A walk with the wind

1 DAY (Saturday). Meeting of tourists in Barnaul (Biysk, Gorno-Altaisk) at the airport and at railway stations. We gather with the whole group and calmly go to the base camp, located near the village of Edigan Chemal district (150-420 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 base camp is located on the banks of the Edigan River. We take the time to explore the surrounding area. Now we are at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level. We are surrounded by mountains on all sides. We don't have mosquitoes - beauty! Stay overnight, rest, 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. The horses with the cargo will be led by the stables, and we will go on foot with the 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 1700 m). In the past, Altai spirits were worshipped here. The valley under the Taman Azu Pass is always in bloom. The rocky, bare peaks of the surrounding mountains are not cleared of snow until early July. The clouds are very low, as if floating in the valley. Now there is a traditional tourist parking. (junction 18km, climb 1100m, time in motion 5h30min + stops)

3 DAY. The rocky path climbs into the zone of high-altitude 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. Transparent mountain air intoxicates and unusually changes distances, it seems easy to run to any place. At the pass itself there are solid stone placers and short bright flowers. We're going up to Taman Ajou Pass. Here, every traveler according to local custom, with a request and a wish, attaches his stone to the pyramid "obo", laid out in honor of the spirit-master of the pass. If the weather is favorable, you can take your time down and walk along the Taman-El mountain to its highest point (height 2252 m). We descend from the pass past the Upper Chemal Lake, cross the Chemal River by pebbles and get into 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. Things are already waiting for us in the parking lot (altitude 1800m), near the river, near the Toguskol lakes. (day junction 13-16km)

4 DAY. We won't rent tents today. We leave things in the parking lot and lightly go for a walk, do a radial tour of Toguskol. The valley gets its name from nine lakes known for their warm, clean water. Many people enjoy swimming in them. Full-water in early summer, they dry up significantly by autumn. If you are full of strength and desire to explore all the surroundings, you can walk to the upper Toguskol Lake, surrounded by mountains on all sides or climb steep paths (or even without them) to the ridges surrounding the valley, go to the observation points in the Bayoyuk lighthouse, or go to the bizarre rock-remainers, called by locals "Samovary". Looking at the surroundings from above, we will see how the mountain ranges diverge in the blue haze in giant waves, and below, like small mirrors, the Toguskol and Bayoyuk lakes shine. This is where some of the most beautiful and memorable photos come from. (day crossing 10-20km)

5 DAY. Today we are waiting for the alpine meadows of Aksas and the expanses of the highlands. The trail will pass next to Mount Kabarga. Let's make a little hook and visit Lake Manas. The lake is very beautiful, deep and wide, surrounded by rocks. The lake has its own legend. Here you can meet pilgrims and ordinary tourists. Opposite the lake are the Watchtowers - as if specially built of huge stones by unknown builders. At the request of the group you can climb the top of the mountain Kabarga (2334 m). The path here is difficult, you have to climb the stones, helping yourself with your hands, but this work will not be in vain. With the rise of heights, the surroundings open before us more and more widely, the mountain ocean stretches further and further, filling the soul with delight. Then we will go for a long time in wide high-mountain meadows, and for the night we will go down to the cedarach and stop in the Loga Skin (height 1640 m). Underfoot in the forest are cedar cones, you can take home at least a bag. (day transition taking into account the ascent to Kabarga 20 km, time in motion 6 hours + stops)

6 DAY. Today is the last long transition, but there will be no climbs. We go down the path that passes into the old country road, to the base camp. Cedars are replaced by birches and shrubs. The last raspberries are already detaining the entire group. We pass by the maral, in which you can often see grazing marals, and next to the maral, people who specially came to take pant baths. The road goes down and down, and our feet carry us to the camp. There are hayfields on both sides of the river. The villagers of Edigan interrupt their work for a moment and wave their greetings at us, smiling at us - happy at this moment idlers walking idlely in the mountains. On the way you can go to the village store, buy something delicious from the road. We will be eating well in the camp. The active part of the tour is over. You can deservedly rest, make kebabs, go to the bath! Last night together, it's time to exchange photos and addresses. (day transition 20 km, time in motion 5 hours)

7 DAY (Friday). Departure of the group to Barnaul, Gorno-Altaisk or Biysk. It is possible to leave by bus directly to Novosibirsk.