Elbrus Region PRO. Trekking to new lakes

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A week-long trekking through the most amazing places of the Elbrus region.

The hike takes place very close to the Main Caucasian Ridge, so the highest and most amazing mountains of the Elbrus region will be in front of our eyes! We will go deep into the Adyl-Su gorge to see Lake Bashkara. Let's go to the Shkhelda glacier and find out what a Shkhelda Smile is. Let's go for a walk through the alpine meadows in the Yusengi gorge and go trekking to the largest lake in the Elbrus region — the sky-high Syltran-kel.

Location

Russia, Stavropol Territory, Mineralnye Vody

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

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Tour highlights

Dizzying climbs

We will devote one day to a cable car ride with a magnificent view of Elbrus

The wonders of nature

We will see the contrast of the summer and winter periods, when in one frame you can catch a harsh glacier and delicate flower petals

Active recreation with comfort

We will walk through gorges, alpine meadows and lakes light, and then relax in a cozy hotel

Itinerary

Day 1 - Meeting. Chateau-Erken Castle, Baksan Gorge
11:00-11:30 — gathering of the group at the airport and at the railway station in Mineralnye Vody.
Having gathered all together, we are going to the Elbrus region!
On the way to the mountains, we will stop by to see one of the new attractions of these places — Chateau-Erken Castle.
Chateau Erken was built according to the sketches of the founder of the local wine concern Tembulat Erkenov.
Fragile willows grow along the shores of the lake, which bend their branches to the water itself.
The castle on the water looks great and is an excellent photo location!
The castle is decorated with red towers, and black panthers sit and stare at tourists at its entrance.
We look at the Chateau-Erken castle from the outside and walk around the area around the lake.
The castle is private property, so if for any reason the entrance to the castle is closed, the instructor will show the group another interesting location.
Transfer to Baksan gorge (2.5-3 hours), check in at the hotel.
Active part: 2 km on foot.

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Day 2 - Trekking in the Adyl-Su gorge, to the Smile of the Shkhelda glade
The Adyl-Su gorge is one of the most beautiful in the Elbrus region.
The name translates as "beautiful water".
And it's true: the local river is magnificent, clean and full of healing narzans, which sometimes turn boulders bronze.
Through the coniferous forests of the Adyl-Su gorge, we will make trekking to the unique Smile of the Shkhelda glade.
It is at this point that the Shkhelda River makes a very sharp, unexpected turn and gently hugs the pebble beach.
The river seems to smile at tourists — this is how the famous Shkhelda Smile backwater appears.
This clearing offers a view of the mighty Shkhelda glacier, frozen here millions of years ago.
The ancient mountain peaks of Jantugan, the peak of Free Spain and Mount Bashkara, covered with snow caps, rise above the gorge.
In these places, tourists are always struck by the contrast of summer and winter, when in one frame you can catch a harsh glacier and delicate flower petals.
Active part: 12.8 km on foot, altitude difference 1920-2340 m, trekking duration 6-7 hours.

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Day 3 - Yusengi Gorge
Let's tell you a secret: the most beautiful and spectacular gorges are located very close to the Main Caucasian Ridge.
Yusengi Gorge is one of such gorges!
At the beginning of the route, we will climb through the coniferous forest.
In places, the path is steep, but after an hour and a half the ascent will be completed and we will enter the alpine zone.
Starting in June and until the end of summer, you can admire a variety of colors here!
In June, rhododendrons bloom, later they are joined by mountaineers, forget-me-nots, yellow lilies and blue catchments.
But the most important thing is that after the forest, we move closer and closer to the Main Ridge and the four—thousand-meter mountains.
It's incredibly impressive!!
The active part of the tour in the Elbrus region: 15.6 km on foot, altitude difference of 1880-2460 m, trekking duration of 6-7 hours.

