Snowmobile Safari in the Valley of the Seven Lakes

Karakol lakes are one of the most attractive places in the Altai Mountains. The lakes are located in the upper reaches of the Karakol River (a tributary of the Elikmanar River) in the prealpine part of the western slope of the Iolgo Range. The absolute height of the lowest of the lakes is 1820 m, the highest - 2097 m. Karakol lakes are a system of 7 lakes connected by channels and streams and having different colors of water. The decoration of the lakes is the surrounding landscape: a cedar forest with an admixture of larch, smoothly passing into meadows. The temperature of the lake water in summer is only about 7 ° C. Around the lakes are bizarre rock ensembles, some of them even have their own names, for example, “Castle of mountain spirits”. 1 day Meeting in Barnaul at the station, airport. Transfer to Gorno-Altaisk and further to the village of Ulala (microbus 280 km). Arrive about 14 hours. Preparation for the route: instruction on safety and snowmobile management. Departure to the route, gain height, gradually deciduous trees and shrubs give way to a mighty cedar. In the evening you go down to the Karakol lakes. Accommodation in a cedar house (35 km snowmobile). Day 2 is the most intense day. Early ascent, departure on the route and in a few minutes you will find the first pass. Next, the path runs along a picturesque high-mountain plateau. Ascent to the Akkainsky pass, which opens a beautiful panorama of mountain lakes, ridges, alpine meadows. One of the highest peaks of the Iolgo ridge - Akaya - rises to a height of 2385 m. From the pass we go down to the Ayryk tract, and again you find yourself in the kingdom of cedar forests. Overnight in a Mongolian yurt with a stove, which gives a special highlight to the route (35 km snowmobile). Day 3 is the final day of the route, but it is the longest. Return on the already familiar road to the Ayryk Pass. Further ascent to the Akkainsky Pass and, a little down from the pass, you will see piles of stone blocks - this is the "Castle of Mountain Spirits", which actually resemble an ancient medieval castle from afar. This creation of nature is covered with numerous legends. Descent from the Bagatash Pass (translated from the Altai language - "stone frog"), 2113 m, into the valley of Karakol lakes. Then we climb the Kylai mane and move to the village of Ulala, where we are waiting for a bus, and the road to Barnaul (250 km), arrival in Barnaul about 21-22 hours (70 km snowmobile).