Trekking in Arkhyz — 7 Days over the Ayulyu Pass

Route line: the village of Arkhyz — the Baritovy waterfall — the confluence of the Psysh and Belaya rivers — the Bely waterfall — Lake Belorechenskoe — the Ayulyu pass — Lake Semitsvetnoe — the Bolshaya Dukka valley — the village of Arkhyz.

The first two days allow you to check equipment and settle into a rhythm without a heavy pack. The out-and-back walk to the Baritovy waterfall gives the first real ascent, after which the group moves to the start of the self-sufficient section and pitches a tented camp. The main stage runs through fir forest and high terraces to Lake Belorechenskoe, then over the ungraded Ayulyu pass to Lake Semitsvetnoe.

There are no technical mountaineering sections in the itinerary, but a low difficulty grade does not mean the absence of effort. Several days involve long ascents and descents, walking on stony trail and carrying a pack. For a first multi-day trip, boots broken in beforehand, trekking poles and a few training walks with the intended weight matter more than anything else.

Before the trip we recommend reading our material on choosing trekking footwear and our general overview of guided treks. For physical preparation you can use the entry level of our mountain training plan.

Day 1. Meeting with the guide at 13:00 at the airport or railway station in Mineralnye Vody. Introductions and a briefing. Transfer by minibus to the village of Arkhyz, with a lunch stop at a canteen in Cherkessk on the way. On arrival in Arkhyz the group registers at the hotel, settles into the rooms and, after dinner, runs through the practical arrangements. Personal equipment is checked and shared equipment and food are handed out. There is a rental shop in the village where anything left at home can be hired. Night at the hotel.

Day 2. Warm-up day. Up at 07:30, breakfast at 08:00, departure at 08:30. Today’s walk goes to one of the jewels of Arkhyz, the Baritovy waterfall. It is one of the most accessible and most visited waterfalls in the area. The walk takes 3.5–5 hours and gains about 600 m of height. With the right attitude even children of 4–5 can manage the climb, although everyone, adults included, will work for it. The walking pattern is 40 minutes on the move, 20 minutes’ rest. The group takes snacks, tea in flasks and lunch, carried in light packs. Lunch is taken with a panoramic view of the village of Arkhyz. Return to the hotel, dinner and packing the rucksacks. Night at the hotel. Distance: 8 km.

Day 3. Up at 07:30, breakfast at 08:00, departure from the hotel at 09:00. The group moves to the start of the route at the confluence of the Psysh and Belaya rivers, 15 km from the village, and pitches a tented camp. Lunch. An out-and-back walk to the Bely waterfall follows; the walking part is only 250–300 metres, returning by the same line. After lunch comes the training block: walking on a steep slope and a controlled descent, all without special equipment. Dinner. Equipment fitting. Night in tents. Distance: 1 km.

Day 4. Up at 07:30, breakfast at 08:00, departure at 08:30. Today brings a demanding climb up the Belaya river valley. The walking pattern is 40 minutes on the move, 20 minutes’ rest. The objective is the approach to the Ayulyu pass, 2874 m and ungraded. Ayulyu lies in the Gabulu ridge and links the valleys of the Belaya, a tributary of the Psysh, and the Bolshaya Dukka. The climb runs through remarkably fine fir forest. The trail winds along a steep slope and eases off on the first terrace of the valley. The group stops on one of the terraces for lunch and then continues along the left side of the gorge, gaining height steadily. Two more walking stages after lunch bring the group to Lake Belorechenskoe, below the final rise to the Ayulyu pass. Dinner. Night by the lake in tents. Distance: 6 km.

Day 5. Departure at 08:00, lunch at 13:00. The walking pattern is 40 minutes on the move, 20 minutes’ rest. The climb to the Ayulyu pass. From the pass there is a magnificent panorama over the lake cirque, the hazy wooded spurs of the gorges and the summits of the Main Caucasus and Sofia ridges. On the side of the ascent stands the strikingly beautiful Mount Pshish. After photographs and the traditional summit chocolate the group starts down into the Bolshaya Dukka valley. The descent runs down the steps of an enormous staircase worked by ancient glaciers — a stony slope that is easy to move on. Camp is at Lake Semitsvetnoe. Night in tents. Distance: 4 km.

