Kotlyar Svetlana

Hello from Peru to everyone from the Alpacas team! Yesterday we left our cozy city of Cusco and flew to Arequipa, where our adventures continue!
This morning we visited the main local attraction - the Santa Catalina Monastery. This monastery, founded in 1579 and located in the city center, is one of the best examples of colonial architecture in Arequipa. It is built from white ash mined from the Chachani volcano and pink ash mined from the Misti volcano.
Then we walked around the center of Arequipa and had lunch in a cozy restaurant overlooking the main square of the city. It is very cozy, very tasty and very colorful here! We never tire of admiring this hospitable country!
And after lunch we went to the base camp of the Chachani volcano, located at an altitude of 4900. Now we will have dinner and discuss the plan for the assault. At night we go to the mountain. Tomorrow is the key day of our trip! Wish us luck, amigos!
Guides: Alex Abramov and Sveta Kotlyar.

While the Alpacas team was walking past the "seven lakes" to the hot springs, Sveta Kotlyar went to climb Maria Peak with local guides. We decided to establish for ourselves the seasonality of ascents to this peak, which is included in our programs in Peru.

We left the camp at 4600 at 3.00 in the morning and reached the pass at 5200 in 4 hours. The whole morning there were simply gorgeous views and a cloudless sky! On the way, we met three vicunas descending the slope.

At the pass, we dropped off unnecessary things and began to climb the ridge. Already in the first hour of the ascent, it became clear that in this wet season there is a lot of snow on the mountain. We had to trek knee-deep, and in some places waist-deep, which increased the planned time for the ascent by an hour. We were at the top at 11:20, Alex Abramov turned on “Coco jambo” on the radio, we danced a victory dance at the top and ran down.

The adventures of the 7 Summits Club "Februaryists" team in Peru continue! This morning we left the camp at 4600 and climbed the Palomani Pass 5200. The weather was sunny throughout the first half of the day, and the surrounding nature was full of magnificent views. After lunch, we were slightly hit by hail, and we arrived at our camp in the rain. But nature has no bad weather!

Everyone is in a great mood. By the way, yesterday we started a tradition - now in the evening at dinner each of us shares impressions of the past day, it brings us very close. This is a pioneer camp for adults!

Guides: Alex Abramov and Sveta Kotlyar.

 Hola amigos! The "Februaryists" team spent another wonderful and adventurous day in Peru! Today we went to the Rainbow Mountains, which are located 100 km from Cusco. The weather was quite cloudy, it was drizzling, but this did not stop us from riding quad bikes with the wind in our hair.

We reached 4900, from there we walked to the top of Mount Vinicunca (5036 m). For two members of our large team, this is the first summit!

During the ascent, the clouds dispersed, and we saw the Rainbow Mountains in all their glory!

After that, we headed towards our camp at the Ausangate volcano lagoon at an altitude of 4600. The views around are simply space, impressing even the most inveterate travelers: the huge white Ausangate glacier, bright green hills and red mountains - an incredibly bright picture!

In the camp we have almost all the benefits of civilization, including starlink, so we will be in touch with you.

Guides: Alex Abramov and Sveta Kotlyar.

The "Februaryists" team visited Machu Picchu - the pearl of Peru, the ancient city of the mystical Inca civilization! In the morning we woke up in a hotel in the town of Aguas Calientes on the banks of the Urubamba River and then went to the entrance to Machu Picchu.

Everyone was delighted! The scale of the city is impressive. It is not surprising that this is the most visited Peruvian attraction, one of the "new wonders of the world"! The return trip to Cusco by train was fun - with the songs and dances of the Peruvians.

This is where the excursion part of our p rogram ends and tomorrow we are going on a trek to the Rainbow Mountains! Guides: Alex Abramov and Sveta Kotlyar.

Hello to everyone from Peru from the 7 Summits Club "Februaryists" team! Yesterday the excursion part of our program began. In the morning we left Cusco towards the sacred valley of the Incas and first stopped by a family-run cooperative of hospitable locals, where we were treated to mint tea and shown the process of making thread from alpaca wool.

