Unknown secrets of Crimea highlands

Acquaintance.
Meeting of ecotour participants at Sevastopol, transfer to "Mys Aija" reserve, accommodation at the camp on the Black Sea shore near the Injir beach.
Acquaintance with participants and program of the ecotour; a familiarization walk along the nearest surroundings: reserve "Mys Aija" over coast to a spring of Ajazma (from Greek -Sacred). Delicious open-fire lunch and dinner, fresh sea air and beautiful landscapes, singing along with the guitar next to the fire, ecological games and trainings.

Along ecological trail by picturesque steeps to Oboronnoe village.
The first part of the route along "Atlant-M" ecological trail demonstrates landscape changes with height on the southern slope of the Crimean mountains. The vegetation is presented by communities of relic and endemic Stankevich pine and Submediterranean hornbeam-oak forest and juniper light forests. You will see pine and juniper aging several hundreds of years (up to 800).
Afterwards the route goes along steeps on borders of "Mys Aija" reserve showing fascinating views of Balaklavu and Sevastopol. Then the path passes through Oboronnoe village (former Kamary – which means "pirates") and comes to an end with springs. Here you can see modern area of grapes cultivation - Zolotaya Balka. Legendary events of the Crimean war are connected with the history of the place.

"Atlant-M" ecological trail - canyon of Sukhaya river.
The route along the second part of "Atlant-M" ecotrail will acquaint you with landscapes of northern slope of Crimean mountains: hornbeam-oak forests, valley landscapes – places of ancient development (up to 10 thousand years ago). The trail leads to Varnutskaya valley, villages Goncharnoe and Reservnoe.
Afterwards the route follows canyon of Sukhaya river (confluent of Chornaya river – the main source of water supply of Sevastopol) from river springs of Sukhaya river.The tiny canyon of Sukhaya river was formed in the limy rocks where slopes are covered with juniper forest. Along the river channel there are centuries-old trees. The river “dives under rocks” in some places and down-stream appears again. An old road “Yalta-Sevastopol” passes through the canyon.
The route passes by Toropova dacha where Sukhaya river flows into Chornaya one. Gosforta mountain formed of marbelized limestone is located here. Going downstream.

Along Bajdarskaya valley to mountain pasture.
The route starts from village Rodnikovoe where menhirs (presumably - cult objects of early age) have remained. The trail goes along Basal beam to steep of Baidarskaya mountain pasture (684 m) from which magnificent view of southern coast of Crimea are opened.
Along the route changes of landscapes with height can be observed: from hornbeam-oak, beech, juniper forests to highland-meadow steppe. Despite the climb, the route doesn’t demand special physical preparation. Going upwards and back.

Sports and entertainments.
You can choose one or several sport entertainments (optional) according to your wish and ability: conquering Kristalnaya cave with vertical descent of 35 meters to the depth (and then lifting back) and traveling along miraculous halls of that underground kingdom; boating along the coast to cape Aija; rock-climbing on cords: under water, crossing and descent; diving.
Fascinating ecological games and competitions are waiting for you!

Transfer from Balaklava to the Crimean Reserve.
Going by boat to Balaklava. Bus excursion from Balaklava to the Crimean reserve. During the excursion you will see well-known Massandra and such interesting places as Grushevaya glade, Uch-Kosh gorge, Krasny Kamen forest cordon, Nikitsky pass and Besedka Vetrov view point . Through the sources of the Kacha river and the Chuchelsky pass going to Dubrava-2 lodges, accommodation. Evening walk through Chuchelsky pass to the top of Malaya Chuchel mountain.

Along the Crimean reserve – to the top of Bolshaya Chuchel mountain.
A four-hour walk through reserved beech forest to the top of Bolshaya Chuchel (1390 m). By the forest road to the mount foot, through forest glades with crocuses, soft carpet of mountain-meadow motley grass. From the top you can observe majestic panorama of Crimean Mountains : Roman Kosh (1545 m.), Demir-Kapu (1539 m.), Kemal-Egerek (1529 m.), Babugan mountain pasture, sources and basins of Crimean rivers - Belbek, Kacha, Alma, “cave cities” Tepe-Kermen and Chufut-Kale. The majestic view in front will help you to form a complete picture of all you have seen during this journey. If you are lucky you will see soaring griffin - one of the rarest representatives of Crimean avifauna. You can also meet a roe or a red deer there. Ecological quest-game and a farewell dinner in the afternoon.

Departure.
Preparations. Transfer to Simferopol.