Trekking to Altai. Aktru Gorge

We will start our acquaintance with the stunning Aktru Gorge by trekking to the Small Aktru Glacier!

Cedar forests are located near our campsite, and many of you will also see for the first time an unusual coniferous tree, larch, which sheds 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 sooooo many gorgeous photo locations on this day, get ready!

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

This glacier is modestly peeking out from behind 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 in the distance we will see the Large Aktru glacier, 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 "Uchitel Pass".

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

The ascent to Uchitel Pass will be steep enough at first, and the trail is rapidly gaining altitude.

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

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

We're going higher, higher, and a little higher!

From a height we can see our camp, the neighboring mountain ranges and the distant Kurai steppe, through which we recently traveled 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 have chosen a small forest and settled here.

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

Dwarves like to hide in the forest and each of our groups is trying 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 glades.

After descending into 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 rush today!

And then we will return 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 trail 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 fairly steep climb at this point.

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

After climbing the hill, 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 floes here.

The lake is big and beautiful!

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

We don't stop there!

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

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

Get ready, it will be here!

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

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, there are beautiful, snowy mountains!

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

Active part: 2 km.

Trekking awaits us again today!

We will take a mountain transport deep into the Kurai range and start walking from there.

Climbing higher, we will go out onto a gorgeous observation deck, from where the Kurai steppe opens from a completely new angle!

And in the distance you can see the North Chuisky ridge and the peaks of Aktru, which you and I have come to love so much!

We continue along the rocky terrain and soon come to a mountain lake, which is safely hidden among the rocks.

Few people know about this place, so there is every chance that we will be alone with nature here.

Active part: 5.7 km, altitude difference in the range of 2540-2860 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.