The Republic of Altai, Dagestan, and the Republic of North Ossetia stand out as prime destinations for adventure tourism in Russia, drawing travelers to remote natural wonders that are often hard to reach. This insight comes from a collaborative study by MTS Travel, the travel operator RussiaDiscovery, and the Russian Travel Industry Association, as reported by socialbites.ca.
Between March and June 2023, the Altai Republic emerged as the most popular corridor for adventure travel, accounting for about one quarter of all trips analyzed. Dagestan followed closely, with a similar share of the tourist flow. In addition to these leaders, the study identified five regions that attracted the highest interest in unconventional natural attractions: North Ossetia, Adygea, Karelia, and two others that collectively formed a substantial portion of the adventure tourism segment.
Experts noted that these five regions together represented roughly 75% of the adventure travel activity within the March–June window, a result largely shaped by seasonal patterns in travel preferences and opportunities.
During the spring into early summer, Dagestan’s Sulak Canyon stood out as the most requested natural site among Russians seeking outdoor experiences. The Chirkey reservoir in Dagestan followed, with Chemal in the Altai Republic ranking third, showcasing the rich array of opportunities along the Katun River valleys and their tributaries.
New destinations also began to attract attention this year. Visitors showed rising curiosity about Teriberka in the Murmansk region, Seydozero on the Kola Peninsula, and reindeer herding camps in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, indicating a widening map of adventure possibilities across northern Russia.
Alongside adventure-focused itineraries, there is growing interest in healing hotels as an appealing alternative to traditional sanatorium experiences, reflecting evolving traveler preferences toward wellness-oriented getaways.