tyrese voltron travel

VOLTRON TRAVEL: TO PARTNER THURGOOD

April 3, 2022

FredrickHobbs

Tyrese, an international box office star who is also a nominee for six GRAMMY Awards(r), today announced a partnership with the Thurgood Marsh College Fund (TMCF), and Voltron Travel, LLC, which he is President and CEO. Every year, thousands of students receive scholarships and other educational opportunities through TMCF.

Gibson, who is currently featured in F9: The Fast Saga, says that “Partnering With the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Is a True Privilege.” Voltron Travel is committed to the empowerment of black excellence through investing in the next generation entrepreneurs and leaders.

Gibson pledged $100,000 to Voltron Travel as a first step in the partnership. This was based on a percentage from net sales.

The collaboration will also offer a unique opportunity to impact HBCU students’ classroom experiences. Select students from the Black College Community will be able to receive a “Back-to School Success Kit”, which includes school supplies, gear, cigar travel case vouchers, and other useful items.

“We salute Tyrese Gibson, Voltron Travel for their dedication to the Black College Community,” Betsy Burton-Strunk, Vice President of Development at TMCF, stated. “Finding partners who share our values is a top priority for TMCF as well as the students we serve. Voltron Travel is dedicated to education and serving its communities, just like TMCF. We share these values and look forward to the wonderful things that will result from their engagement with TMCF.

TMCF member schools include America’s publicly supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities, (HBCUs), and Predominantly Black Institutions, (PBIs). TMCF is the largest national organization representing only Black College Community students.

Gibson recently relaunched Voltron Travel (an online time travel fanfiction platform powered through Priceline(r), Partner Network). This is the only Black-owned service that focuses on providing exceptional booking experiences for people of color.

Kayla Dickin, Strategic Partnerships at Priceline Partner Network, shares that Priceline believes every trip should be a major deal. We can provide Voltron Travel with top-quality hotel, flight, and rental car deals to help us expand our mission and help millions more travelers have the experiences that matter.

Tyrese Gibson Voltron Travel

Tyrese Gibson, one of the most loved and financially sound performers in the world, is Tyrese. His box office endurance and six-time GRAMMY(r), American Music Award winner success is only matched by his record of longevity. Gibson has made over $9 billion worldwide in his acting career that spans two decades. He is a favorite actor in two of the most popular international blockbuster films franchises, Fast & Furious (and Transformers). His film debut was in John Singleton’s Baby Boy.

About Voltron Travel

Voltron Travel was founded by Tyrese Gibson (a recording artist who is also an international box office star) and powered by Priceline(r). This is the only Black-owned online toothbrush travel cases platform that offers an exceptional booking experience to people of color.

About the Thurgood Marshall College Fund

The Thurgood Marshall College Foundation (TMCF), which was established in 1987, is the largest national organization that represents the Black College Community. TMCF member schools include publicly supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities and predominantly black institutions. They enroll nearly 80% of students at black colleges and universities. TMCF is a valuable resource for K-12 education and higher education. It offers scholarships, research and capacity building initiatives, innovative programs and strategic partnerships. This organization is also a source for top employers looking for top talent to fill good and competitive internships. TMCF, a 501(c),(3) tax-exempt charitable organization is a 501(c). Visit www.tmcf.org for more information.

About Priceline

Priceline is part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG) and is a global leader in travel size toothpaste deals. Priceline offers special discounts on hotels and flights, as well as alternative accommodation, rental cars, cruises, and other packages. We have over a million accommodation properties to help travelers find the perfect place at the right price. Every day we negotiate amazing deals and post our best pricing on Priceline. Priceline Partner Network is the exclusive channel for deep discounts on hotels and rental cars. Priceline allows millions of travelers to be there for what matters most by offering free cancellations for many rates, 24/7 customer support, and the ability to make pre-paid or pay upon arrival reservations.

Singer Tyrese Has Re-Entered The Travel Business

Voltron Travel was launched years ago under his parent company, Volton Enterprises.

DeAnna Taylor • Dec 21, 2020

Apparently we missed this memo almost 7 years ago, but it’s only because nothing ever really came from it. Singer and actor Tyrese Gibson, created a travel booking site sometime in 2013. But, it seems that its marketing efforts were short lived.

Voltron Travel was launched years ago under his parent company, Volton Enterprises. There was a resurgence of the brand sometime in 2017 when Gibson began promoting it via his social media, but once again it was short lived.

