Included in the reserve are a popular tourist complex ("Dombay") and resorts in the surrounding areas.

The mountains were formed by tectonic forces, and the longitudinal valleys carved by two main periods of glaciation, one in the Jurassic, and the other the more recent.

Feeding streams on steep slopes, the glaciers form powerful rapids and waterfalls.

The southern areas of the reserve are coniferous forest, and the lower floodplains of the Teberda River feature stands of alder.

There are 46 species of mammals living on the territory, with 1,300-1,600 of the Caucasian ibex, which have large saber horns reaching 1 meter in length on old males.

[4] There are three fishes in the streams of the reserve: brown trout, common minnow and European loach.

[2] Much of the Teberda Reserve is a strictly protected nature zone, closed to the general public.

There is an extensive tourist infrastructure on the entrance to the reserve, including hotels, restaurants, and conference facilities.