AXL2. Belukha is the heart of Asia
Trekking to the foot of Mt.Belukha
Mt. Belukha (4506 m) is the summit of Altai and the whole Siberia. It is available only for experienced trekkers but the foothills - spurs of the Katunsky Ridge may be explored by many tourists with reasonable fitness. Taiga and alpine meadows, lakes and waterfalls, glaciers and snowcapped peaks always remain in memory of travelers.
The route takes 10 days of moderate to strenuous trekking. The trekkers carry all their personal belongings plus 4- 5 kg of communal equipment (tents, cooking pots, gas) and food for 4-5 days. It is possible to take porters and horses for luggage transportation.
Type: Adventure
Months of Operation: June – September
Group Size: 5-15 person
Mode of Travel: bus, on foot
Tour duration: 12 days
Trekking duration: 8 days
Total trekking length: 135 km
Difficulty: easy to medium, no need of special skill or gear (kids from 12 years old are allowed with adults).
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Day
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Itinerary
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Mode of travel
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Distance
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Meals
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Accommodation
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1
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Transfer Barnaul – Ust-Koksa.
Leaving Novosibirsk at 08:00 p.m. Leaving Barnaul at 11.50 p.m.
The road goes along the famous Chuysky Tract, once a main route of Russia - China trade. The road goes along Kanskaya steppe and finishes its run in Uymoskaya valley. The change of different landscapes and natural zones provides the traveler with general impression of this unique region of Asia.
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Coach or minibus
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875/640 km
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2
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Ust-Koksa. Arrival in Ust-Koksa. Dinner. Getting the equipment. Instructing. Supper.
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Coach or minibus
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Lunch and Supper- in cafe
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Tents in the tourists complex
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3
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Early awakening. Breakfast. Transfer to Tyungur at 08.00 a.m. Going up the Kucherla river. The Kucherla river (in Altai - Kudzhur-ly, «with saline soils») has a wonderful milky-turquoise water. The total length of the river is about 50 kilometers.
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minibus
on foot/ pack horses
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64 km
15 km
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Breakfast - in café
Lunch and Supper –cooking on fire
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tents
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4
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Going up the Kucherla river. On the way in a rock cave next to the Kyulu river the ancient people created more than 100 rock paintings. Since the ancient times people have settled down under the shadow of Mysterious Belukha Mountain. More ten paintings are situated on the surrounding rocks not far away from the cave.
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on foot/pack horses
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20 km
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Cooking on fire
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tents
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5
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Radial excursion to Kucherla lake, that is at the altitude of 1780 meters. The lake is 5220 meters long, 900 meters wide and 55 meters deep. There is fish, which leave the running circles on the lake surface, sometimes disturbs its blue-green waters.
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on foot/pack horses
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16 km
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Cooking on fire
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tents
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6
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Climbing up the mountain pass of Kara-Tyurek (3060 meters). From the top of the pass the spectacular panoramic view on Belukha Mountain and endless snow peaks of Katun ridge unfolds in front of the traveler. It is a good opportunity to make pictures from the bird’s eye view where the presence of eternal outer space is clear and tangible. Overnight at Ak-Kem lake.
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on foot/pack horses
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12 km
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Cooking on fire
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tents
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7
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Radial excursion to the bottom of Belukha to the realm of scalding ice and icy caves at the feet of the incredibly high vertical wall of the Ak-Kem glacier.
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on foot
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12 (+12) km
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Cooking on fire
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tents
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8
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Time for rest next to Ak-Kem lake at the altitude of 2000 meters. In a distance the huge icy masses of Ak-Kem glacier is visible. In still weather the Belukha Mountain is reflected in the green-white waters of the lake. After the lunch there is an excursion to the Yarlu gorge where the entire town is built from stones by the followers of mystical teachings of the famous Russian researcher and painter Nikolay Rerikh
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on foot
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8 km
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Cooking on fire
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tents
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9
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Going up the speedy Ak-Kem river with milky-white water. The word Ak-Kem means White Water in Turkish language and corresponds with the reality. The river starts in Ak-Kem glacier and carries in its steams the tiny pieces of white limestones from the slopes of Belukha.
