tommy baker yacht

Man who grounded yacht in Palm Beach served time for Ferrari theft

The owner of a  72-foot-yacht beached early Wednesday in the North End of Palm Beach has a penchant for expensive toys.

But a review of court documents reveals Thomas Henry Baker hasn’t always paid for them.

>  PHOTOS: 72-foot yacht washes ashore in Palm Beach

In June 2009, Baker, pleaded guilty to knowingly selling two stolen high-end sports cars the previous year — a 1985 Ferrari Testarossa valued at $55,000 and  a 1996 Ferrari F50  with a market value of $729,000. The F50 theft was national news because an FBI agent crashed the car after it was recovered.

Baker, 63, of Belle Isle, south of Orlando, made news again last week when he was charged with boating under the influence. Palm Beach police said a trip with his girlfriend from the Bahamas ended when his $500,000 yacht, the Time Out, ran aground just south of the Palm Beach Inlet.  The yacht   remained there early Saturday evening.

 >  UPDATE: Fuel removed from grounded yacht on Palm Beach’s North End

It was Baker’s third alcohol-related arrest in just over two years and his second boating under the influence charge in the past month, records show.

As part of a plea deal in 2009 in U.S. District Court, Baker admitted he stole the Testarossa on July 15, 2003, from Gullwing MotorCars in Long, Island, N.Y., and stole the Ferrari F50 on Sept. 16 of that year from Algar Ferrari of Bryn Mawr, Penn.

Baker was living in Nicholasville, Ky., at the time. He admitted to hiding the cars he stole in storage units, altering their vehicle registration numbers and fraudulently acquiring titles for them. According to one victim, Baker hid the purloined Ferraris in a hangar at the Lexington Airport.

In September 2009, the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Kentucky, ordered Baker to reimburse his victims and pay a $250,000 fine and sentenced him to six months in prison for one felony count of sale or receipt of stolen vehicles.

Revelation ‘left me stunned’

According to the U.S. District Court records, in 2008, Dr. Jasbir Dhillon, a general surgeon, paid Baker $375,000 and gave him about $100,000 worth of “rare and exotic firearms” for the Ferrari F50. It was one of only 349 built, according to Sotheby’s.

Dhillon was working at a Kentucky hospital when a colleague of his wife’s introduced him to Baker.

In a Feb. 25, 2011, post to an online forum for car collectors, Dhillon described how he felt in 2008 when he learned that the Ferrari that Baker sold him was stolen and would be seized by the FBI.

“I cannot tell you how that moment felt … utter disbelief, shock … a knee-bending moment that left me stunned. I knew I had let my guard down and done a deal in a way that I never had before. And it stood to cost me several hundred thousand dollars,” Dhillon wrote.

Dhillon, however, managed to get a full refund before the FBI arrested Baker and seized the car.

“I could never imagined this fellow being capable of that … something so brazen. I just didn’t see it in him. But I suppose the desire to be something you are not just overwhelmed him,” Dhillon wrote.

While Dhillon got his money back, the F50 suffered a less fortunate end.

In May 2009, while reportedly moving the car from one storage site to another, an FBI agent lost control of the car and crashed it into a tree. The F50 was totaled.

In May 2008, Baker gave Karol Poulos the Testarossa to settle a $20,000 debt, records show. Later that month, she accepted a $2,000 deposit from a man to buy it. Federal agents ordered her to return it. Poulos is listed as a friend in the 2009 plea agreement but during Baker’s arrest in Palm Beach on Wednesday, Poulos told police she is Baker’s girlfriend.

More charges

In May 2014, Baker was arrested in Orange County on charges of driving under the influence and damaging property, records show. He later pleaded no contest to reckless driving.

Baker also was charged with boating under the influence on Aug. 14 in Brevard County, court records show. His arraignment in that case is scheduled for Sept. 19. According to records, Baker was charged after officers noticed a 70-foot yacht “operating carelessly” in Port Canaveral. Tests showed a blood alcohol content of 0.206, records show. The legal limit in Florida is 0.08. He also was cited for having an expired vessel registration.

Baker told Palm Beach police Wednesday that “his GPS misguided him to shallow waters near the coastline,” causing his yacht to run aground. Baker also said he had  “several Long Island Iced Teas” in the hours before Time Out hit shore around 2:15 a.m. Wednesday.

Career questions

On the Palm Beach police report about Baker’s arrest Wednesday, Baker is listed as a retired federal air marshal. A Transportation Security Administration spokesman said agency records show no one matching Baker’s name and age has been an air marshal.

The TSA, however, did certify Baker as a federal flight deck officer in June 2007. That allowed Baker to carry a gun while piloting flights. The privilege was revoked in 2009 because of the thefts.

Baker’s Facebook page says he’s a former JetBlue pilot.

During his sentence in Kentucky, Baker was in custody from Monday mornings to Thursday mornings, but allowed to be released to work his scheduled flight from Lexington to Orlando, court records show. The custody deal was then amended in October 2009 to Mondays through Wednesdays at Baker’s request to accommodate the flight schedule. The change added two months to his sentence, according to records.