I just made history. I wanted to be the first to book a flight through my own travel agency, Voltron Travel and team. pic.twitter.com/A7sXONwKTl — Voltron Travel (@VoltronTravel) October 19, 2013

It seems that he is now looking to revamp the company, as a series of posts have resurfaced across his social media platforms. On the star’s IG is a short blurb that says he is the Chairman and CEO of Voltron Travel. His Twitter background features the brand’s logo. On the actual brand’s handles, it mentions that all websites are under construction.

#VoltronTravel .com book your flights, hotels, vacation bundles [ special discounts with the bundles ] and car rentals….. all there awaiting your arrival…. https://t.co/qEuWeg8DXj — #VisionImplementor (@Tyrese) December 13, 2020

At first glance, it seems that the website is similar to every other third-party travel booking site. Think along the lines of Kayak, Expedia, etc. Seeing that there has been no real marketing behind the brand, one can only guess what will make this stand out from the rest.

Maybe Gibson will put more into it in the coming year. After all, once more and more people start to take the COVID vaccine, we are sure that the travel industry will see a major boom in business.

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Voltron travel to partner with thurgood marshall college fund.

Actor and Singer/Songwriter Tyrese Gibson’s Priceline® Powered Travel Service Will Benefit HBCU/PBI Students

LOS ANGELES, CA., June 24, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tyrese Gibson , international box office star and six-time GRAMMY Award® nominee today announced an exclusive partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and Voltron Travel, LLC , of which he is CEO and President. TMCF provides scholarships and other educational opportunities for thousands of students every year.

Gibson, currently starring in F9: The Fast Saga says, “Partnering with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund is a true privilege. Voltron Travel is fully committed to empowering black excellence by investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders.”

To kick-start the partnership, Gibson has initially pledged $100,000 of Voltron Travel’s profits based on a percentage of net sales.

In addition, the collaboration will launch with an exciting opportunity to directly impact HBCU students’ classroom experience. The “Back-to-School Success Kit" will provide select students from across the Black College Community an opportunity to receive a “success” package including school supplies, gear, and travel vouchers.

“We applaud Tyrese Gibson and Voltron Travel for their commitment to the Black College Community,” TMCF Vice President of Development Betsy Burton-Strunk said. “Finding partners with shared values is a high priority for TMCF and the students we serve. Voltron Travel, like TMCF, is committed to education and serving its community. With those things in common, we look forward to the great things that will come from their support and engagement with TMCF.”

TMCF member-schools include America’s publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). As the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community, TMCF works to help identify and nurture HBCU students to become the next generation of global leaders.

Gibson recently relaunched Voltron Travel, an online travel platform powered by Priceline® Partner Network. It is currently the first and only Black-owned service of its kind dedicated to providing an exceptional booking experience for people of color.

Kayla Dickin, Strategic Partnerships at Priceline Partner Network shares, “At Priceline, we believe every trip is a big deal. Supplying Voltron Travel with world class hotel, flight and rental car deals allow us to broaden our mission and help millions of travelers be there for the moments that matter.”

To learn more about this new partnership and to book travel while making a difference for TMCF, please visit www.VoltronTravel.com

About Tyrese Gibson

Tyrese Gibson is one of the world’s most beloved and bankable performers. His success as a six-time GRAMMY® nominee, American Music Award winner, and RIAA Platinum-certified R&B recording artist is matched only by his proven box office endurance. In an acting career spanning two decades, Gibson’s films have grossed over $9 billion at the global box office. Most notably, he is a fan favorite in two of the biggest international blockbuster film franchises of all time – Fast & Furious and Transformers . He made his film debut in John Singleton ’s Baby Boy .

About Voltron Travel

Founded by award-winning recording artist and international box office star Tyrese Gibson , Voltron Travel is an online travel platform powered by Priceline®. It is currently the first and only Black-owned service of its kind dedicated to providing an exceptional booking experience for people of color. www.VoltronTravel.com

About the Thurgood Marshall College Fund

Established in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF member-schools include the publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions, enrolling nearly 80% of all students attending black colleges and universities. Through scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the K-12 and higher education space. The organization is also the source of top employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good jobs.

TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF, visit: www.tmcf.org .

About Priceline

Priceline , part of Booking Holdings Inc. [NASDAQ: BKNG], is a world leader in travel deals. Priceline offers exclusive discounts on hotels, flights, alternative accommodations, rental cars, cruises and packages. We offer more than a million lodging properties, helping travelers find the right accommodation at the right price. We negotiate great deals every day, and put our best pricing on the Priceline app. Our deep discounts on hotels, flights, rental cars and more are also exclusively distributed through our partnership brand, Priceline Partner Network. With free cancellation for many rates, 24-hour customer assistance and the option for both pre-paid and pay upon arrival reservations, Priceline helps millions of travelers be there for the moments that matter. For us, every trip is a big deal.

