Walking tour to Albagan

1 DAY. Meeting of tourists in Barnaul (Biysk, Gorno-Altaisk) at the airport and at railway stations. Transfer by bus to the camp located near the village of Edigan Chemal district (150-420 km). The road takes us south, winding along the right bank of Katun, the steppes gradually give way to mountain landscapes. The base camp is located near the village of Edigan, on the bank of the river of the same name, at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by mountains on all sides. We stay overnight (in tents or pre-booked houses), relax, prepare for the hike.

2 DAY. We put necessities in a small backpack that will go over the shoulders, and the rest of our belongings, basic equipment and products - in common saddle bags and pack bags. Horses with cargo will be led by stables, and we will go on foot with an instructor. The trail winds along the country road, bypassing the village of Edigan, and gradually leads us up into the mountains. Lower pastures gradually turn into real taiga. After 8 km, the climb will begin, which for the first day of the trip will seem to many heavy. Behind the back, a panorama of the mountains located on the other side of Katun opens ever further. Raspberry grows in abundance on the sides of the road, from time to time some tourists fall into its sweet captivity. And here is the first alpine meadow in the Terbiyan tract. The incredible beauty of the flowering of lights here can be seen in late June. For an overnight stay in the tract Kyzyl-Gak (height 1725 m). (day crossing 19 km, climbing 1100 m per day)

3 DAY. A rocky path between knotted cedars opposing constant winds, we climb into the zone of high-mountain tundra. On the way there are thickets of blueberries, which you can eat from the heart in August. In all directions, as far as the eye can see, a mountainous country opens. At the very pass of Taman Azu solid stone placers and short bright flowers. Here every traveler according to the local custom, with a request and benevolence, attaches his stone to the pyramid "obo", laid out in honor of the spirit-master of the pass. In order not to get lost in bad weather, the trail here is marked by small slides of stones. We descend from the pass past the Upper Chemal Lake, cross the Chemal River by pebbles and get into the Toguskol Valley. Succulent thick herbs with many flowers form an endless fabulous carpet. Good pastures of the valley attract here for the whole summer semi-wild herds of horses, grazing here and there. We will climb and walk along the left slope of the mountains framing the valley to admire these expanses from above. Things are already waiting for us in the parking lot (altitude 1800m) near the Toguskol lakes. (day junction 16km)

4 DAY. Today we have a great opportunity to swim in the relatively warm Toguskol lakes. In addition, after two days of traveling, many people already want to refresh themselves. Then our road will go 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. We can walk the upper path, from where the magnificent panorama of the Soygonosh tract opens or turn into quiet untouched corners near the saddle of the pass. From here we can already see our goal – Mount Albagan. On the northern side of its slopes even in summer there is snow. We descend into the valley along cascading waterfalls, under which many swim in good weather. Overnight will be on the banks of the Soygonosh River, at an altitude of 1700m. (day crossing 15km)

5 DAY. We will walk to the confluence of the three mountain rivers forming the Small Sumulta and go up to the foot of Albagan along the path along the river Izhem or Bogustal. The trails here are good, with a slight slope, covered on both sides by mountain slopes. Our parking on the bank of the tributary of the Izhem River (height 1750 m). (day crossing 12km)

6 DAY. Today is the hardest day. We will go with you to the top of Albagan (2618 m), having previously visited the waterfalls at its foot. We will not be able to describe all the joys and difficulties of this day in this brief description, and yet! Attention! This is a difficult climb, please really appreciate your strength (we need to overcome 800m up a slightly loose path, and then gently go down). If you feel out of shape today, you can stay in the camp, relax and help prepare dinner for restless comrades who will climb to the top and share photos with you with pleasure. In these photos, the mountains and passes, which we have already climbed on the way here, seem from above small multi-colored hills, from all sides to the horizon rise the Altai mountain ranges. The picture is wild, beautiful and terrible. However, if you love mountains, you will not experience horror. Perhaps you will feel how huge your soul is, now opening its wings and striving to embrace this vast and beautiful world. (day crossing 11km)

7 DAY. We go down Izhem to the mouth of Soygonosh. The road here is well packed, going downhill. Our feet carry us forward despite yesterday’s stress. We descend to the confluence of the rivers Izhem and Tyurdem. Together they form one of the most wayward and unpredictable rivers of Altai - Small Sumult. You will have to take off your shoes and cross Soygonosh ford (it is convenient to take slates with you). The trail along Sumulta leads us to the kingdom of ancient taiga. Burelomas and boulders will not let a man or a horse walk freely here. We follow the paths, dodging branches and drifts. The river boils between the mountain slopes and steep cliffs, the clear water amazes with the play of shades of blue. We have a small view here, but tomorrow we will start climbing again. Overnight on the shore of Small Sumulta. (day junction 13km)

8 DAY. We climb along one of the tributaries of Small Sumulta, a small river Bayoyuk through the taiga into the zone of high-mountain tundra. Let's go up the Bayoyuk. On the left there is a beautiful panorama of the Sumultinsky ridge. The look is attracted by the jagged top of Achelman. From the thickets of dwarf birch, a deer often jumps out and, jumping high, runs away. We climb to the observation point at the top of Bayoyuk mountain (height 2318 m). From there, an excellent mountain panorama opens in all directions, the Bayoyuk lakes are visible. The rocky slopes of Bayoyuk are open to all winds and weather whims. Bizarre stone giants are like harsh mountain spirits. For the night, we go down to a friendly valley in the lowland, to one of the parking lots near the Toguskol River. (day crossing 17km)

9 DAY. Let's go home. The return passage from the Toguskol tract in the Ayul tract through the northern slope of Taman-El mountain. We walk briskly through the cedarach, along wide forest glades and overgrown with high grass slopes. A path trodden over the years by thousands of human legs and horses will lead you straight to the people tomorrow. (day junction 13km)

10 DAYS. We descend the Ayula tract down to the Edichta River. The trail is turning into an old country road. Cedars are replaced by birches and shrubs, and here are the familiar pastures with cows. Our feet carry us easily and quickly. Everyone is well engaged in the marching pace and sad only because this journey has come to an end. I want to keep the impressions of the trip longer, give myself a little more time alone with Altai. How many new strengths and desires are in you! And in the camp is waiting for a bath and a delicious dinner. (day junction 16km)

11 DAY. Breakfast. Departure to Gorno-Altaisk, Biysk, Barnaul. Who needs to go to Novosibirsk – put on a bus.