Best of the Caucasus by Drone

Top AirVūz contributors and pilots DroneProduction.ru take us on a fantastic journey over the Caucasus Mountains in southern Russia to see the autumn colors during sunset. Filmed just a bit to the northeast of the Black Sea city of Sochi,  this aerial film offers breathtaking sights of the Krasnaya Polyana, area which was hosted numerous skiing and snowboarding venues for the 2014 Winter Olympics.  This video was selected as a Finalist for the Drone Video of the Week in in October of 2020.

Prepare to be blown away by this drone video from the republic of Dagestan in Southern Russia by Drone Video of the Month Winner DiamondSky.  With its eastern border on the Caspian Sea, most of the Muslim-majority Federal Subject (essentially, province) is covered by the northern slopes of the Caucasus Mountains, which divide Europe from Asia.  The focus of the video is Dagestan's interior, whose rock formations, canyons, waterfalls, and other features make for some of the finest natural scenery in all of Russia.  

While Russia spans a vast area of over 17.1 million square km (around 6.6 million square mi.), many would agree that the country's most spectacular natural scenery can be found in the Caucasus Mountains, which lie in the southern part of the country and form the boundary between Europe and Asia.  For those not familiar with Russian geography, this spectacular drone video by top AirVuz contributor DiamondSky will help convince you.  This DVOW nominated video combines footage from a DJI Phantom 4 Pro with ground camera footage.  

Top content creator and drone pilot Nicko once again holds nothing back when showing off the beauty of the Caucasus region of southern Russia. The elegant backdrop of this amazing mountain range, whether covered in snow or standing bold in lush green, provide the perfect backdrop for winter sports (including the 1014 Winter Olympics, held in Sochi), charming villages, breathtaking vistas, and the rolling clouds. This video was a finalist for the AirVuz Drone Video of the Week Contest in April, 2018.

Contributor Timelab Pro, winner of the 2017 Drone Video of the Year Award, created this stunning aerial video of the country of Georgia.  Created with a DJI Inspire 2 drone, the video contains amazing aerial views of this magical country in the Caucasus Region, which serves as a bridge between Europe and Asia.  Treat yourself to bird's eye views of stunning mountain valleys, monasteries, village markets, and colorful cities (notably the capital city of Tbilisi) which seamlessly blend the ancient and modern.

AirVuz contributor and pilot Johny Kondakjian Photography created this amazing aerial portrait of his native Armenia, the Caucasus Region republic which had formerly been part of the Soviet Union and at one time centuries ago had been the center of a vast empire.  Using a DJI Mavic Pro drone, his video covers many of the most recognizable sights in this visually stunning Caucasus land, including the Yerevan Haghartsin and Khor Virap monasteries, Ashtaraq, Sempadaberd Castle and many more.  

Explore the South Caucasus region from above in this outstanding drone video by AirVuz contributor Alex_Koro.  The video features footage of the following locations: Lake Sevan, Makaravank (at the :26 mark), and Enokvan (:53), in Armenia; and Sighnaghi (1:07) the Vineyards of Kakheti (1:28), Borjomi (1:53), Bakuriani (2:03), Rabat Fortress (2:14), Vardzia Cave Fortress (3:13), and Gudauri (3:40) in Georgia.  Armenia, Georgia, and their eastern neighbor Azerbaijan sit on the southern slopes of the Caucasus, across which lies Russia.  

The republic of Azerbaidjan sits in the heart of the Caucasus region, between the Caucasus Mountains and the Caspian Sea.  An ancient land, it has a distinctive culture which has also been influenced by its neighbors Russia, Armenia, Georgia, and Iran.  In this video, contributor Isgandargambarov treats us to an aerial tour by flying his drone over this amazing land, which was part of the Soviet Union until 1991 and an independent country since then.   

For a tour of the ancient land of Armenia, it's hard to beat this epic drone video by contributor Traveltoarmenia.  Using a drone, the video takes us across this mysterious country in the heart of the Caucasus region, the crossroads between Asia and Europe.  It includes epic bird's eye views of ancient monasteries, hilltop castles, stunning waterfalls, and views of the spectacular Mt. Ararat in neighboring Turkey (the reputed resting place of Noah's Ark).

