Day 1
Arrival in Nevinnomyssk. Accommodation at the Kuban Hotel - 2x, 3x local rooms with private facilities. Acquaintance with a guide and a group. Safety training on the route. Getting food, group equipment. Excursion to the museum of local lore. Acquaintance with the history of the Stavropol Territory and the city of Nevinnomyssk - an ancient Cossack vodka.
Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer Nevinnomyssk - Arkhyz. On the way we visit the ancient Allan settlement - the Lower Arkhyz fort (Arkhyz fort) - an archaeological site of the 10th-12th centuries, the remains of a large Alan city in the Russian North Caucasus. Exit to the route. The daily length of the route is 11.6 km. Overnight at a mountain river at an altitude of 2400 m. We learn to set up tents, make a fire and cook in the field.
Day 3
Ascent to the alpine zone to Lake Semitsvetnoy. The water in the lake is of seven different colors, silvering with glare, playing in the sun. Lunch on the lake. Swimming. Sunbathing. We admire nature, mountains and ourselves. We rise to the Ayyulyu pass (1A, 2874). Overnight in the alpine zone at the very stars. The Psysh and Sophia rivers lie beneath our palm, the Dukka is bubbling below. The mountains are fascinating. On the way we admire the waterfalls. We practice the technique of walking on snowfields. Overnight at the saddle of the pass. Here you can reach the stars by hand. Daily route length - 11.6 km
Day 4
Descent into the valley of the Pshish river along birch groves, streams flowing from the slopes and tall pines. Be sure to check out the waterfall - the left tributary of the Pshish River. We cross the stream and set up a camp on a cozy meadow at an altitude of 1900 m. The long-awaited bonfire. Get-togethers, talkers, stories and first impressions. Checking documents at the frontier post. Do not forget the passport route. Daily route - 6.0 km
Day 5
We cross the Pshish river and climb to the Karadzhash pass (2960 m). We go down for the night to a beautiful lake with green water at an altitude of 2554 m. It reflects the snowy peak of Nadezhda.
Trying to make a fire. We sing songs, admire the stars, swim in the lake. Daily route - 7.8 km
Day 6
A little more, a little more, and we are on the Karajash or Black Prince pass (1A, 3022 m). The green slopes of Arkhyz are filled with life. Running around tours, chamois and mountain goats. Light ripples are excited on the surface of Crater Lake, and below is a wonderful lake - Zapyataya. Another pass Irkiz (1A, 2871 m), a small passage and we are on the Sofia Lakes (2100 m). The blue water of the lakes is surprising. Swimming. Have a rest. We don’t do anything. Half day. Learning to walk along scree and grassy slopes. Daily route length -7 km
Day 7
Descent to the Sofia river valley. We leave on the Sofia glade. People! Hurray! Civilization! Khichiny, Ayran and many "cultural" goodies. We set up camp. Have a rest. Without backpacks, we’ll go easy to see Sofia waterfalls and an ice farm. Return to the camp at an altitude of 1650 m. Dinner. Campfire gatherings. guitar songs. Daily route - 8.7 km
Day 8
We go down to the village of Arkhyz along the Sofia valley. On the way we visit the memorial and pay tribute to the heroes of the Second World War. Hotel accommodation in the village (rooms without amenities).
Day 9
Breakfast. Parting. Departure. See you soon!