In recent years, Baker has chartered small groups to the Caribbean on the Time Out through his company, Blue Waters Enterprise.

>   UPDATE: Fuel removed from grounded yacht on Palm Beach’s North End

Thomas Baker: Captain who admitted drinking Long Island Ice Teas before grounding yacht gets deal

Thomas Baker, the captain of an overturned 72-foot yacht who admitted to drinking Long Island Ice Teas last year, reached a plea deal in his case.

Baker pleaded guilty Friday to recklessly operating a vessel and will no longer be prosecuted for boating under the influence.

Baker, 63, of Belle Isle, Fla., a suburb of Orlando, told police he "failed to navigate his vessel into the Palm Beach Inlet and ran the vessel into the beach."  

Palm Beach Police accused Baker of driving the yacht, "Time Out," onto the shoreline after claiming he had too many Long Island Iced Teas on September 7, 2016.

As part of the plea deal, Baker must complete DUI school and 75 hours of community service. He will be on probation for one year.

His case for leaving a derelict vessel on state waters remains open. In October, Baker sued the Town of Palm Beach for $450,000 to recover his losses.

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At WPTV, It Starts with Listening

Pilot's alleged 'drunken joy ride' under investigation

by Lynda Figueredo

PALM BEACH (CBS12) — It's a crash that has caused quite a mess.

For nearly 3 days crews have been trying to find the safest way to move a 72-foot yacht off the beach.

While the man responsible 62-year-old Thomas Baker will have to foot the bill and faces a second boating under the influence charge, there is no guarantee the commercial pilot has to report the charge to the FAA.

"BUI has historically been treated differently than duo and boating under the influence is just as dangerous as driving under the influence and he is a classic repeat offender," said Attorney Gary Lesser. "That is a disaster."

For Lesser it serves as a reminder as to why boating under the influence should be taken more seriously.

"If you get a BUI theoretically things are supposed to happen. You aren't supposed to be behind the boat of another vessel and there he was. He showed total disregard for boating and getting behind a vessel," said Lesser.

Last year the state of Florida tried to pass a bill that would link driving and boating under the influence. That bill failed.

Being that Baker is a commercial pilot and was recognized in 2013 by the FAA as a prestigious FAA Airman you would think he would have to report this BUI to the agency. CBS 12 learned there is no federal requirement for him to do so.

"Data banks don't talk to each other," said Lesser. " Law enforcement agencies don't talk to each other. Any crimes involving drugs or alcohol should be reported to a regulatory agency like the fact so that person never gets behind flying a plane for our family or our friends."

In fact, Baker was charged with stealing a rare Ferrari in 2009. As part of his sentencing he was still able to fly commercially while serving federal prison time

Baker's next court date is set for October 6th. We learned he no longer works for JetBlue.

The circumstances surrounding his departure remain unclear.

As for the yacht, it will be some time before this boat sets sail again.

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Business, Baker Motor Company

Take a look at a year’s worth of area charitable event banners and T-shirts, and the Baker Motor Company (BMC) crest is nearly ubiquitous among the lineup of sponsor logos. But if you ask the company’s founder and CEO, Tommy Baker, which of these causes is his favorite, he laughs off the question. “If I were to name any one,” Baker says, “I’d get 20 calls from the ones I didn’t name.”

Still, there are a few causes that particularly “pull at his heartstrings,” Baker admits—mostly those involving defenseless children (like anything related to MUSC Children’s Hospital) or students (especially motivated, business-minded kids). The fact that Baker identifies with bootstrap ambition makes sense. A self-made success story, he grew up as a lower-middle-class kid in Mount Pleasant and paid his way through The Citadel by teaching GED classes, selling cars, and eventually buying and selling property on the Isle of Palms. In 1988, after leaving the Palmetto State to learn the car business top to bottom, he returned to open the first of his many high-end dealerships, while at the same time attending Harvard Business School’s management program.

That the lifelong entrepreneur cites YESCarolina—in which kids across the state create, pitch, and often launch viable businesses—as a favorite philanthropy is no surprise. “Any one of those kids could have been me,” Baker says, “any one of them. So I’ve been on the board chairing since its inception. It’s such a privilege to watch these children, most from the inner city or those who’ve not had educational opportunities, learn entrepreneurship and how to turn their lives around with business skills. It’s phenomenal.” He relates those teens’ experiences to those of the students he has taught at the College of Charleston for more than two decades. As an “entrepreneur-in-residence” in the School of Business, he’s helped scores of budding business folk find their way. “But if it’s between calling me a teacher and a mentor,” he says, “I prefer ‘mentor.’ The hope is that you’ve given them enough tools so they can go out there and play the game—and play it the right way.”

CofC graduate Stewart Vernon, founder and CEO of America’s Swimming Pool Company, says Baker did exactly that for him. “The business lessons he taught helped mold me into the business person I am today.”

This year, along the lines of charity beginning at home, BMC started the “Tommy B. Baker Scholarship Fund,” which awards the spouse or child of a company employee $2,500 to put toward education. Shavonna Simmons, a mother of four whose husband works for BMC, is one of two 2013 recipients and will use the money to help fund nursing school. “He has offered to help me any way he could,” Simmons says, “so I can complete my degree. I’d often wondered where the kind-hearted people of the world are, but that question has now been answered.”