Gori is the fifth-largest city in the Caucasus republic of Georgia, after Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, and Rustavi.  Gori sits near the center of the country, in the Shida Kartli.  Lying at the confluence of two rivers as well as on the main highway across the country, it is a strategically important city in a strategically important country.  Contributor George Isakadze used a DJI Phantom 4 drone to create a spectacular aerial view of this Georgian city in the Caucasus, the birthplace of the Soviet Union's dictator Joseph Stalin.

Contributor Johny Kondakjian Photography used a DJI Mavic Pro drone to create this spectacular video of the Temple of Garni, one of Armenia's cultural treasures.  It is the country's only standing temple dating to the period before Armenia became the first proto-country to convert to Christianity, in 301 AD.  Believed to have dated to the first century, it collapsed in an earthquake in the 17th century, and was excavated and rebuilt in the 20th century.  It lies in the Kotayk Province in the middle of the country.

The southeastern reaches of the Black Sea cover portions of the Caucasus region in Turkey and Georgia.  This area is of tremendous historical importance, and has been strategically significant since the Antiquity due to its position between Europe and Asia.  In this video, contributor Microscope flies his DJI Mavic Pro drone over the entire region.  Prepare to have your breath taken away by these astounding views of some of the world's most beautiful scenery at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.  

Sevanavank is one of the most important monasteries in Armenia, a country known in part for its churches.  It is situated on a peninsula of Lake Sevan, a giant lake in the Gegharkunik Province, which covers the east central part of this republic in the Caucasus region.  The lake covers over 1.2k square km (almost 500 square mi), making it one of the largest freshwater lakes in Eurasia.  The monastery here dates to the 9th century AD.  You can check out the historic landmark from above in this excellent drone video by AlexAvsharov.

Contributor and drone pilot Alex Avsharov created this magnificent drone video of a famous Armenian fortress.  Amberd (which translates roughly to "fortress in the clouds") is in the Aragatsotn Province, which covers the west-central portion of this former Soviet republic.  The fortification was built in the 7th century AD.  Amberd played a key role in the centuries-long struggles between the Turks, Armenians, and Mongols, although it was abandoned in the 13th century and now sits in a ruined state.

Wind above the remarkable landscapes of the Altyaghach National Park in Azerbaijan with drone content creator rustammaharramov in this video, which was nominated for Drone Video of the Week. The aerial footage he captured with a DJI Mavic Pro drone, in the heart of the Caucasus Mounains region, contains warmly lit landscapes of the splendid natural expanse.  The park, which spans over 11k acres, was created in 2004.  It is home to a rare species of goat antelope which is only found in the region.

Contributor Esteban Castle created this marvelous drone video of Baku, the largest city in the entire Caucasus region.  Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan, the former Soviet republic which has been an independent country since the breakup of the USSR in the early 1990's.  Situated on the Caspian Sea, Baku is the center of a metropolitan area of about 2 million.  It is known as an important worldwide center of the oil industry, and its port is the busiest on the Caspian Sea.  

Top contributor DiamondSky, multiple Drone Video of the Week/Month Winner and 6th annual New York City Drone Film Festival Finalist, does it again with this fantastic travel piece from Southern Russia.  Using a DJI Mavic Pro 2, an FPV racing drone, and a ground camera, his video will take you through the mountainous province of Kabardino-Balkaria.  Part of the North Caucasus region, this republic covers a small area but is home to Europe's highest mountain (Mt. Elbirus), one of a half-dozen peaks over 5k meters (16.5k ft.) above sea level.

Contributor and drone pilot Garry Studios created this marvelous aerial video of Adygea, one of the republics (equivalent to oblasts) which make up southern Russia.  Adygea lies on the northern fringe of the Caucasus range, roughly due east from Krasnodar (the largest city in the region) and due north from Socchi (the 2014 Winter Olympics host city).  With a stunningly beautiful landscape, Adgyea is crossed by many rivers, the largest being the Kuban, the most important waterway in the North Caucasus region.

