The path to the Murudzhu Lakes running along the Ullu-Murudzhu river is rather difficult. It is only for tourists with a special training and equipment. However, at the crossing of the Dombai-Tiberda Highway and Ullu-Murudzhu is a place, which is often visited by common tourists.
A big parking lot is at the intersection of the road and the river, which is always crowded with motor-cars. By the road there are places where one can have a snack and a cup of tea. Ullu-Murudzhu river is very fast at this place. It flows down a steep slope surrounded by the forest of furs and beeches.
There you can stay for awhile to look around the relic forest: furs and beeches with strong root systems, moss-covered boulders. Considering a very dense growth, it is nearly always semi-dark there. If you buy a ticket, you can go 150 meters up the river to a waterfall.
It is worth going from the waterfall to the lakes only for those with special training and equipment (tents, food, etc.). After 2-3 hour walk down the steep slope the path gives into the valley, from where one can see the triangular peak of the Murudzhu Needle. Then you should go to the bridge over Murudzhu and on the other side of the river is a regular stopping-place of tourists where they stay overnight (2200 m).
Then the path goes to the Murudzhu Lakes. The first one is the Peacock Eye Lake, then the path leads to the famous Dombai lakes: Black Lake and Blue Lake. They are at the altitude of 3000 meters and separated by a rocky ridge. The lakes are about 17 kilometers from the highway.
One can have a traditional view on these lakes either from the Lake Ridge, opposite to the ascension side, or from the rocky ridge, which is, actually, an isthmus between two lakes. You can enjoy the view of the Black Lake and Blue Lake and come back to Dombai already in the evening of the same day (i.e., this itinerary provides for one overnight tent stop in the mountains).
