AXL5. Trek to Mount Baida

Day 1. Arrive in Barnaul. A representative of Len Alp Tours meets you at the airport. Travel by bus to reach base camp Vysotnik (850 m), which is situated in a picturesque place on the bank of the Katun River near the village of Tiungur. 750 km, 12-13 hours. Accommodation in tents. Sauna and communal toilets are in a separate nearby building. There are also a café, a sports ground, a parking and a small hiking equipment rental center. Clothes and items not needed for the trek can be left at the check room.

Day 2. Trekking «Vysotnik» (850 m) – m. Baida (2 070 m) –The Tiungur River. We ascent through the cedar forest and see the change of landscapes from taiga (primeval Siberian forest) to high alpine meadows. This rout boasts hypnotic views of the huge snowy massif of Mount Belukha. There are a lot of ails - a traditional Altai building (some kind of wooden yurt) on the way. Crossing the forest (there was fire in 1975 here) we camp in the cedar forest (in bad weather it’s possible to stay in ail) near the Tiungur River. Dinner is made on fire. Duration of the passages is 7-8 km, 5-6 h, altitude drop 1 150 m.

Day 3. The Turgunda River - Sourсe of the Dety-Kochek River. Short easy walking day. Climbing the pass we can see beautiful pink-coloured slopes around us. Along the Dety-Kochek river crossing the flower field we come to the Turgundinskoe plateau. Cedar forest is disappearing here and we come to the Turgunda river. Prepare firewood during the road and make a camp near Nine-Turgundinskoe Lake. After lunch we have small excursion to the Kyzyl Mountain that can be called “walking under clouds”. Belukha is seen from everywhere. Duration of the passages is 3 km, 3-4 h, altitude drop 500 m.

Day 4. Short excursions to the top of Kyzyl-Kuiu mountain (2 856 m), walking along the plateau, swimming in the Nine-Turgundinskoe lake. Picturesque view of Katunski range and the Katun river from plateau. You can see Belukha so close to you as is impossible on the other routes of Belukha region. It is also possible to see the panorama of Terekhtinskiy range from the top (2808 m). Duration of the passages is 2-3 km.

Day 5. The Turgunda River – the Kyzylairy pass – the Kyzyl-Uituk River. Climbed up the Kyzylairy pass we see marvelous deep mountain lakes (5 m). We can put our rucksacks and climb a little bit higher to see other lakes in the valley of the Kyzylairy River. Descent from the pass is not difficult and goes sometimes by snow. Going down along the river, crossing numerous brooks, broken trees and grass of human height we come to confluence of the Kyzyl-Uituk River with Malaya Katanda river. Go down the Malaya Katanda River, come to beautiful mountain fields. Campsite is near local hut. Duration of the passages is 6-7 km, 5-6 h, altitude drop 1 000 m.

Day 6. River M. Katanda – the Katandinski pass - Maral farm – b/c Vysotnik. Going down along the Malaya Katanda River, through the Katanda village (near the village there are burial mounds). Climbing up to an easy Katandinski pass, we can see local people mowing fields, crossing famous Maral farm return to the base camp Vysotnik. Duration of the passages is 20 km, 7-8 h, altitude drop 450 m.

Day 7. Travel to the city of Barnaul. 750 km, 12-13 hours.

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• airfare Moscow - Novosibirsk - Moscow

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  • accommodation in hotel in Barnaul +58 EUR per person (SGL), +40 EUR per person (TWN)
    
  • one way transfer from airport to the hotel in Barnaul +22 EUR per car (for 1-2 pax)
  • big sauna at Vysotnic +38 EUR per group of 1-10 persons per hour (to pay on spot)
  • small sauna in Vysotnic +28 EUR per group of 1-5 persons per hour (to pay on spot)
  • sauna at Ak-kem +38 EUR per group of 1-6 persons per hour (to pay on spot)
  • horses rental for luggage transportation +22 EUR per horse per day (to pay on spot)
  • rafting along the Katun river to the mouth of Akkem River (18 km, 2 h) +138 EUR per group up to 10 persons (to pay on spot)
  • cabins at Vysotnic tourist center from +14 EUR per person