The Shavlin mirror. Hiking with horse escort

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Camping and bonfire along the taiga trails to the pearls of the North Chuya range - to the turquoise Shavlinsky lakes. You will go light, without heavy backpacks, all things, food and equipment are carried on horseback!

During the journey you will see the pristine beauty of Altai and stay away from civilization in harmony with nature.

Location

Altai Republic, Gorno-Altaysk

Hiking & Trekking Tours

Contact the tour coordinator

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

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Tour highlights

Communication with horses

The horses will become our friend on the route, facilitate the journey and give their kindness

A charge of energy

Let's reboot completely, inhaling the smell of the taiga and enjoying the views

Altai berries

We will cook compotes from wild berries and drink with sweets

Delicious camping food

We are waiting for a variety of food cooked over a campfire and picnics in the most beautiful places

Lovely inhabitants of Altai

In the larch taiga, you can sometimes see chipmunks, sable, roe deer, cedar and other animals and birds

Itinerary

Day 1 - Meeting. Chuisky tract
Meeting of the participants of the hike at the bus station and at the airport of Gorno-Altaysk until 9:30 a.m. local time.
Transfer to the village of Aktash.
Along the way, we admire the scenery of the Chuisky tract.
According to National Geographic magazine, the road ranks fifth in the list of the most beautiful roads in the world.
Check-in at the campsite.
Introducing the group to the instructor.
Briefing and preparation for the trip: sorting and packing things in bags.
Dinner, rest.
If desired, you can bask in the hot Altai sauna (not included in the price).
Impressions of the day: Seminsky pass, Chike-Taman pass, Katun River and Chuya.
Difficulty of the day: mileage ~350 km. Travel time is ~ 7 hours.

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Day 2 - Parking lot "Thick cedar"
In the morning we have breakfast and leave the campsite in an all–terrain vehicle to the place where the pedestrian crossing begins - the bridge over the Chuya River.
We cross the bridge, then climb the Oroysky pass, 2100 m high.
The trail runs through the larch and cedar taiga along the Oroy stream.
The ascent along the forest path will be quite steep.
We walk slowly, on the way there is a rest and a picnic.
In the late afternoon, we go out to the "Thick Cedar" parking lot, from where we have a view of the peaks of the Kurai and Aigulak ranges.
Among the majestic cedars, we will set up a tent camp, light a bonfire and cook a delicious dinner.
Difficulty of the day: walking along the taiga trail ~ 15 km; climbing ~ 600 m.

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Day 3 - Crossing the parking lot “Dense cedar" – Taldys-Kel plateau
After breakfast, we assemble the camp and move to the Taldys-Kel plateau.
The name of the plateau translates as "star lake", because there are many small lakes scattered around it, and if you look from a height, their outlines resemble small stars...
The plateau is completely covered with thickets of yagel and dwarf birch.
In summer, it looks like an ordinary green shrub, and closer to autumn, the plateau seems to glow with bright red-yellow-orange colors, from a distance it looks like a huge Persian carpet...
We move to the valley of the Kol River (Shabaga), where we will stop for a picnic and a short rest.
Then we go out into the valley of the Shavla River.
Various animals and birds can be found in the larch taiga: squirrels, chipmunks, sable, roe deer, partridge, cedar, etc.
We will set up a main tent camp on the banks of the Shavla River, near the Lower Shavlinsky Lake.
We will prepare dinner and enjoy the meal, admiring the glaciers of the North Chuisky range.
Difficulty of the day: hiking through the high-altitude tundra ~ 25 km; crossing streams and marshes.

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Day 4 - Lower Shavlinskoye Lake
Breakfast.
Free time before lunch.
And after that, we'll take a leisurely walk and enjoy the beauty of the Lower Shavlinsky Lake.
The milky turquoise water reflects snow-capped peaks with romantic names: Dream-3437 m, Fairy Tale-3530 m and Beauty-3764 m.
Larch grows in the open spaces around the lake, and Siberian cedar is found in some places.
In the hollows protected by mountains, the forest is dense, with rich undergrowth, blueberries, lingonberries and blue honeysuckle are found.
If desired, we can climb to the observation deck of Pyramid Mountain, which offers stunning views of the lakes and the Shavlo gorge.
The perfect place for beautiful photos and videos.
Then we will have a rest and a picnic.
An additional option of the day is a sauna on the shore of the Lower Lake (not included in the price).
Difficulty of the day: walking ~ 7 km.; steep climb to the Pyramid.

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Day 5 - Upper Shavlin Lakes
After breakfast, we will go to the sources of the Shavla River on the Upper Shavlinsky Lakes.
The trail goes along the shore of the Lower Lake, through the kurumnik "Stone Town", then up the Shavla river through the cedar and larch taiga.
Upper Shavlinsky Lake is not only a picturesque natural site, but also a place where you can enjoy the silence and beauty of the Altai mountains.
We will have a picnic on the shore of Lake Superior with a view of the glaciers.
Dinner will be served upon return to the camp.
An additional option of the day is a sauna on the shore of the Lower Lake (not included in the price).
Difficulty of the day: walking ~ 14 km; climbing 200-300 m.

