Mount Belukha Trekking Tour
About this tour
A tour to the foothills of the highest peak of Altai – Mount Belukha (4509 m), included in UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the Golden Mountains of Altai.
For local Altai people, Mount Belukha is the main sacred mountain associated with many legends, myths, and traditions. Altai people believe that the spirit Altai-Eesi lives on the top of Mount Belukha and some believers say an entrance to the mystical country of Belovodye is hidden here.
Snow-white peaks, stone gorges and glaciers, fast rivers and colorful lakes - all this makes Mount Belukha one of the most beautiful and interesting places for active tourism and trekking in Altai.
The path to the destination of our trip and back will run along the elevated watersheds, allowing us to enjoy stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and Mount Belukha every day.
During the trip we will carry small backpacks with the necessary stuff for a day (clothing, water, lunch). Most of our personal baggage and equipment will be carried by the horses accompanying the group.
Double accommodation in tents will be available (single accommodation in a tent is paid extra).
Route is of medium difficulty for travelers in a good physical shape, but requires some training. You must be prepared for cross-country trekking trails up to 8 hours a day and climbing up to 1000 m. All group members participate in camp installation, set up their own tents and help with cooking.
Age restrictions: children under 10 years old are not allowed, from 10 to 18 years old - accompanied by parents.
Due to adverse weather conditions or physical condition of group members, the travel itinerary may be modified. The decision of modifying the route is made by the guide.
You will travel near the border of Russia and Kazakhstan which requires to arrange special border permit. For foreign citizens the documents should be submitted not later than 30 working days before the date of arrival.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Gorno-Altaysk, Russia to Ust'-Koksa, Russia
Arrival to Gorno-Altaysk or Barnaul airport. Meeting with the guide who will accompany you throughout the tour. About an hour long domestic flight to Ust-Koksa village deeper in the region. After an arrival about 2 hour driving by a bus. Arrival to Tyungur village, located on the Katun riverside. We will spend the night in the campsite, preparing for the tour.
Day 2: Ust'-Koksa, Russia to Tyungur, Russia
Early in the morning after breakfast, we meet our guide, pack our bags in a special waterproof bags and load them on horses. We take Gaz-66 off-road vehicles and go through the Kuzuyak pass to the trekking starting point at the bridge over the Ak-Kem River. We begin the first day of trekking. Today we will ascent for more than 1000 m. The trail leads through ever-changing landscapes: blooming meadows, steppe southern slopes, cedar and larch forests of the northern slopes. We set up our camp near the Tukhman stream, in a picturesque place above the upper border of the forest (2000 m), showing us a magnificent panoramic view of Mount Belukha and neighboring peaks at the evenings. Accommodation – Guesthouse with shared WC and shower. Distance – By bus ~ Barnaul 380 km, Gorno Altaysk ~ 130 km, domestic flight. Accommodation – Tents with 2 persons in each near Tukhman stream. Distance – By off road bus ~ 20 km, trekking ~ 14 km.
Day 3: Tyungur, Russia to Akkem, Russia
Today our trail passes through amazing alpine meadows. A panoramic view of the Katun ridge opens from all sides. The fancy outlier cliffs occur. The overall distance is longer - 20 km, but without large altitude differences. Part of the trail passes through the territory of the Sailugem National Park, created to preserve the largest snow leopard population in Altai and the largest cross-border population of argali mountain sheep. Overnight in tents near lake Culduiry. Accommodation – Tents with 2 persons in each near lake Culduiry. Distance – Trekking ~ 20 km.
Day 4: Akkem, Russia
After breakfast and packing our things, we start the day with short climbing to a high-altitude plateau with excellent panoramic views. After that, we descend along the stream to the Tekelu river valley. We get down to our camp station on the riverside by lunch. After lunch, we take a walk to Tekelu waterfall, one of the largest in Altai (height 70 m). Overnight in tents. Accommodation – Tents with 2 persons in each. Distance – Trekking ~ 8 km + 6 km.