Contributor Lego put together this marvelous drone video of Tbilisi, Georgia which was a DVOW finalist.  The capital of the Caucasus republic, its cobblestoned old town shows remnants of Persian and Russian rule with architecture that encompasses Eastern Orthodox churches, ornate art nouveau buildings and Soviet Modernist structures. You can see the iconic “Mother of Georgia” or Katlis Deda, the Peace Bridge, Fuksas’ music theater and exhibition hall in Rhike Park, and more in this stunning piece. 

Top AirVuz contributor panvelvet brings us this stunning drone video from the republic of Dagestan in Southern Russia.  With its eastern border on the Caspian Sea, most of the Muslim-majority Federal Subject (essentially, province) is covered by the northern slopes of the Caucasus Mountains, which divide Europe from Asia.  The video features some outstanding aerial views from Dagestan's mountainous interior, including some epic shots of hilltop villages and the distinctive Vainakh towers which dot the North Caucasus region.  

Former Drone Video of the Week Finalist nikybwd brings us this spectacular drone video of Russia's Mt. Elbrus.  Elbrus is a dormant volcano which lies in the Kabardino-Balkaria republic (province) of Southern Russia, just to the north of the main Caucasus Mountain range.  Its two summits (eastern and western) summits have an elevation of just over 5.6k meters above sea level (18.5k), fully 800 meters (about 2.7k ft.) higher than France's Mont Blanc (the highest mountain of the Alps).  It's the world's tenth-most prominent mountain.  

The Guria region in Georgia is known as "The Land of the Restless".  The mountaintop dwellers of the region are known throughout Georgia for living life at a quicker pace.  Our theory is, the people of the region must be energized by their magnificent surroundings seen in the aerial views George Isakadze captured in this Drone Video of the Week finalist video from September, 2018.  You'll be amazed by this landscape dotted with adorable A-frame houses, which is located in the western part of the country.  

Check out this stunning drone video from the Caucasus Mountains in southern Russia, compliments of former DVOW winner DroneProduction.ru  It was shot around the Rosa Khutor Alpine Resort in Krasnya Polya in Russia's North Caucasus Region.  Rosa Khutor hosted many of the skiing events of the 2014 Winter Olympics, which were hosted by Sochi.  Mt. Roza, its highest peak, is about 2.3kk meters (7.6k ft.) above sea level and is reachable by gondola; the vertical drop from the peak is about 1.75k meters or about 5.8k ft. 

Check out this absolutely stunning drone videos of the Caucasus Mountains in Southern Russia, compliments of contributor and pilot sokolkola.  The mountains, which were formed by the collision of the Arabian Plate with the European Plate, serve as the cultural and geographic crossroads between Europe and Asia.  The area shown in the video is is part of the Greater Caucasus, which runs parallel and north of the Lesser Caucasus and in many spots serves as the border between Russia and Georgia.

See beautiful Dagestan from above in this incredible DVOW Finalist drone video by pilot nikybwd. The federal subject of Russia is located in the North Caucasus region.  Bounded by the Caspian Sea and partially covered by the Caucasus Mountains, Dagestan is a word with Turkish and Persian origins that means “mountain” and “land.”  The video features spectacular footage from across the region, including the large fortress in Derbent; Derbent is believed to be the oldest city in Russia. 

Explore the North Caucasus region of Russia in this fantastic drone video by former Drone Video of the Week Winner Supasanya.  The North Caucasus area includes several provinces and republics in the southern part of the country, between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to the west and the Caspian Sea to the east, on the northern slopes of the great mountain range which divides Europe from Asia.  The video features both gimbal-stabilized shots from a DJI Mavic 3 drone as well as some incredible first person view (FPV) drone footage.  

Top AirVuz contributor and drone operator DroneProduction.ru (along with the help of drone pilot Alexander Malkov) brings us this DVOW nominated aerial tour of Krasnaya Polyana Ski Resort, one of Russia's most famous ski destinations.  It's located on the western slopes of the Caucasus Mountains in the southern province of Krasnodar Krai.  Situated about 50 km (30 mi.) east of Sochi, the resort hosted the alpine skiing events for the 2014 Winter Olympics.  Its slopes feature a total vertical drop of 1.76k meters or about 5.8k ft.  

