produced original compositions fuelled by that very same passion for the blues shared by their idols.

Pile-driving blues rock from this fine young band from Scotland, fronted by the twin guitar/vocals of Stevie and Alan Nimmo. The best in UK blues/rock, guaranteed to raise the roof.

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King King – 2023 tour

The Floral Pavilion, New Brighton – 14/03/23

I’ve seen King King three times in the space of twelve months this year so I knew exactly what to expect as I arrived at the Floral in New Brighton. It’s an almost religious, spiritual experience when Alan Nimmo let’s loose on the guitar and to say I was excited was an understatement. This is the first time that I’ve seen the band in an entirely seated venue, does this represent a step up for the band? And how will I receive the music sitting down? Will the experience be the same? All these questions will be addressed and answered at the end!

Following the bands intro music (AC/DC’s Highway to Hell) the band enter to a cheer from the expectant crowd. Speaking to a few familiar faces before the show, the king King army were all in attendance, two of them driving across the country from Boston in Lincolnshire – a six hour drive, but we were all there for the same reason, to see these masters at work. 

Alan Nimmo and his brother Stevie need absolutely no introduction as they launch into a much bluesier set this time round, Stevie’s influence was very apparent, think back to the ‘Nimmo Brothers’ material. ‘Dance Together’ kicked proceedings off and I was instantly transported to that special place that only a King King gig can take you to.#

‘Long Time Running’ followed by ‘Heed the Warning’ – both from King King’s 2017 album are next, both tracks making a very rare live appearance. Such a treat to see them play these songs live! These songs both have lashings of Bad Company with a bit of Free and seeing Alan let rip on ‘Heed the Warning’ even took me to Rival Sons territory, both musically and vocally too! 

‘By Your Side’ follows and is certainly a fan favourite, this glorious music washing across the seated audience as they sit back watching in awe. What a sound!

We are mid way through the show now and it’s very apparent that the security at the venue are policing the show with an iron fist. I appreciate it’s a theatre and they are used to theatrical shows, but this is a rock gig. 

People at rock gigs like to take photos and videos as keepsakes to remember their night but at the floral tonight the over zealous security seemed intent on simply not allowing that to happen, every time a phone came out the audience members were pounced upon and told to put their phones away. It must’ve annoyed Alan, because towards the end of the night, he even said to the audience ’You can film me if you like’, which got a cheer and a shout of appreciation from this particular reviewer. The two photos in this review were taken after that point and still after Alan said that, the over zealous security stopped me taking any more! 

Lack of photos aside, this was an incredible night of music. The songs kept coming. My favourite song Whatever it takes to survive was this time dedicated to Danny Bowes of Thunder and again the hairs on the back of my neck were stood on end! Magical. Alan dedicates the next song ‘You Stopped the Rain’ to his brother Stevie and watching the chemistry between the Nimmo brothers as they both duel with their guitars is wonderful.

We were getting towards the end of the night and as good as it was, something was missing. It just didn’t feel right to be sitting down, so I took myself down to the side and watched the last half hour stood up! I felt much better!! ‘Rush Hour’ and ‘I will Not Fall’ follow with yet more mind blowing guitar from both Alan and Stevie and then ‘Stranger to Love’, which is the regular King King main set closer!

It’s in ‘Stranger to Love’ that Alan and the band go from full on electronic to Alan Playing his strat acoustically on his own, before bring the volume right back up to 11! This amazes me every time I see it, and no matter where I am, in a theatre, rock club or festival, when he does this you can hear a pin drop. It amazes the audience and tonight was no different! 

A quick departure and then the guys were back onstage for their finale, ‘Old Love’ – another epic song with more great soloing from the two Nimmo brothers. The crowd were loving it. I was in heaven and the band were on fire!

King King just get better every time I see them, like I said, this show was much bluesier. The band continue their tour, they’re at KKs Steelmill tonight, 17th March and then have a few more dates next week, check the King King website for dates. Personally I found it strange watching them sitting down, but at least I had the option of standing up, but it was amazing to see them on a big stage, truly where they belong. 