CHARITY DRIVE

Cruising Speed: Baker named his yacht, Lady Victoria, after his wife of 31 years, Vickie. They often offer up a cruise as a prize for fundraisers that BMC sponsors, such as the 2013 YESCarolina gala. Sounding Board: Before he found success with Butcher & Bee, Michael Shemtov was a young grad of CofC and former student of Tommy Baker looking to open Mellow Mushroom on King Street. “It was Tommy that I went to when I had an important meeting with the landlord,” he says. While running his dealerships, Baker’s calendar is still filled with weekly meetings with past students and other mentees.  

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Visiting Russia - Nalchik, Capital of Kabardino-Balkaria

By Koryo Tours

Nalchik, capital of Kabardino-Balkaria

Visiting Russia – Nalchik

Yoshkar-ola | cheboksary  |  astrakhan | elista | stalingrad (volograd)  | abakan  |  nalchik  | validkavkaz  | makhachkala  |  grozny.

Nalchik is a small city of around 240,000 people and serves as the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria, one of the lesser-known republics spread across the beautiful North Caucasus area of Russia, the mountain range that separates the former soviet states of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan from the Russian Federation.

This region has incredible diversity in ethnic groups and is a melting pot at the edge of empire. While there have been civilisations in the Caucasus for millennia Nalchik as a city is only a century old, having been a Russian fort since 1724. Today’s Nalchik is a mostly peaceful and relaxing place, being in the foothills of the mountains it has many areas of great beauty and multiple sanatoria for people looking to take the waters, over the last century it has certainly had its share of turbulence though, being occupied by Romanian troops fighting on the side of the Nazis, who embarked on an effort to exterminate the ancient community of Mountain Jews in the area (unsuccessfully), plus a 2005 Islamic militant attack on Russian security forces.

These days Nalchik is known as a clean city, a place for relaxing, and the starting point of expeditions to summit Mt. Elbrus, the tallest mountain in Europe, which lies within Kabardino-Balkaria.

Kabardians make up the largest ethnic group at just under 50% of the city’s population, followed by Russians, Balkars, other Caucasian nationalities as well as Ukrainians, Mountain Jews still live in the area but in very small numbers now, most having emigrated to Israel.

Arriving/Departing

Nalchik Airport (NAL) is a small one but is fully functional for getting in and out, usually the foreigners arriving here will be mountaineers heading for Elbrus.

The Airport is only 3km from the city centre so you could even walk into town from here, otherwise, there are taxis and marshrutkas waiting for arrivals. Flights arrive only from Moscow and St. Petersburg usually, the Caucasus has other larger airports for other international flights (such as those to Sochi). Nalchik has a railway station, dating from 1915, with links to Moscow and across the Caucasus. A good option for travelling around the region in a relaxing manner (usually slower than taking a marshrutka between cities though) For getting around inside Nalchik there are public buses all over the place, easy to use and very cheap. Otherwise most of the centre is very walkable, the main ‘high street’ is Lenin Avenue, which runs for several km through the centre of the city.

Concord Square

The centre of Nalchik and a good place to start a walking tour of the city, with the Kabardino-Balkaria parliament building on one side and Lenin stands at the other, fountains in the middle and Lenin Avenue cutting through the square

Religious Buildings

The central buildings of the main religions practised in Nalchik are both fine examples of their respective architectural styles; the Central Mosque and the Cathedral of Mary Magdalene are both worth visiting. Dress codes apply.

Not actually in Nalchik, but only 50km or so away so the city is the ideal base for starting an expedition. This is Europe’s highest mountain and a dormant volcano. There are cable car/chairlift options to get t the top for those who don’t wish to do it the hard way. It is possible to get up and down this mountain n a single day, making it certainly the simplest of the 7 continental highest peaks to climb.

Museum of the Kabardino-Balkar Republic

Great for explaining where you are and the history of the area. Mostly in Russian only though and does tend to assume some knowledge in advance. Still a good stop to get some intro into the complex history of this city and area in general.

Atazhukin Garden

A large park complex running for more than 2km along the eastern side of the city, alongside the Nalchik River. A very pleasant place with so much to see and do. The basic Nalchik Zoo is here, walking trails, restaurants and cafes, theatres, a very retro funfair, and a rickety but reliable cable car running up to a lovely viewpoint to see over the city and out to Mt. Elbrus.

Topped by a restaurant building built in the shape of a Kabardian warrior. An excellent few hours can be spent exploring this park and mingling with the locals of all ages who do their relaxing here.

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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?

Where to find us.

• +1 704-810-4296
• [email protected]
• 1578 Pine Creek Rd., Gastonia, NC 28056

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
• Climb Elbrus North Route
• Climb Elbrus & The Capitals
• Climb Elbrus & The Caucasus

Russia Cultural Tours

• Capitals of Russia
• Lake Baikal on Ice
• Delightful Dagestan
• Heart of the Caucasus

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.