Big Country Travel: Trips to Russia, Adventure Tours & Vacation Packages

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Special offer! When booking before 06/01/25, the discounted price is 54,500 rubles. There are exceptions, for more information, see the "Accommodation" section.

The route is very beautiful and not at all simple, despite the fact that all crossings will be without backpacks (not counting small backpacks with the most necessary 2-4 kg). This is a full—fledged hike - in complete isolation from civilization for 7-8 days!

Stormy rivers, icy lakes, thundering waterfalls, clean air and breathtaking mountain panoramas, rafting on a mountain river and horseback riding in the reserve are waiting for us! However, you need to be prepared for any weather and heavy loads — about 100 km in seven days with a total climb of 3,500 m! And all this — without backpacks — which, without a doubt, is a very pleasant bonus!

Location

Russia, Stavropol Territory, Mineralnye Vody

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

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Tour highlights

Horse riding

1.5 hours of communication with horses on a walk through the Teberdinsky nature reserve

Flying rafting

We will cover 10 km on rafts through the stormy waters of the Bolshoy Zelenchuk River. It's not going to be scary and it's going to be a lot of fun

Campfire gatherings

We will arrange the most sincere and fun gatherings around the evening campfire

Itinerary

Day 1 - Meeting, the beginning of the hike
We will meet in Mineralnye Vody and go to the world of mountains.
In the morning, we meet at the train station, board the transfer and drive towards Arkhyz.
We have a snack in the Taulu glade: we finish the supplies from the train, try the hychines and local lemonade — who has what tastes.
Then we change into UAZ trucks and drive up to where the asphalt ends and the mountains begin.
We arrive at the first parking lot, figure out who sleeps where, check the equipment, get acquainted, laugh, tune in.
In the evening, dinner and stars overhead.
Transfer from Mineralnye Vody in about 3-4 hours.
Overnight in tents.
From this day on, complete digital detox and no communication.

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Day 2 - Glacier and Sofia Waterfalls
We wake up surrounded by mountains.
Breakfast and a short workout to get your blood pumping.
Today is a walk to the Sofia waterfalls and the Sofia Saddle pass.
From a height, you can see the glacier and mountain peaks in the palm of your hand.
After lunch, a well—deserved rest: someone goes to a book, someone to board games, someone just lies and watches the clouds cling to the peaks.
Walking through the mountains 10 km, elevation difference 700 m up, 700 m down.
Overnight in tents.

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Day 3 - Sofia Lakes and Irkiz Pass
Today is the day of real mountain magic.
We leave early: we climb up the gorge, past the cows, climbers and rocks, go out to the pass.
There are ice lakes below, icebergs floating in them. Yes, seriously. No trees, just rocks and ice.
If you're lucky with the weather, you can even take a dip.
After a picnic by the water, we go down to the camp.
We need to get there before dark, because there's a sauna in the evening!
The crossing is 12 km, the height difference is 1000 m up, 1000 m down.

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Day 4 - Transfer to the new valley and walk to the waterfall
Today is our day of rest and recovery.
We move to a new valley — UAZ trucks again, the dream road again: horses, blooming glades, a river with foaming water.
We set up camp on the spot and slowly walk to the waterfall.
A stream of water breaks off a cliff, pulsates in the air — it's good to just stand next to it and breathe.
We don't go anywhere else: the day is for rest. You can sleep, read, bask in the sun, chat around the campfire. Or do nothing at all.
A day of rest.
Transfer by off-road vehicles ~ 2 hours.
Overnight in tents in a new gorge.

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Day 5 - Natural baptismal fonts and a hike to the alpine lake on the pass
In the morning we go out to the natural fonts — crystal clear baths carved by the current in the riverbed.
There is a picnic, contemplation, and sticking in a clearing nearby.
You can hang out in this place for a long time.
Then everyone chooses for themselves:
Those who want to continue their vacation can stay to sunbathe, swim or return to the camp.
Those who long for mountain horizons go higher, to the Ayyulu pass and the inaccessible alpine lake.
This is the most powerful climb of the hike: you will need to gain another 700 meters from the fonts.
Above is a sapphire-aquamarine lake, icy and clear. Rocks and glaciers. Sometimes there are herds of tours. A place where you want to breathe deeper and speak more softly.
We go down in the evening, enjoy a shared dinner and talk about the eternal.
Minimum program: 4 km, easy day.
Maximum program: up to 18 km, altitude difference 1200 m up, 1200 m down.
Last night in tents.

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Day 6 - Rafting, horses and a return to civilization
We are returning to a civilization that we have missed a little.
Immediately after breakfast, we get on familiar SUVs and drive to the village of Arkhyz.
But this is not the time to relax: another active and interesting day is ahead!
First, 10 km rafting on a stormy river, then we have lunch in a cafe and immediately go on an hour-and-a-half horseback ride through the Teberdinsky Nature Reserve.
Kind horses, quiet meadows, wild forest and another waterfall!
We return to the hotel in the evening.
Relax, share our impressions, sum up the results, have dinner in a cafe.
Today we are staying overnight in a comfortable hotel with accommodation for 2 people.
For a small fee, you can wash your clothes in the washing machine and have a sauna in the evening.
Transfer to Arkhyz.

