The main optical instrument, the Big Telescope Alt-azimuthal (BTA) is the 6-meter optical reflector located on the summit of Semirodniki mountain (2070 m above sea level). It is accompanied with small 1-m and 0.6-m telescopes. The telescope neighborhood provides breathtaking view on surrounding landscapes.

The RATAN-600 radio telescope (abbreviated from the RAdio Telescope of the Academy of Sciences) has an original design as a 600-meter ring antenna consisting of 900 individual shields. It is well seen in the southern part of Zelenchukskaya village.

Another radio telescope is hidden in the mountain forests but could be spotted from the car window: a parabolic 32-meter dish is a part of the Russian VLBI network "Quasar" of the Institute of Applied Astronomy of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Nizhnij-Arkhyz Churches are three Christian churches built in the 10th century in the river Zelenchuk ravine near the present Nizhnij Arkhyz. This site is tentatively identified as the medieval capital of Alania, a Christian state destroyed by the hordes of Möngke Khan in the 13th century.

Alaniс Culture Museum in Nizhnij Arkhyz was founded in 1996. It gathers the largest collection of the Alanian artifacts (5th - 12th centuries) in the world. If you are fond of old history or fascinated with the ancient temple stones, visit the museum to see the pottery, tools, weapons, and jewelry to imagine the medieval everyday life and history of the North Caucasus in details.

Arkhyz is a highland region in between branches of the Western Caucasus lying in about 25 km from Bukovo. Visit Arkhyz to admire the stunning landscapes, clear mountain lakes, and majestic waterfalls around. There is also an alpine ski center "Arkhyz". It provides the ropeway lift at 2240 meters above sea level.

Rock-painted image of Christ was discovered in 1999 near Nizhnij Arkhyz across the Zelenchuk river. Depicted in a stony niche high up the rock it attracts pilgrims. It was dated 19th century, while Church prefer to date it about X-XII centuries.

Shoana church is located at 51 km from Nizhnij Arkhyz, in the nearby ravine of the Teberda River. The church constructed in the late 10th century according to Byzantine architectural traditions is surrounded by an ancient settlement and burials as well. The traditional Byzantine architecture and old stones are harmoniously inscribed into the landscape, so the church seems to be a part of the mountain nature.

Senty Church is a Christian church built in 965 on the left bank of the Teberda River. Almost ruined, it saves the traces of frescoes with the faces of saints.

Leso-Kefar’ settlement is a historical monument to various cultures such as Alanian, Sarmatian, and others. It was constructed in the 11th century though several dolmens are even more ancient - up to the II millennium B.C. Hidden deep in the forest it seems full of mysteries.

Mineralnye Vody is one of these resort towns, where you will arrive - there is an international airport there. Here you can take a look at the Alekseevskaya mud baths looking like the ancient Roman baths and climb the magmatic mountain Zmeika (“Snake”).

Nearby, in 20 km away there is Pyatigorsk and the five-headed Beshtau mountain - literally "five mountains" in Turkic. If you do not have time to conquer this peak, go up to the neighboring Mashuk mountain to the place of death of the Russian poet Mikhail Lermontov.

Among the Russians, Yessentuki is usually associated not only with the city, but also with the most famous mineral water. There is the world's largest gallery of mineral waters - a great place to relax and improve your health.

Kislovodsk is well known for the giant National Park and where the cable car is launched: the perfect chance to see the whole city. Also, here you will be able to carry out scientific tourism: Kislovodsk Mountain Observatory (Moscow State University) and Solar Station of the Pulkovo Observatory are located near Kislovodsk. It also offers one of the best views of the snow-capped top of the two-humped Elbrus.