Altai. Hiking to the Shavlin Lakes light

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A hike to the Shavlinsky lakes of Altai is perfect for those who want to experience for themselves for the first time what a hike in the mountains is! There is a great balance in this tour: there is physical activity and you will definitely feel for yourself what it is like to climb mountains. Besides, the tour is very scenic. When you come to the Shavlinsky lakes, you understand for sure that the efforts spent are worth the beauty you see!

From the village of Chibit, we will climb in 3 days to Lake Shavlinsky, near which we will set up our camp for several nights. From here we will go to the top of the Pyramid and to the Upper Shavlinsky lake, and then we will return back to the village of Chibit. We love traveling light, so Altai horses are used on this tour to transport food and things for tourists. We are going with light backpacks of 25-30 liters, which contain only things and products that will be useful to us during the running day.

Location

Altai Republic, Gorno-Altaisk

Hiking tours

from

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Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)

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Tour highlights

The stunning Shavlin Lakes

In 2017, according to the Russia Discovery channel, they took the second place among the most beautiful reservoirs in Russia!

Climbing the Pyramid Mountain

We will overcome forests, meadows and rocks to get to the best viewing platform

Altai horses

We will enjoy admiring the cedars and snow–capped peaks light - heavy things will help to transport horses

Itinerary

Day 1 - Gorno-Altaysk city – Chibit village
Gathering of the group at 09:30 – Igman Hotel (Gorno-Altaysk city center), at 10:00 – airport.
Local time (Moscow time + 4 hours).
Having met in the city of Gorno-Altaysk, we are going to the very heart of the Altai mountains!
We will be moving along one of the most beautiful roads in Russia, the Chuisky Tract.
Along the way we will pass the Katun River, the dense forests of Altai and a lot of mountains!
It will be a long journey, and we will arrive in the village of Chibit in the evening and set up our tent camp.
Active part: 350 km by car (about 7 hours), 1 km on foot.

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Day 2 - Chuya River, approach to the Oroysky pass
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.

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Day 3 - Oroysky pass, the confluence of the Shavla and Yeshtykol rivers
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.

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Day 4 - Lower Shavlinskoye Lake
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.

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Day 5 - Upper Shavlinskoye Lake
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.

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Day 6 - Pyramid Mountain
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.

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Day 7 - The day
Today is a day of rest!
On this day, there will be time to walk near Bolshoy Shavlinsky Lake and play games.

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Day 8 - Yeshtykol Creek
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.
Day 9 - Oroysky pass, Chibit village
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.
Day 10 - Return to Gorno-Altaysk
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.

Difficulty

Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health

Tour organizer's comments

Cargo transportation by walking route: food and personal belongings of tourists are transported by horses, tourists go along the route with a backpack of 25-30 liters.

Accommodation

Tent

8 nights

Comfort

Basic

The tour includes accommodation in private tents.

The price includes rental of group equipment (campfire equipment, boilers, awning, gas burners, group first aid kit).

Personal equipment (tent, sleeping bag, karemat) is not included in the price.

Tour conditions

Group

up to 15 tourists

Minimum age

15 years old

Duration

10 days 9 nights

Group meets at

Altai Republic, Gorno-Altaisk

Included in price

road crossings along the route by minibus;
moving by cross-country transport;
three meals a day according to a set menu (the menu is not individual!): breakfast (day 2-10) and dinner (day 1-9) are prepared in the camp, lunch (day 2-9) in the form of dry rations in the mountains (sausage, cheese, tea, cookies, chocolate, sweets). Every day, tourists on duty are assigned who are engaged in cooking;
transportation of public equipment and personal belongings of tourists by horses during the days of moving the tent camp;
registration of the group in the Ministry of Emergency Situations;
group equipment rental (campfire equipment, boilers, awning, gas burners, group first aid kit);
the services of an instructor-guide.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Gorno-Altaisk and back;
lunch during the transfer (day 1, 8). The cost of lunch in the cafe: 350-450 rubles.;
personal equipment (tent, sleeping bag, karemat);
sauna in the mountains (optional);
insurance (optional).

It's important to know

During hiking trips, food, gas, public equipment, and personal belongings of tourists are transported on horseback (weight up to 5 kg, volume up to 50 liters per 1 person + tent, sleeping bag). The tourist carries items exceeding the norm in weight and volume independently.

tent;
suitcase / backpack for personal belongings;
sleeping bag (comfort temperature 0...-5C). The air temperature in the tent at night is +4...+9C.;
karemat;
podpopnik;
hat, gloves;
cap / panama hat;
jacket. The air temperature in the early morning and late evening is +8...+12C.;
fleece;
T-shirt;
lightweight long sleeve shirt. The shirt will protect your arms and neck from burning.;
Buff. Protects the neck from burning, can be used as a headdress;
running trousers;
lingerie;
socks;
trekking shoes up to the ankle and above;
shoes for walking in the camp. In the morning and evening, the grass and the ground are wet with dew in the camp. We recommend that you have closed shoes, for example, galoshes;
swimsuit;
for girls on request: a dress for a photo shoot on the background of mountains;
waterproof clothing or raincoat from the middle of the thigh and below;
trekking poles. Sticks significantly reduce the load on the knees. Physically strong and healthy tourists are recommended to have sticks with them. Tourists who have problems with knees, joints and overweight must have trekking poles;
passport / birth certificate of the child. It is mandatory to have the original documents (not a copy);
camera/video camera;
toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, razor, towel);
hairbrush;
sunglasses;
0.5L plastic bottle (for drinking water on the route);
toilet paper;
a plate, a mug, a spoon. The plate and mug must be non-breakable (plastic or iron);
headlamp;
wet wipes;
thread, needle;
backpack for radiators (volume 25-30 liters). The backpack contains the tourist's personal belongings (fleece, raincoat, water bottle, etc.), as well as public food for lunch, which is issued by the instructor (the weight of the products is 400-600 grams);
Portable Power Bank charger for charging a mobile phone;
sunscreen, hygienic lipstick;
a protective cream against insect bites. There may be mosquitoes;
cash;
individual first aid kit. Required: elastic bandage, Band-Aid.

Dates and Prices

$802

9 – 18 Jul 10 days 9 nights

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Reviews

Y
Yuri

about provider

25 Mar, 2025

The tour was very well organized. The transfers from the airport and railway station to the campsite, as well as from the campsite to the hiking trails, were smooth and convenient. The campsite itself was comfortable, with rooms equipped with showers and TVs. What impressed me the most, however, was the drying room on our floor! The weather in this region changes rapidly, and almost every day, our group got caught in the rain. Drying clothes and shoes while hiking can be a real challenge, back in Altai, after getting soaked in rain and snow, I was never able to fully dry my clothes, as it rained every night, and they only dried once I got home. Here, that problem was completely solved. A special thank you to our guide, Roman, an experienced mountain tour expert, a fascinating and cheerful companion, and undoubtedly a true mountain romantic. He went above and beyond to bring our diverse group together, chatting with everyone during the day and organizing engaging activities in the evenings. He shared captivating stories about his native Krasnoyarsk region, the Sayan Mountains, local customs, and legends, as well as personal anecdotes. Roman carefully selected routes based on the weather and terrain, always prioritizing the safety and well-being of the group. Roma, thank you so much!