Elbrus Region PRO. Trekking to new lakes

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

The hike takes place very close to the Main Caucasian Mountain Range, so we will see the highest and most amazing mountains of the Elbrus region! We will go deep into the Adyl-Su gorge to see Lake Bashkara. We will also go to the Shkhelda glacier and find out what the Smile of the Shkhelda is. We will go for a walk through the Alpine meadows in the Yusengi gorge and make a trekking trip to the largest lake in the Elbrus region, the transcendental Syltran Kel.

Location

Russia, Stavropol Territory, Mineralnye Vody

from

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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

Castle on the water

Chateau-Erken looks great and is an excellent photo location.

Picnics in beautiful places

We will have lunch among the mountains, next to the lakes, breathing in the fresh mountain air.

Walking among the flowers

In June, rhododendrons bloom, later they are joined by mountaineers, forget-me-nots, yellow lilies and blue catchments.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival. Chateau-Erken Castle, Baksan Gorge
11:30-12:00 Gathering of the group at the airport and at the Mineralnye Vody railway station.
On our way to the mountains, we will stop by to see one of the new attractions of these places — the 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 at its entrance and stare intently at tourists.
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), accommodation 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 this is the truth: the local river is magnificent, clean and full of medicinal narzanes, which sometimes turn boulders into bronze.
Through the coniferous forests of the Adyl-Su gorge, we will make a trekking trip to the unique Smile of the Shkheldy 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 Smile of the Shkhelda 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.
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
The most beautiful and spectacular gorges are located very close to the Main Caucasian Ridge.
The Yusengi Gorge is one of such gorges!
At the beginning of the route, we will climb through the coniferous forest.
The path is steep in places, but after an hour and a half the ascent will end and we will enter the Alpine zone.
From June to 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 watersheds.
But the most important thing is that after the forest, we are moving closer and closer to the Main Ridge and the four thousand mountains.
The active part of the tour in the Elbrus region: 15.6 km on foot, elevation difference 1880-2460 m, trekking duration 6-7 hours.

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Day 4 - Elbrus Cable Car
Elbrus is the main mountain of these places, this snow—white giant always irresistibly attracts tourists.
We'll take the cable car up high, into the very sky!
Clouds live here, snow lies just above, and stunning views of the Caucasus Mountains always open 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), elevation difference is 2180-2380 m; ascent by cable car — elevation difference is 2380-3850 m, trekking duration is 6-7 hours.

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Day 5 - Lake Syltran-kel
We are going to the village of Verkhny Baksan, from where the path to the mountain lake begins.
Siltran is one of the largest, high—altitude reservoirs in 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 the area of alpine meadows.
We will often walk on the rocks.
Here you will remember with gratitude our manager, who recommended taking trekking boots for the trip.
We leave behind the shepherds' kosh, admire the picturesque cliffs and peaks of the snowy mountains.
After half a day's journey, we reach 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.
We'll probably see tents near the lake for 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'll have lunch, relax, 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
A new day, a new gorge!
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.
Hiking to Lake Bashkara is not difficult, but what picturesque places there are!
Green alpine meadows, a mountain river, and at the end of the gorge stands the snow-white peak of Jantugan!
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 1950-2590 m, trekking duration 7-8 hours.

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Day 7 - Departure
Departure from Baksan gorge.
Transfer by minibus to Mineralnye Vody.
12:30-13:30 Arrival at Mineralnye Vody airport and railway station.

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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 involves walking through mountainous (rugged) terrain. the terrain. This type of outdoor activity involves daily climbing and dropping heights (ascents and descents).

The route runs at an altitude of 1800-3200 m, we climb by cable car to an altitude of 3850 m.

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 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 Elbrus region.

The cost of the tour for 1 person depends on the accommodation:

Hotel	Cost	Additional payment for 1-bed accommodation
"Salam" (or a hotel of a similar class). 2-, 3-bed rooms, room amenities, TV, Wi-Fi.	81 000	20 600
Chyran Azau (or a hotel of a similar class). 2-, 3-bed rooms, room amenities, Wi-Fi.	76 400	16 800

Salam

The Salam Hotel is located in the city of Terskol. Guests can park their private 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 available for guests' accommodation. All of them have comfortable furniture and satellite TV sets. 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 until eleven at night.

Equipment rental is available for those who are interested in mountaineering and downhill skiing.

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Another option

"Chyran Azau"

The Chiran-Azau Hotel is located in one of the most beautiful, picturesque and clean places of Terskol. It is suitable for both quiet family vacations and active ones. The room stock is represented by both standard, junior and luxury rooms. All of them are bright and equipped with all the furniture that guests may need, such as a wardrobe, a TV and a bathroom. The hotel provides two meals a day. There is a private cafeteria where you can have a snack or just have a coffee. There is also a small bar with various drinks. It provides services such as free Internet, car parking with video surveillance. A shuttle service can be arranged for an additional fee. There is also billiards, rental and a ski equipment storage room. Nearby is the foot of Mount Elbrus, as well as a cable car. There is no accumulation of historical sights here, but the scenery from the ski lifts makes up for it.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 4 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: 2-, 3-bed standard rooms, room facilities;
2 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, biscuits, chocolate, sweets);
group equipment rental: boilers, gas burners (for making tea for lunch in the mountains from June to August), 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;
lunch during the transfer (day 1, 4), dinner (there are several cafes near the hotel);
surcharge for 1-bed accommodation in a hotel room:
- 20,600 rubles/the entire rest period (in tours costing 81,000 rubles);
- 16,800 rubles/ the entire rest period (on tours costing 76,400 rubles).
insurance (optional).

It's important to know

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

cap / panama hat;
jacket. The air temperature in the early morning and late 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;
a light shirt with long sleeves. The shirt will protect your hands and neck from burning;
The buff. Protects the neck from burning, can be used as a headdress.;
running trousers;
lingerie;
socks;
trekking poles. The 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 their knees, joints, and excess weight are REQUIRED to have trekking poles.
trekking shoes up to the ankle and above;
flip-flops (for walking in a hotel);
swimsuit, towel (for bathing in thermal springs);
optional for girls: dress for a photo shoot on the background of mountains;
waterproof clothing or raincoat from the middle of the thigh and below;
passport / birth certificate of the child. It is mandatory to have the original documents (not a copy);
camera/video camera and charger. In several gorges along the route that enter the border zone, it is forbidden to use a quadcopter for filming.;
toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, razor);
hairbrush;
sunglasses;
0.5 L 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 sliced and small foods (vegetables, cheese, olives, etc.) into it during lunch. The mug and plate must be unbreakable.;
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 provided by the instructor (the weight of the products is 400-600 grams);
sub-colonel;
shoe dryers;
sunscreen, 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 money;
a headlamp. The daylight hours get shorter in the fall, so sometimes a flashlight can be useful on the route in the evening.

Dates and Prices

$1,053

28 Jun – 4 Jul 7 days 6 nights

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$1,053

19 – 25 Jul 7 days 6 nights

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$1,053

9 – 15 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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Reviews Leave a review

N
Nikolai

about tour - Elbrus Region PRO. Trekking to new lakes

28 Jan, 2026

I really enjoyed the tour. Everything was very well organized. Most of all, I was impressed by the stunning natural scenery and the incredibly beautiful mountains.
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.