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Day 4 - Cable car to Mount Elbrus
Elbrus is the main mountain of these places, this snow—white giant always irresistibly attracts tourists.
We will climb high by cable car, into the very sky!
Clouds live here, snow lies just above and there are always stunning views of the Caucasus Mountains from this point.
The active part: the way to Mount Elbrus and back is 13.5 km on foot (when staying in a hotel in the village of Terskol), altitude difference is 2180-2380 m; ascent by cable car — altitude difference is 2380-3850 m, trekking duration is 6-7 hours.

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Day 5 - Lake Syltran-kel
We go to the village of Verkhny Baksan, from where the path to the mountain lake begins.
Siltran is one of the largest, high—altitude reservoirs of the Elbrus region.
The way to the lake is not easy, first of all, a significant climb.
But, thanks to this, there are always few tourists in the gorge.
The trail will lead us through the forest, and then lead us to an area of alpine meadows.
We will often walk on the rocks.
We leave the shepherds' kosh behind, admire the picturesque cliffs and peaks of the snowy mountains.
After half a day's journey, we go out to the Syltran Lake!
The color of the water in the lake varies depending on the time of year: in June, the lake is bright green, and closer to August, the color of the water becomes less saturated.
Near the lake we will probably see tents of tourists who like to come here for a few days.
We will be happy to walk around the lake and take pictures from a variety of angles.
Then we will have lunch, rest and set off on our way back.
Active part: 11.3 km on foot, altitude difference 2320-3200 m, trekking duration 8-9 hours.

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Day 6 - Adyl-Su Gorge, Lake Bashkara
Today we will do light trekking to one of the lakes of the Elbrus region, which has its own secrets and secrets.
The instructor will definitely tell us about them along the way.
The hike to Lake Bashkara is not difficult, but what picturesque places are here!
Green alpine meadows, a mountain river, and at the end of the gorge there is a snow-white peak Dzhantugan!
Jantugan is the proud owner of these places.
At the end of the route we will come to Lake Bashkara and its younger brother, Lake Lapa.
Harsh mountains rise immediately above the lakes, even in summer their peaks are dusted with snow, like powdered sugar.
We have a rest stop near the lake, as always, a delicious lunch and rest.
Active part: 13.6 km on foot, altitude difference of 1950-2590 m, trekking duration of 7-8 hours.

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Day 7 - Return to Mineralnye Vody
Departure from Baksan gorge.
The tour in the Elbrus region has ended, today we are going home.
Transfer by minibus to Mineralnye Vody.
12:30-13:30 — arrival in Mineralnye Vody to the airport and railway station.
Depending on the weather conditions, the physical condition of the participants and other factors, the trekking route may be changed.

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Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Tour organizer's comments

The difficulty level of the route: moderate (25% of the route), medium (75% of the route).

The route is trekking and provides for walking along a mountainous (rugged) the terrain. This type of active recreation involves daily climbing and dropping heights (ascents and descents).

The route passes through forest trails, dirt roads, alpine meadows, large and small stones. The routes will have an altitude difference of 400 to 600 m per day.

On one day of the route, the altitude difference will be 800 m. Climbing up 400-600 m is about the same as climbing 130-200 floors.

Route length: 59.5 km.

Accommodation

Hotel

6 nights

Comfort

Basic+

The tour includes accommodation in the village of Terskol, the Salam hotel or a hotel of a similar class. Double and triple standard rooms, in-room amenities, hair dryer, TV, Wi-Fi.

If necessary, an additional fee for single accommodation in a hotel room is 16,000 rubles. The surcharge is indicated for the entire holiday period.

The Salam Hotel is located in the city of Terskol. Guests can park their personal car in a paid parking lot with video surveillance. Sightseeing trips to the most beautiful places of Kabardino-Balkaria are also organized, and transfer services are available.

There are 15 rooms of various categories for guests to stay here. All of them are equipped with comfortable furniture, TVs with satellite channels. Each has its own bathroom with a shower cabin.

