Trekking to the foot and ascent MT. Belukha, 13 days

Itinerary

1 day Arrival in Barnaul. Travel by bus (750 km, 10 hours) to Tiungur. Accommodation at the «Vysotnik» tourist center. This tourist base is located at 850 m above s.l. Welcome dinner. (D)

2 day We start our trek passing by bridge through Kucherla river. This is a 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 and good first step of getting of acclimatization. . We our camp on a nice «Three birches» night place. The daily route takes 4-5 hours, 17 km. Overnight is in the tents. Camp site altitude is 1100 m. Food is cooked on the fire. (B, L, D)

3 day «Three birches» – the base camp « Ak-kem» (1950 m). The trail we are following goes along the river. The place where we can see Belukha first time calls «Panorama». The base camp «Ak-kem» is situated on the bank of the Ak–kem River. There is a canteen, a sauna and a traditional Altai building – ail (some kind of wooden yurta). 7-8 h, 22 km. (B, L, D)

4 day Trekking the base camp «Ak-kem» – the Ak-kem glacier –«Tomskie Nochevki» . We walk in the forest along the Ak-kem River and then along the waterlogged flood-lands of the Ak-kem Lake. We proceed further and reach the moraine and then the glacier. Overnight in tents at the place named «Tomskie Nochevki». The two mountain tops – Eastern Belukha (4506 m) and Western Belukha (4400 m) serve as the reference-points. (3000 m). 7-8 hours, 17 km.

5 day Preparations and ice training on the «Arbuz» glacier. If the weather is favorable we will have return ascent to the Delone pass saddle (3400 m). Return to tent camp. (B, L, D).

6 day Early start. Ascent. «Tomskie Nochevki» - crossing over Delone pass (3400 m) - the Mensu glacier – crossing Berelskoye Saddle mountain pass (3520 m) - the plateau (3800 m). Mountain pass Delone represents a snow-ice wall 35° - 45° steep with the length of 300 m, (5-6 fixed ropes). Descent to the Mensu glacier and further ascent to the plateau over the Berelskoye Saddle mountain pass. Overnight in tents on the glacier. Camp (3800). 7-8 h, 7 km. (B, L, D)

7 day Summit attempt. Mount Belukha (4506 m) is undoubtedly the most beautiful and interesting mountain top of the Altai range. There are impressive two-crest body, abundance of snow, severity and steepness of ice and snow walls etc. The start is at 6 in the morning. We fix 6 ropes to the Belukhinsky pass (3A) and climb the pass (40°- 45°), then passing 250 metres along the ridge after 10-15 min we are at the summit. The way back is the same with fixed ropes. 7-9 hours, 12 km. (3800). (B, L, D)

8 day Backup day in case of bad weather. Tents. (B, L, D)

9 day Descend the plateau - Mensu glacier - «Tomskie nochevki» – the base camp «Ak-kem». Rope parties of 2-3 pax the Delone pass using at . Session of Russian banya. (3000). 7-9 hours, 17 km. Rest at the base camp

10-11 day Descend the plateau - Mensu glacier - «Tomskie nochevki» – the base camp «Ak-kem». Rope parties of 2-3 pax the Delone pass using at . Session of Russian banya. (3000). 7-9 hours, 17 km. Rest at the base camp

12 day Drive by bus (750 km, 10 hours) to Barnaul. End of services. trip concludes

Price

From € 624

Included

• English speaking guide
• transport assistance per program
• meals per program
• visa support (if needed)
• аccompany english speaking guide
• provided necessary camp and kitchen equipment, necessary amount of meals for trekking
• accommodation in tents in “Vysotnik” tourist base
• mountain guide
• rent of tents
• DBL accommodation in double tents
• English or German speaking guide

Supplements

- cost of transfer from Barnaul to Visotnik tourist base, return: + 130 EUR/p.p.
- sauna, one session ( 1 h - € 36 per group consists of 1-10 person)
- rent horses for the luggage transportation (€ 24 p/horse per day)
- optional rafting along the Katun River to the mouth of Akkem River in Day 2 to outflank the wearisome Kuzuyak pass (18 km, 2 h) € 128 per group up to 10 persons.

Not included:
- airfare Moscow - Barnaul - Moscow, from € 530 return (subject to change in summer)
- international insurance
- meals (lunches) on the transfers in the days 1 and 12 in a program

Departures 2010:
22.06 – 04.07; 10.07 – 22.07; 23.07 – 04.08; 04.08 – 16.08; 19.08 – 31.07; 08.09 – 20.09

Notes. For the additional acclimatization it is possible to arrive at 2 -3 days earlier then the date of departure.

Notes. Please see possible and extension Program below!

Extension services:
Day 12. Upon arrival. Accommodation in hotel Barnaul 3*.
Day 13. Transfer to airport. Departure from Barnaul. (B).

Extension tour cost is: 44 EURO/p.p.

Cost of extension tour is included:
DBL accommodation in hotel in Barnaul for 1 night with breakfast
transfer in Barnaul: hotel – a/port, per program, one time
Supplements:
SGL in hotel: + € 34 per person per program

Notes and recommendation.
1. MEALS. It is provided for the participants with 3 meals a day per program. At the base camps meals are getting at a cafe. On the trek the food is cooked on the open fire, during ascent - on the gas stove(s).
2. ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT. During Program is provided: staying in double tents, cooking pots, ropes, ice screws, carbines, gas, gas stoves.
3. People should bring the following personal items with you:
foam sleeping mat, '3 seasons' sleeping bag, down jacket, hat, good lightweight boots, waterproofs, backpack. For the ascent - helmet, plastic boots, harness & self belay, crampons, ice-axe, jammer,
2 ice-screws per pax, 3 carbines per pax, sun glasses and sun-protection cream. Personal medicine
(if needed according with your physician recommendations)