AXL5. 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: Extreme
Tour duration: 13 days
Months of Operation: June - September
Recommended Group Size: 8 - 12
Mode of Travel: bus, on foot
Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival in Barnaul. Travel by bus ( 750 km, 10 hours) to Tiungur. Accommodation at the Vysotnik tourist center. Welcome dinner. (D)
Day 2. We start our trek, passing through Kucherla, last populated area on the way to the mountains. We will follow a path through the forest and observe plenty of mushrooms, berries, various kinds of trees and grasses, and may even spot a hare or a deer. Today we have to overcome the Kuzuyak pass (1513 m). The pass isn't high but the walking is pretty hard - it is a test of our stamina. We make camp in a nice meadow on the banks of the Oroktoy brook (1100 m). 6-8 hours hiking, 600 m altitude gain. (B, L, D)
Day 3. We continue the ascending along the Oroktoi brook to the Tukhman River (2000 m). We can see how the panorama changes from taiga - deep Siberian forest to high alpine meadows. Overnight is at a picturesque place with great panorama of Mt.Belukha - the highest mountain of Siberia and surrounding peaks. 7-8 hours hiking, 900 m altitude gain. (B, L, D)
Day 4. The trail we are following has the same height level and leads us to the picturesque Kulduairy Lake. A chance to see a maral (a kind of deer) or a marmot. 7-8 hours. Altitude gain 100 m . (B, L, D)
Day 5. The distance of our walking is short today: a moderate ascent and then we find us at a plateau with some weirdly shaped rocks and stones. After a short but steep descent we reach our campsite on the banks of the Tekeliu River (1800 m). In the afternoon we have an optional hike upstream along the river to see two waterfalls. 3-4 hours hiking, altitude 500 m. (B, L, D)
Day 6. We cross the Tekeliu River and climb the Sarybel pass. After long ridge traverse and steep descent we come to the Yarlu valley. Then we should cross the Akkem River and in a half of an hour we finally reach our stationary high camp (1950 m). There is a canteen, a sauna and a traditional Altai building - ail (some kind of wooden yurt). This camp boasts hypnotic views of the huge snowy massif of Mount Belukha. 7-8 hours, altitude change 600 m. (B, L, D)
Day 7. An excursion to Ak-ojouk valley, which is famous for its seven lakes all of different hues (5-7 hours hiking, altitude change 400 m), or to Yarlu valley - the high energy place with the 'Stone Town' which was created by people visiting Yarlu for a meditation. (B, L, D)
Day 8. We leave our high camp and start the second part of our trekking. We have to work by climbing up the Karatiurek pass ( 3060 m). The descent from the pass is steep and goes on talus. Wecamp in a cedar forest. 6-8 hours hiking, altitude change 1000 m . (B, L, D)
Day 9. Short ascent on a plateau - and we are descending through taiga to the incomparable Kucherla Lake (1760 m ). The water of the Akkem and Kucherla Lakes calls dead and alive accordingly. There is a lot of fish in Kucherla. The camp is at the shore of the lake. 4-6 hours, altitude change 300 m . (B, L, D)
Day 10-11. Gradual descent down the Kucherla River. We make a stop to look at the ancient petroglyphs on a rock. Return to base camp Vysotnik. Rest and festival dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 12. Drive by bus (750 km, 10 hours) to Barnaul. Accommodation in hotel. (B)
Day 13. Transfer to airport. Departure from Barnaul.
Legend: B - breakfast, L - lunch, D - dinner
Tour Highlights
- Great views of Mt. Belukha, taiga and alpine meadows, lakes and waterfalls, glaciers and snowcapped peaks of Katunsky Ridge
- Wild flora and fauna of Gorny Altai
Fixed departures - 2010:
| 10.07 - 22.07.2010 (English and German languages) |
09.08 - 21.08.2010 (English and German languages) |
| 15.07 - 27.07.2010 (English language) |
14.08 - 26.08.2010 (English language) |
| 25.07 - 06.08.2010 (English language) |
24.08 - 05.09.2010 (English language) |
| 04.08 - 16.08.2010 (English language) |
08.09 - 20.09.2010 (English language) |
Costs - 2010:
570 EUR per person for joining in a fixed group 6-12 PAX
Discounts for tour operators and travel agents
Included:
- DBL/TRP accommodation in tents on the route
- accommodation in tents at “Vysotnik” tourist base
- accommodation inside large tents in Ak-kem base camp
- DBL accommodation in hotel in Barnaul
- group transfer Barnaul – Tyungur – Barnaul
- transfer hotel - airport
- meals according to itinerary
- local trekking guide/interpreter (English/German language depending on the departure)
- subsidiary crew when needed
- all necessary permits and registrations
Not included:
- meals during transfers Barnaul - Tyungur - Barnaul (please allow 15-25 EUR)
Supplements:
- airfare Moscow - Barnaul - Moscow from 451 EUR per person
- SGL in hotel in Barnaul +20 EUR per person
- Russian banya 33 EUR per group of 1-10 person per hour (to pay on spot)
- rent horses for luggage transportation 21 EUR per horse per day (to pay on spot)
- rafting along the Katun River to the mouth of Akkem River on Day 2 to outflank the tiresome Kuzuyak pass (18 km, 2 h) 125 EUR per group up to 10 persons (to pay on spot)
- cabins in Vysotnik tourist center since 14 EUR per person
Map