Mt. Belukha: The Heart of the Altai. 17 days.
Region: Russia, Southern Siberia, Altai, Katunsky Range
Activity: climbing, trekking, optional horse riding and rafting
Trip Category: special
Difficulty: medium to difficult, need of special gear and some climbing skill
Dates: August, 22 - September, 7, full guided climbing!
Altai - "The Golden Mountains" is the mountain land on the south of Siberia which keeps ecological purity and untouched wild nature so far. The communication with local people, many of whom are followers of exotic doctrines- pagans (Shamanists), followers of Roerikh and Staroveri (Old Believers) - gives an unique social experience. A number of archeological artefacts (from 1,500,000 BCE!), including rock paintings and Paleolithical sit en our route, makes visit to Altai not only mountaineering adventure but cognitive trip as well!
Trekking to the Kucherlinskoye and Akkem lakes area allows to see all the beauty of the Altai mountains. This unique trip is based on the idea of hiking through mountain taiga to the beautiful Kucherla Lake, then crossing simple pass (for acclimatization!) and placing a base camp (BC) on the Akkem lake in front of amazing Akkem wall. Then, the montaineers make ascent on the highest summit of whole Altai - magnificient Belukha mountain (4506 m). The regular route of 2B UIAA CC starts from Tomsk Camp on the right moraine of Akkem glacier, then via Delone Col leads to Mensu glacier and Berelsky Saddle, then to the summit of Eastern (or Glavnaya- The Main) Belukha. Experienced mountaineers can climb another way - up to 5A-5B UIAA, "Bottle's Throat" or "Diretissima" of Akkem Wall!
After climbing, you can go rafting on Katun river, make interesting excursions to natural phenomenas and archeological sites. You can also make horse riding instead of trekking to/from BC- see Options and Services in Tungur base below!
Itinerary:
Day 1 Arrival to Barnaul. Meeting in airport or railway station. 12-hrs minibus trip to Tungur village. Overnight in mountain base, tent camping near the bank of Katun river. You can leave extra luggage here. Russian bania (national wet sauna).
Day 2 Hiking up the Kucherla river. Camp on the bank of Kuylu river. Note: ancient rock paintings en route!
Day 3 Hiking up the Kucherla river. Camp on the bank of Tekelushka river.
Day 4 Crossing the Kara-Turek pass (1A CD, 3060 m), descent to Akkem lake, placing of the base camp (BC).
Day 5 Day of rest. Russian bania
Day 6 Hiking up the Akkem gorge and Akkem glacier to Tomsk Camp.
Day 7 Climbing the Delone pass up to Mensu glacier, then climbing the Berelskoye Sedlo (Berelsky Saddle) pass, 3520 m. Steep snow, neve and ice.
Day 8 Assault ascent to East (Main) Belukha (4506 m). Return to the camp on Berelskoye Sedlo.
Day 9 Descent to Tomsk Camp.
Day 10 Descent to Akkem lake. Rest. Russian bania.
Days 11, 12 Extra days for case of bad weather.
Day 13 Descent from the BC to the Tekelu river (picturesque waterfall near the camp!).
Day 14 Descent along the Akkem river.
Day 15 Descent along the Akkem river down to Tungur village. Tent camping. Bania.
Day 16 Return to Barnaul. Hotel accommodation.
Day 17 Transfer to airport. Departure from Barnaul.
Included: meeting/seeing off in Barnaul airport, 1 night hotel accomodation (**DBL) in Barnaul, hut accommodation at Tungur base for 2 nights, transportation to the Tungur (start point) and return (minibus), all permits and local fees, 3 times a day meals during trekking and food and fuel for climbing, Russian bania 4 times, camping and common climbing gear, horses accompanying the team and carrying the luggage to the Akkem lake and back, trekking and climbing guides, cook, horseman, rescue ranger's team registration, traveller's insurance which covers rescue team support and helicopter evacuation.
Not included: Travel to and from Barnaul, visa fees, alcoholic beverages and other luxuries, personal items.
Options. Visa support. The arrival and departure point can be changed with Novosibirsk, Omsk or Biysk. Additional exursions: Ust-Kan cave with paleolithic sit (600,000 BCE), Pazirik burial mounds (Scythian culture, VII-II c. BCE). Change of climbing route (via Delone Peak- 4A UIAA, Diretissima (or "Bottle's Throat") of Akkem Wall - 5A-5B UIAA). Other peaks to climb: "The Crown of Altai", Boris, Roerikh Peak, Delone Peak, Belukha West (4440 m), up to 4B UIAA, Mount Yarlu (1B, 3370 m), Mount Bronia ("Armor", 2A, 3291 m). Excursions near Akkem Lake: to the "Valley of 7 lakes", to the sacred Yarlu Valley and Roerikh Shrine. SGL accommodation. Helicopter flights from/to Gorno-Altaisk, Barnaul, Novosibirsk to/from Akkem or Kucherla lakes. Transfer from Tungur base to the start of the trail (to avoid hiking through village, recommended). Accommodation in mountain hut on Akkem Lake. Picnic on the way to/from Tungur.
Any possible tailor-made trips are available! Just e-mail us of fill in the request form!
Services in Tungur base (available separately):
- 4-hrs rafting on Katun river down to the junction with Ak-Kem ("White Water") river;
- meals served in national Altai dwelling- ail. Exclusive offer - cooking of the set of Altai national meals from the ram on demand!
- Russian bania with cedar barrel option;
- gear rental;
- horse riding trips;
- extra horses for carring luggage and/or riding to/from Akken lake;
- cloak room service.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
The payment may be devided into 2 parts: $880 upon booking and the rest - 15 days prior to departure on trip.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Russia
Hiking & Trekking
Mountain/Rock Climbing
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