Media Contacts:

Chevonne Mansfield [email protected] (for TMCF) Steve Rohr [email protected] (for Tyrese Gibson/Voltron Travel) Kelsey Koemptgen [email protected] (for Priceline) Kayla Dickin [email protected] (for Priceline)

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Tyrese is providing scholarships to hbcu colleges. here’s how he’s impacting students’ classroom experience.

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Tyrese Gibson Earns Success in the Travel Industry

• September 13, 2021

Many know Tyrese Gibson as an actor and musician, with his roles in both the “Transformers” and “Fast & Furious” franchises. He has also released six studio albums. However, Tyrese has experience in other industries as well. He has co-created a three-issue comic book series in 2009, as well as written two New York Times best-selling books.

Voltron travel was launched back in 2013 under its parent company Voltron Enterprises. However, it received little media coverage and seemingly died down after some time. According to a video on Tyrese’s Facebook page, Voltron was revamped with a soft launch in 2017. 

By the end of 2020, a series of posts across his social media accounts have him calling attention to his travel brand once again, with much more success.  

He says on Instagram about the business in February of 2021, “They told me to leave it alone… glad I didn’t listen.”

The goal of the brand is to offer travel that’s luxurious and simple. Voltron Travel’s sleek, user-friendly website offers bookings for flights, car rentals, and hotels. It also emphasizes their large selection of resorts and hotels, unparalleled customer service, and up to 25% savings.

Additionally, Tyrese sets out to use his newfound success as a business owner for good. A video clip on his Instagram account explains how he recently approached a homeless family on the street to offer them a place to stay for a night. The actor was in Kamloop Canada filming for a new project, where temperatures had reached -7 degrees Fahrenheit. He offered the family of six a meal and three unoccupied hotel rooms in conjunction with his travel business. 

While Voltron travel is still in many ways just taking off, the business has serious potential. With a little more word of mouth advertising, it’s sure to grow.  

By Sarah Coker

Featured image: annie spratt on unsplash, read next: sekou sanders, owner of destination club, chats luxury group travel, related articles, you may also be interested in.

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Interview: Tyrese

Hey Mofos! 

I got to chat with Tyrese about his new partnership with his travel company Voltron Travel. First, I have to give him a shout out for taking the time to chat with the smaller outlets about this because we are often told our outlet isn't top tier and not worthy enough of being included at the table, but I am always appreciative when celebs include us in the conversation. 

Now back to the scheduled program.. check out the interview on Check the Rhymes:

Here's some more details about the partnership from the press release: 

Tyrese Gibson , international box office star and six-time GRAMMY Award® nominee announced an exclusive partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and Voltron Travel, LLC , of which he is CEO and President. TMCF provides scholarships and other educational opportunities for thousands of students every year.  Gibson, currently starring in F9: The Fast Saga says, “Partnering with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund is a true privilege. Voltron Travel is fully committed to empowering black excellence by investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders.”  To kick-start the partnership, Gibson has initially pledged $100,000 of Voltron Travel’s profits based on a percentage of net sales. 

In addition, the collaboration will launch with an exciting opportunity to directly impact HBCU students’ classroom experience. The “Back-to-School Success Kit" will provide select students from across the Black College Community an opportunity to receive a “success” package including school supplies and gear and travel vouchers.

TMCF member-schools include America’s publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). As the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community, TMCF works to help identify and nurture HBCU students to become the next generation of global leaders. 

Gibson recently relaunched Voltron Travel, an online travel platform powered by Priceline® Partner Network. It is currently the first and only Black-owned service of its kind dedicated to providing an exceptional booking experience for people of color. 

To learn more about this new partnership and to book travel while making a difference for TMCF, please visit www.VoltronTravel.com

So book a trip and help some students! 

Let me know where you go! 

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Tyrese Donates $100k from Business to Scholarships for HBCU College Students

Tyrese Gibson, international box office star and six-time GRAMMY Award® nominee has recently established an exclusive partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and Voltron Travel, LLC , of which he is CEO and President. TMCF provides scholarships and other educational opportunities for thousands of students every year.

Gibson, currently starring in F9: The Fast Saga says, “Partnering with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund is a true privilege. Voltron Travel is fully committed to empowering black excellence by investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders.”