 Then we visited Chinchero - an archaeological site, an Inca fortress and the fortress of Ollantaytambo. We had lunch in Rio Sagrado - a very cozy restaurant on the river bank, surrounded by greenery. And in the evening, we took the train to Aguas Calientes, a cozy town at the foot of the most famous landmark of Peru - Machu Picchu, which awaits us tomorrow!

Guides: Alex Abramov and Sveta Kotlyar.

Hola amigos! Hello everyone from Peru! Yesterday our large group "Februaryists" gathered in Cusco - the ancient capital of the great Inca Empire! The city is located at an altitude of 3400 m and the weather here is very comfortable and a little cool. Our hotel is located in the historical center of Cusco and after we checked in, we managed to walk a little along the stone streets of the center - it is very atmospheric and very colorful here!

Part of the group managed to see the ancient temple complex of Sacsayhuaman, and then we stopped at a llama and alpaca farm to cuddle and feed these cutest creatures.

In the evening there was a welcome dinner, where we congratulated our men on "February 23rd Day", celebrated the past birthday of one of the participants - Anatoly and raised glasses for our upcoming adventures in Peru!

Guides: Alex Abramov and Sveta Kotlyar.

12.01 Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Jambo Rafiki! Today, the 7 Summits Club group "Tribe-Ki" went through the jungle and lost 2 km vertically. On the descent, we had lunch and the long-awaited restoration of the water-alkaline balance with local beer "Kilimanjaro"!

In the evening, there was an awards ceremony, as well as "demobilization" speeches about the Mountain and future plans. Good luck to all!

Guides: Fedyunin Evgeny and Svetlana Kotlyar.

Jambo Rafiki! Hooray, there is the summit!  Yesterday, the 7 Summits Club group "Tribe-Ki" successfully climbed Uhuru Peak 5895m! The highest volcano and the highest mountain of Africa Kilimanjaro is ours!

For tactical reasons, we divided the team into two subgroups - standard and faster. We started from the assault camp Kosovo (4800) at 01:00 and at 02:00.

Yesterday, there were so many people who wanted to climb the summit that in order not to freeze in queues on the trail, we had to go around the slope. Before dawn it was quite windy and cold, but very beautiful - a simply stunning view of the Mawenzi volcano opened up.

The mountain did not seem easy to any of the participants. One subgroup reached the summit in 6 hours, the second in 8. All this time Kilimanjaro showed us its character. It was quite cold and windy at the summit - such is Africa!

All participants are great! For many, Kilimanjaro was the first mountain, but I would especially like to note the achievement of the youngest member of our group - Richard. It was not easy for him, but he reached a height of 5200! We are proud and congratulate him!

After the summit, we went down to the Kosovo camp, rested a little and began the descent 1000 m lower to the Millennium camp. Tomorrow we will already be in civilization.

We did it!!! Good luck to everyone!

Guides: Evgeniy Fedyunin and Svetlana Kotlyar.

9.01 Tanzania, Kilimanjaro. Jambo Rafiki! The 7 Summits Club group "Tribe-Ki" moved to the Kosovo assault camp 4800m; everything is fine! To storm the summit at night! Keep your fingers crossed for us! Good luck to everyone!  Guides: Evgeny Fedyunin and Svetlana Kotlyar.

8.01 Tanzania, Kilimanjaro. Jambo Rafiki! The "Tribe-Ki" group of the 7 Summits Club started the morning with traditional exercises, all the participants really enjoyed the format of such a wake-up to cheerful music. After breakfast, we had to storm the Barranco wall, which always scares you at first glance... But when you get closer, everything is not so scary and quite walkable.

Then we crossed two valleys, on the slopes of which you can see the consequences of a large fire due to careless handling of fire. Now in the National Park there is a categorical ban on tourists having any fire!

