Altai Mountains - Mount Belukha Region - 9 Day Tour
About this tour
We will travel in the region of the highest mountain in Altai and Siberia – Mount Belukha (4509 m). This is the alpine part of Altai, often called Belovodye. Crystal clear mountain rivers Katun, Koksa, Tyuguryuk; alpine turquoise lakes, where snow is preserved even in summer; carpets of alpine meadows and snow-white mountain peaks. Our trip will take place in the Uimon and Katandinsky valleys, where Russian Old Believers live, who preserve their traditions and customs. You will have a chance to experience mountain river rafting, horse riding, traveling to Maral deer farm, off-road and jeeping, trekking in the mountains and helicopter flight to Mount Belukha (optional). We will be hosted by local residents - the Old Believers, the Altai nomads.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Gorno-Altaysk, Russia to Chemal, Russia
Arrival to Barnaul or Gorno-Altaysk airport, meeting at the airport. Transfer to hotel. Breakfast at the Altai Palace Restaurant. Visit to the traditional Altai yurt for an experience of tea drinking and a concert of Altai throat singing. In the afternoon, we will visit Askat village (the village of craftsmen), where extraordinary and creative people live. Here you can meet artists, potters, blacksmiths, musical instruments manufacturers. We will visit the gallery of the artist Daria Golovan and attend a pottery master class in the creative gallery "Kauri". Accommodation – Klever Resort hotel 4* or similar. Distance – By bus ~ Barnaul 350 km, Gorno Altaysk ~ 100 km, walking ~ 7 km.
Day 2: Chemal, Russia to Patmos, Russia
Trip to Chemal - the most popular resort in Altai. A visit to Patmos Island, the Temple of John the Evangelist (suspension bridge leads to the temple), a walking tour along the Katun River to the mouth of the Chemal River and the Chemal Hydroelectric Station. Souvenir market. Lunch at the Clever Hotel Cafe. In the afternoon, a trip to the maral deer farm. You will see the secrets of antler reindeer husbandry. Since Ancient China, antlers (young deer horns) have been used in medicine. You will learn how maral are bred, how antlers are harvested. Then, you will enjoy horse riding in rosemary spinney (less than 1 hour) and have a chance to see maral deer. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Accommodation – Klever Resort hotel 4* or similar. Distance – By bus ~ 80 km, walking ~ 5 km.
Day 3: Chemal, Russia to Ust'-Koksa, Russia
After breakfast transfer to Gorno-Altaysk airport. Scheduled flight from Gorno-Altaysk to Ust-Koksa. Ust-Koksa is located in the Uimon Valley, which lies between two mountain ranges - Terektinsky and Katunsky. In the 18-19 century, the Old Believers settled down here, leaving central Russia searching for the legendary country of happiness of the ancient Slavs. The foothills of Mount Belukha (the highest mountain in Altai) reminded Belovodye most of all - the mountain taiga was rich in fur-bearing animals, wild berries and mushrooms. Arrival to Ust-Koksa village. In the afternoon, a tour to Verkh-Uimon village - the oldest village of Altai Belovodye. Here, we will visit the Museum of Old Believers (the founder of the museum, Raisa Pavlovna Kuchuganova will be our guide). Then, you will visit the Museum of the Roerich’s family. The museum is located in the peasant house of the Atamanov’s family, which has hosted N.K. Roerich and his family during the Central Asian expedition. Accommodation – Argut hotel or similar. Distance – By bus ~ 100 km, walking ~ 6 km.
Day 4: Ust'-Koksa, Russia
After breakfast, a trip to Krasnaya Gorka by local UAZ jeeps. This is a small separately standing peak, which is considered an extinct ancient volcano. A cascade of amazingly picturesque lakes is located on Krasnaya Gorka. The water is very clean and cold. In the middle of summer, you can see unmelted snow and ice on the lakes. There are several waterfalls between the lakes. Alpine flowers the shores of lakes. Trekking around the lakes. Picnic lunch on the lakes and return to the hotel. Dinner. Accommodation – Argut hotel or similar. Distance – by UAZ jeeps ~ 100 km, walking ~ 10 km.
Day 5: Ust'-Koksa, Russia
We will make a one-day voyage along the Koksa River. The river has a calm flow in the Uimon Valley, rafting will be suitable for all ages and especially for families with children. During a day we will enjoy river and views around it. We will stop for a Lunch on the riverside, we will cook our lunch on the campfire. A short fishing at the end of rafting. Return to the Argut hotel in the evening. Time to rest after activities and dinner. Accommodation – Argut hotel or similar. Distance – rafting ~ 15 km.
