Journey to Uymen

1 DAY. Meeting of tourists in Barnaul (Biysk) at the airport and railway stations. We gather with the whole group and go to the base camp, located near the village of Edigan, Chemal district (420 km). Steppes of the Altai Territory at the entrance to the Altai Republic give way to mountain landscapes. The road takes us south, winding along the right bank of Katun. Along the way, there are some decent places to have breakfast or lunch. At the request of the group, you can stop at the source of Arzhan-Suu (a well-known spring with water rich in silver), at the local souvenir market to see (buy) products of local craftsmen, visit the museum of Altai culture in the village of Chemal. The camp is located near the village of Edigan, on the bank of the river of the same name. The water in the river is very clean, there is also a harius. We take the time to explore the surrounding area. Now we are at an altitude of about 600 meters above sea level. In the distance you can see the pass (height about 2000 m), to which we will go tomorrow. We are surrounded by mountains on all sides. We don't have mosquitoes - beauty! We stay overnight (in tents), relax, prepare for the hike.

2 DAY. Breakfast. We get to know our horse, check and adjust the harness. We put personal belongings, sleeping bags and products in archemaki. Extra things and backpacks are left for storage in the camp. Let's start the horse crossing. The trail winds along the country road, bypassing the village of Edigan, and gradually leads us up into the mountains. Lower pastures are replaced by haymaking and then pass into the real taiga. Horses constantly have to go up (daily elevation difference of about 1300 m), so we move slowly. Behind the back, a panorama of the mountains located on the other side of Katun opens ever further. For the night we stay in the Kyzyl-Gak tract. Previously, there were often made kamlaniya to the spirits of Altai. The huge alpine meadow under the Taman Azu Pass is always in bloom. The rocky, bare peaks of the surrounding mountains do not clear snow until mid-June. The clouds are very low, as if floating in the valley. Now there is a traditional tourist parking lot, there is a bath. Almost all travelers stop here before a long road.

3 DAY. The rocky path climbs into the zone of high-altitude tundra. In all directions, as far as the eye can see, a mountainous country opens. At the pass itself there are solid stone placers and short bright flowers. Horses are carefully treading a dangerous path. We're going up to Taman Ajou Pass. Here every traveler according to the local custom, with a request and benevolence, attaches his stone to the pyramid - "bo", laid out in honor of the spirit-master of the pass. We descend from the pass past the first mountain lake and enter the Toguskol valley. The valley is known for its rich pastures, free of gnats and midges. In Soviet times, numerous cattle (cows, horses, sheep, goats) fed fat here, shepherds and herdsmen lived in the parking lots. In our time, the mountains can be said to rest. Good pastures attract here all summer only semi-wild herds of horses and tourists.

Today we will finally get away from the well-tapped trails and their accompanying features. Every day we acquire more and more skill and today, having had breakfast and gathered at a pace, we go to those places where few people go. Our road is through the Soigonos Pass. In the saddle of the pass until the middle of summer there is snow, on which bears like to ride in spring. From the top of the trail, a magnificent panorama of the Soigonosh tract opens. The highest peak of these places - Mount Albagan (2618 m) seems very close. We descend into the valley along one of the longest cascading waterfalls, under which you can swim in good weather. In early summer or closer to autumn in these places it is quite possible to meet a carefree, content with a free life, a bear. We go down to the Soigonos River, its merger with the river Izhem and Tyurdem. Together they form one of the most wayward and unpredictable rivers of Altai - Small Sumult. Only the most experienced and brave watermen raft along Sumult. There are no planned tourist raftings on this river - the risk is too great. We'll spend the night at the mouth of the river Izhem.

