Megatur in Arkhyz and Dombay. 10 days of trekking

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

Our next goal is the Juchur Waterfalls. In summer, full-flowing waterfalls sparkle luxuriously 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 outfit.

The active part is 17.7 km, the altitude difference is 1730-2200 m, the route duration is 6-7 hours.

So, our main goal in this tour is the Dombay-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 spruces, 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. From here we will see for the first time the huge, snow-white Alibek glacier. It descends very low into the valley, so you can see it very well.

Further along the forest path we head to the waterfall. Transparent streams of the waterfall, similar to Goldilocks braids, fall from the height of a nine-story building!

We'll rest near the waterfall and make a big stop to take dozens of amazing photos.

Turye Lake, which looks like a turquoise fragment of an ice floe lost by Kai in the halls of the Snow Queen, got its name for a reason. Tourists who live here often come here. If we're lucky, we'll even see them.

In July, Turye Lake is surrounded by blooming rhododendrons, and small ice floes are still floating on its changeable surface.

Turye lake is deep and cold, even in July and August its temperature does not rise above +5.. +7C, so only the bravest tourists swim in it.

Attention! We visit Turye Lake only if this route is officially opened by the Teberdinsky National Park, and the huntsman and border guards allow it.

The active part is 8.9 km, the altitude difference is 1850-2190 m, the trekking duration is 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 you can take a cable car to any desired point — this day's hike is dedicated to skating and contemplation.

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

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

On the slopes of Mussa Achitara stands a building that was once donated to the USSR by the President of Finland - the Plate Hotel.

The active part is 4 km, cable car ascent from 1600 to 3200 m, duration 5-6 hours.

Visit the Baduk Lakes.

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 unusually clear. They change color depending on the weather, the color of the sky, the forest setting reflected in the clear waters, and many other factors.

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

The active part is 8.7 km on foot, altitude difference is 1400 - 1980 m, duration is 5-6 hours.

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

Today we will go from Dombay to Arkhyz by car. But this does not mean at all that the day will be devoted exclusively to moving — along 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. The astronomical circle is considered one of the local places of power.

The journey will take about three hours.

Also, as part of an excursion to the mountain retreat of the ancient Alans, we will see the highest face of Jesus Christ on a stone wall.

The duration of the tour is 1.5-2 hours. Walking distance 3 km.

In the evening, we will arrive in the village of Arkhyz, check into 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 incredibly beautiful places — the Dukka Lakes.

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

On the way to the lakes, you can enjoy the sweetest blueberries and delicious cranberries. The reservoirs of Malaya Dukka will remind everyone of the silhouette of an animal - a bear, a fish or a monitor lizard.

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

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 safely hidden behind the Irkiz pass.

After overcoming it, the traveler will see an amazing panorama: to the horizon, where the sharpest eye can reach, there is an impenetrable wall of mountain guards, covered with dense greenery, huge boulders and ice caps.

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

The active part is 12.3 km on foot, altitude difference 2000-2890-1890 m, duration 8-9 hours.

Sofia Waterfalls is 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, we will see the contrast of dormant age-old rocks and vibrant greenery of water meadows: silhouettes of phantasmagoric creatures frozen in stone can be seen around, and all this beauty is accompanied by the sonorous accompaniment of a mountain river, which should be crossed at the very beginning of the hike.

Sofia waterfalls, falling from a height of 70 meters.

The active part is 5.5 km on foot, altitude difference 2000-2300 m, duration 5-6 hours.

We have breakfast in the morning and set off on our way back.

Transfer by minibus to Mineralnye Vody.

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