Altai. Hiking to the Shavlin Lakes light

Today we are going to the mountains, the most interesting part of our tour to the Shavlinsky lakes begins!

We're packing up a camp, packing camping gear and groceries onto Altai horses.

We have a tour to the Shavlinsky lakes with a horse escort, so the cargo is carried by horses.

In a small backpack for 25-30 liters, we leave only personal items that will be useful during the day and a snack for lunch.

We will drive up to the Oroysky Bridge, where we will cross the Chuya River.

In this place, you can often find funny ground squirrels who are always trying to steal something delicious from tourists!

Therefore, we will be on the alert.

Then we will follow the path that winds through the forest, among very beautiful larch trees.

Some of you will discover this amazing coniferous tree for the first time, which sheds its needles every year.

The climb through the forest will be quite steep.

We will walk along the Oroy stream and with each step we get closer to the Oroy pass.

Before reaching the pass, we will camp in the forest.

Not far from us there will be a house of Altaians, where local milk and bread are sold.

If we still have the strength, we'll take a walk to the observation deck with a view of the Kurai Ridge.

Active part: 9.2 km on foot, elevation difference 1260-2170 m, duration 8-9 hours.

Having gathered the camp, we go towards the Oroysky pass.

There will be a small upper marsh along the way, which is quite easy to overcome.

After climbing the pass, we will see the Kurai ridge and then descend to the Yeshtykol plateau.

Our current goal is the confluence of the rivers Shavla and Yeshtykol!

The path on the way here will sometimes gain altitude, but still more often it will drop.

We'll arrive at the parking lot in the evening.

Active part: 15.8 km on foot, altitude difference 2170-2210-1880-2050-1680 m, duration 7-8 hours.

From the very morning we will dream about the lake!

After all, today we are going to hike to the Lower Shavlinsky Lake.

On this day, we will go up again, and just before the lake, the longest ascent awaits us.

But when our lake appears around the next bend of the trail, you will definitely understand that it was worth coming here!

Nizhny Shavlinsky Lake is surrounded by forest, cedars rustle around and the great mountains stand silently.

If the weather permits, we will admire the evening pink sunset.

Near Lake Shavlinsky we will stay overnight for 3 nights.

Active part: 13.4 km on foot, altitude difference 1680-2010 m, duration 6-7 hours.

Those who get up early will get a beautiful shot of the reflection of Mount Krasavitsa in a calm, morning lake.

And then we'll have breakfast again and go higher into the mountains again!

We will pass by the wooden idols and go to the Upper Shavlinsky lake.

Along the way, we will see the triangular Pyramid mountain, which we have yet to explore.

Most of the way today is a trail, and part of the way will also pass through the kurumnik (stones).

Soon we will see in all its glory the famous trinity of mountains – A Dream, a Fairy Tale and a Beauty.

We will come to a place where these mountains with their glaciers will be very, very close!

And, of course, the cherry on the cake will be photos of the Upper Shavlinsky Lake.

Active part: 9.2 km on foot, altitude difference 2010-2200 m, duration 6-7 hours.

Yesterday we saw this mountain and realized that it would take a long time to climb it.

The climb is about 1000 m.

We will walk with you through the forest, then through the meadows and come to the rocky part of the route.

Why do all tourists overcome such obstacles? And all for the sake of the views!

If the weather is clear, we will admire the Kuraisky and Severo-Chuisky ranges from a height, which boast of their white snow caps.

From afar we can see Mount Belukha, which is only 70 km away in a straight line.

And, of course, we'll take great photos of the Shavlinsky lakes along with the peaks of Dream, Fairy Tale and Beauty.

Today we will reach the highest point of our route and find ourselves on the best viewing platform!

Active part: 7.6 km on foot, altitude difference 2010-3180 m, duration 8-9 hours.

Today is a day of rest!

On this day, there will be time to walk near Bolshoy Shavlinsky Lake and play games.

We're packing up the camp and heading back.

We will follow the already familiar path down to the Yeshtykol stream, and then climb closer to the plateau of the same name.

We will stop for the night at the parking lot in the forest area.

Active part: 19.2 km on foot, altitude difference 2010-2210-1680-2030 m, duration 8-9 hours.

We will again pass the familiar Oroysky pass and the Altaians who sell milk and bread.

After that, we only have to go down.

In the evening we will find ourselves in the village of Chibit, where we will spend the final evening of the tour.

Active part: 19.2 km on foot, altitude difference 2030-2230-1230 m, duration 9-10 hours.

We will return to Gorno-Altaysk by minibus.

16:00-17:00 Arrival in Gorno-Altaysk.

Depending on weather conditions, physical condition and other factors, the program may be changed.