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Day 7 - Departure
We have breakfast, load into the transport and drive to Mineralnye Vody.
The transfer takes 3-4 hours.
The route can be changed in case of bad weather or other necessity.

Difficulty

Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health

Tour organizer's comments

No special tourist training is required, only strength and moral readiness for the declared loads and accommodation in tents in different weather conditions are needed.

Children are allowed on the route from the age of 8, accompanied by an adult.

We will walk about 100 km with a set of about 3,500 m (approximately 1,250 floors without an elevator).

And although this hike is available to everyone who knows how and likes to walk, those who are physically prepared will have more fun.

What can I do to make it easier? Do CPF and lead an active lifestyle, walk up stairs more often and walk longer, on the mountain slopes your body will thank you for not forgetting about it.

Accommodation

Hotel

1 night
Tent

5 nights

Comfort

Basic
Basic+

The tour includes accommodation in tents and 1 night in a comfortable Arkhyz hotel at the end of the route.

The cost of the tour for 1 person is 58,500 rubles.

When booking before 06/01/25, the discounted price is 54,500 rubles.

Exceptions:

for dates 31.08–06.09.25 – 54 500 rub., the first two places with a discount of 51,500 rub.;
for dates 07-13.09.25 – 54 500 rub.

Please check the availability of discounted seats when booking.

The cost for children from 8 to 13 years old is 48,500 rubles.

Accommodation in a comfortable hotel for 2-3 people, room amenities.

The hotel is being specified.

Tour conditions

Group

up to 23 tourists

Minimum age

8 years old

Duration

7 days 6 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Stavropol Territory, Mineralnye Vody

Included in price

transfer from Mineralnye Vody and back;
3 meals a day on the mountain part of the route (with fresh vegetables and fruits, we cook ourselves);
1 night in a comfortable Arkhyz hotel at the end of the route;
breakfast for the duration of your stay in Arkhyz (1 night);
off-road crossings between parking lots;
transportation of belongings and backpacks (all crossings are light only);
rental of all group equipment (tents, awning, gas. burners, boilers, etc.).;
rafting on the river;
horse riding;
wood-burning sauna 2 times per hike;
registration of the group in the Ministry of Emergency Situations;
specialized first aid kit;
accident insurance;
the services of experienced instructors.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Mineralnye Vody and back;
Personal equipment;
meals: lunch and dinner on the last day in Arkhyz (many shops and cafes);
any possible expenses related to forced program changes or force majeure.

It's important to know

Personal equipment should weigh no more than 11-15 kg. We will not walk under the backpack, but we will still have to lift it to carry it to the car or to the place of residence.

Equipment:

assault backpack (20-35 liters);

foam (travel mat, polyurethane foam mat, karemat);

spring-autumn sleeping bag (comfort temperature -5 * C);

tourist seat (hoba);

head-mounted LED flashlight;

trekking poles;

backpack/sports bag/suitcase;

Clothing:

sleep clothes;

swimming costume (swimsuit, swimming trunks);

undercarriage trousers (leggings, leggings, thermal underwear);

running top pants (windproof and waterproof);

shorts;

socks or thermal socks;

wool socks;

T-shirt;

long sleeve shirt;

warm fleece jacket with a neck (thick wool sweater);

windproof and waterproof jacket (windbreaker/membrane/ski jacket);

gloves;

the cap is light;

headdress (panama hat, bandana, cap, hat);

rain cape with hood;

trekking boots;

replaceable trekking boots;

flip-flops/crocs/sandals;

Personal items:

passport;

Money;

set of dishes (KLMN);

reusable bottle;

toilet paper;

individual first aid kit;

sunscreen and lipstick;

personal hygiene items;

a light towel;

sunglasses;

We recommend adding:

down jacket (warm jacket);

thermos flask (1 liter);

matches;

Thread and needle;

dress;

a remedy for ticks;

tent.

Dates and Prices

from
$745

29 Jun – 5 Jul 7 days 6 nights

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from
$745

6 – 12 Jul 7 days 6 nights

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$745

13 – 19 Jul 7 days 6 nights

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$745

20 – 26 Jul 7 days 6 nights

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$745

27 Jul – 2 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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$745

3 – 9 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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$745

10 – 16 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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from
$745

17 – 23 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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from
$745

24 – 30 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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from
$694

31 Aug – 6 Sep 7 days 6 nights

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from
$694

7 – 13 Sep 7 days 6 nights

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Reviews

A
Anastasia

about provider

29 Mar, 2025

6 more photos

The tour was excellently organized. We were well-fed with delicious meals, taken everywhere, treated to tea, and genuinely cared for.

Light mountain trip to Arkhyz