4 DAY. We continue to move southeast, up the Thurdem River. There are taiga and mountain peaks around us. And everywhere, from the very beginning of the way, water - rivers, streams, springs. Stocking up on our trips simply does not make sense. The trail jumps from one bank to the other, forcing us to ford the river several times. A gentle, protracted climb finally leads us to the Nameless Pass. On the left is the huge Karasu mountain range (top 2557m), connecting with the Albagan massif. Here is the path of the famous old 77th route to Lake Teletskoye. We descend down from the country of stones and rocks and get into the country of dense forests littered with wells, in the country of wild thickets, mosses and lichens. Overnight by the Karasu River.

5 DAY. After stretching the joints after yesterday's transition, we go on, in the Aksazkan tract. We're going up the Aksazkan River. On the left and right are the mountains. Almost under each top of the ridge lies a small lake hidden from travelers. On the left on the hollows are remarkable stone rocks, “white castles”, looking like a watchman, from above to the path. A little further you can already see the sharp black peaks of the Uymen Mountains, where high-mountain goats Buna, arhars and snow leopards are found. The Uymen Pass will take us back to the clouds. The descent to the lake is difficult. The horses will have to be led about. At the bottom, hidden from prying eyes by old cedars, lies a quiet forest lake, Lake Uymen. Although there is a solid taiga around, as in other places, there are no mosquitoes here, and there are few midges (mostly in the evening, near the water). The water in the lake is very cold and clean, there is fish - harius. Anyone who has caught midges, morsels and spinning can fish.

6 DAY. Day. Fishing (for garius). Rest. Get ready at home (you can buy it on the way to the base).

7 DAY. We go further along the path and, having made a small hook, climb to the upper reaches of the Chevosh River. The tributaries of this river originate in lakes hidden a few kilometers from the trail, at the very foot of the ridges. Parking by the river Chevos.

8 DAY. Today we recommend you to go light to the lakes under the top of Karasu. Each lake is wonderful in its own way. The banks of one of them are dotted with large boulders, and in the lake itself there is a small island with a lonely pine tree. On the way to the lakes we will meet a waterfall, its deaf roar hangs over the surrounding area. The paths here are barely noticeable, and the landscapes conquer wild, untouched beauty. People start talking quieter and less.

9 DAY. We go on a subtle path, along the ridge of Mount Albagan, winding serpentine up and down. We go out to a small comb (wet swampy place), and, further, fall on a large comb. At night, marals graze here, digging healing roots. The Albagan Massif will cross the trail at the top of the Bogustal River. You can see the top from here. From the pass we go down to the Bogustal hollow. On the left, we meet a lake into which long tongues of ice descend from the top. From this lake the river Bogustal is born. Ice tunnels along the banks of the river remain until late summer. Overnight in the lower reaches of the Bogustal River.

10 DAYS. Inconspicuous gorge that cut the mountain range, we pass to the river Izhema. A clear mountain river takes its source from the Albagan glacier. We go down Izhem to the mouth of Soygonosh, past the confluence of the Turdem and Soygonosh rivers. We dine in a quiet shady place on the banks of the Soigonos River. Ahead of us again awaits the Soigonos pass and the cascade of waterfalls. Do not be afraid, undress and enjoy the magical water! From the pass, we cast a farewell look at the native places and get to the Toguskol valley. The valley gets its name from nine lakes known for their warm, clean water. Now you can see only six lakes, near which we stay for the night.

11 DAY. We cross the Kara-Irbak canyon and go through the Taman-Ajou pass. The path to the top is rocky, inconvenient for horses, in any weather and people, and horses here have a hard time. In order not to get lost in bad weather, the trail here is marked by small slides of stones. The Kyzyl-Gak valley is green below. Especially bright colors burn solid floral carpet in late June lights. Cedars are replaced by birches and shrubs. Archemaks are almost empty, and the horses, feeling the house, go faster and faster. On the way you can stop at the village store. The active part of the tour is over. You can go to the bath, exchange photos, make kebabs to celebrate the last evening together. There's a guitar in camp.

12 DAY. Departure of the group to Barnaul, Gorno-Altaisk or Biysk. It is possible to leave by bus immediately to Novosibirsk (for an additional fee).