Simply put, King King are one of the best live bands out there and if you have never seen them, you’re missing a treat!

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DEWOLFF LIVE IN MANCHESTER

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Past Events

Here are the most recent UK tour dates we had listed for Nimmo. Were you there?

• Thu 20 Jul → Sun 23 Jul Macclesfield, Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre Bluedot Festival Max Richter, Roisin Murphy, Leftfield, Django Django, Creep Show…
• Sat 3 Jun → Sun 4 Jun London, Brockwell Park Mighty Hoopla 2023 Kelly Rowland, Years & Years, Aqua, Confidence Man, Dagny…
• Thu 20 Apr Brighton, The Hope & Ruin Nimmo
• Wed 19 Apr London, The Lower Third Nimmo
• Fri 14 Apr Leeds, Headrow House Nimmo
• Thu 13 Apr Liverpool, Jimmy's Nimmo
• Wed 12 Apr Edinburgh, Sneaky Pete's Nimmo
• Tue 11 Apr Glasgow, Broadcast Nimmo

November 2022

• Sun 6 Nov Glasgow, Òran Mór Glasgow Blues, Rhythm & Rock Festival Chantel McGregor, Gerry Jablonski Band, Nimmo

September 2022

• Sun 4 Sep Manchester, Night & Day Cafe Nimmo
• Fri 2 Sep Hove, The Brunswick Nimmo

August 2022

• Wed 31 Aug Glasgow, The Hug & Pint Nimmo
• Fri 3 Jun → Sat 4 Jun London, Brockwell Park Mighty Hoopla 2022 Sugababes, Steps, Jessie Ware, Anastacia, Agnes…
• Thu 26 May London, Sebright Arms Nimmo

September 2020

• Wed 30 Sep Manchester, YES Nimmo
• Fri 25 Sep Brighton, Patterns Nimmo
• Thu 24 Sep Birmingham, Hare & Hounds Nimmo
• Wed 23 Sep Sheffield, Picture House Social Nimmo
• Tue 22 Sep Leeds, Headrow House Nimmo
• Fri 8 May → Sun 10 May Online / Streaming Events Homeschool Fest Online Ajimal, Alec Benjamin, Alfie Templeman, Annabel Allum, Apre…
• Fri 27 Mar Leeds, Headrow House Nimmo
• Thu 26 Mar Sheffield, Picture House Social Nimmo
• Wed 25 Mar Manchester, YES Nimmo
• Tue 24 Mar Birmingham, Hare & Hounds Nimmo
• Fri 20 Mar Brighton, Patterns Nimmo
• Mon 16 Mar Edinburgh, Sneaky Pete's Nimmo
• Sun 15 Mar Glasgow, Broadcast Nimmo
• Fri 13 Mar London, MOTH Club Nimmo
• Wed 11 Mar Bristol, The Louisiana Nimmo

September 2019

• Fri 6 Sep London, The Prince Of Wales Summer 80s Icons Rooftop Party Nimmo, Danny Rango, Jack Osman, Frankie Salt, CJ Cooper…

August 2019

• Thu 1 Aug Brighton, The Green Door Store Nimmo
• Thu 4 Jul London, Electrowerkz Nimmo

August 2018

• Thu 2 Aug → Sun 5 Aug East Lulworth, Lulworth Castle Bestival 2018 London Grammar, Jorja Smith, Diplo, Django Django, Mark Ronson (DJ Set)…
• Sun 3 Jun London, Brockwell Park Mighty Hoopla TLC, Lily Allen, Andro (1), B*Witched, Belinda Carlisle…

December 2017

• Sun 31 Dec London, Dalston Superstore Nimmo, The Twinnies
• Thu 29 Jun London, The Red Gallery Vanessa White, You Get Grime, Conducta, Jamz Supernova, Jelani Blackman, Nimmo, Clash DJs …
• Sun 4 Jun London, Victoria Park Mighty Hoopla Years & Years, All Saints, Will Young, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Charlotte Church…

