MEGAtur Arkhyz and Dombai. 10 days of trekking

Summer holidays with children in fabulous places will open up a completely different world, because hiking in the Dombai-Ulgen gorge is high alpine meadows, fragrant with flowers in July, polyphonic birch groves, sweet blueberry bushes and the majestic Dombai—Ulgen peak - the highest mountain in the Western Caucasus.

Our further goal is the Juchhur waterfalls.

In summer, full-flowing waterfalls luxuriously shimmer in the sun, surrounded by a multicolored halo of tiny splashes. 

By the end of autumn, the waterfalls gradually fade away, but the deciduous trees surrounding them amaze travelers with their unsurpassed, golden attire.

Active part: 12.2 km., altitude difference 1730-2200 m., route duration 6-7 hours.

Meals: breakfast and lunch.

 Dinner on your own. 

So, our main goal in this tour is the Dombai-Arkhyz direction.

This day's hike again includes trekking in the mountains.

The first 5 kilometers of the route will pass through a stunning coniferous forest: you will see century-old firs and firs, which will be replaced by slender birches and aspens a little higher.

Soon we will come to the favorite place of climbers — Alibek alpine camp.

Next, the trail will lead us to a huge clearing, where alpine meadows always bloom in July with all colors. 

From here we will see for the first time the huge, snow-white Alibek glacier.

Further along the forest path we head to Alibek waterfall. 

You will remember this trekking for a long time, because the transparent streams of the waterfall, similar to the braids of Goldilocks, fall from the height of a nine-story house!

We will rest near the waterfall and arrange a big rest stop to take dozens of amazing photos!

Active part: 17.4 km, altitude difference of 1590-1940 m, duration of the tour 6-7 hours.

The slopes of Moussa Achitara are literally strewn with masts of rope and chairlifts, which, however, does not spoil the appearance of the formidable mountain at all: given its enormous size, the technical achievements of civilization are absolutely not striking. 

But on the cable car you can climb to any desired point — this day's hike is dedicated to skating, contemplation and gastronomic pleasures.

An excursion to the horizon of Moussa Achitar a will give tourists unprecedented impressions - from a height of 3,200 meters, the entire Dombai, its gorges and tracts, the Main Caucasian Ridge, and on a sunny day even the double—headed Elbrus are perfectly visible.

Today, as part of the tour, a light hike is planned — at the top you can take photos with wild animals, have a hearty and delicious meal (there are many cafes of several national cuisines), as well as buy souvenirs. 

On the slopes of Moussa Achitara stands a unique building, once donated by the President of Finland to the USSR - the Plate Hotel. 

We guarantee: you have never seen such a hotel anywhere on the planet!

Active part: 2.1 km., cable car ascent from 1600 m to 3200 m., duration: 4-5 hours.

Could there be anything more beautiful in this world than mountain reservoirs? 

You will be able to answer the question on the fifth day of the tour, when you visit the Baduk Lakes. 

There are three of them in total and each is charming in its own way. 

The summer tour from June to August will bring travelers a lot of positive moments: panoramas of incredible mountain views, the invigorating aroma of fir forest, a thick fern carpet and the opportunity to taste delicious berries — blueberries and lingonberries.

Hiking to the Baduk lakes in autumn is a special pleasure: there are many deciduous trees growing here, which, with the arrival of October, dress up in gilt and amber, moss gently springs underfoot, and anticipation of the coming winter is in the air. 

All three lakes are quite cold and extremely transparent. 

They change shade depending on the weather, the color of the sky, the forest frame reflected in the purest waters, and many other factors. 

These places are covered with legends, which you will definitely learn about on a hike, drinking mountain tea and listening to bird trills.

Active part: 8.7 km on foot, altitude difference 1400 - 1980 m, duration 5-6 hours.

Check-out from the hotel in Dombay village, transfer to the village. Arkhyz (travel time is 3 hours).

On the way, an excursion to the Alan settlement, the Face of Christ.

Today we will go from Dombai to Arkhyz by car. 

But this does not mean that the sixth day of the tour will be devoted exclusively to moving — on the way we will make an amazing excursion: we will visit the ancient Alan settlement – Nizhne-Arkhyz settlement. 

A trip to the ancient sundial of the Alan settlement will give unforgettable impressions and charge with positive energy, because the astronomical circle is considered to be a local place of power.

The journey will take about three hours, but you definitely won't be bored along the way! 

Also, as part of an excursion to the mountain haven of the ancient Alans, we will see the highest located faceJesus Christ on the stone wall. 

This half-erased archetype is the oldest in Russia.

Duration of the tour: 1.5-2 hours.

In the evening we will arrive in the village of Arkhyz, settle in a cozy hotel and take a sightseeing tour of the resort town. 

Let's take a look at the local market, where you can buy souvenirs: jam from cones, healing honey or warm ugg boots.

The seventh day of the tour will reveal to us incredibly beautiful places — the Dukka Lakes. 

The path to the lake necklace, located on the Malaya Dukka River, passes through alpine meadows, where honey damask, delicate lavender forget-me-nots, colorful catchments and frivolous anemones are fragrant in summer.

On the way to the lakes, you can enjoy the sweetest blueberries and delicious cranberries. 

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

Meals: breakfast and lunch. Dinner on your own. 

Sofia lakes are distinguished by an amazing palette of colors, ranging from milky blue to dark sapphire. 

The places here are primitive, mysterious and wild: arrogant mountain peaks and caravans of boiling white clouds reign around.

The lake district is securely hidden behind the Irkiz pass. 

Having overcome it, the traveler will see an amazing panorama: to the very horizon, where the most vigilant eye can reach, an impenetrable wall of mountain guards can be seen, covered with dense greenery, huge boulders and ice caps.

After visiting the Sofia Lakes, we will go down to Lake Aimatli, surrounded by blooming Alpine meadows.

Active part: 12.3 km on foot, altitude difference 2000-2890-1890 m, duration 8-9 hours.

Meals: breakfast and lunch. Dinner on your own. 

Sofia Waterfalls are the next goal of our tour. 

A reliable mountain UAZ will take the group to the Glacier Farm, a natural site surrounded by pearl streams, frozen moraines and rock giants. 

From here, the hike turns into a walking tour to Mount Sofia and a colorful glacier, against which magnificent waterfalls roar.

On the way to the amazing streams, tourists can see the contrast of the centuries-old sleeping rocks and the vibrant greenery of the flood meadows: silhouettes of phantasmagoric creatures frozen in stone can be seen around.

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

Meals: breakfast and lunch. 

Dinner on your own. 

Return to Mineralnye Vody.

In the morning we have breakfast and set off on our way back.

I moved by minibus to Mineralnye Vody.

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

Meals: breakfast.

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