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on foot
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20 km
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Cooking on fire
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tents
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10
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Climbing up the Kuzuyak mountain pass (1513 meters). Coming back to Ust- Koksa settlement. Relaxation. Supper.
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on foot
minibus
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20 km
64 km
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Breakfast and Lunch –cooking on fire, Supper in cafe
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Tents in the tourists complex
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11
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Time for rest. After the lunch transfer to Verhniy Uymon village. The village is one of the oldest settlements in the area and was founded by religious group of old-believers more then 300 years ago. There are two museums in Verhniy Uymon village: The Ethnographical museum named after famous artist Rerih and The Museum of old-believers’ religious traditions and culture. After excursion departure in Barnaul at 05.00 p.m.
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Coach or minibus
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640 km
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Breakfast and Lunch - in cafe
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12
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Arrival in Barnaul at 06.00 a.m. Arrival in Novosibirsk at 11:00 a.m.
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Tour Highlights:
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Mt.Belukha - the summit of Siberia
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Great viewsoftaiga and alpine meadows, lakes and waterfalls, glaciers and snowcapped peaks of Katunsky Ridge
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Wild flora and fauna of Gorny Altai
Fixed departures – 2012*:
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18.06.2012 – 29.06.2012
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27.06.2012 – 08.07.202
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06.07.2012 – 17.07.2012
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06.07.2012 – 17.07.2012
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15.07.2012 – 26.07.2012
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24.07.2012 – 04.08.2012
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02.08.2012 – 13.08.2012
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11.08.2012 – 22.08.2012
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20.08.2012 – 31.08.2012
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29.08.2012 – 09.09.2012
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07.09.2012 – 18.09.2012
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*Guaranteed departures with English speaking guides
Notes.For additional acclimatization it is possible to arrive 1-2 days earlier then the date of departure (for extra payment).
Cost– 2012
550 EUR per person for joining in a fixed group 5-15 PAX
Included:
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DBL/TRP accommodation in tents on the route
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full board (except the meal during the transfer)
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excursions per program with entrance fees (11-th day)
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transfer from Barnaul to the starting point of the route and back to Barnaul
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guides/interpreters
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special equipment (tent, sleeping bag, mat, backpack, equipment for camp-fire)
- insurance
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invitation letter for Russian visa
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pack-horses rental (from 3-d till 6-th days)
Not included:
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consular fees for visa
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airtickets
Supplements:
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airfare Moscow - Barnaul - Moscow
from 403 EUR per person (Aeroflot)
from 460 EUR per person (S7)
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airfare Moscow - Novosibirsk - Moscow
from 225 EUR per person (Aeroflot)
from 358 EUR per person (S7)
- one way transfer from airport to the hotel in Novosibirsk +25 EUR per car (for 1-2 pax)
- one way transfer from airport to the hotel in Barnaul +22 EUR per car (for 1-2 pax)
- night in the hotel Tsentralnaya in Barnaul (TWN STD) +26 EUR per person
- night in the hotel Tsentralnaya in Barnaul (SGL STD) +40 EUR per person
- night in the hotel Azimut in Novosibirsk (TWN STD) + 52 EUR per person
- night in the hotel Azimut in Novosibirsk (SGL STD) +91 EUR per person
Notes and recommendations:
To participate in the route we recommend you to take the following personal wear and equipment with you:
- warm jacket
- rain gear
- trekking boots, trainers and slippers
- track-suit and warm hat
- 2 - 3 T-shirts, shorts
- 4 pairs of simple socks and 2 pairs of warm ones
- cap and sun-glasses
- bathing suit
- flashlight, knife, matches, electric batteries
- personal tableware
- personal hygiene utensils
Attention!
For entry in the Ust-Koksinsky district, foreign citizens must provide some relevant documents to cross the border zone, 60 days prior the proposed date of entry!
Foreign citizens must submit the following documents to travel agency:
- copy of passport
- address
- telephone
- information on the work site (name, address, phone number)