By lunchtime, the clouds descended, and then a fairly large African hail began. But as they say - there is no bad weather in the mountains, there is bad equipment, but in this regard, we are well packed.

The route does not cease to amaze us with its beauty every day, nature changes every day. By lunchtime we arrived at the Karanga camp, altitude 4030m. From here, simply stunning views of Kilimanjaro open up! From this height, it is visible in all its glory.

After lunch, we went for a walk a little up the slope, so that we could sleep better today!

Now we are resting and preparing for the final push - going to the assault camp and climbing! Good luck to everyone!

Guides: Evgeny Fedyunin and Svetlana Kotlyar.

Jambo Rafiki! Today the "Plemia-Ki"  group of the 7 Summits Club had the most difficult day of trekking: ascent to Lava Tower 4640 m and descent to the Barranco wall 3900 m. The altitude makes itself felt, there are signs of a headache, but everything is within normal limits.

A wonderful lunch, watermelons for dessert, a stunning valley of senecias (grass palms) on the descent, and a view of the Barranco wall, which we will climb tomorrow. ALL of this overwhelmed the brain ... Now dinner and a well-deserved rest! Good luck to everyone!

Guides: Evgeny Fedyunin and Svetlana Kotlyar.

6.01 Tanzania, Kilimanjaro. Jambo Rafiki! Greetings to everyone from Tanzania from the "Tribe-Ki" team! Today we had a very picturesque trek to Shira 2 Camp. The weather was great from the morning: clear skies and beautiful views! Through the moorland heather thickets we reached the Western side of Mount Kilimanjaro, on the Shira plateau 3800m, gaining almost 1000 m in altitude. The climb was easy, we reached it in 5 hours.

After tea in the camp, we walked another 100 m higher as an acclimatization. In the evening, there was a traditional introduction to the local team. We are accompanied by 68 people, including guides, cooks, porters. The guys are very friendly, hardworking and smiling. We spent an hour listening to their songs and watching their fiery dances!

We are preparing for tomorrow's crossing, one of the most difficult part on the program.

Guides Evgeny Fedyunin and Svetlana Kotlyar.

Jambo Rafiki! Friends, greetings to everyone from Tanzania!

The new group (the name is still being discussed) of the 7 Summits Club flew to the foot of Kilimanjaro today to trek and climb the Machame route!

The day flew by with organizational issues, checking equipment and a little relaxation in the park of the cozy hotel "Aishe Machame"! Here turtles crawl on the lawns, toucans fly overhead, monkeys climb trees. And early in the morning, having climbed to the roof, you can see the summit of Kilimanjaro - beauty!

 In the evening we watched the "Masai show" - a performance of the nomadic people of Tanzania and Kenya. Over dinner we got to know each other better. Each participant told about himself, and then decided on plans for tomorrow.

Tomorrow we start at the entrance to the national park and set out on the route!

Guides: Evgeniy Fedyunin and Svetlana Kotlyar.

"Team A" is at the top of the highest mountain in Papua New Guinea - Wilhelm Peak 4509 m! Yesterday we walked a very picturesque trek to the Wilhelm Peak base camp, which is located at an altitude of 3600 m. The route went through the jungle, green valleys and waterfalls - at some point it seemed to us that we were in "Jurassic Park".

Three hours later we found ourselves on the shore of a beautiful lake, where our base camp was located. In the evening we rested and at 01:00 at night we set out to climb. The route to the summit took about 6 hours. It was a little windy and quite cool, and the weather and nature are very different from the region where Giluwe is located. We saw a very beautiful sunrise, saw the Giluwe peak from afar, where we stood literally 4 days ago, and at 7 am we were already standing at the top of Wilhelm Peak!

All the participants liked both the trek and the ascent; without this mountain our adventure would definitely be incomplete!

October 6. The adventures of "Team A" continue! Today we set off towards Mount Wilhelm. The road to Kegesugl took about 5 hours, but it passed through very picturesque places! High green hills, mountain rivers and villages scattered around.

