Lake Donguz-Orun Kel - Mount Cheget

Lake Donguz Orun-Kol, with name translates as “the lake next to the pig pen”, is located in the border zone between Russia and Georgia.

Donguz Orun-Kel originates near Cheget glade of the Baksan Gorge, then it stretches to the Northern Shelter through the Main Caucasian Range. The most beautiful rocky and glacial slopes of the peaks of Dongu-Orun and Nakra, as well as the famous hanging glacier Seven, rise above the surface of the lake.

This lake is a moraine type, it appeared as a result of the melting of glaciers. The water that flows down from the mountains erodes their slopes and brings all kinds of mountain minerals into the reservoir, as a result of which the surface of the lake is painted with a whole palette of colors. We leave Nalchik at 9 am.

We are going to Cheget glade located at the foot of Mount Cheget. With the help of a chairlift, we climb higher to the top. The lift is paid on the spot - 900 rubles. Here we will have the opportunity to admire the incredible view of the Baksan Gorge, the Seven Glacier and Mount Donguz Orun. This is where our hiking trail begins.

Rise by the chair lift to the cafe “Ai”. The altitude is 2,750 meters. From there the view of Elbrus region summits is opening. In the north the Mount Elbrus is seen. From the foothills where village Terskol is situated the Shelter of Eleven and the Ice base are seen. The short Terskol spur goes south from Mount Elbrus and the Tegenekli spur – southeast. The Terskol Gorge lies between the Terskol and Tegenekli ranges. The Baksan Gorge goes east. To the south behind the stations of the cable-ways begins the mountain path to the lake.

There is beauty around - on the one hand, the bulk of Donguzorun rises with the famous Seven glacier, on the other - the slopes of Mount Cheget with a rocky ridge.

We are going for a hike along the path with a stunning contrast between green meadows and mountain peaks to an amazingly beautiful lake.

We go along this path in the south direction almost keeping the altitude. The path turns smoothly to the right to the west going round the Donguz – Orun – Kel Lake and comes to the Medvejey Gorge. Near the path the monument is set in the honor of the Caucasus defenders. In the upper reaches of the gorge the glacier is seen and behind it – the Medvejey Pass (1B category of complexity) to the Nenskrira Gorge. The Medvejey Gorge is the lateral west gorge of the main Donguz – Orun Gorge. The Donguz – Orun – Kel Lake is in the place where both gorges come together. The morainal lake lives on the glaciers of this part of the Greater Caucasian Range. In this lake the Donguz – Orun River has one of its sources. The Severnie Donguz – Orun Glacier lies under the walls of Donguz – Orun and Nakra summits behind the lake to the south – east. The frequent snow and ice falling give the beginning of this glacier.

A feature of the lake is its unusually beautiful color, which is received because of the glaciers: together with melting water, minerals from mountain deposits enter the reservoir, which colored the amazing lake in 3 colors.

Be sure to take a snack with you, we will have a small picnic near the lake with a magnificent view.

The descent way is the ascent way.

Return back to Nalchik.

PRICE | 2'000 rubles per person |

DEPARTURE TIME | 09:00 |

DURATION | 7-8 hours |

NUMBER IN THE GROUP | from 6 pax |

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE |

Transport services all along the way |

Route guide accompany |

Trekking poles |

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ADDITIONALLY PAID |

Professional guide (optional) | Chair-lift to Cheget | Lunch and snacks |

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You must have: ✓ Passport, ✓ Snack, ✓ Sports shoes, ✓ Rain clothes Important to know! If weather conditions are unfavorable for the tour, then changes to the planned route are possible, including the day and time of departure. |

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