This report is about the tour: Orient Express
Trek “Orient Express” Crimea, May 1-6, 2013.
First of all, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the organizers of the hike for developing such a wonderful website as OutdoorUkraine. And also to instructor Sergei Basalaev and all the participants of the hike, without whom such a wonderful vacation would not have happened! It's great that there are people who work from the heart. Thank you!
Sergey left the most pleasant impressions. They chose very good places to spend the night, away from people. I made frequent stops, which is very good for unprepared tourists. He is very pleasant to talk to, and his culinary abilities can be envied. I will remember the shish kebab and lamb pilaf prepared by Sergei for a long time.
The Orient Express is an excellent route, rich and varied. The constant change of landscapes does not let you get bored.
The hike lasted 6 days. Time to get to know the travel participants is limited. In order for people to feel comfortable all these days, they need to temporarily become a single organism. The hike does not require the manifestation of leadership qualities from all participants; there is an instructor to whom you need to entrust yourself for this period.
The route was average in difficulty. A couple of times we encountered difficult places that would have been difficult to navigate without the help of an instructor and a group, but I overcame all the difficulties and was very happy about it. After all, it’s not every day that you have to cross a river, jumping from bump to bump and crawling along the slope with a backpack. In just 6 days of hiking, my body became stronger much faster than with regular fitness classes. May is a great time of year to hike, not too hot during the day and not too cold at night. We were lucky that it never rained during the hike.
I really remember the Dolgorukovskaya Yayla Plateau - it’s endless open spaces, rustling grass, a pleasant breeze and a feeling of freedom and happiness.
On the way to Upper Kok-Asan, we walked through the forest all day and enjoyed the clear, clean air that was impossible to breathe; cool mountain rivers along which I wanted to walk and walk; flowers, trees; birds singing; to the horses that met us along the way.
We walked along a beautiful place with cascades of the Arpat waterfalls. And, of course, at the end of the route there is the long-awaited sea with the smell of salt. Another amazing place was the Karaul-Oba nature reserve. Just a fabulous place overlooking the sea! The mountains around surprised us with their shape and color.
A hike is a great opportunity to sit by the fire in the evening, looking at the extraordinary starry sky, which you can’t stop admiring; swim in mountain rivers (I especially remember swimming in the baths of Youth, where the water is about +8°C). Drink real, living, tasty water, full of strength and energy. New acquaintances and communication with interesting people, what could be better?!
A hike is like a journey to another dimension, where there is no traffic noise, polluted air, eternal bustle, but there is only pleasure, joy, a feeling of happiness, integrity and harmony. You are filled with health and energy. Soul and body rest...
Join us!
Olga Baybenkova