Mountain Belukha, the highest peak in Siberia, flies up with two summits: Western Belukha (4440 meters) and Eastern Belukha (4506 meters). The glacier shield of Belukha, which covers the largest part of the mountain ridge, occupies the territory of 70 sq km and is the source of Katun river. The steep peaks of Belukha, sparkling masses of ice, vertical rocky walls charm the travelers from afar and inspire them with awe and excitement. At the mountain’s feet among the space mysteries of snow and rocks you become aware that the man is not always the measure of all things. According to one Asian legend Mountain Belukha is a future Northern Shambala a mystical country of spiritual wisdom. This area is associated with the famous Russian artist Nikolay Rerikh and attracts hundreds of admirers of his painting every year. In 1995 the government of Altai Republic established the Belukha nature park.
For 9 days of trekking, each tourist will have the opportunity:
- to see with your own eyes a mountain with a height of 4509 meters, which majestically rises among the plains;
- walk along the Kucherla River and admire its milky-white waters;
- independently overcome the passes on foot, thereby increasing their physical fitness;
- climb the Kara-Turek pass and take beautiful panoramic pictures of the view of the mountain Belukha and the Kantun ridge;
- make a wish in a place of power - a mystical valley called Yarlu;
- to see more than 100 cave paintings;
- spend the night in a tent among the ancient forest, which is full of mysteries and secrets;
- imbibe a piece of nature of the amazing Altai and energize.
Departure from Novosibirsk at 20:00. Point of departure - Sovetskaya street, 65 (local time, UTC/GMT+7). Barnaul - Ust-Koksa. Departure from Barnaul at 23:50. Point of departure – “Oblepikha” cafe (local time, UTC/GMT+7).
bus
825 km/640 km
meals on the road at your own expense
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Departure from Gorno-Altaisk at 9.00-11.00 a.m. The road passes through the well-known Chuya Highway among rocky ridges of the Altai Mountains, followed by Kanskaya steppe in Uymonskaya valley. Arriving at Ust-Koksa village to the tourist complex. Lunch. Getting equipment. Safety-awareness briefing. Dinner, acquaintance party.
mini bus
375
lunch and dinner - in cafe
tents
After transfer to Tyungur we change to GAZ-66 spetial off-road car to move at Izekeryu place (around 12 km). The Kucherla River (from Altai “Kudzhur-ly”, which means "with saline soils"), formed by the confluence of two mountain streams, Myushtu-Ayry and Koni-Ayry, has an amazing milky-turquoise water. The total length of the river is about 50 km. It cuts a lot of ridges and moraines, beats against the gorges, forming an almost continuous chain of challenging rapids. The lake is 5220 m long, at 1790 m above sea level elevation, 900 m wide and 55 m deep. The Kucherla Valley has more than 40 tectonic, corrie and moraine lakes. The Kucherla Lake is the largest of them. It is closed by mountain ridges from east and west with loosened rocks up to 3,000 m high, narrow valley of the Kucherla from south and moraine deposits that create a dam from north. The lake is filled with ice, greenish-blue water.
car, GAZ-66, on foot + packhorses
64 km + 12 km + 16 km
Three meals a day, cooking on fire
tents
Moving under Kara-Tyurek pass. The camp is at the timber line.
on foot + packhorses
7 km
Three meals a day, cooking on fire
tents
Difficulty category - 1A, 3060 m, the nature of obstacles - talus, with a spectacular panoramic view of Belukha Mountain and endless peaks of Katun ridge. It provides a good opportunity for photo and video shooting. Overnight at the base camp at Ak-Kem lake (approx. 2010 m above sea level elevation).
on foot + packhorses
10 km
Three meals a day, cooking on fire
tents
Visiting the chapel. The path runs along the Ak-kem lake through several picturesque hanging bridges, moves across stone piles in the form of an old moraine and leads to Ak-kem riverhead, coming out of the kingdom of ice and cold. Dinner at the Ak-Kem glacier. It provides an excellent opportunity for photo and video shooting. It is possible to climb up to the lake of Mountain Spirits on the way (optional, and depending on group’s well-being).
on foot
20 km + 4 km
Three meals a day, cooking on fire
tents
The Ak-Oyuk riverhead has the most beautiful lakes, each of which has its own unique color: turquoise, green, milky-blue and blue-black. Descending to the base camp after the hike. Lunch. After lunch - excursion to Yarlu valley (optional), where the entire city is built of stones.
on foot
8 km + 6 km
Three meals a day, cooking on fire
tents
"Ak-Kem", translated from Turkic language, means "white water”. Indeed, the river has milky-white water. The river starts in Ak-Kem glacier and carries small pieces of lime stone from Belukha slopes. Overnight near river in the forest.