To kick-start the partnership, Gibson has initially pledged $100,000 of Voltron Travel’s profits based on a percentage of net sales.

In addition, the collaboration will launch with an exciting opportunity to directly impact HBCU students’ classroom experience. The “ Back-to-School Success Kit ” will provide select students from across the Black College Community an opportunity to receive a “success” package including school supplies and gear and travel vouchers.

“This exciting partnership with Voltron Travel is another example of the diverse set of global partners that value and want to make significant investments in the development and success of minority students through the Thurgood Marshall College Fund,” TMCF Vice President of Development Betsy Burton-Strunk said. “We applaud Tyrese Gibson and Voltron Travel for their commitment to the Black College Community.”

TMCF member-schools include America’s publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs).

In an interview with Urban Girl Magazine Tyrese explained there were two reasons he decided to give scholarships to HBCU students.

“…How often do you see there are fund raisers to keep a prison open? How often do you see there’s a fundraiser to keep a predominantly white school open?… we always get the scraps and pieces that’s left… With Thurgood Marshall I just love who they are, how authentic they are, and what they stand for. .. it became a confirmation on my spirit that this is what I’m supposed to do. We will not be successful with putting black and brown students through school unless y’all go crazy on these interviews and articles and help us to put this intention on the map..”

As the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community, TMCF works to help identify and nurture HBCU students to become the next generation of global leaders. Gibson recently relaunched Voltron Travel, an online travel platform powered by Priceline® Partner Network. It is currently the first and only Black-owned service of its kind dedicated to providing an exceptional booking experience for people of color.

Kayla Dickin, Strategic Partnerships at Priceline Partner Network shares, “At Priceline, we believe every trip is a big deal. Supplying Voltron Travel with world class hotel, flight and rental car deals allow us to broaden our mission and help millions of travelers be there for the moments that matter. ” To learn more about this new partnership and to book travel while making a difference for TMCF , please visit www.VoltronTravel.com .

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Tyrese & Voltron Travel Announce New Partnership With The Thurgood Marshall College Fund

School is in session! As students travel to colleges and universities all across the country, Tyrese and his company Voltron Travel, LLC, are making things easier for students to reach their destinations without the heavy burden of high costs! Tyrese and Voltron have partnered with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). TMCF is one of the biggest funds that provide scholarships and other educational opportunities for thousands of students every year. With Voltron currently being the only Black-owned service of its kind, this is a perfect partnership to dedicate a one-of-a-kind booking experience for people of color. 

Tyrese has pledged $100,000 of Voltron travel’s profits based on a percentage of net sales to the fund to kick off the partnership. This will launch an opportunity to impact HBCU students’ classroom experience directly. Tyrese will be offering a “Back-to-School Success Kit” that will provide select students from various HBCUs an opportunity to receive a “success” package. Each package will include school supplies and gear, and travel vouchers. In an official statement, TMCF Vice President of Development Betsy Burton-Strunk shared, “This exciting partnership with Voltron Travel is another example of the diverse set of global partners that value and want to make significant investments in the development and success of minority students through the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.”

Last week The Shade Room had the opportunity to join Tyrese, Voltron, and TMCF staff to learn more about the partnership in a virtual press conference. We asked Tyrese about his plans to release new music during the conference and if his former group TGT would be reuniting. Unfortunately, if you’re looking for new Tyrese music, you’re going to have to wait. Tyrese shared that although music is his first love, he isn’t motivated to drop new music by placing a check in front of him. “I look at Lauren Hill, I look at D’Angelo, I look at the folks who have decided, you know, financially I’m okay, so I don’t have to hurry up and rush back into it (music) just to pay bills,” Tyrese said. 

“The money that I make from movies has allowed for me to put that cushion there and really move and do things in music when I really feel,” Tyrese continued. As far as TGT, Tyrese didn’t confirm that the group would be reuniting, but while reminiscing on the time being on the stage with Tank and Ginuwine, he said that the concerts, press, and media runs, he participated with the group, was the most exciting thing ever. In the meantime, while you can check out Tyrese on the latest installment of ‘Fast & Furious’ in ‘Fast 9’, and you can check out Voltron Travel for more information about his partnership with TMCF!

Want updates directly in your text inbox? Hit us up at 917-722-8057 or  https://my.community.com/theshaderoom

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Actor Tyrese, CEO of Voltron Travel Partners with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund

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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)

READY TO EXPERIENCE KABARDINO-BALKARIA FOR YOURSELF?

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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

Our Elbrus Climbing Tours

• Climb Elbrus South Route
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• Climb Elbrus & The Capitals
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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.