In my new report I want to tell you about a unique corner of nature, which has been preserved almost in pristine beauty. It is surprising that little is known about it not only internationally, but even in Russia itself.

This is the Teberdinsky biosphere reserve, which is located on the Northern slopes of the main Caucasus mountain range.

This reserve was founded in 1935. As well as it is necessary, fishing, hunting and gathering of mushrooms and berries in the woods is forbidden in the territory of the reserve, but it is allowed to visit these places for the purpose of tourist hikes. The total area of the reserve is very impressive: 112606 hectares are forests, meadows and rivers, 109 glaciers, 157 lakes, rocks and scree. Also since 2009, in the Teberda reserve is the Federal reserve "Daurskii".

In the reserve of 157 lakes, and in my opinion, the most beautiful – it Baduk lakes. Their maximum depth is 30-50 m. Almost all lakes are located at altitudes above 2000 meters from sea level. Many of them are difficult to access. Most occurred during the melting of the glaciers and have an average age of 200-1000 years, with the exception of the mysterious lake Karakul in the city of Teberda, which emerged during the retreat of the ancient glacier of the Teberdinsky approximately 8000-10000 years ago. This lake has a sad fame: it never drown women, but only men. And very often. According to legend, the lake drowned shepherd Kara, carried to the bottom of the mother waters-su-ANASA. The lake did not find a place where the water goes. Very strange, but many divers have not been back.

In Teberdinsky reserve almost everywhere you can hear the murmur of mountain rivers, streams or the noise of waterfalls. All 30 rivers in the reserve have either snow or glacier food. Flowing through steep slopes, they often form rapids and powerful waterfalls, like Alibek and Hutysko. The largest rivers are Teberda, Dombai Ulgen and the beautiful Ullu Muruju.

The lowest point of the reserve — Jamagat gorge-is located at an altitude of 1260 m. it must be visited if you come to Teberda. The highest point in the reserve is Dombai — Ulgen mountain, 4047 m high.

The reserve is also unique in that 272 species of plants are endemic to the Caucasus. Of these, 26 species listed in the Red book of Russia. And here is home to 31 species of animals: bison, Caucasian otter, the peregrine Falcon, swallowtail butterfly, as well as bison.

All the animals in the Park about thirty I think, not so much and the visit does not take much time.

And to appreciate this beauty, I post photos that I made in 2016 during a visit to the reserve.