The decision on the revival of the Resorts of the North Caucasus was taken at the federal level, even before the return of Crimea, economic sanctions and the fall of the ruble. It was based on the fact that tourists would be better spending money in the country, and the Caucasus received another incentive for development. In accordance with the decisions of the government, nine resorts were included in the tourism cluster of the North Caucasus Federal District, Krasnodar Territory and Adygea – Arkhyz, Veduchi, Elbrus-Bezengi, Mamison, Armkhi, Matlas, Lagonaki and the Caspian coastal cluster and spa resorts.
Vestnik Kavkaza describes the resorts which have already been discovered by tourists and those which have just started to be constructed.
Armkhi is the first all-season resort in Ingushetia, which was built from scratch. It was no accident that the Russian company ‘Gruppa Akropol’ supported the initiative by the head of the republic Yunus-bek Yevkurov on construction of the resort. The Dzheyrakhsky District of Ingushetia is famous for its unique mountain landscape and the salubrious air of the pine woods; tourists are attracted by the tranquillity, virgin nature, and architectural monuments of ancient cultures. Armkhi is the first tributary of the Terek, the name of which is translated as “forbidden river.”
One can reach the complex by car on the federal highway “Kavkaz” (M-29), and then take the Georgian Military Road to the Dzheyrakhsky District of Ingushetia. Or you can fly by plane to Magas Airport or Beslan Airport (North Ossetia). Buses and minibuses will take you from the airports and railway stations to a completely different world; and it will take only one hour.
The building of the Armkhi Complex has an unusual graded form. The front of the building (and some balconies) looks onto a wonderful view over the gorge.
Tourists who visited Armkhi this summer were impressed by the opportunity to climb the slope using a staircase with 1780 steps or by ropeway. There are cottages, swimming pools and various landscapes along the ropeway. Mountain goats and sheep roam the sheer cliffs.
You can view Ingushetia from above by helicopter. You will see the Family Towers – monuments of the 10-13th centuries, castles on sheer cliffs, Alpine meadows, mountain rivers, waterfalls, and the highest peak of Ingushetia – Mount Shan, reaching 4451 m. Helicopter excursions are available almost all the time; but in case of bad weather the flight will be reregistered to another day or they will give you money back.
If weather is bad, you can swim in pools with spring water; there is a sauna, massage cabinets; swimming instructors work there, and one can learn to swim butterfly stroke, breast-stroke, back-stroke, underwater stroke, highboard diving, synchronized swimming, and play water polo. One hour in the swimming pool costs 200 rubles.
As for other sporting entertainments, there is paintball in the Brest Club. It is the biggest arena for paintball in the NCFD at 1 ha. Instructors work there; uniforms (300 rubles) and equipment (500 balls – 1250 rubles, smoke pots – 400-500 rubles) are available there.
Russia's first artificial bike-park in Armkhi gives an opportunity to train there all year round. The Green Line bicycle track can be used by mountainbike professionals and those who want to try the sport for the first time. A bicycle for downhill can be rented for 1000 rubles; protective gear for 300 rubles.
The BASE Jumping Club operates at the foot of Mount Tsei-Loam. Basejumping is an extreme sport which requires gradual preparation, qualitative equipment and perfect weather. At Mount Tsei-Loam one jumps wearing a special suit and parachute. The all-Russian basejumping festival Shambala takes place in Ingushetia annually.
You can eat in Armkhi at the Erzi Restaurant. It is situated 1520 m A.S.L. and has an all-round view. It is designed in an ethnic style and has a view over mountains. Moreover, there are cafés serving cuisines made from local organic products. There is homemade cheese, creams, milk and Alpine meadow honey.
In winter Armkhi also provides many good impressions. Mountain ski slopes are situated at 1520 m A.S.L. There are various levels of difficulty: the red line – 1200 m, the blue line – 1800 m, and a line for beginners – 200 m. Professional guides can enjoy off-piste skiing beyond special lines. One can ski in Armkhi even at night. In May 2014 the mountain skiing resort was included on the registers of international sporting facilities and Russian sporting facilities. This enables it to hold international and Russian championships in various disciplines: slalom and giant slalom.