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Day 6 - Shavlo Gorge
After breakfast, we assemble the camp and set off on our way back along the already familiar trail.
In the larch taiga, you can find squirrels, chipmunks, sable, roe deer, partridges, cedar trees and other forest inhabitants.
A squeaker is often found among the stones.
We'll set up camp in a forest clearing and stay overnight.

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Day 7 - Descent from the Oroysky pass
We have breakfast and go down from the Oroysky pass to the bridge over the Chuya River, where an all-terrain vehicle will be waiting for us.
Transfer to the base.
The estimated time of arrival is 13:00.
After lunch, an additional car tour is possible.: "the colored mountains of Altai Mars" or "The Aktash repeater."
In the evening, at the end of the program, you can order a hot bath (not included in the price).

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Day 8 - Departure
Morning transfer to Gorno-Altaysk.
The approximate time of arrival is 14:00 – 15:00.
Difficulty of the day: mileage ~350 km. Travel time is ~ 7 hours.

Difficulty

Does not require specific skills, but one must be in a good physical shape

Tour organizer's comments

No special training is required, people of different age categories can take part in normal physical condition, without serious illnesses. The crossings on the route are not difficult, but long – lasting - 15-25 km per day. The group goes light, slowly, we rest, we often make stops and picnics on the way, so the transitions are quite within the power of a healthy person. Before the trip, hiking and climbing stairs are recommended for preparation.

Accommodation

Tent

5 nights
Camp Site

2 nights

Comfort

Basic

The tour provides accommodation in tents on the route and in summer houses at the campsite (2 nights).

Tour conditions

Group

From 5 to 15 tourists

Minimum age

12 years old

Duration

8 days 7 nights

Group meets at

Altai Republic, Gorno-Altaysk

Included in price

Gorno-Altaysk - Aktash - Gorno-Altaysk transfer;
transfer by off-road vehicle to the bridge over the Chuya river;
horse rental for transportation of equipment, belongings and groceries;
escort of a groom, a guide-guide;
camping 3 meals a day;
2 overnight stays in cabins at the campsite: on the day of arrival and on return;
provision of necessary equipment: tents, sleeping bags, mats, campfire utensils;
payment of recreational fees during the hike.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Gorno-Altaysk and back;
meals at the cafe during the transfer on the 1st and 8th day;
sauna on the Lower Lake Shavlinsky and at the campsite.

It's important to know

a warm set of clothes (a windproof jacket, a sweater, sweatpants or a fleece suit, a light cap, several pairs of warm socks), for autumn tours – an additional warm set at subzero temperatures (-5 degrees);
a set of waterproof clothes: a raincoat made of thick material (you can have a waterproof suit with a hood);
rubber boots or boots with a membrane;
summer hiking comfortable things (several T–shirts, shorts, light trousers, socks, a hat from the sun - a cap or bandana, a swimsuit may be useful);
shoes – comfortable, well-worn boots or sneakers (preferably mountain trekking boots with non-slip soles);
replacement shoes (slates or sandals for relaxation);
a small backpack for things that you will need during the day during hiking (jacket, water bottle, first aid kit, raincoat, etc., volume about 20 liters);
flashlight, folding knife, matches;
personal hygiene items, a small towel;
individual first aid kit: take medicines taking into account the peculiarities of your health;
0.5 l bottle under water;
sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm (high solar activity);
photo camera;
cash (for souvenirs, other personal expenses, you can order a sauna on the lakes);
documents, passport, MHI policy;
insurance against tick-borne encephalitis in case of its presence;
tick protection products (the highest tick activity in May and early June).

Dates and Prices

Individual dates available on request

1 Jun – 31 Aug

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$1,137

26 Jun – 3 Jul 8 days 7 nights

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$1,137

8 – 15 Jul 8 days 7 nights

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No need to pay now
$1,137

22 – 29 Jul 8 days 7 nights

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No need to pay now
$1,137

3 – 10 Aug 8 days 7 nights

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Reviews Leave a review

A
Anastasia

about tour - The Shavlin mirror. Hiking with horse escort

16 Jul, 2025

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The tour was amazing. What we saw was absolutely breathtaking, it was hard to believe it was real, like standing in front of a giant painted canvas. Some parts of the trail were challenging, but having such a great team around made it easy to push through. Our guide, Ekaterina, gave us a wonderful introduction to the nature of Altai and shared many fascinating stories. I highly recommend this tour, the backpacks won’t feel too heavy, and the miles you walk will stay with you as some of the happiest memories of your life.
AI
Anastasia Ikrina

about provider

12 Nov, 2025

The rooms were cozy, and there was something interesting planned every day
AR
Anna Rebrova

about provider

14 Oct, 2025

Everything was perfectly organized! The trip was a solid 10 out of 10 👍