Hiking in the Bezengi gorge

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Our trip will take place on the territory of Kabardino-Balkaria, not far from the Elbrus region. It is here that the Bezengi Gorge is located – one of the pearls of the Caucasus!

The Main Caucasian Ridge is not just close here, you can touch it with your hand. Arriving here, the huge, snow–white Bezengi wall immediately attracts attention - it is a 12-kilometer mountain range, the highest section of the Main Caucasian Ridge. Of the eight "five thousand meters" of the Caucasus, six are located in the area of the Bezengi gorge.

Waterfalls, mountain lakes and sparkling glaciers adorn these places. In July, the eye will be pleased with bright flowers, in August and September the gorge will pamper us with ripe raspberries and blueberries. And, of course, the highlight of Bezenga is its night sky, decorated with thousands of bright stars!

Location

Russia, Stavropol Territory, Mineralnye Vody

Hiking tours

from

US$ 360

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

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Tour highlights

Colorful and lush meadows

Here, alpine meadows stretch at the foot of the highest and most spectacular mountains of the Caucasus

Bright photo locations

You can take luxurious photos of water splashes against the background of mountains, blooming fields, the rarest flowers are the highlight of these places

Spectacular views

We will walk along a rocky slope, walk along a moraine and leave our footprints on a real glacier

Itinerary

Day 1 - Bezengi Gorge and Camp
11:00-11:30 Gathering of the group at the airport and at the railway station in Mineralnye Vody (near the main entrance to the station from the city side).
Transfer by bus to the Bezengi camp (about 4-5 hours). In the village of Bezengi, the usual asphalt ends and a dirt road begins.
We are finally in the mountains! Against the background of snow–capped peaks, the mecca of climbers - the high-altitude alpine camp "Bezengi" flaunts.
We will set up our own tent camp on its landscaped territory. The instructor will help beginners and teach them how to set up a tent. Our camp will be in one place during the whole hike.
Today we will take a sightseeing tour of the territory of the alpine camp and climb to the observation deck. From here we will see the gorges of the Mizhirgi, Bezengi rivers and part of the famous Bezengi wall.
The Bezengi camp is a separate, amazing world. On its territory there are buildings for living, a private dining room, a shower room, a gift shop, a place for a camp with tents and even a kindergarten. When going to the mountains, climbers and tourists can always leave their children here under supervision.
Tourists really like to gather in a local cafe, where there is a large, relief layout of the Bezengi district, which we will also see today.
The campsite is located at an altitude of 2140 m.

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Day 2 - Bezengi Gorge. Zhigindzhi Waterfall. Ecotrope to the glacier
The Bezengi Gorge is a real land of waterfalls. Today we are heading to one of them – the Zhigindzhi waterfall. At the very top of the Kargashil ridge there is a glacier that gives rise to the Zhigindzhi River. And the river, in turn, gives us a beautiful, snow-white waterfall.
The water jumps up the mountain steps and forms several picturesque cascades. You can get very close to the waterfall and take magnificent photos of water splashes against the background of mountains. In July, our photos will also be decorated with blooming orange poppies – the rarest flowers, the highlight of these places.
Let's move on! Ahead of us is the eco-trail to the Bezengi Glacier, which was created by Rushydro. Small trees and shrubs grow along the trail, and bright flowers delight the eye. It is very easy to walk along the trail, because it is specially created for tourists, there are even benches here.
Information stands with descriptions of local flora and fauna are installed along the ecotrope. With each step we are getting closer and closer to our goal – amazingThe Bezengi glacier. It is considered one of the largest glaciers in the Caucasus. The length of the glacier ranges from 13 to 20 kilometers, and the thickness of the ice reaches 180 (!!!) meters. Can you imagine that? It's incredible!
We walk in these places until evening and enjoy the beauty.
The active part of the route: 5.5 km, altitude difference 2140-2040-2200 m, duration 5-6 hours.
Day 3 - Hike to Gidan Waterfall, Mizhirgi Glacier, North Wall
Today will be an incredibly bright day, because we will come very close to the North Wall – an amazing creation of nature. Any climber will tell you with a sinking heart that the Northern Massif is a huge mountain wall. 15 kilometers of the purest snow and ice, 4 five thousand meters! The wall bends, which is why it is often called a snow horseshoe.
On a sunny day, against the background of a blue-blue sky, the Northern Wall sparkles with its perfect glaciers, and snow-white clouds swirl above its peaks. You just won't be able to take your eyes off her, she's so good and spectacular!
The Mizhirgi Glacier proudly stretches at the foot of the wall. It's so amazing to walk on the glacier when blue forget-me-nots or daisies are blooming nearby! On the way back, we will admire the sunny Gidan waterfall. It is in the afternoon that the sun perfectly illuminates it. Gidan is a cascading waterfall that flows down from Mount Gidan-tau in rapid streams. We take a photo and go down to the camp.
The active part of the route: 13.2 km, altitude difference 2140-2820 m, duration 7 hours.
Day 4 - Mizhirga Glacier and "Football Field 1"
Today we will admire the magnificent, snow-white North Wall from a completely new angle!
After walking along the path and along the moraine, we approach the Brno mountain. To our left, on the opposite side of the gorge, the Gidan waterfall runs playfully, soon the Warm Corner gorge and the Ukyu-kosh hut will appear.
Then we go out into a huge, flat green clearing. In the mountains, such fields are very rare, so the clearing was named "Football field 1". This place is loved not only by tourists, but also by mountain tours, which sometimes graze here.
Let's go a little further, take new pictures of the Northern Wall and look at the Mizhirgi glacier from above. It stretches for several kilometers, changes its appearance a little every year and is constantly admired for its strength and beauty!
The active part of the tour: 8.4 km on foot, altitude difference 2140-2780 m, trekking duration 6-7 hours.
Day 5 - The Troll's Tongue Mega-viewing platform
Norway is not the only country that boasts its famous troll language. We, in Bezengi, also have such a miracle!
To see it, you need to take a bus near the camp. And then, as usual, we will have a small uphill climb.
Even from afar, our inquisitive gaze will notice the red mountain, where the famous ledge is located. The troll's tongue offers stunning views of the village of Bezengi and the surrounding mountains. The rocky Ak-kaya ridge flaunts behind, and in the distance, in good weather, the Bezengi Wall with its five thousand meters is visible.
Girls, take the dresses for the photo shoot. They will definitely come in handy here!
Then we continue our walk towards the high, mountainous swing. It is located in such an amazing way that you can admire the famous Bezengi wall from it.
In short, today is very rich in the most picturesque photo locations.
The active part of the route: 3.5 km, elevation difference 1700-1710-1330 m, duration of the hike 6-7 hours.
Day 6 - Bezengi Glacier
We leave the camp early and climb the Bezengi glacier. We will walk along a rocky slope, walk along a moraine and leave our footprints on a real glacier.
With each step we will get closer and closer to the magnificent, snow-white Bezengi wall. 
The wall is 13 kilometers of snow and ice, there are two five-thousandth peaks: Dzhangitau (5085 m) and Shkhara (5193 m). Along the way, we will admire the magnificent Gestola Mountain, which rests against the sky with its sharp, snow-white peak.
Trekking to the Bezengi wall always causes awe and delight of tourists. It is here that you immediately feel the full strength and power of the high mountains.
The active part of the route: 6.3 km, altitude difference 2140-2550 m, duration 5-6 hours.
Day 7 - Departure from Bezenga
In the morning we say goodbye to the mountains.
Transfer to Mineralnye Vody.
12:30-13:30 Arrival in Mineralnye Vody, departure home.
Depending on the weather conditions, the physical condition of the participants and other factors, the route of the hike may be changed.

