A trip to the Caucasus. Zagedan lakes

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The campaign to Zagedan takes place in the Caucasus, on the territory of Karachay-Cherkessia. We recommend it for those who are looking for tours with a twist! These places haven't been explored much by tourists yet, and you won't find mattresses here.

To the west of the Arkhyz mountain region is the Zagedan range. Here, in the mountain gorges, the wonderful beauty of the lake is hidden: the picturesque Dvoozerye and Pyatiozerye. The route involves backpacking and light radial exits at altitudes of 1900-2900 m, overnight stays in tents and an autonomous tourist lifestyle.

Location

Russia, Stavropol Territory, Mineralnye Vody

Contact the tour coordinator

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

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Tour highlights

Testing for durability

You will test yourself in daily trekking routes and walk 49 km.

Magical nature

Compare the shades of all the lakes along the way, pick berries and hear the scent of meadow flowers.

Swimming in lakes

Swim in the warmest lakes of the Zagedan massif

A break from the hustle and bustle

Silence and peace reign around, mountains rise and lakes flaunt. This is a rare corner of nature, practically untouched by humans.

Sleepovers under the stars

Choose a beach on the shore of one of the lakes and stay in your personal camp

Romance in the mountains

Choose a place with a beautiful view by Lake Perelomnoye, from where you will admire the sunset

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival. Transfer to Arkhyz
07:00 (Moscow time) Gathering of the group in Mineralnye Vody (railway station, airport).
We'll spend the whole first day on the road.
From Mineralnye Vody, we will take a comfortable transfer to the village of Arkhyz, where we will transfer to an all-terrain vehicle to the village of Zagedan.
From here we will walk to the first parking lot.
Let's set up our camp and cook the first dinner.
We'll discuss the plan and divide the food and equipment into backpacks.
On the first day, you should immediately get dressed, taking into account the pedestrian crossing, including shoes.
Active part: 2 km on foot, elevation difference 1300-1600 m.

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Day 2 - Crossing to the Urup Lakes
Our first trip with a backpack is not the easiest at once.
After leaving the forest area, we will walk most of the route in the area of fragrant Alpine meadows.
The higher we climb, the wider the panorama opens up behind us: below is the valley of the Bolshaya Laba River, on the horizon is the Main Caucasian Ridge.
In the evening we will enter the circus under the rocky top of Zagedan, where there is a complex of two large lakes: Hope and Mirror.
Very often in the afternoon these places are under a dense cover of clouds, it's good that we have enough time to wait for the views, but in the meantime we set up camp.
Active part: 8 km on foot, altitude difference 1600-2850-2600 m.

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Day 3 - The diary. Radial exit to Lake Perelomnoye
The difficult transition of yesterday will be rewarded not only with rest, but also with grandiose landscapes.
Enjoy the morning without haste, explore the world around us.
After breakfast, we will go light to Lake Perelomnoye, and at the same time choose a place with a beautiful view from where we will watch the sunset.
Active part: 4 km on foot, altitude difference 2600-2500-2600 m (light).

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Day 4 - Transfer to Atsgarsky Pyatiozerye
It's time to change your place of residence.
We are moving the camp from under Zagedan Mountain to the warm valley of the Atsgara River.
Our path lies along the watershed of the Urup and Zagedanka rivers, which means that we have every chance to admire the circular panorama of blooming valleys, crowned by the iconic Arkhyz peaks.
After descending from the Zagedansky pass, we choose our private beach on the shore of one of the lakes and set up camp.
Active part: 9 km on foot, altitude difference 2600-2850-2500 m.

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Day 5 - The diary. Radial exit to the Zagedan Lakes Circus
The location of our camp gives us plenty of opportunities for fishing.
Let's arrange a scenic walk around our valley with access to the Zagedansky Lakes pass and descent to the mountain circus under the mountain Shkhuanta — Zagedansky Two Lakes.
We will try to return as soon as possible to leave some sunny time for swimming in the warmest lakes of the Zagedan massif.
Active part: 6-8 km on foot, altitude difference 2500-2720-2600-2720-2500 m.

