Trekking to Shavlinskie and Karakabakskiy lakes

Highlights

You'll see most beautiful lakes in Altai: Karakol, Shavlinsky lakes, Karakabak lakes and enjoy mountain glaciers.
Shawlinski lakes are one of the most beautiful places of Gorny Altai. They are located in the heart of the North-Chuya range. In the valley of lakes rise glaciers peaks «Dream», «Fairy Tale», «Beauty». Which are, like in a mirror, reflected in the emerald water of the Shawlinsky lake.
The group goes with cargo horses to Shavlinsky lake, this reduces the weight of the backpack and helps for quickly acclimatize. You'll be led by an experienced instructor.

Itinerary

Day 1. Gorno-Altaysk – Ust-Sema

In the morning you arrive in Gorno-Altaysk city. We’ll meet you at the airport and drive you to the hotel (100 km) (hotel room with shower/WC).
This day wouldn’t be too busy, so you’ll have some time to rest after the flight and get accustomed to a change of climate.
You’d have an easy-level river rafting trip after lunch.
At the evening you'll fitting personal equipment, prepare your stuff for the travel (touristic tent, sleeping bag, etc).

Day 2. Ust-Sema to Aktash trip

After an early breakfast we’ll ride you along the Chuya Highway to the Aktash settlement (driving distance is 300 km). Chuya Highway, also known as Chuyskiy Tract, is one of the most beautiful roads in the world. We’ll make several stops along the way to let you enjoy its scenic landscape view. For the night you’ll stay at the camp base (room with shower/WC ).

Day 3. Aktash – Chuya power plant – Karakabak river

We’re leaving the camp base early in the morning. You’ll get to see the Geiser lake on the way. We will hike to the bridge over the Chuya river to overcome our first obstacle – an uphill climb to the Maashei river terrace. From there, a gradually elevating trail will lead us through a mountain forest. We’ll stay overnight in a tent camp nearby the Karakabak river mouth.
Trekking distance is about 12 km.

Day 4. A spur route to the Maashei river headstream

A one-day trip to the river headwaters. It’s a light round trip that would take all day. Just several years ago there was a moraine-dammed lake there. It ceased to exist when its natural dam was destroyed during heavy rains. The Maashei glacier tongue can be seen from there, as well as snowy mountaintops of Maashei-Bash (4175 m high) and Karagem-Bash (3950 m high).
Trekking distance is 20 km.

Day 5. A route to the Karakabak river source

A short trip day. We’ll cover about 4 km with a total elevation of 450 m. There are a few crystal clear glacier lakes up there. We’ll spend the night camping in the siberian cedar pine forest.

Day 6. Backup day. Walking trip to the Karakabak river headstream

There are several azure lakes in the headwaters part of the river. We’ll have a light walking trip along the river valley, by your request we can visit moraine lakes hidden in the upper part of the valley.
Trekking distance is around 10 km.

Day 7. A route to the Shabaga river

We’ll pack our backpacks early – a lot to cover today! A short but steep climb will lead us to the Mokhovoe plateau over the Karakabak river valley. It’s a perfect viewpoint – our river valley, Maashei river valley, a landscape of the plateau itself and mountain crests around it. We’ll cross the mountain pass to the Shavla river basin and stay for the night in the siberian cedar pine forest by the Shabaga river.
Trekking distance is around 10 km.

Day 8. A route to the Lower Shavla lake

The route won’t be difficult. The hardest part is a 40-minute long climb to the lake – and the view there is worth it! We’ll set up a camp on the lake shore.
Trekking distance is 14 km.

Day 9. A spur route to Upper Shavla lakes

Same camp. A light one-day round trip to upper lakes to take a closer look at three mountains on the opposite side of the lake – Krasavitsa (Beauty), Skazka (Fairytale) and Mechta (Daydream). We’ll visit a bathhouse.
Trekking distance is 10 km.

Day 10. A spur route to the Pyramid mountain

Same camp. A light one-day round trip to the Pyramid mountain (might depend on the weather) to get a full view of the lake and the mountains around it.
Trekking distance is 10 km.

Day 11. A return trip to the Shabaga river

A downhill trip along the Shavla river to the already familiar camp by the Shabaga river.
Trekking distance is 14 km.

Day 12. A route to the Chibit settlement

A long trip through the Mokhovoe plateau to the Oroi river and further down to Chuya river. Hiking distance is 21 km. Tonight you’ll stay in camp base standard rooms, with shower and a toilet indoors.

Day 13. Back to Gorno-Altaysk

After breakfast we’ll drive back to Gorno-Altaysk along the Chuya Highway (300 km).
You’ll spend that night in the Igman hotel.
Driving distance: 300 kilometers.

Day 14. Depart.

In the morning we’ll ride you to the Gorno-Altaysk airport.
Drive distance: 50 kilometres.
As an extra option, we can drive you to the railway station of Biysk on the evening train (the price is 35 EUROS per person. drive distance: 150 kilometres).

Accommodation

Altika Hotel

«Altika» hotel is located on the Katun river bank.
You will stay in a single/double room.
Its apartments include a bathroom with shower.
«Altika» is one of the best hotels in the surrounding area.

Hotel near Aktash village

The hotel located on the Chuya river bank.
You will stay for 3 nights in a single/double room with a private bathroom.

Igman hotel

The hotel in the Gorno-Altaysk city.
You will stay in a single/double room with a private bathroom.

Additional information

The international flights arrive in Novosibirsk - the biggest city of Siberia. In case you arrive there, you will need to have one day before the tour and one day upon its completion for the transfer. Biysk and Novosibirsk are cities, connected by a branch of Trans-Siberian railway. We can organize a transfer by train or by car to the starting endpoint of the tour.

Check more trekking tours in Altai.