Difficulty

Low physical intensity for amateurs and non-experienced travelers

Tour organizer's comments

The difficulty level of the route: moderate (40% of the route), medium (60% of the route).
The route is trekking and provides for walking through mountainous (rugged) 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 160 to 480 m per day. On one day of the route, the altitude difference will be 800 m.
Climbing up to 800 m is about the same as climbing 260 floors.

Accommodation

Tent

6 nights

Comfort

Basic

Accommodation in a private tent in a paid parking lot on the territory of the Bezengi alpine camp.

There are equipped toilets in the parking lot, there is a hot shower, a laundry room (laundry services are paid additionally), a drying room for things, a cafe, a gift shop, a tourist equipment store, a grocery store, in the cafe there is an opportunity to charge photo and video equipment for free.

Tour conditions

Group

up to 16 tourists

Minimum age

6 years old

Duration

7 days 6 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Stavropol Territory, Mineralnye Vody

Included in price

road crossings along the route;
accommodation in a private tent in a paid parking lot on the territory of the Bezengi alpine camp;
three meals a day according to a set menu (the menu is not individual!): breakfast (day 2-7) and dinner (day 1-6) are prepared in the camp, lunch (day 2-7) in the form of dry rations in the mountains (sausage, cheese, tea, cookies, chocolate, sweets). Every day, tourists on duty are assigned who are engaged in cooking;
environmental fees in the Kabardino-Balkarian Nature Reserve;
rental of group equipment (campfire equipment, boilers, gas burners, awning, group first aid kit);
the services of an instructor-guide.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to the beginning of the route and back (Mineralnye Vody);
lunch during the transfer on the 1st day;
personal equipment (tent, sleeping bag, karemat). If necessary, we will provide rental of camping equipment;
insurance (optional).

It's important to know

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.

tent;
backpack / bag / suitcase for things;
sleeping bag (comfort temperature 0...-5C). The air temperature in the tent at night is +4...+9C.;
karemat;
podpopnik
hat, gloves;
cap / panama hat;
jacket. The air temperature in the early morning and late evening is +8...+12C.;
fleece;
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;
underwear, socks;
trekking shoes up to the ankle and above;
shoes for walking in the camp. The grass in the camp is wet with dew in the morning and evening. We recommend that you have closed shoes, for example, galoshes;
swimsuit;
for girls on request: dress for a photo shoot on the background of mountains (optional);
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 should have trekking poles (required);
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. 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, towel);
hairbrush;
sunglasses;
0.5L plastic bottle (for drinking water on the route);
toilet paper;
a plate, a mug, a spoon. The plate and mug must be non-breakable (plastic or iron);
headlamp;
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);
Portable Power Bank charger for charging a mobile phone (optional);
sunscreen, hygienic lipstick;
a protective cream against insect bites. There may be mosquitoes in the evenings. There are no ticks;
cash;
individual first aid kit. Required: elastic bandage, patch.

Dates and Prices

US$ 360

7 – 13 Jul 7 days 6 nights

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US$ 360

21 – 27 Jul 7 days 6 nights

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US$ 360

28 Jul – 3 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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US$ 360

11 – 17 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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US$ 360

18 – 24 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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US$ 360

25 – 31 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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US$ 360

1 – 7 Sep 7 days 6 nights

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US$ 360

8 – 14 Sep 7 days 6 nights

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