Day 6: Ust'-Koksa, Russia to Tyungur, Russia
Today you will make a trip to Tyungur village, the closest village in front of Mount Belukha, the highest point of Altai. From here we can make a trip to Mount Baida – the viewpoint, where we can see Mount Belukha in a clear day. Optional - helicopter flight by Robinson R-66 to the highest mountain of Altai – Mount Belukha We will fly over the valley of the Akkem River, land on Akkem Lake. Do a short trekking and return to Tyungur village. Option available in high season around 1st of July till middle of August. Price around 530 USD/ 490 EUROS per person. Note. Helicopter Robinson R66 is based in Tyungur village, on the territory of Vysotnik tourist complex. The helicopter capacity is 4 passengers +1 pilot. The maximum total weight of passengers must not exceed 4 X 80 kg. Accommodation – Vysotnik tourist complex or similar. Distance – By bus ~ 60 km, walking ~ 7 km.
Day 7: Tyungur, Russia
After breakfast we will jump into our 4 x 4 UAZ jeeps. We will make a trip to Multinsky Lakes (Katun National Reserve). Road to lakes is rather difficult and can be overcome only by an off-road vehicle. Upon arrival to the lakes, travel through the lower Multinskoye Lake and the Middle Multinskoye Lake by a motor boat. Enjoying beautiful views we will have a picnic lunch made on a campfire. After a full day travelling and visiting lakes, return to the hotel. Dinner. Accommodation – Vysotnik tourist complex or similar. Distance – by UAZ jeeps ~ 100 km, walking ~ 10 km.
Day 8: Tyungur, Russia to Gorno-Altaysk, Russia
After breakfast we will travel back to Ust Koksa and take a short domestic flight back to Gorno-Altaysk. After landing we will drive to our accommodation in typical Russian style wooden houses. A visit to the apiary in the Sokol camping. The apiary here was shown in the Valdis Pelsh’s movie about Altai - "A journey to the Center of the Earth". Here we will get to know more about healthy Altai honey and process of getting it. In the evening, a farewell dinner and a folk crafts master class. Accommodation – Camping “Sokol” or similar. Russian style wooden houses with double occupancy and private WC and shower. Distance – By bus ~ 90 km, walking ~ 6 km.
Day 9: Gorno-Altaysk, Russia
Morning transfer to Gorno Altaysk RGK airport for departure flight back home.
What's included
• accommodation ½ DBL according to the program; • full board meals as mentioned; • all transport and transfers; • domestic flights Gorno-Altaysk – Ust Koksa – Gorno-Altaysk; • boat on Multinsky lake; • local English speaking guide; • excursions, activities and entrance fees; • one bottle of water per person a day; • rafting on a river; • 24 hour help service by phone; • Russian visa support documents.
• flights to/ from Gorno Altaysk RGK or Barnaul BAX airports; • Russian visa fee; • Personal expenses; • Travel insurance. • Optional helicopter flight (around 495 EUROS per person).
What to know
Tour restrictions: 1) Mount Belukha is the border territory. Border passes are obligatory for visiting. For Russian citizens, the pass is issued within 15 business days, for foreign citizens - within 30 business days. 2) Documents must be submitted no later than 30 business days before the date of arrival. 3) The suggested price for the helicopter Robinson R66 is available from the middle of July to the middle of August only. For the rest of the time, the helicopter will be based near Chemal village, that will cause the price increase for the flight, as it will take extra time for the total flight time. 4) The capacity of the local plane is 15 passengers and only hand luggage up to 10 kg per person on board. Heavy luggage above 10 kg will be delivered separately with ground shipping. 5) Travel period from May to September. 6) In May and September, the dates of the trip should be agreed with the flight schedule, as flights are not operated daily. 7) The recommended age of travelers is over 10 years old and suitable for older people. It should be noted, that part of the trip takes place in the highlands at altitudes up to 2500 meters above the sea level. People with meteosensitivity should pay attention to this fact. 8) Active programs - rafting, trekking, jiping - are suitable for people of different age groups and do not require special training. 9) When traveling in May and early June, please pay attention to tick activity. We recommend advance vaccinations. Otherwise, the tick-borne encephalitis insurance will be issued.
Route & locations
Gorno-Altaysk, Russia to Chemal, Russia