Trekking to Altai. Aktru Gorge

Let's start our acquaintance with the stunning Aktru Gorge by trekking to the Small Aktru Glacier!

Cedar forests are spread out near our campsite, and here many of you will see for the first time an unusual coniferous larch tree that throws off its needles for the winter. 

It is through such a beautiful forest that we will go trekking! 

Today will be a simple day, the trail will rise very smoothly through the gorge and lead us closer to Mount Kara-Tash.

There will be sooo many gorgeous photo locations on this day, get ready! 

Crossing the river on the bridge, we will go to the Maly Aktru glacier. 

This glacier modestly looks out from behind the back of the huge, black Kara-Tash mountain. We are looking at the glacier from a safe distance (!!).

Also today we will see a small waterfall and the Large Aktru Glacier will appear in the distance, which we will visit a little later.

Active part: 5.2 km, altitude difference 2150-2300 m, trekking duration 5-6 hours.

Today we will go further and much higher! 

After leaving our campsite, we will cross the Aktra River on the bridge. 

The bridge is reliable, even cars drive on it! 

Next, we will pass by the old Aktru alpine camp and turn right into the forest at the sign "Teacher Pass". 

At the end of June in these places, our eyes will be pleased with blooming roasts, catchments and even large, pink peonies! 

The ascent to the Uchitel Pass will be quite steep at first, the trail sharply gains altitude. 

After climbing to the solar panels, the path becomes more gentle and then continues over the rocks. 

Here you will thank yourself for taking trekking boots that protect your feet.

We rise higher, higher and a little higher! 

From the height we will see our camp, the neighboring mountain ranges and the distant Kurai steppe, along which we recently drove to Aktra. 

Active part: 6.8 km, altitude difference 2150-3050 m, trekking duration 6-7 hours.

Today is an easy and visually beautiful day. 

Let's go trekking in the Dwarf Forest first. 

The dwarves in the Aktru gorge chose a small forest for themselves and settled here. 

There are huge cedars in the forest, there is usually silence, no wind, and it is always a little warmer here than near the camp. 

Dwarves like to hide in the forest and each of our groups tries to find them. 

We'll look for them too! 

Then we will go trekking to the lower part of the Aktru River valley. 

The trail will pass through the forest, past flower meadows. 

Going down to the Aktru valley, we will take beautiful pictures: it is in this place that the valley expands before our eyes and is crowned by the Kara-Tash mountain, which we already love. 

In a pleasant and picturesque place we will stop for lunch, relax, lie on the grass, admire the mountains. 

There's no hurry today! 

And then we'll go back to the camp. 

Active part: 13.2 km, altitude difference 2150-2060-2150 m, trekking duration 5-6 hours.

A long, bright and very spectacular day!

A long time ago, there was one huge Aktru glacier in these places, but over time it began to melt and now we have the small Aktru glacier, the Large Right and Left Aktru glaciers. 

Believe me, the Bolshoy Aktru glacier is capable of inspiring admiration from any tourist! 

As usual, we will start our journey from the camp, along the already familiar path we will climb through the cedar forest, and then the path will lead us to the right side of the gorge. 

Soon the Big Right Glacier will appear, and then the huge sheep foreheads, which were once completely covered by the glacier. 

There will be a long and rather steep climb at this point. 

There are small, loose stones under your feet and you will thank your trekking boots again! 

After overcoming the rise, we will find ourselves in a completely different part of the valley. 

Here we will meet a couple of modest lakes and very soon we will find ourselves at the foot of the Bolshoy Levy Aktru glacier!

We bypass the glacier along a rocky path and then there is a direct path to our goal – the Blue Lake!

At the end of June, the lucky ones will still be able to find ice here.

The lake is big and beautiful! 

Most often it has a greenish color, but it is called a Blue Lake.

We don't stop there! 

Let's go a little higher, to an absolutely incredible observation deck!

Do you like it when your heart stops in the mountains?

Get ready, it will be here! 

From the observation deck, we will look at the huge Bolshoy Aktru glacier from above. 

Guys, the views here are just creepy.

Active part: 16.4 km, altitude difference 2150-2970 m, trekking duration 8-10 hours.

We leave the beloved Aktru camp and go down to the Kurai steppe of Altai. 

On the way, we will stop at Lake Dzhangyskol, which stretches among flower meadows.

And in the background, as usual, beautiful, snowy mountains! 

Then we descend into the valley and arrive at our campsite, where we will spend 2 nights. 

Active part: 2 km.

Today is a walking day with small trekking elements.

We will see two Altai locations, each of which is truly unique! 

Geyser Lake is a real miracle of Altai! 

In the middle of the forest, locals once discovered a green lake with stunning blue patterns! 

Arriving here, you will definitely find out how these extraordinary patterns are born on the bottom. 

Let's go further to Mars! 

It is absolutely amazing, but among the green, forested Altai there is practically a desert, whose name is Kyzyl-Chin. 

Here are the colorful, rainbow mountains of Altai! 

Your eye will be pleased with a mixture of yellow, red, and orange shades. 

Mars is exactly the name that tourists came up with for this area. 

Active part: 7.3 km, altitude difference within 150-200 m, trekking duration 6-7 hours.

We leave our cozy campsite and return to the city. 

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

Depending on the weather conditions, the physical condition of the participants and other factors, the route may be changed.