Upper Malaya Laba – 3 days / 2 nights

The upper reaches of Malaya Laba represent one of the most picturesque corners of the Caucasian reserve. This direction is not so famous as Kardyvach, where the main stream of tourists is directed, and in this, plus the trek to the upper reaches of Malaya Laba. It is a real trek and solitude with nature. The place that we use for the camp is ideal for lovers of leisurely, contemplative pastime. Are you fond of yoga? Imagine a lesson in the fir forest at the confluence of two mountain rivers overlooking the snow-capped peaks, where from the sounds only the sound of water and the singing of birds. Here, in the upper reaches of the Malaya Laba, the highest mountain ranges of the reserve – Pseashkha, Skalistaya, Tsakhvoa, Chelipsi – are concentrated. The main source of Malaya Laba originates on the northern slope of the Aishkho pass. This pass, which is a deep depression in the Main Dividing Range, has been known since ancient times and has long served as a link for peoples living on the southern and northern slopes of the North-Western Caucasus. Now through the pass the main tourist trail runs along the shore of the Malaya Laba and connects the villages of Psebai and Krasnaya Polyana.
Here there are all forms of mountain relief: age-old fir forests, vast subalpine meadows, alpine meadows. On the Pure river there is an impressive waterfall.
A long, steep ascent leads from the Pure valley to the pearl of the local places – the Turquoise Lakes. They are rightly considered to be one of the most picturesque lakes of the Caucasian reserve. The largest of the lakes is located at an altitude of 2,538 m. Its area is about 6,000 sq. M. In a calm, clear weather, the majestic peak of the Needle Head (3168.5 m), which from this angle looks very much like the Alpine peak of the Matterhorn, reflects in its enormous growth.

Near the Big Turquoise is located the Small Turquoise Lake. It lies at an altitude of 2515 m and is inferior in size to its upper neighbor – the area of its water mirror is about 2000 square meters. m.
Above the course of the river Pure path leads to the glacier Pseashkh. There are beautiful views of the mountain range Tsakhvoa (3345 m.) – the highest point of the Krasnodar Territory, and the ridge Pseashha.

The best time to visit the tops of Malaya Laba is from July to October, when the snow finally falls in the Alpine zone, and the lakes are free of ice and appear before the traveler in all their glory.

The route to the upper reaches of the Malaya Laba and the valley of the Chistaya River is designed for three days and involves an overnight stay in tents. Half of the route runs along a wide marked trail, equipped with bridges and recreational areas. A part of the route passes in the zone of subalpine tall grass and crooked areas, where the paths are poorly expressed and movement requires certain skills and patience. Therefore, this route is better suited for those who already have experience in mountain autonomous travel.

The best time to visit the upper reaches of Malaya Laba is from mid-July to mid-October, when the snow finally falls in the alpine zone, and the lakes are free of snow and appear before the traveler in all their glory.
Route to the upper reaches of the Little Lab and the valley of the river. Clean is designed for three days and involves spending the night in tents. Half of the route runs along a wide marked trail, equipped with bridges and recreational areas. A part of the route passes in the zone of subalpine tall grass and crooked areas, where the paths are poorly expressed and movement requires certain skills and patience. Therefore, this route is better suited for those who already have experience in mountain autonomous travel.

We try to make your holiday in the mountains as solitary as possible, when organizing the camp, avoid as much as possible the accumulation of tourists. We do not spend the night in stationary campgrounds with public sleeping bags.We use only our own sleeping bags with hygiene liners and tents, which after each use are cleaned and pass special treatment.

Description of the route to the upper reaches of Malaya Laba

First day

Early transfer on off-road vehicles from the place where the group was collected to the reserve’s house under the Aishkh pass. On the way, you will have to check documents at the border post at the confluence of the Mzymta and Pslukh rivers. From the house begins the hiking part of the route. The path gradually rises along the alpine meadows and after 2 kilometers (about an hour’s walk) leads to the wide saddle of the Aishkh pass. From the pass, you can make a radial excursion light to the acangoura – ancient stone buildings, the origin of which causes controversy to this day. Acangouars are located in alpine glades 500 meters east of the pass.

From the pass there is a long seven-kilometer descent along the main source of the Malaya Laba to the mouth of the Chistaya River. First, the path goes along the alpine, then goes deeper into the countryside. On the way to cross the river. Mute, originating on the glaciers of the massif Pseashkh. After the Mutnaya River, the path enters the dense fir forest and after 1.5 kilometers it goes to the parking lot on the Chistaya River. The transition to the confluence of the Pure and Lesser Laba rivers from the Aishkho pass takes 3-4 hours. At the mouth of the river.Clean camp on a campsite for the night. Dinner. Overnight stay.

The length of the automobile part of the route is 7 km.The ascent is 1000 m.
The length of the pedestrian part of the route is 9 km. Ascent / Descent – 400/700 m.

Second day

Early rise, breakfast. Radial travel light in the upper reaches of the river. Little Laba. You will see the inexpressible beauty of mountain lakes, the main peaks of the reserve. By the way, the place where the camp is located – fir forest on the confluence of mountain rivers – is ideal for leisurely leisure. Do you like yoga, for example? Do not miss the opportunity to practice in complete solitude in the shadow of age-old trees to the accompaniment of a mountain river and singing birds against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks.

The length of the pedestrian part of the road is from 8 km.Set / reset the altitude is about 800/800 m.

The third day

Early rise, breakfast, camp gathering. Return on the passed way through the valley of Malaya Laba to the pass Aishha.Descent from the pass to the reserve house. Transfer on the SUVs.

The length of the pedestrian part of the route is 9 km. Ascent/rescett – 700/400 m.
The length of the automobile part of the route is 7 km.Ascent – 1000m.

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Comment on the cost of the program:
Please note that the cost of participation in the program for a group of less than 5 people depends on the actual number of participants. While booking a program, the participation fee is paid basing on the team composition at the time of booking. If the number of participants increases to 5 or more by the beginning of the program, the difference in price is returned to you.
Please, call in order to specify the cost of the program for a group of less than 5 people by phone +7 (928) 2452-540, or by e-mail: booking@yeti.guide

Program Booking Terms and Conditions:
– When booking no later than 7 days before the start of the program, 50% of the cost of the program will be charged. Payment
the remaining 50% is made no later than 3 days before the start of the program.
– If you book the program later than 7 days before it starts, 100% of the cost of the program is paid.

Cancellation policy of the program:
– If you cancel your reservation no later than 7 days before the start of the program, 30% of the total cost of the program will be charged.
– If you cancel your reservation no later than 3 days before the start of the program, 50% of the total cost of the program will be charged..
– If you cancel your reservation later than 3 days before the start of the program, 100% of the total cost of the program is held..
– Refund of all previously paid amounts for the program is possible only if you cancel the program due to the closure of access to
the route of the fgbu “Caucasian state natural biosphere reserve named after H. G. Shaposhnikov”
– Weather conditions in case the access to the route or to the program area is opened by the administration of the Caucasian state natural biosphere reserve named after H. G. Shaposhnikov, are not objective reasons for the cancellation, termination, program transfer.

Booking a trekking to the Upper Malaya Laba, online or by email:

The programs given on the site are the standard product of the Yeti Guide Bureau. You are always welcome to order an individual program of any duration and complexity. For detailed information, please, contact us by phone or email.

Websites www.mountaindreams.ru and www.kgpbz.ru were used for the text writing.