Seven Moments of Summer

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 (420 km from Barnaul or 150 km from Gorno-Altaisk). 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, at the local souvenir market. The base camp is located on the banks of the Edigan River. The water in the river is very clean and cold. We take the time to explore the surrounding area. Now we are at an altitude of about 600 meters above sea level. We are surrounded by mountains on all sides. We don't have mosquitoes - beauty! We stay overnight in tents (or in houses, if you booked them in advance), relax, prepare for the hike. We can go to the bath.

2 DAY. We put personal belongings, sleeping bags and food in saddle bags. We leave extra things in our backpacks for storage. We listen to the basics of safety and horse management rules. We get to know our horse, adjust the harness and make our first training trip. After that, we will eat a little, and on the way. The country road leads us along the river Edihta beyond the village of Edigan, winding through pastures sandwiched between the mountain slopes. In a few kilometers we will enter the forest, and a steeper climb will begin. The road smoothly passes into a forest path winding along a mountain river. Horses constantly have to go up, so we move slowly. After a small pass (height 1785 m), we go down to the parking lot at an altitude of 1600 m in the upper reaches of the Ayula River. Grass is plentiful and we can feed our horses after a difficult day. By this time, novice tourists-cavalry is also time to rest and stretch their legs well.

3 DAY. On the taiga path we go along the Kuminsky ridge to the foot of the Taman-El mountain. In the forest grows red currant, appetizing berries can be reached directly from the horse. Old cedars grew with long beards of lichens. The fields are covered with flowers. In front of the Taman-Aju pass lies a wide valley of Kyzyl Gak. The soils here are wet, waterlogged in places, it will not be possible to pass directly. We circle the valley along the edge of the forest and start climbing the pass on a rocky path. At the highest point of the pass is made of stones pyramid "ob". Here they stop and descend from the horses to thank the spirit of the pass. On the slopes of Mount Taman El until mid-summer lie the tongues of snow. The pass is usually cool and windy (height 2070 m), under the feet only stunted plants and stone placers, but around the endless mountain ranges and calling peaks. During the descent from the pass, it is better to descend from the horses so that it is easier for them to maneuver between the stones. At the foot of the mountain lies a small mountain lake, from which the river Chemal originates. Parking at one of the tributaries of the Toguskol River.

4 DAY. Let's go down the Toguskol Valley. The valley gets its name from nine lakes known for their warm, clean water. At the request of the group, you can make a stop for those who want to swim. The valley is also known for its rich pastures. In Soviet times, numerous cattle grazed here, shepherds and herdsmen lived in the parking lots. In our time, the mountains can be said to rest. In summer, only semi-wild herds of horses graze here, and tourists appear. Then the trail leads us to the Soigonos Pass. In the saddle of the pass until the middle of summer there is snow. From the top of the trail, a magnificent panorama of the Soigonosh tract opens. We descend into the valley along the eponymous cascade waterfall. 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. Overnight at the mouth of the river Turdem.

5 DAY. Let's go a little down the Small Sumult. The path winds down an old cedar; here and there lie the trunks of fallen trees, trying to block our way. The water in the river is very clean and cold. The stream gleefully rushes forward, murmuring on rolls and turns. There are no fish here yet - downstream the river forms a waterfall that the fish cannot pass. If you're interested in fishing, we invite you to another tour in August and September. "" In a few kilometers, we'll start climbing along the Bayoyuk River. The taiga path gently climbs up, pushing back from the trunks of trees with our hands, so as not to tear the archemaks. By lunch we will be in the parking lot (altitude 1800m). After lunch, you can walk up to the Bayoyuk lakes and to the observation point (height 2000 m). The stone path is difficult for horses, but the view that opens from above is worth the work and climb there on your own. Overnight in the parking lot in the Bayoyuk tract.

6 DAY. We're walking along the ridgeside. Somewhere on the left, far below, Small Sumulta roars, on the opposite slope the bizarre jagged peak of Mount Achilman attracts the eye. At an altitude of 2000 m we meet massive rocks-remainers, called by locals "Samovary". Three rocks made of monolithic stone, located on the crest of the ridge, look like large pussy samovars. If you like climbing rocks, you can’t pass them. After stopping at the Samovars, we gradually descend through dwarf shrubs and alpine meadows to the Toguskol River. Overnight in a quiet place near the river Toguskol.

7 DAY. We climb along one of the tributaries of Toguskol to the highlands. A well-packed trail will lead us to Lake Manas (altitude 1900m). The Kyrgyz people revere this lake as sacred, there is a great legendary epic with the same name. Our lake is covered on three sides by the steep slopes of Mount Kabarga. Snow tongues on the slope can be seen throughout the summer. The water in the lake is cold, but those who want to experience the magical power of the lake is not afraid. After a small halt on the shore of the lake, we will go further by the expanses of Aksas, stretched in all directions by alpine meadows, along which the Wind walks freely. Near the top of Edigan, we begin the final descent through the cedarach. Overnight will be in Kozhoe (height 1640 m), on the edge of the forest glade. Those who wish can pick up cedar cones here.

8 DAY. The descent of the old country road past the maral, on the territory of which the maral deer lazily graze. Cedars are gradually replaced by birches and shrubs, the forest is parting and we go to wide pastures and hayfields. Archemaks are almost empty, and the horses, feeling the house, go faster and faster. On the way you can stop at the village store. We'll have lunch at camp. 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.

9 Day (resurrection). Departure of the group to Barnaul, Biysk, Gorno-Altaisk. It is possible to leave by bus immediately to Novosibirsk (for a fee).