By lunchtime we arrived at Betty Lodge, which is located at an altitude of 2800 m, where we were greeted very warmly! The locals put on a real show with traditional dances. It is incredibly green and beautiful here - after the gray and rather dirty Mount Hagen, it is simply a joy to the eye. The lodge is new, everything here is homely and cozy and made with love: large rooms, a cozy dining room with a fireplace and delicious food!

There is a trout farm on the territory: more than 55 thousand trout are grown here! This fish is supplied to all of PNG.

For dinner there were a lot of vegetables and fruits grown on the farm and of course the freshest trout and very tasty local coffee.

Tomorrow we are heading to the base camp of Mount Wilhelm, we will be without communication for two days.

Guides: Alexander Dorojukov and Svetlana Kotlyar.

October 5. That day we returned to civilization to our Highlander hotel! How nice it would be to take a hot shower and find ourselves in the warmth after all our adventures and trekking through the swamps under pouring rain!

  In the afternoon we visited two local tribes. The first is the Mudmen. Their bodies were decorated with clay, and on their heads were huge clay masks, weighing at least 10 kg. According to legend, they were defeated by an enemy tribe and were forced to flee to the Asaro River. Before trying to escape, they waited until dusk. The enemies saw them rising from the dirty banks, covered in mud, thought they were spirits and fled in fear.

The second tribe is Huli Wig. They decorate their faces with traditional Papuan flowers and wear headdresses ... made from their own hair and the feathers of the bird of paradise, which is the symbol of the country.

In the evening, a festive dinner was held, at which the participants received the coveted medals and certificates for the ascent. They recalled the brightest moments and shared impressions. For some of the group, the program ends, and they return home. Well, a new adventure awaits us with the second half of the group - climbing the highest mountain in the country - Wilhelm Peak!

Guides: Alexander Dorojukov and Svetlana Kotlyar.

It rained almost the entire night before the ascent and there was a strong wind. Due to the weather, it was decided to postpone the start an hour later. At 4.30 in the morning we had breakfast, filled up the thermoses and left the camp at 5.00.

 The first part of the route also passed through swampy terrain. By dawn, we reached the ridge, from where a stunning view of the top of Giluwe opened up, painted in the warm rays of dawn.

 The ascent itself is not technically difficult. However, the last part of the route is a rocky section where belay is required. At one time, our leader Alexander Abramov equipped this section with bolts. We divided into two groups and continued the ascent.

 At 8.30 in the morning, our "Team A" in full force stood on the top of the highest volcano in Australia and Oceania! Great weather and magnificent views from the summit!

Everyone was happy! For many participants, this volcano has already become the 4th, 5th and even 6th of the "7 Volcanoes" project. 

The ascent did not seem easy to anyone. The rocky section is quite slippery, you need to be on guard all the time so as not to slip, which once again proves that there are no easy mountains!

Group guides: Alexander Dorojukov and Svetlana Kotlyar.

October 3. At 5 am we left for the gates of the national park. In the morning there was good visibility and while we were driving we were surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes. An hour and a half later we arrived at the beginning of the route. Here we changed into rubber boots, porters took our bags, and we went trekking.

 The hike to the camp is 12 km and about 6 hours in time. The first part of the route is a real jungle: tall trees, ferns and mosses. Then the path goes along the river, underfoot there is grass and marshy soil. That's why we wear rubber boots, without them there is nowhere.

At the foot of the mountain we have a real base camp: large comfortable tents, toilets, this season we brought a dining tent and tables. The 7 Summits Club created the maximum possible comfort for the participants in such conditions!

After lunch, we discussed the ascent plan, practiced walking in ropes and working with equipment.

Group guides: Alexander Dorojukov and Svetlana Kotlyar.

Today, at 8:30 am local time, the 7 Summits Club Team "Group A" in full force climbed to the top of the highest volcano in Australia and Oceania - Giluwe, 4,368 m high! The day turned out to be quite difficult and very eventful, all participants are great! Details later.