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Day 6 - Crossing to the sources of the Arkhyz River
We leave our sunny beach and set off down the picturesque valley of the Atsgara River to the pass of the same name, beyond which there is a small group of lakes at the headwaters of the Arkhyz River.
Let's spend the last night on our way to civilization in this intimate corner.
Active part: 10 km on foot, altitude difference 2500-2050-2750-2650 m.

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Day 7 - The final kilometers of our route. Departure
We pack up the camp and go out onto the dirt road in the valley of the Arkhyz river, along which we will walk the final kilometers of our route.
At the place where the primer intersects with the asphalt, we will be met by a comfortable transfer and go to Mineralnye Vody.
Active part: 8 km on foot, altitude difference 2650-1850 m.
19:00-20:00 Return to Mineralnye Vody.

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Difficulty

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

Tour organizer's comments

The route runs at an altitude of 1270-2850 m.

Route length: 49 km.

Age limit: from 14 to 60 years old.

Difficulty level of the route: medium (85% of the route), difficult (15% of the route). Hiking experience is a must.

There is no cellular connection at all during the entire route (2-6 days).

Accommodation

Tent

6 nights

Comfort

Basic

The tour includes accommodation in a tent.

The cost of the tour for 1 person is 53,500 rubles.

Tour conditions

Group

From 6 to 18 tourists

Minimum age

14 years old

Duration

7 days 6 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Stavropol Territory, Mineralnye Vody

Included in price

transfer from Mineralnye Vody to the beginning of the walking route and back;
3 meals per day on the route (1-7 days), except: breakfast and lunch on the 1st and dinner on the 7th days of the tour;
rental of group equipment (boilers, gas burners, awning);
satellite phone rental (for emergency communication only);
the services of an instructor-guide.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Mineralnye Vody and back;
Meals: breakfast and lunch on the 1st and dinner on the 7th day of the tour;
personal equipment: tent, sleeping bag, mat, backpack, trekking poles;
insurance (it is recommended to apply for insurance for the duration of the event with the extension "active recreation and extreme: trekking").

It's important to know

Clothing and shoes:

high trekking boots (worn out);
closed shoes for the camp (crocs / galoshes / light sneakers);
2 pairs of socks for camping and sleeping (one warm, the other casual);
trekking pants (synthetic without insulation);
lingerie;
synthetic long sleeve T-shirt;
synthetic short sleeve T-shirt;
fleece jacket;
windbreaker without insulation or a membrane jacket;
thin down jacket or down vest;
The buff;
thin hat;
a cap or a panama hat;
thin gloves;
thin thermal underwear;
sunglasses;
sleep clothes (if necessary);

Equipment:

backpack (a travel backpack with a rigid back and a waist belt for 70-80 liters is suitable for our event);
a tent (or a place in a tent);
sleeping bag (comfort limit -5°);
mat (foam / inflatable / self-inflating);
trekking poles;

For food:

KLMN (mug, spoon, bowl, knife);
a container for water on the route with a volume of at least 1 liter;

First aid kit:

good elastic bandage 1.5-2m;
medications for common disorders that you use in everyday life (head, stomach, fever, allergies);
medications that you take as prescribed by your doctor;

Makeup bag:

sun cream;
hygienic lipstick (preferably with spf);
brush and paste;
towel (preferably quick-drying);
toilet paper;
wet toilet paper;
a few bags for personal trash;

Electronics:

head lamp + spare batteries;
telephone;

Documents and money:

passport / birth certificate (original);
cash for several meals in a cafe.

Dates and Prices

$738

23 – 29 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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Reviews Leave a review

A
Alexei

about provider

13 Mar, 2026

The tour organization was excellent!
N
Nikolai

about provider

28 Jan, 2026

I liked everything. The providers were always in touch and ready to help whenever any issues came up.
V
Vera

about provider

21 Jan, 2026

Excellent organization and a strong customer-focused approach! All the information was communicated clearly and on time. I’m already looking forward to the next trekking tour :)