November 2016

• Sat 26 Nov Brighton, The Green Door Store Nimmo
• Fri 25 Nov Manchester, SOUP Nimmo
• Thu 24 Nov Birmingham, Hare & Hounds Nimmo
• Wed 23 Nov Nottingham, Stealth Nimmo
• Tue 22 Nov Leeds, Headrow House Nimmo
• Sun 20 Nov Glasgow, The Rum Shack Nimmo
• Sun 13 Nov Birmingham, Hare & Hounds Nimmo

October 2016

• Thu 20 Oct London, XOYO Nimmo
• Wed 19 Oct Manchester, O2 Ritz MØ, Nimmo
• Wed 19 Oct Leeds, Headrow House Nimmo
• Tue 18 Oct Glasgow, The Rum Shack Nimmo
• Sun 16 Oct Nottingham, The Rescue Rooms MØ, Nimmo
• Sat 15 Oct Birmingham, The Rainbow Venues MØ, Nimmo
• Sat 15 Oct Brighton, The Green Door Store Nimmo
• Fri 14 Oct Manchester, SOUP Nimmo
• Thu 13 Oct Birmingham, Hare & Hounds Nimmo
• Wed 12 Oct Nottingham, Stealth Nimmo
• Tue 11 Oct Brighton, Concorde 2 MØ, Nimmo

September 2016

• Thu 8 Sep → Sun 11 Sep Newport, Robin Hill Bestival 2016 Hot Chip, Major Lazer, The Cure, Wiz Khalifa, Sean Paul…

August 2016

• Wed 10 Aug → Sun 14 Aug Newquay, Boardmasters Festival Site Boardmasters 2016 Chase & Status (Live), Catfish and the Bottlemen, Lianne La Havas, Blossoms, Jack Savoretti…
• Thu 28 Jul → Sat 30 Jul Edenbridge, John Darling's Farm LeeFest presents The Neverland Circa Waves, Everything Everything, Lianne La Havas, Ghostpoet, We Are Scientists…
• Thu 21 Jul → Sun 24 Jul Huntingdon, Mill Hill Field, Grange Farm Secret Garden Party 2016 Caribou, Air, Maribou State, Milky Chance, Shura…
• Fri 15 Jul → Sun 17 Jul Sawley, Dockber Farm The Beat-Herder Festival Booka Shade, Chronixx, Zincfence Redemption, Donovan, James…
• Sat 11 Jun → Sun 12 Jun London, Victoria Park Field Day 2016 James Blake, Anna Meredith, Astronomyy, Ata Kak, Baio (Vampire Weekend)…
• Sun 29 May Dot To Dot Festival 2016 - Nottingham Mystery Jets, Augustines, The Temper Trap, Rat Boy, Sundara Karma…
• Sat 28 May Bristol, Various Venues Dot To Dot Festival 2016 - Bristol Mystery Jets, Augustines, The Temper Trap, Rat Boy, Sundara Karma…
• Fri 27 May Manchester, Various Venues Dot To Dot Festival 2016 - Manchester Mystery Jets, Augustines, The Temper Trap, Rat Boy, Sundara Karma…
• Fri 27 May → Sat 4 Jun Hidden Door Electric City Festival 2016 Jane Weaver, Neon Waltz, Delta Mainline, The Sons, Law Holt…
• Thu 19 May → Sat 21 May Various Venues Brighton The Great Escape Festival 2016 808ink, A J Tracey, Actor, Aisha Devi, Albin Lee Meldau…

February 2016

• Sat 27 Feb Various Venues Sheffield Outlines Festival Roots Manuva, GEoRGiA, Loyle Carner, PINS, Nimmo…
• Thu 18 Feb London, The Pickle Factory Nimmo