There is a cafe on the territory of the hotel, which is open to visitors from seven in the morning to eleven at night.

For those who are interested in mountaineering and downhill skiing, equipment rental is available.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 18 tourists

Minimum age

14 years old

Duration

7 days 6 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Stavropol Territory, Mineralnye Vody

Included in price

road crossings along the route;
hotel accommodation: double and triple standard rooms, in-room amenities, TV, Wi-Fi;
two meals a day. Ready-made breakfasts (day 2-7) are served at the hotel according to a set menu (the menu is not individual!). Lunch (day 2, 3, 5, 6) in the form of dry rations in the mountains (sausage, cheese, tea, cookies, chocolate, sweets);
group equipment rental: boilers, gas burners (for making tea for lunch in the mountains from June to August), a group first aid kit;
eco-collection in the Elbrus National Park;
Elbrus Cable Car tickets;
the services of an instructor-guide.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Mineralnye Vody and back;
lunches during the transfer (day 1, 4), dinners (there are several cafes near the hotel, the cost of dinner is 350-450 rubles);.
the surcharge for single occupancy in a hotel room is 16,000 rubles/for the entire period of rest;
insurance (optional).

It's important to know

The list of equipment for tours from April 20 to May 19 and from September 21 to November 15.

The air temperature during this period:

- early morning and evening 0...+3C;

- in the afternoon +5...+9C (from April 20 to May 19, after October 15);

- in the afternoon +10...+12C (from September 21 to October 15).

If the winter was snowy, in May we will still walk on snow in the gorges. At the end of October, the first snow may already fall in the gorges. In this case, you should have insulated trekking shoes. There is always snow on Mount Elbrus 2000 m (where we will climb by cable car) on May holidays and at the end of October.

Check with the instructor for up-to-date information about the weather in the Elbrus region and the presence of snow in the gorges a week before the tour.

We draw your attention to the rules of choosing clothes for the trip: in the Caucasus, you can wear trousers and T-shirts. Shorts and T-shirts should not be taken for a trip to the Caucasus.

Hat, gloves
Jacket. The air temperature in the gorges in the early morning and evening is 0...+3C, in the afternoon +5...+7C. On Mount Elbrus (above 2000 m), the air temperature can range from -8C...0C.
Fleece. We recommend taking 2 fleeces: one for walking on the route (it gets a hiking smell quickly enough), the second clean and fresh fleece for walking in the hotel.
T-shirt
Thermal underwear
Buff. Protects the neck from burning, can be used as a headdress or scarf.
Warm running trousers
Lingerie
Socks
Trekking shoes up to the ankle and above
Self-heating foot warmers (optional)
Flip-flops (for walking in a hotel)
Swimsuit, towel (for bathing in thermal springs)
For girls on request: dress for a photo shoot on the background of mountains =))
Waterproof clothing or raincoat from the middle of the thigh and below
Trekking poles. Sticks significantly reduce the load on the knees. Physically strong and healthy tourists are recommended to have sticks with them. Tourists who have problems with knees, joints and overweight must have trekking poles.
If necessary, the club provides trekking poles for rent.
Passport / birth certificate of the child. It is mandatory to have the original documents (not a copy).
Camera/video camera and charger.
Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, razor)
Hairbrush
Sunglasses
Toilet paper (useful during the day, on the route)
Mug, spoon, plate. In the mountains, tourists drink tea from a mug that comes with a thermos or take a separate mug. The plate is useful to put chopped and small products (vegetables, cheese, olives, etc.) into it during lunch. The mug and plate should be non-breakable.
Wet wipes
Thread, needle
Backpack for walking (volume 25-35 liters). The backpack contains the tourist's personal belongings (fleece, raincoat, thermos, etc.), as well as public products for lunch, which are issued by the instructor (the weight of the products is 400-600 grams).
Podpopnik
Shoe Dryers
Sunscreen, hygienic lipstick
Individual first aid kit. Required: elastic bandage, patch.
Thermos flask volume 0.5-0.75 l
Cash
A headlamp. The daylight hours are getting shorter in autumn, so sometimes a flashlight can be useful on the route in the evening