Day 6. Departure at 08:00, lunch at 13:00. The walking pattern is 40 minutes on the move, 20 minutes’ rest. The group follows the Bolshaya Dukka valley to its confluence with the Arkhyz river, then returns by chartered transport to the hotel in the village of Arkhyz. In the evening there is a celebratory dinner at one of the local restaurants. Night at the hotel. Distance: 11 km.

Day 7. Transfer to Mineralnye Vody airport or railway station. End of the trip.

• Guides
• Hotel accommodation in twin or triple rooms, for the number of nights set out in the itinerary
• Tent accommodation, for the number of nights set out in the itinerary
• All transfers according to the itinerary
• Three meals a day throughout the trip, with dinner on the first day and breakfast on the last
• All the necessary permits and registrations
• Group equipment: satellite navigator, first-aid kit, tents and shared kitchen equipment

• Single occupancy
• Personal equipment
• Travel from your own region to Mineralnye Vody and back
• Any departure from the itinerary
• Any costs arising from a change to the itinerary

The trip can be arranged for a group of friends, a walking club, a family or a corporate group on its own dates, subject to a guide being free and conditions on the pass being suitable.

A private group can discuss an extra day, a gentler pace, its own transfers and a practice outing before the camping section begins. Changes must not break up the sequence of the route or the safe logic of the crossing over the Ayulyu.

Families with children from the age of 2 may take part provided a fit adult carries the child in a backpack carrier and takes on the extra load. Deuter child carriers can be reserved in advance from Rock and Rent; check the particular model and how the child sits in it before you set out.

To join this trip you will need:

• A valid passport
• Tickets to Mineralnye Vody and back
• Medical insurance covering mountain trekking and the maximum altitude of the trip, at least 2874 m
• Digital copies of your main documents, saved on your phone and in cloud storage

If a particular date or section calls for further registrations, the organiser will tell you what is needed and by when before the trip begins.

The main period for camping treks over the Ayulyu Pass is summer and early autumn, once the high trail is clear of continuous snow. The exact conditions vary from year to year: in June there may still be patches of snow on the pass and around the lakes, and by September the nights are markedly colder.

In Arkhyz the weather can change quickly, bringing rain, mist, thunderstorms and strong wind. It can be warm in the valley during the day while at around 2800 m you need membrane clothing, a warm layer and gloves. After rain, rocks and tree roots become slippery.

Your guide adjusts the start time and the pace according to how the group is going and the weather at the time. If crossing the pass becomes unsafe, turning back or changing tactics takes priority over completing the plan as written.

At the start, and again after the walking section ends, the group stays in a hotel in Arkhyz in twin or triple rooms, as set out in the itinerary. Most of the route is spent under canvas: at the confluence of the Psysh and Belaya rivers, at Beloretchenskoye lake and at Semitsvetnoye lake.

Three meals a day are included: dinner on the first day, all meals along the route and breakfast on the last day. At the tented camps the food is cooked in a group kitchen; participants may be asked to help with water, the camp and the cooking.

Food allergies and dietary restrictions must be reported in advance. On the self-sufficient section the range of food is limited, so any special diet is agreed before the start.

The hotel at the start and end of the trip is a chance to shower, charge your devices and sort out your kit. On the camping section there is no mains electricity, no shower and none of the toilet and washing facilities of a hotel.

The mobile signal depends on the network and the terrain and may be absent altogether. You need a power bank, a head torch with spare batteries, wet wipes and dry bags for documents and electronics.

Participants sort out their own space in the tent, help pitch and strike the camp and keep it tidy. The chance to dry clothing depends on the weather, so protecting your kit from rain is essential.

Documents:

• Passport
• Air or rail tickets
• Medical insurance

Personal equipment:

• Rucksack, 50-60 litres
• Summit pack, 15-20 litres
• Sleeping bag with a comfort rating of 0 to -7 °C
• Foam sleeping mat
• Trekking poles
• Trekking boots
• Spare footwear for around camp (trekking sandals or trainers)
• Waterproof shell: jacket and trousers
• Fleece set for sleeping in
• Base layer, top and bottoms
• Down jacket with a hood, or a down gilet
• Lightweight gloves
• Bandana, buff, cap or sun hat, as you prefer
• Fleece hat
• Warm socks for sleeping in
• Trekking socks for walking days

Other items:

• LED head torch with at least 12 hours of battery life, plus spare batteries
• Sunglasses, category 3 protection or higher
• Vacuum flask, 1 litre
• Sun cream and lip balm
• Personal first-aid kit
• Elastic bandage and/or a support brace
• Mug, spoon, bowl and knife