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Lake Kardyvach — 5-Day Base-Camp Trek

Height (m): 2472, 2939
Duration: 5 days
Difficulty: Low
Continent: Europe
Children: From 2 years old
Accommodation: There are tents

Temporarily unavailable

The trek to Lake Kardyvach is a five-day tented route from Engelmanova Polyana, with a base camp beside one of the largest and finest lakes in the Caucasus Nature Reserve. From camp the group walks out to Upper Kardyvach, the Utayonnye and Sineokoe lakes and the Kardyvach pass.

The route is not technically difficult, but it does demand good endurance: the first and last days each cover about 17 km with a full pack, and the there-and-back outings involve substantial ascent and descent.

Families can take part with children from 2 years old, provided a fit adult carries the child in a child-carrier pack. The long first and last stages stay long even with a charming passenger, so the load, the pace and how kit is shared out are agreed before booking.

Important

The route runs inside the Caucasus Nature Reserve. The reserve and border-zone permit requirements that apply to the chosen dates, who is responsible for each application and how it is submitted are confirmed before booking
The climb to Loyub is an extra, depends on the weather, the time available and the readiness of the group, and is not guaranteed
Start dates depend on the official opening of Route 9

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About the Lake Kardyvach trek

The route starts in Krasnaya Polyana, from where the group climbs by off-road vehicle to Engelmanova Polyana. After the document check the walking part begins, along the Mzymta valley to Lake Kardyvach. The main camp is set up at the lake, so on the following days participants walk with small packs and return to the tents.

The there-and-back scheme makes it possible to see several different high lake basins without moving camp every day. The programme lists Upper Kardyvach, the Utayonnye lakes, Sineokoe lake and the Kardyvach pass. The additional climb to Loyub is considered only where there is enough time in hand, the weather suits and the whole group is in good condition.

The main load falls on the first and last stages with a full pack, and on the there-and-back days with their ascent and descent. No technical mountaineering experience is needed, but you do need to be used to walking for long periods and to be steady on stony and sometimes wet trail.

Break your boots in beforehand, walk regularly on rough ground with the pack weight you intend to carry, and agree your personal kit list with the guide before the trip.

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Lake Kardyvach trekking programme, 5 days

Day 1. Meeting with the instructor at 08:00 at the railway station in Krasnaya Polyana. Introductions and a group briefing. Transfer by off-road vehicle along the mountain road to the reserve cordon at Engelmanova Polyana. On the way the group calls at the border guard service for registration and a document check. The drive takes about 2 hours. At Engelmanova Polyana there is breakfast, introductions and the distribution of shared equipment before the walking part begins. The trail is waymarked and involves no technical difficulty, but the stage is long; it leads to the first campsite by Lake Kardyvach. The base camp is set up beside the Lagerny stream. Dinner. Night by the lake in tents. Route length 17 km, ascent 600 m.

Day 2. Up at 07:30, breakfast at 08:00, departure at 08:30. Today’s walk is to Upper Kardyvach. It is a there-and-back outing, so the group takes light packs, flasks of tea, lunch and snacks. The way runs up the Mzymta valley; it is not difficult, and the trail leads along Lake Kardyvach, passing the disappearing lake of Middle Kardyvach. After lunch the group climbs a little further, just north of the lake, from where there are striking views along the valley. If time and the condition of the group allow, it is possible to climb Loyub, about 2970 m. The return to base camp follows the same line. Dinner. Night by the lake in tents. Route length 11 km, 600 m of ascent and 600 m of descent.

Day 3. Up at 07:30, breakfast at 08:00, departure at 08:30. Today’s walk is to the Utayonnye lakes. It is a there-and-back outing, so the group again takes light packs, flasks of tea, lunch and snacks. The way partly follows the previous day’s route; beyond Upper Kardyvach the trail turns off to the right and gains height fairly sharply, heading for the terrace in which the lakes are hidden. There is time to walk around, take photographs and have lunch before descending by the same line. Dinner. Night by the lake in tents. Route length 8 km, ascent 700 m, descent 700 m.

Day 4. Up at 07:30, breakfast at 08:00, departure at 08:30. Ahead lie Sineokoe lake and the Kardyvach pass, 2457 m. This outing is also there and back, so the group takes light packs, flasks of tea, lunch and snacks. The way begins at the mouth of the Sineozyorny stream, passes through fir forest and crooked woodland and comes out onto alpine meadows. After skirting a number of rock outcrops the route reaches Sineokoe lake, whose shape resembles a figure of eight. From the lake the way leads to a rock spur with striking views over the Sineozyornaya river valley, Lake Kardyvach and the summit of Loyub. After photographs and lunch the group climbs to the Kardyvach pass, from where Lake Inpsi and the whole Imeretinka mountain group come into view. The return to base camp follows the same line. Dinner. Night by the lake in tents. Route length 8.5 km, ascent 920 m, descent 920 m.

Day 5. The last day at Lake Kardyvach. The group strikes camp and descends by the now familiar trail to the Caucasus Nature Reserve cordon at Engelmanova Polyana. Transfer by off-road vehicle to the railway station in Krasnaya Polyana. Route length 17 km, descent 600 m.

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What the Lake Kardyvach trek price includes

Guides
Tent accommodation, for the number of nights set out in the programme
Transfer Krasnaya Polyana railway station — Engelmanova Polyana — Krasnaya Polyana
Three meals a day throughout the programme, with dinner on the first day and breakfast on the last
Permits and registrations for the route, with the exact scope and each side’s responsibility confirmed before booking
Group equipment: satellite navigator, first-aid kit, tents and shared kitchen equipment

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