Trekking in Arkhyz. Comfort tour

Today we are going by reliable mountain transport to the Sofia waterfalls.

Their true power can be realized in the warmer months!

The route to the Sofia Waterfalls starts from the Glacier Farm, where the fearless UAZ will easily take us — the off-road journey will last about an hour. 

The goal of the second day of the tour is Mount Sofia and the glacier nestled on it. 

Its height is 3,637 meters, and streams melted by gentle rays fall from a height of 70 meters.

Cafes, a small souvenir market, and tent cities are located near the Glacier Farm during the season.

The route to the waterfalls is simple: the climb is gradual, the terrain is wonderful: a coniferous forest is rustling around, a frivolous birch tree is whispering about something of its own, they are enveloped in the scent of fir. 

Turn around — the Sofia Valley is clearly visible below!

Active part: 5.5 km, altitude difference 2000-2300 m, duration 5-6 hours.

On the third day, trekking to the lakes of the Malaya Dukka River awaits us.

Trekking runs through Alpine meadows, blooming in summer with naive blue forget-me-nots, elegant pink mountaineers, silver-lavender bells and shaggy rhododendrons. 

Passing this mountain flower bed, we will approach the first lake, the clear water of which casts saturated malachite.

Trekking in the mountains is necessarily accompanied by a pleasant, wellness bonus — for lunch, the instructor treats tourists with fragrant mountain tea.

A little higher, and a second reservoir appears before admiring eyes. 

The lake is located in a rocky bowl, on the walls of which snow never melts, and is distinguished by a sapphire-turquoise hue. 

Then the active tour becomes even more exciting — behind the pass with the touching name Angel, a group of lakes awaits us, each of which is associated with some living creature.

Hiking in the mountains is the best pastime during the tour, but in the case of colorful lakes, the main thing is not to forget trekking poles in order to complete the route with maximum comfort.

Active part: 11.8 km, altitude difference 1920-2600 m, duration 7-8 hours.

On this day, we will take a walk around the surroundings of the village of Arkhyz. We will climb one of the rocky ledges to see the ruins of the ancient Alan Tower. 

It is believed that in the XIII-XIV centuries there was a tower of Karchi – the legendary ancestor of the Karachai people. Nowadays, part of the walls and the foundation of the tower remain.

After visiting the tower, we will go out to an excellent observation deck: The village of Arkhyz, the mountain ranges of Cheget-Chat, Morkh-Syrty and the valley of the Bolshoy Zelenchuk River will open to us from a height.

Also on this day we will go on a simple route to the Cossack Waterfall and the Sleeping Lake. Both locations are located in a stunning coniferous forest, on the territory of the Teberdinsky National Park.

After trekking, there will be time to visit the souvenir market and buy gifts.

The active part of the route: 16 km, altitude difference within 150-200 m, the duration of the route is 6-7 hours.

The fifth day of the tour also offers exciting trekking and jipping, the purpose of the trip is Sofia Lakes and Aimatli—Jagalykel.

We will partially make the way to these wonders of nature by SUV, and walk the remaining section. 

That is why it is necessary to take care of the equipment — reliable boots and trekking poles are required in order to move comfortably through the local terrain.

We are waiting for a trip to the fabulous land of blue lakes, hiding behind the formidable back of the Irkiz pass.

But first you need to get to the Glacier farm, located at the foot of the Sofia ridge, and then descend into the valley of the small river Ak-Aira, where the mountains are covered with strings of waterfalls, and juniper and fir exude dizzying aromas.

Travelers have been going to the Sofia lakes since the beginning of July, because only by this time the reservoirs get rid of ice.

Trekking in summer is undoubtedly amazing, but in autumn it is no less beautiful in these places: the air is thick and fresh, the sky is deep, and the mountains are framed by a frame of golden foliage.

After the breathtaking trinity of Sofia reservoirs, the fifth day of the tour prepared another surprise — a hike to the beautiful Aimatli-Jagalykel.

This is a lake with a rugged coastline and a never-melting snow crust on the slopes of the bowl. 

Active part: 13.2 km, altitude difference 2000-2880-1890 m, duration 8-9 hours.

Important! Trekking to the Sofia Lakes is held from July 5-7 due to the fact that until that time the lakes are still under ice. Until July 5, tourists visit Lake Aimatli-Jagaly-kel or Lake of Love.

Today, the tour involves an incredibly intense pastime — rafting and horseback riding.

We will go rafting on the Bolshoy Zelenchuk River and this event will forever be imprinted in your memory! 

An experienced instructor will instruct you and give you a wetsuit, helmet and life jacket for rafting.

You will understand that relaxing by the river and rafting on it are two big differences. 

The active part: the route length is 7 km, duration is 1.5 hours (instruction + rafting).

Meanwhile, the tour dramatically changes its vector, taking a calmer, but no less interesting turn. 

The group members will have a leisurely walk on docile horses along mysterious mountain trails. 

But it will not be possible to do without a light briefing, because safety is above all. 

There are supposed to be stops along the way — the surroundings of Arkhyz beckon to take photos!

But the eventful day does not end there either — the tour will continue with marketing trekking: a tour of the local souvenir market.

Pine jam, fragrant mountain honey, local miraculous tea that relieves ailments and troubles, warm tsigeykovye chunis, jewelry made of semiprecious stones: on local shelves you will definitely find something that is simply vital to bring from Arkhyz!

In the morning we leave the hospitable Arkhyz.

Transfer by minibus to Mineralnye Vody.

12:30-13:30 Arrival at the railway station and the airport of Mineralnye Vody, departure home.

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