Trekking to the foot of 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. Welcome dinner. (D)

2 day 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)

3 day 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)

4 day 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)

5 day 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 drop 500 m. (B, L, D)

6 day 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)

7 day 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 «stones town» which was created by people visiting Yarlu for a meditation. (B, L, D)

8 day 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. We camp in a cedar forest. 6-8 hours hiking, altitude change 1000 m. (B, L, D)

9 day 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)

10 day Gradual descent down the Kucherla River. We make a stop to look at the ancient petroglyphs on a rock. Camp (B, L, D)

11 day 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)

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

Price

From € 380

Included

• provided necessary camp and kitchen equipment, necessary amount of meals for trekking
• аccompany english speaking guide
• visa support (if needed)
• meals per program
• transport assistance per program
• local english speaking guides / interpreters
• rent of tents
• full board catering (three meals per day) including dinner upon arrival and breakfast on the departure day
• DBL accommodation in double tents
• mountain guide
• accommodation in tents in “Vysotnik” tourist base

Supplements

-cost of transfer from Barnaul to Visotnik tourist base, return: + 120 EUR/p.p.
-sauna, one session (1 h - € 33 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
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:
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 (for extension):
SGL in hotel: + € 37 per person per program / per night

Necessary personal Equipment
You should have the following items in private use, as following below: foam sleeping mat, 3 seasons sleeping bag; 3 season jacket shorts, t-shirt for hot weather, warm clothes (at nights it gets cold), trekking boots, waterproofs and rucksack 60-100 liters, sun glasses, UVF cream.