on foot
16 km
breakfast, lunch - cooking on fire, dinner in the cafe
tents
Move to camping "Three birches". Drive on GAZ-66 to Tyungur village. Moving from Tyungur to Ust-Koksa. Arrival at the tourist complex. Accommodation on the tourist complex territory in tents. Farewell party.
on foot + GAZ-66 - car
8 km + 20 km + 64 km
breakfast in the cafe, lunch - cooking on fire, dinner in the cafe
tents
Breakfast. Handing over the equipment. Free time. Lunch. After lunch – excursion to Verkhniy Uymon village, which is one of the oldest villages in the Ust-Koksinsky area. The village was founded by Old Believers about 300 years ago. It has two museums: Local History Museum named after N.K. Roerich and Old Belief Museum. After the excursions, departure to Barnaul/Novosibirsk at 15:00 (UTC/GMT+7). Departure to Gorno-Altaisk at 21.00. Hotel accommodation (by yourself) Recommended hotels: "Lyubimyi" (S. Maima), "Igman" (Gorno-Altaysk). Transfer to the airport by yourself. Taxi Maxim +7 (38822) 2-44-44 (Estimated cost 200 rubles).
bus/minibus
375 km to Gorno-Altaisk
breakfast, lunch in the cafe, dinner on the road at your own expense
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Free time. For additional fee the interested persons can choose either horseback riding in the vicinity, 2-hour rafting or excursion to Krasnaya Mountain. Departure to Novosibirsk/Barnaul (Novoaltaysk) (local time, difference from Moscow + 4 hours) at 18.00.
bus/minibus
640 km to Barnaul (Novoaltaysk) 825 km to Novosibirsk
meals at your own expense
Estimated arrival in Barnaul - 4:00, in Novosibirsk - 8:00 (UTC/GMT+7), in Gorno-Altaisk - 3.00
bus/minibus
Transfer to Ust-Koksa:
Gorno-Altaisk - Ust-Koksa - Gorno-Altaisk - 5600 rub.
Novosibirsk - Ust-Koksa - Novosibirsk - 8200 rub.
Barnaul (Novoaltaisk) - Ust-Koksa - Barnaul (Novoaltaisk) - 7800 rub.
Early booking - 38,600 rubles. The cost is valid for 100% payment until 03/31/2023. Cost from 04/01/2021 - 43,600 rubles.
Included in the price:
- 3-course meal (except meals on the road)
- service according to the program
- services of guides
- camping equipment: tents, sleeping bags, mats, backpacks, fire equipment, first- aid kit
- health insurance and accident insurance for active part of the route: MC-450000, SNS-30000
- health insurance and accident insurance for non-active part of the route: MC-150000, SNS-30000
- Ust-Koksa - Tyungur - Ust-Koksa transfer
- horses for transportation of food and public equipment (during the 2,3,4,5 day of the route)
- excursion to Verkhniy Uymon village (during the 10 day)
- entrance tickets to Old Belief Museum and the Roerich family’s Museum (Local History Museum named after N.K. Roerich)
- recreational fees
- mountain camp accommodation at Ak-Kemsky lake (during the 5,6,7 day of the route) with wardroom, tents, inflatable boat, gas equipment and toilet
- accommodation on the tourist complex territory in Uymonskaya valley (during the 1,10 day)
- crossing the Ak-Kem river by boat for radial hike to Yarlu valley
- Moving on GAZ-66 from Tyungur to Elan
- moving on GAZ-66 from “Three birches” camp to Tyungur
- border permit
- visa invitation
Not included in the price:
- meals on the road
- bath-house. Visiting bath-house is possible: during the 3rd day of the route (Kucherla lake, from 2000 rubles per hour), during the 5,6,7 days (Ak-Kem lake, from 1500 rubles per hour), during the 8th day (“Three birches” camping, from 1000 rubles per hour)
- transfer from Novosibirsk/Barnaul to the starting point of the route and back to Novosibirsk/Barnaul
Novosibirsk - Ust-Koksa - Novosibirsk - 8200 rubles
Barnaul - Ust-Koksa - Barnaul - 7800 rubles
Gorno-Altaisk - Ust-Koksa - Gorno-Altaisk - 5600 rubles
- warm jacket
- rain gear
- trekking boots, trainers and slippers
- track-suit and warm hat
- 2 - 3 T-shirts, shorts
- 4 pairs of simple socks and 2 pairs of warm ones
- cap and sun-glasses
- bathing suit
- flashlight, knife, matches, electric batteries
- personal tableware
- personal hygiene utensils
Please keep in your mind!
For entry in the Ust-Koksinsky district, foreign citizens must provide some relevant documents to cross the border zone, 60 days prior the proposed date of entry!
Foreign citizens should submit the following documents to travel agency:
- copy of passport
- address
- phone number
- information on the work site (name, address, phone number)