Altai. Hiking to the Shavlin Lakes light

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

We assemble the camp, we load camping gear and food on Altai horses.

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

We leave only personal items with us in a small backpack for 25-30 liters, which 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 meet funny gophers who strive to take away something tasty 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 for the first time this amazing coniferous tree, which sheds its needles every year. 

The ascent through the forest will be quite steep. 

We will walk along the Oroi stream and with each step we get closer to the Oroi 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 strength left, we will take a walk to the observation deck overlooking the Kurai Ridge. 

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

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

There will be a small upper swamp 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 Shavla and Yeshtykol rivers! 

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

We will 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 waiting for a hike to the Lower Shavlin Lake. 

On this day we will go up again, and just before the lake we expect the longest climb. 

But when our lake appears at the next turn of the trail, you will definitely understand that it was worth walking here! 

The lower Shavlin Lake is surrounded by forest, cedars rustle around and great mountains stand silently.

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

We will stay for the night for 3 nights near Lake Shavlinskoye. 

Active part: 13.4 km on foot, elevation difference of 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 Shavlin Lake.

Along the way, we will see the triangular Pyramid mountain, which we have yet to get acquainted with.

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

Soon we will see the famous trinity of mountains in all its glory – 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 Shavlin 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 out on the rocky part of the route. 

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

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

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

And, of course, we will take great photos of the Shavlin 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 observation deck! 

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 the Big Shavlin Lake and play games.

We're packing up the camp and heading back. 

We will go down the already familiar path 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.

Again, we will pass the familiar Oroysky pass and the Altaians who sell milk and bread. 

After that, we will 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 by minibus to Gorno-Altaysk. 

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

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