AirVuz contributor Rolandi brings us this outstanding drone video from the Caucasus Mountains in the Republic of Georgia.  The video was filmed in the province of Svaneti, which is located near the northwestern corner of the country and is home to four of the ten highest peaks in the entire Caucasus range.  It's also one of the more historically important provinces in Georgia, in part because of its mountain passes which in effect act as a gateway between Europe and Asia.  The video was filmed during the Autumn season.  

Multiple Drone Video of the Week Winner DroneProduction.ru brings us another stunning drone video from the Caucasus Mountains area of Southern Russia.  This video was filmed in Chegem Canyon, which is just north of the main range in the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic, one of the provinces of the North Caucasus Region.  The steep, narrow gorge is lined with spectacular rock formations, as you'll see in the video.  The canyon's namesake river flows on a northerly route away from the mountains, before turning east to join the Baksan River.      

For a first upload to AIrVuz, new contributor fredo1983 brings us this magnificent drone video from the Russian province of North Ossetia.  Most of North Ossetia is covered by the northern slopes of the Caucasus Mountains, the great range which runs on a northwest-to-to southeast axis between the Black and Caspian Seas and thus divides Europe from Asia.   The video includes footage of Mount Kasbek, which is one of the highest mountains in the Caucasus and has a peak elevation of over 5k meters above sea level (around 16.6k ft.).  

Check out this rather stunning drone video from a canyon of the Caucasus Mountains in Southern Russia, compliments of multiple Drone Video of the Week Winner DroneProduction.ru.  The video follows the route of a road through the canyon, which used to be the only route between the city of Sochi and the ski resort of Rosa Khutor.  The road was replaced prior to the Winter Olympics held in 2014 (the XXII Olympic Winter Games), which were hosted in Sochi and whose alpine skiing events took place at the ski resort.  

For a first upload to AirVuz, brand-new contributor Alexey Urban brings us this stunning drone video from the Chechen Republic, one of the southernmost Russian territories.  With a land area of about 6.7k square mi. (around 17k square km), the republic is almost entirely covered by the Caucasus Mountains, which divide Europe from Asia.   Its main native population group, the Chechens, are part of a larger ethnic group called the Nakh peoples, and are primarily followers of the Muslim faith.  The video was created with a DJI Mavic 3 drone.  

Take in these magnificent drone views of the Caucasus Mountains in Southern Russia, compliments of AirVuz contributor and pilot nobody_is_perfect.  The video was shot in the area of Mt. Achishkho, which lies near the western end of the great range, a bit to the northeast of Sochi (the host city of the 2014 Winter Olympics) and a bit to the northwest of the Rosa Khutor ski resort which was the venue for the alpine skiing events at the Winter Games.  Mt. Achishkho has the distinction of being the snowiest area within the Caucasus.

Check out these stunning drone videos of Lake Ritsa in the Caucasus republic of Georgia, compliments of Viacheslav.  The lake is situated in Abkhazia, an autonomous republic which is recognized by most of the world as a territory of Georgia and which lies to the northwest of the rest of the country.  The lake covers a modest surface area of 1.5 square km (.6 square mi.) but is quite deep - 116 meters (381 ft.) at its deepest point.   Once part of the USSR, Soviet leaders Joseph Stalin and Leonid Brezhnev both had summer homes here.  

Check out this stunning first person view (FPV) drone video from Russia's Mt. Elbrus, compliments of top AirVuz contributor and FPV pilot kalash.fpv.  Mt. Elbrus is located near the western end of the main Caucasus Mountains range, which separates the European and Asian continents.  Withb a peak elevation of about 18.5k ft. above sea level (a little over 5.6k m), this dormant volcano is the tallest mountain in the Caucasus; and the tenth-most prominent peak in the world at about 15.5k ft. or around 4.7k m.  

Contributor Isabellefabre travels the world and makes videos of her adventures using drone footage.  In this episode, she travels to Armenia, a republic in the Caucasus region which separates Eastern Europe from the Middle East.  You'll see her hiking in the highlands, visiting some of the very old monasteries for which the country is famous, even swimming in a mountain lake.  Watch it and be captivated by this ancient land at the crossroads between Europe and Asia.