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South Ossetia
In 2009 – 2012 we made a few research expeditions and visited almost every corner of South Ossetia. To get a feel for the country and meet local people we were hitchhiking or walking.
Moderate in size, South Ossetia has valleys with profuse gardens and vineyards, ample alpine meadows, and stark highlands. The volcanic highland of Keli with its awe-inspiring lakes is the top attraction. Christian architecture and the watchtowers of highlanders are the most remarkable historic landmarks. The inhabitants of the area hold on to the most authentic Ossetian rural culture, and the national religion tradition has intertwined with Christianity.

From 2011 to 2020 we organized 28 tours in South Ossetia for Russian and foreign tourists. We keep on exploring the country, studying historical literature, and monitoring the news from Ossetia. It’s not an easy task to make sense of the controversial perspectives of Ossetian, Georgian, and Russian scholars, of the witnesses’ evidences of the events dating back to the 90s and 2000s. Our travels and research culminated in an interactive online guidebook Ossetia.guide and signature tours of Ossetia.
01 Tsitelikhati lakes on the edge of the Keli plateau. Photo by Anton Agarkov
02 Castle in the mountains of Ksani gorge. Photo by Anton Agarkov
03 Road to Leningor. Photo by Anton Agarkov
04 The 12th century temple of Ikorta. Here was the tomb of the Ksani lords. The most famous of them Elizbar and Shalva are canonized as Christian holy martyrs. Photo by Anton Agarkov
05 Armazi church. Photo by Anton Agarkov
06 On a street of Leningor. Photo by Anton Agarkov
07 On the market in Tskhinval. Photo by Anton Agarkov
08 Baking bread in Goret village. Photo by Anton Agarkov
09 Lunch in a village. Photo by Dmitry Lemeshev
10 Visiting an opposition blogger in Leningor. Photo by Dmitry Lemeshev
11 A picture with a president of South Ossetia. Photo by Dmitry Lemeshev
useful information
The largest Russian city close to Tskhinval is Vladikavkaz.
You can reach it by plane or train from Moscow or St. Petersburg. If you’re coming from abroad and would rather avoid the Russian capitals, search for the options of flying via Istanbul to the airport of Mineralnye Vody or Grozny – these North Caucasian cities are located not far from Ossetia. A decent asphalted highway leads from Vladikavkaz to Tskhinval through the Roki Tunnel.
Russian citizens can enter the republic with their national or foreign passports. They don’t stamp your passport anyway, so you’re not likely to have any problems on your next visit to Georgia. Same rules work for citizens of all countries recognized South Ossetia as independent state (Nikaragua, Venezuela, Nauru, Syria...).

Citizens of other countries have to get entry permit, which can by made only with help of your tour operator.
Our Tours
South Ossetia 5-days tour
You'll see not only Tskhinval but also remote villages and ancient churches. You'll be able to communicate with locals and visit the best winery of the country. Also you'll visit Vladikavkaz — the center of Ossetian culture. Each day we’ll stay at cozy hotels and even highland glamping in the mountains...
14 — 18 August
5 days
From $1280
Tour to Abkhazia and South Ossetia
The tour to Abkhazia and South Ossetia – the two countries that were not recognized as independent states not long ago! Both countries have a lot in common in their history; however, the distinctive culture and unique nature of each of the regions make them very different.
11 — 20 June
10 days
From $3050
South Ossetia 6-days tour
This tour is for those who’d like to know South Ossetia in details, but is not ready for mountain trekkings. We’ll visit the main gorges of the country and have enough time to visit all of the most outstanding sights, will meet so many different people on the way and take part in traditional feasts. And each day we’ll come back to a cozy hotel...
6 days
From $1490
Private tour to South Ossetia
We developed this tour for those who want to grasp the essence of South Ossetia’s most recent history in a short period of time. Two days are not enough to see all of this country’s tourist attractions, but enough to meet a diverse group of people, all of whom live in South Ossetia, and to hear their personal stories...
365 days
From $1150
Horseback Ethnographic Expedition to South Ossetia
This expedition is a unique opportunity to visit hardest-to-reach places of the Caucasus. In the places we are going to visit, you don’t get to see tourists, even local ones, let alone foreigners. On this route, we cannot guarantee anything beyond the sincere hospitality and welcoming spirit of the highlanders and experience of venturing into a real mountain expedition…
30 June — 09 July
10 days
From $2300
Caucasus Explorer magazine
4 reasons to travel to South Ossetia
Shortly after the events of 2008 we decided to conduct a detailed survey of the then new Caucasian republics and Nagorno-Karabakh with a similar status. But as we had already been in Abkhazia and Karabakh, South Ossetia was a genuine “white spot on the map”, and for many it still remains one…
August 23 2013
Useful
Entry permit for the South Ossetia
South Ossetia does not issue visas. Moreover, the region has yet to establish an accurately operating procedure for obtaining entry permits. Visitors are required to get an entry permit, which is not a document, but a phone call from the ministry of Foreign Affairs to the checkpoint in Upper Ruk village. The KGB (Committee of State Security) controls all visits to South Ossetia by foreign tourists, that is why tourists can visit South Ossetia only when accompanied by a local guide at all times.
February 2 2016
Useful
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