Arkhyz PRO. Trekking on mountain lakes

The path will pass through a dense forest, then we will cross the noisy waters of the Sofia River, relax under the foaming streams of the waterfall.

After that, we will go out to the alpine meadows, admire the incredible panorama of the Abishira-Akhuba range, find out how the name of the Kara-Jash mountain translates and what lies behind this peak and the pass of the same name. It is often possible to meet herds of Alpine sheepskins and yaks.

No sooner had the first wave of admiration passed than the first lake opens in front of us, surrounded by pine trees and granite placers! Small, rounded, with the purest water.

Here we will make a stop and a photo shoot.

After walking a little further, we will visit another lake. There is an opportunity to climb a little higher and take spectacular pictures from a different angle.

The active part is 12.6 km, altitude difference is 1600-2380 m, duration is 6-7 hours.

A mysterious Seven-colored lake is located on the slopes of the Arkasara Ridge in the upper reaches of the Bolshaya Dukka River.

If you get to the lake in sunny weather, you will be amazed by the play of colors — the color of the lake varies from light blue to dark purple. And if the weather is cloudy, then there will be no less impressions: the transparent surface of the water changes from light green to dark emerald.

In July, we will be amazed by the alpine meadows and small snowfields on the slopes of the Arkasar range. August is the time of the most full—flowing lake.

The active part is 13.2 km, elevation difference is 1920-2450 m, duration is 7-8 hours.

Today, our UAZ will complete part of yesterday's journey, but it will bring us to the beginning of the trail to completely different, fabulous Dukka lakes.

And we didn't just use the term "fabulous" — we are waiting for three lakes "Ruslan", "Lyudmila" and "Fairy Tale of the Caucasus".

The ribbon of the Malaya Dukka River fascinates the eye with its bizarre curves, its cascades of small waterfalls fall from granite boulders, creating cozy backwaters.

After walking about half the way, we will see the first lake on the rise — the water in it is cold, clear, and delicious. We will stop here to gain strength before climbing.

After overcoming the 20-minute climb, we will just want to sit on any stone and admire in silence: ahead is a stone circus, inside of which lies a dark blue jewel – the second Dukka lake.

We are admiring, but we will not sit back, because the fairy tale "Tale of the Caucasus" awaits us. She looks like a giant lizard that froze for a moment.

The active part is 11.8 km, the height difference is 1920-2600 m, the duration is 7-8 hours.

We have seen the lakes of the Arkasar range, now it's time to explore the lakes of the Sofia range.

We will climb the Irkiz pass, the highest point of our trekking (2,880 m).

The pass offers one of the steepest landscapes in Russia — the pointed peaks of the Kel peaks (3150 m) and Mingi-Kel-Bashi peaks (3243 m) and three lakes of completely different colors: Bolshoe Sofiyskoye Lake, Maloe Sofiyskoye Lake and the third, which has no name.

We will make a big lunch stop on the shore of the Great Sofia Lake. Those who wish can walk around a part of the lake to find the best angle, those who are brave can swim, and those who like bright photos can get a photo inventory out of their backpacks and take great pictures.

We begin our descent to our retroauto and along the way, first from a height and then from the shore, we will admire the lake with the unusual name Aimatli-Dzhagalykel, which means "lake with rugged shores" in Turkic.

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

Today, our way on the UAZ lies along the already familiar Sofia River valley in the direction of the Glacier Farm.

Our upward path begins at the confluence of the Gammesh-Chat and Sofia rivers. The trail goes through the forest, makes its way through the glades of hogweed and hellebore, passes through the bushes of Caucasian rhododendron and is replaced by alpine meadows, where the smells of mountain herbs are dizzying.

The ascent will take only 2-3 hours — and here they are, the cool, clear waters of a mountain lake!

Above the cozy valley with Lake Nizhnyaya Comma stands the peak of KCHAO (2,871 m), smooth rocks called "ram's foreheads" and cascades of waterfalls on the Gammesh-Chat River.

After relaxing and having a snack on the lake shore, you can walk to the waterfall or climb a little higher to look at the lake from a height. And it really resembles a comma.

The active part is 9.5 km, elevation difference is 1770-2230 m, duration is 6-7 hours.

We say goodbye to Arkhyz in the morning.

The fastest ones will still have time to go to the souvenir market for jam, honey, mountain tea and warm mittens made of natural sheep's wool!

Transfer to Mineralnye Vody.

12:30-13:30 Arrival in Mineralnye Vody (airport, railway station), departure home.