Stoktysh Lakes

This trip is for anyone who loves the outdoors, has 4–5 free days, and wants to leave the city behind and get the most out of their time with nature. It's ideal for a family vacation.

Days are gentle — no more than 5–7 km of walking — and the load on the legs is light. It's rest for people who want to recharge completely in a short time, shake off the weight of work, and come back ready for more.

This is the trip for taking in the mountain lakes, marveling at alpine meadows in full bloom, and soaking up the wonderful, healing microclimate of the cedar forest.

Climb Mount Kokhosh (2524.8 m) and carry home a photograph of the magnificent panorama of the Western Sayan high country; walk above the cirques of mountain gorges with their emerald chain of lakes below; and feel, right down to your skin, the thrill of the pioneer and the naturalist.

Back down at camp you'll find a ferocious appetite waiting: taiga food cooked over the fire, washed down with hot, healing tea. In the evening sit with a rod on the lake shore, fall asleep warmed by the sun, and wake in the night when the stars hang so close you could reach up and touch them.

That's what this trip offers anyone who dreams of being alone with nature.

Day by day:

Transport to the start of the hike. Walk to the lake. Set up camp. An evening of introductions around the fire.
Rest on the lake: swimming, fishing, casual walks to meet the local flora. Check the gear. Cook together. Evening fire.
Hike up Mount Kokhosh and back to base camp. In the evening a farewell supper, swimming, fishing. Swapping impressions around the fire, turning in for the night.
Breakfast. A farewell stroll around camp, gathering souvenirs. Break camp, leave the site as pristine as we found it. Walk out to the start point. Transport home.

Want to walk this route? Write to us — we'll tell you how to prepare.

All photos