Crimean provence, mountains and sea

At the beginning of our photo tour we will visit the Holy Assumption Cave Monastery of the 8th-9th century, which is located near Bakhchisarai. The Assumption Church is unique, and was carved right into the rock, at the edge of a sheer cliff. There is also a healing source. There is the miraculous icon inside of Monastery.

In our trip we are planning to visit one of the extinct volcanoes of the Crimea – Karadagh. Title “Karadag” means “Black Mountain” according to one of the versions. The last volcanic eruption was 160 million years ago, about 130 million years ago there was a tectonic shift of the volcano, which split it into two parts, one side on the shore (the present Karadag), the second part went under water. One of notable bays is located under the rock “Ivan the Robber”. In the water part of Karadag there is also one of the landmarks of the Crimea – the Basalt arch – the Golden Gate rock. The gates are called Golden, because on the day of summer solstice the rays of the sun fall at such an angle on the rock that they become golden.

Another unique place in Crimea, which we will visit, is the ancient cave city of Mangup-Kale. It is one of several cave cities that were built under Byzantium to protect the Northern borders of the territory of the Crimean peninsula. We will visit the remains of the fortress, the main gate of the city and its many beautiful caves in which lived valiant warriors.

After Mangup-Kale, another ancient city awaits us – Bakla. We will see a magnificent view of one of the most beautiful peaks of the Crimea – the Eclyzi-Byryn of the Chatyrdag mountain. Here we can meet the first the rays of the dawn sun illuminating the whole valley. On the western outskirts of Bakla on a hill we will visit a large cave church and crypts, carved into the rock. Thanks to soft limestone rocks, rains and winds, the cliffs of the settlement have a bizarre shape similar to the honeycomb which gives excellent food for the photographer for creating unusual space photos.

One of the most remarkable and memorable rocks is called Ak-Kaya. Ak-Kaya is located not far from the village of Belaya Skala in the Belogorsk region. Ancient knives and tools were found on the rock. The settlements of Sarmatians and Scythians were located here. In the middle of the walls of the White Rock is inaccessible. In the middle of the walls of the White Rock is inaccessible. Cave called Altyn Teshik (“Golden Hole”). There are several legends about her, one of which says that the treasures of the robbers were hidden there. The rock was also a place of execution, a solemn oath, housing and even the military headquarters. Many films were shot here: “Headless Horseman”, “Code Apocalypse “,” Leader of the Redskins “,” Escape to the ends of the earth “and some others.

The next day dawn awaits us on one of the most unique mountains of the planet – Mount Klementieva.
Due to the northerly winds you can fly on a more gentle northern slope. On the whole planet there are only 2 mountains with such powerful ascending flows: Harris Hill in the United States and Mount Klementieva in the Crimea.

Another strikingly beautiful place of our journey will be Cape Meganome. It has different unusual energy, and there are strange cases and anomalies very often. The ancient Greeks believed that in the Meganom area flows the river Styx leading to the realm of the dead. Odysseus defeated the Cyclops Polyphemus here, according to another version.

To visit the Crimea in the summer and not to plunge into the Black Sea? There is a Quiet Bay between the villages of Koktebel and Ordzhonikidze, which is a natural monument of the Eastern Crimea – a long and wide sandy strip. There is a very beautiful Cape Chameleon on the western border of a Quiet Bay.

Golitsyn trail. Perhaps this is one of the most specific paths of the coastal Crimea. In 1912, the great Russian emperor Nicholas II and his family planned to visit the Crimean village of Novy Svet on the yacht Shtandart for a tour to see the local beauty and relaxing on the beach of the Black Sea. The famous prince Golitsyn ordered to cut a large path in the rock to walk along to see the magnificent landscapes of the Crimean nature. The trail starts at the foot of Mount Falcon. The trail leads directly to the natural giant grotto of Golitsyn (another name is Grotto of Chaliapin). In some places the height of this Grotto can reach thirty meters.

After the Golitsyn Trail wee will go to a small passage along the shady Juniper Path to one of the pearls of the Crimea — Karaul-Oba It is an ancient coral reef. Landscape photographers love this place because on one of its peaks ( the peak Cosmos ) you can enjoy the most beautiful sunrises on the coast of Crimea. We will climb up to the peak along the Tavra Staircase cut in the rock, pass through the cool crevice of Adam’s Lodge – first and through Hell Labyrinth – second , we will pass through the Gates of Paradise straight to the “Chair” of Golitsyn, where you will see the magnificent view of a famous Cape Kapchik and its bay.

We will continue the journey by a rest on Royal Beach. This beach is located on the shores of Blue Bay. Why Royal? There is a legend that Tsar Nicholas II bathed on this beach during his visit to the Novy Svet in 1912. What we will see interesting in the city of Sudak? The majestic Genoese fortress. The fortress built by the Genoese in the period from 1371 to 1469 years. It is located on an ancient coral reef (Kyz-Kulle-Burunili Mountain Fortress), near Sudak Bay of the Black Sea with a fantastic landscape.

• Thermos
• Headlamp
• Mug, spoon, bowl, knife
• A small backpack (40l) for photographic equipment, warm clothes, for snacks and a thermos.
• Lightweight fleece gloves
• Storm / membrane jacket in case of strong wind
• Membrane pants
• Tourist travel pants
• Warm sweater or fleece
• Spare pair of warm socks
• Comfortable running shoes
• Flip flops (for resting feet in the camp and for the beach)
• Hygiene products, hygienic lipstick, plaster
• Sleeping bag
• Thermal underwear
• Karemat
• Rubber Seat Pad
• Bathing accessories for the beach
•Towel

Camera
Tripod
Wide and telezum lenses
Macro lens
Trigger cable
Polarizing filter
Gradient filter
ND filters
Be sure to protect the camera from moisture (fog, rain, waves at sea), if it requires it!
2-3 batteries
2-3 flash cards with a total capacity of at least 64 GB
Optical cleaners
Photo backpack
You can take a laptop