Trekking in the Chegem gorge. Elbrus region

Bulungu is the highest mountain village in the Chegem gorge. 

Some of its residents specially took samples of water and air in different villages, searched for the ideal and found it here in Bulungu! 

This place has incredibly clean air, perfect water and magnificent mountains. 

To look at the village of Bulungu from above, we go trekking to the golden castles.

The road will rise above the village and lead to the first observation deck with a large stone mushroom. 

From here we will see most of our village, and in the distance we will see our neighbors — the village of Eltyubu and the famous mount Zinki.

We will walk along the canyon of the Sylyk-Su River, relax in the forest, and then start a small climb along the local sandstone ridge.

Thanks to the winds, the most bizarre shapes and caves have formed on this ridge! 

Some figures are only a meter tall, and some reach 3-4 meters.

This place looks very impressive in sunny weather, and during fog, golden castles become truly mysterious and mystical. 

Active part: 14.5 km on foot, altitude difference 1620-2150 m, duration 6-7 hours.

Today, we are traveling by cross–country transport to the very heart of the mountains - in the Gara-Auz gorge.

Our journey by SUV will end near the old campsite of Chegem. 

And immediately we will see the main peak of these places — the unsurpassed Tihtingen — a proud four-thousandth peak, whose height is 4617 m. 

Today is an easy day, the climb will be only about 200 m. 

It leads through a coniferous forest, then transfers over a bridge across a river and leads to a fork. 

Let's go straight to the glacier!

The path will pass through the shady forest a little more, and then lead to a huge, luxurious clearing, which in autumn is decorated with a whole sea of spikelets. 

Next, we will go along the river, and with each step we will approach the snowy mountains that stand at the end of the gorge.

We will soon reach our main goal — the language of the Shaurtu glacier. 

The glacier is constantly melting and a glacial river is born from its depths.

After walking near the glacier, we remember that we have another unvisited location – narzan spring.

The path to it will pass through a coniferous forest. 

On tours in August and autumn, lovers of mountain berries risk staying here for a long time, since a huge number of lingonberries grow in the forest.

After leaving the forest, we will walk a little more and taste the mountain narzan.

Active part: 11.7 km on foot, altitude difference 2120-2380 m, duration 6-7 hours.

We drive along the already familiar road to the gorge of the Bashil River. 

At the end of the gorge, we will see the old Bashil campsite and sincerely envy the people who rest in such secluded places.

Through the coniferous forest we go to our first waterfall Family secrets. 

The waterfall has several cascades, and near the lowest cascade Nature has created a beautiful, emerald pool.

The trail will lead along the river, in places we will walk through the forest. 

On the way, we will choose a clearing with a picturesque view to have lunch.

After that, we will continue our journey and go out to the huge waterfall Abai-Su. 

Some tourists say that this place looks like the iron throne from Game of Thrones. Is it so? Let's check it out!

It is surrounded by spectacular basalt rock, and the height of the waterfall is 72 meters!

Active part: 10.5 km on foot, altitude difference 2070-2170-1920-2150 m, duration 6-7 hours.

Today is another eventful, but very simple day in our tour of the Chegem Gorge.

We will take a cross-country car up to the Aktoprak pass. 

After passing through the pass, we will go down to Lake Gizhgit. 

Spread out at the foot of the mountains, this reservoir always pleases tourists with its beauty.

Then we go to the village of Eltyubyu. 

We'll see here:

• the snow-white mosque;
• The Balkarukov Tower;
• A unique Book in Stone project dedicated to a local poet;
• the city of the Dead "Fardyk-Keshene". This is the business card of the Chegem Gorge!

After completing the tour of the Chegem gorge, we return back.

The active part of the tour: 5 km on foot, drops within 100 m, trekking duration 6-7 hours.

Today is another busy day in our tour of the Chegem Gorge!

We will take a car up the Zinki Mountain to the magical place — the Chegem parade. 

Daredevils will soar on colorful paragliders right above our head!

And our plans for today include trekking to an unusual rock. 

There are many interesting locations on Mount Zinki, but we chose the huge rock arch Chegemsky Oko for our trekking. 

Let's go up from the parade ground! 

We will go back down from Mount Zinki by a new route through the village of Dumala to see even more interesting views.

The active part of the tour: 8.7 km on foot, 1500-2050-1660 m, trekking duration 6-7 hours.

In the morning, we will have a delicious breakfast again and mountains around. 

We move by minibus to the city of Mineralnye Vody.

12:30-13:30 Arrival in Mineralnye Vody (airport, railway station).

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