The list of equipment for tours from May 20 to September 20:

Cap / panama hat
Jacket. The air temperature in the gorges early in the morning and late in the evening is +8...+12C. On Mount Elbrus (above 3000 m), the air temperature can range from -5C...+6C.
Fleece. In May and autumn, we recommend taking 2 fleeces: one for walking on the route (it gets a hiking smell quickly enough), the second clean and fresh fleece for walking in the hotel.
T-shirt
Lightweight long sleeve shirt. The shirt will protect your arms and neck from burning.
Buff. Protects the neck from burning, can be used as a headdress.
Running trousers
Lingerie
Socks
Trekking shoes up to the ankle and above
Flip-flops (for walking in the hotel)
Swimsuit, towel (for bathing in thermal springs)
For girls on request: a dress for a photo shoot on the background of mountains =))
Waterproof clothing or raincoat from the middle of the thigh and below
Trekking poles. Sticks significantly reduce the load on the knees. Physically strong and healthy tourists are recommended to have sticks with them. Tourists who have problems with knees, joints and overweight must have trekking poles.
If necessary, the club provides trekking poles for rent.
Passport / birth certificate of the child. It is mandatory to have the original documents (not a copy).
Camera/video camera and charger.
Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, razor)
Hairbrush
Sunglasses
0.5L plastic bottle (for drinking water on the route)
Toilet paper (useful during the day, on the route)
Mug, spoon, plate. In the mountains, tourists drink tea from a mug that comes with a thermos or take a separate mug. The plate is useful to put chopped and small products (vegetables, cheese, olives, etc.) into it during lunch. The mug and plate should be non-breakable.
Wet wipes
Thread, needle
Backpack for walking (volume 20-25 liters). The backpack contains the tourist's personal belongings (fleece, raincoat, water bottle, etc.), as well as public food for lunch, which is issued by the instructor (the weight of the products is 400-600 grams).
Podpopnik
Shoe Dryers
Sunscreen, hygienic lipstick
Individual first aid kit. Required: elastic bandage, Band-Aid.
Hat, gloves (for trips in September, October)
Thermos flask volume 0.5-0.75 l
Cash
A headlamp. The daylight hours become shorter in autumn, so sometimes a flashlight can be useful on the route in the evening.

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification

from
$527

22 – 28 Jun, 2025 7 days 6 nights

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from
$527

24 – 30 Aug, 2025 7 days 6 nights

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Reviews

KE

Kaoaseva Elena

28 Mar, 2022

about provider

The trip to Baikal was a success! The organization of the tour was impeccable. Thanks to the manager in the Big Country Yulia Trubinova. All the planned trips were at a good level, the accommodation also corresponded to the promised, i.e. with all amenities. Many thanks to our instructor of the Voskhod tour club - Alexey Dusenko and all the participants of the tour. Thanks to them, the tour turned out to be very interesting, rich and diverse for me. Of course, Baikal must be seen firsthand, photos and videos will only remind you of these days, and will not convey all the beauty! It is also remarkable that we were very lucky with the weather. The sun was shining, the ice shone like crystal. I am very glad that I was lucky enough to see all this and meet such wonderful people!

28 Mar, 2022

M

Margaret

19 Mar, 2022

about provider

Wonderful!

19 Mar, 2022

E

Elena

14 Mar, 2022

about provider

I didn't understand what the role of the organizer was, but there were no unpleasant moments, so the organizer is good

14 Mar, 2022

Elbrus Region PRO. Trekking to new lakes

Location

Tour highlights

Itinerary

Accommodation

Tour conditions

Included in price

Paid extra

It's important to know

Dates and Prices

Reviews

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