October 2015

• Fri 23 Oct Leeds, Belgrave Music Hall Real Lies, Nimmo, Favela, Francis Lung

September 2015

• Wed 30 Sep Guildford, The Boileroom Nimmo
• Tue 22 Sep Liverpool, The Shipping Forecast Nimmo
• Wed 16 Sep Bristol, Hy-Brasil Music Club Nimmo
• Tue 15 Sep London, Oslo Nimmo, Pumarosa
• Sat 12 Sep Southampton, Lennons Nimmo
• Sat 6 Jun → Sun 7 Jun London, Victoria Park Field Day 2015 Caribou, Ben Klock, Marcel Dettmann, Clark, Daniel Avery…
• Thu 14 May → Sat 16 May Various Venues Brighton The Great Escape 2015 18+, 1987, 36?, A.O.S.O.O.N, AK/DK…
• Sat 2 May Various Venues Leeds Live At Leeds Festival Carl Barat & The Jackals, Dry the River, Dutch Uncles, Eagulls, Emmy The Great…

February 2015

• Fri 20 Feb London, KOKO Nimmo

January 2015

• Thu 15 Jan London, The Lexington Nimmo, Ekkah

November 2014

• Sat 22 Nov Southampton, Unit Nimmo
• Thu 20 Nov London, ICA Nimmo
• Fri 14 Nov Brighton, Bleach (Upstairs @ Hare & Hounds) Nimmo
• Fri 7 Nov Birmingham, Hare & Hounds Nimmo

October 2014

• Sat 18 Oct London, Village Underground Citizens, Nimmo, Alexis Taylor, Eli & Fur, Danglo, Davidian …
• Thu 24 Jul → Sun 27 Jul Huntingdon, Mill Hill Field, Grange Farm Secret Garden Party 2014 ARKON FLY, Artwork, BIG GIGANTIC, Bat And Ball, Beech…
• Tue 29 Apr London, Madam JoJos White Heat DJs, Nimmo
• Thu 27 Mar London, Concrete Nimmo

November 2013

• Mon 18 Nov London, Electrowerkz Nimmo And The Gauntlets

August 2013

• Thu 1 Aug → Sun 4 Aug Chippenham, Fieldview Festival Fieldview Festival 360, Alex Haynes & The Fever, Az & Tor, Babilondon, Bear's Den…
• Fri 26 Jul → Sat 27 Jul Bruton, Gilcombe Farm Farmfestival 2013 Ghostpoet, Art Brut, The Skints, DJ Die, Reeps One…

December 2012

• Sat 29 Dec London, Troubadour Nimmo And The Gauntlets, Rattus-Rattus, DJ Joe Kane
• Sun 16 Dec Glasgow, King Tut's Wah Wah Hut Molotov Jukebox, Nimmo
• Mon 10 Dec Bristol, Mr Wolfs Nimmo And The Gauntlets, Sumita
• Thu 6 Dec London, Orange Yard Molotov Jukebox, Nimmo

October 2012

• Tue 16 Oct Glasgow, King Tut's Wah Wah Hut Molotov Jukebox, Nimmo

August 2012

• Thu 30 Aug London, The Camden Assembly Nimmo And The Gauntlets, The Promenade
• Fri 17 Aug → Sun 19 Aug Secret Location Strummer of Love Alabama 3, Archive 45, Arrows Of Love, Bad For Lazarus, Badly Drawn Boy…

October 2011

• Thu 6 Oct London, The Garage Man Like Me, Caan, Nimmo

August 2011

• Wed 17 Aug Brighton, Manchester Street Arts Club Nimmo
• Sun 3 Apr London, Notting Hill Arts Club Nimmo, To Kill A King, Leah Mason, Louise And The Pins, Amber States, Janglewood, TV Nights, Chess Club DJs, Jam (1) …

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)

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Travel Information

• 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?
• Climbing Kazbek & Kilimanjaro: Comparing two 5,000+ meter peaks
• How to Train to climb Mt. Kazbek in Georgia

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ALL Travel Services to Russia and Mt. Elbrus have been indefinitely suspended as of Feb. 2022.

Explore our new tour branch Caucasus Quest to climb Mt. Kazbek (5,054 meters) in Georgia or for immersive cultural touring experiences in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

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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