Classic Route To The Foot Of Mount Belukha
About this tour
Season: July-August
Best period: end of July - beginning of August
Length: 910 km by car, 110 km on the horse
Duration: 7 days
Accommodation: guest houses, tent camp
Vertical drop: Lowest point 290 masl - Ust-Kamenogorsk city. Highest point 2660 masl - Kok-Kol mine.
Degree of complexity: Mixed route, the participants are expected to have horseback riding skills and tent-living experience (with no shower, toilet, etc)
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Oskemen, Kazakhstan to Katon-Karagai National Nature Park, Kazakhstan
Ust-Kamenogorsk - Katon-Karagay *330 km drive *Picnic lunch *Hotel overnight *Dinner at the hotel Departure from Ust-Kamenogorsk early in the morning Transfer to Zyryanovsk (Altai) in the very heart of Kazakhstani Altai. After a short tour around the town the next is a transfer to Katon-Karagai. We will have a picnic on the way. If you’d like to take a picture we can stop any time - the road is picturesque. Upon arrival at Katon-Karagai there is dinner and rest at the local hotel.
Day 2: Katon-Karagai National Nature Park, Kazakhstan to Viewing platform on Mount Belukha, Rakhmanovskie Klyuchi, Kazakhstan
Katon-Karagay - Lake Yazovoye - Sarsembai Winter Hut - Base camp at the foot of Belukha *100 km drive. *Breakfast at the hotel * Dinner at the camp *36 km horse ride *Picnic lunch Overnight stay in the base camp at 1960 m masl. We’ll wake up early and have a substantial breakfast. We are going to have a busy day. Moving to Lake Yazovoye: This is the last outpost of "civilization" on the route—beyond it lie breathtaking views of untouched wilderness and nights under an endless starry sky. At the lake, we leave our vehicles and saddle up. From here, the horseback journey to the base camp at the foot of Belukha begins. Around halfway, we will stop for a picnic lunch at the Sarsembai winter hut. After a short break, we continue our journey toward the base camp, nestled in the wide valley of the Kokkol River. As we approach the camp, we will cross the ford of the Belaya Berel River. Then, after a short stretch of trail through the forest, we will catch our first glimpse of the stunning Kok-Kol waterfall. We will make a short stop at the waterfall and admire its power. Only a few minutes remain until we reach our campsite. This valley was once home to a settlement of around 200 houses, where workers would set out for their shifts at the nearby mine. Today, during the summer months, a large tent “town” springs up here, where travelers gather in the evenings for quiet conversations about the search for Shambhala, sing to the sound of a guitar, and share their impressions of the breathtaking beauty of the Belukha region. After settling into our tents, we will enjoy dinner and a well-deserved rest.
Day 3: Katon-Karagai National Nature Park, Kazakhstan
Base camp - Lake Tyoploye - prayer stone - Base camp *12 km horse ride * Breakfast at the camp * Dinner at the camp *2 km hike *Picnic lunch Overnight stay in the base camp at 1960 m masl. You don't need to get up early today, because we don't have to travel long distances. We will have breakfast in the camp, then go on a radial hike to the prayer stone. Our first stop along the way will be the unique Lake Tyoploye. After swimming, we continue the hike. The next place where we can recharge ourselves with Altai's "energy" will be a prayer stone. Weather permitting, we will arrange lunch with a magnificent view of Belukha. Having admired the dizzying landscapes of the Berel glacier and Belukha Mountain, we return back to the base camp. We can make another stop at the warm lake, or go to the Kok-Kol waterfall. Dinner at the camp.
Day 4: Kokkol', Kazakhstan to Katon-Karagai National Nature Park, Kazakhstan
*21 km horse ride * Breakfast at the camp * Dinner at the camp *2 km hike *Picnic lunch Overnight stay in the base camp at 1960 m masl. Breakfast at the base camp, then packing and preparation for the radial trek to the Kok-Kol mine. Exploration of the ruins left after the mine is quite an interesting activity and sometimes time just flies by. After visiting the ruins, we will have a picnic. Having a snack and a rest. If the weather is fine, you can make a short walk to the turquoise lake. The lake is quite large, deep and, of course, incredibly beautiful. Then we will go back to the base camp, have dinner and rest. Dinner and rest.
Day 5: Ozora Ravnovesiya, Kazakhstan to Katon-Karagai National Nature Park, Kazakhstan
*0 km horse ride * Breakfast at the camp * Dinner at the camp *4-5 km hike *Picnic lunch Overnight stay in the base camp at 1960 m masl. We’ll wake up early and have breakfast. Packing and preparation for a radial hike to Lake Ravnovesiye (equilibrium). At the lake, everyone can find something according to their interests. Some will go for a swim, some will meditate, others will just take a walk and admire the surrounding landscapes. In the evening we will return to the camp, have dinner and rest. The routes for radial hikes may be adjusted depending on weather conditions.
Day 6: Katon-Karagai National Nature Park, Kazakhstan to Klimovka, Kazakhstan
*62 km drive. * Breakfast at the camp *Dinner at the guest house *36 km horse ride *Picnic lunch *Guest house overnight stay Breakfast, packing. Today we ride along the familiar road - a horseback journey to Lake Yazovoye. On our way there we’ll make a stop to have lunch at Sarsembai winter hut. Upon returning to the lake, we will hop into our vehicles and head to the final overnight stop of our journey—Klimov Lodge, where a delicious dinner will be waiting for us. A traditional Old Believers’ banya, a simple yet hearty dinner, and a long-awaited rest on soft beds.
Day 7: Klimovka, Kazakhstan to Oskemen, Kazakhstan
*530 km drive. *Breakfast at the guest house. Dinner at a mini restaurant * 2- 3 km hike *Picnic lunch Overnight stay at the hotel. Breakfast at the guesthouse, followed by packing up and a drive to Kazakhstan’s longest bridge over the Bukhtarma Reservoir. After crossing the reservoir, we will enjoy a picnic-style lunch, followed by a drive to the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk. Upon arrival, we will have a final dinner at a restaurant and check into the hotel.
What's included
Included in the Tour Price: 1. Transfer with comfort on off-road cars 2. Excursions according to the program. 3. Professional English-speaking guide. 4. Accommodation in Katon-Karagai as per the program: Hotel Guesthouses Hunting lodge Tent camp 5. Lunch and dinner on Day1, three meals a day on days 2-7 Snacks on the road. 6. National parks’ fee, all the entering fees an route. 7. Everything needed for setting up a tent camp, cooking in outdoor conditions, and organizing picnics.
Not Included in the Tour Price: 1. Food, which IS NOT included in the costs of the program; extra food. 2. Accommodation in Ust-Kamenogorsk before/after the program, if needed. 3. Visa and registration costs in the Republic of Kazakhstan, if needed. 4. Personal costs, and other, not included in the program. 5. Insurance.
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Oskemen, Kazakhstan to Katon-Karagai National Nature Park, Kazakhstan