Day 5: Tekelyu River, Russia to Akkem, Russia
After breakfast we will continue our trekking and passing through Sarybel plateau with breathtaking views of the snow-capped peaks of the Katun Ridge. We will go down the trail to valley of the Yarlu River, take a walk along the valley, observing its amazingly colorful slopes. In the late afternoon we will arrive at the camp station. This camp site is located on the Ak-Kem riverside. We will spend 3 nights here. Dinner in a café and overnight in tents. Optional upgrade to sleep in a warm house for additional fee. Accommodation – Tents with 2 persons in each. Option – overnight in a warm house for additional fee. Distance – Trekking ~ 16 km.
Day 6: Akkem, Russia to Akkemskoye Ozero, Russia
Today after breakfast in a cafe, we leave to the grotto of Akkem glacier. The trail runs along Lake Akkem. Afterwards along the glacial moraine, sometimes we have to climb on the rocks. On the way, we visit the chapel of Archangel Michael, the highest mountain chapel in Russia. Lunch at the glacier grotto and return. Dinner in a café and overnight in tents. Optional upgrade to sleep in a warm house for additional fee. Accommodation – Tents with 2 persons in each. Option – overnight in a warm house for additional fee. Distance – Trekking ~ 20 km.
Day 7: Akkem, Russia
Today we will visit the Valley of Seven Lakes, which is fairly considered as one of the most beautiful places in Altai. Above the valley, Ak-Oyuk peak (White Mountain) with a stunning "hanging" glacier rises. The trail goes through blooming alpine meadows and leads to seven lakes of various colors - from deep blue to light turquoise. Lunch on the meadow near the lakes, return to the camp. Dinner in a café and overnight in tents. Optional upgrade to sleep in a warm house for additional fee. Accommodation – Tents with 2 persons in each. Option – overnight in a warm house for additional fee. Distance – Trekking ~ 18 km.
Day 8: Akkem, Russia
Today we are leaving our camp station and starting the return trip. We have to overpass the Kara-Tyurek pass. The trail begins at the lake through the forest zone to alpine meadows. Some pieces of snowfields here remain all the summer and strong wind can blow. Often air temperature is much lower on the Pass than on the lake. This is our last view of peak of Mount Belukha and the Akkem glacier. After a short rest, we will go along the trail running along the ridge, gradually dropping the altitude. The trail leads us to the stone hut. We will overnight in a forest zone. Dinner and overnight in tents. Accommodation – Tents with 2 persons in each. Distance – Trekking ~ 14 km.
Day 9: Akkem, Russia to Tyungur, Russia
After breakfast we continue our way down to the Kucherla River. Further the trail runs along the shore, winding away and approaching water. We make a rest at the Kuylyu grotto with petroglyphs and by lunch, come to Elan tract. Here we jump in an off-road vehicle GAZ-66, which will take us to the starting point of our route, camping in Tyungur village. Accommodation – Guesthouse with shared WC and shower. Distance – Trekking ~ 17 km.
Day 10: Tyungur, Russia to Gorno-Altaysk, Russia
In the morning we will drive to Verkhny Uimon village, here we will visit Museum of Old Believers and the Museum of the Roerich family. Almost a hundred years ago in 1926 the Roerich’s Central Asian expedition passed through these lands. After a visit we take domestic flight Ust-Koksa - Gorno-Altaysk. Arrival and overnight in the guesthouse. In case departure is from Barnaul, other 250 km drive to Barnaul. Dinner and overnight. Accommodation – Guesthouse with shared WC and shower. Distance – By bus ~ 280 km, walking ~ 3 km.
Day 11: Gorno-Altaysk, Russia
Morning transfer to Gorno Altaysk RGK airport for departure flight back home or transfer to Barnaul airport BAX for departure back home.
What's included
Total price includes: • accommodation ½ DBL according to the program; • all transport and transfers; • horses for luggage transportation along the trekking route; • domestic flights Gorno-Altaysk – Ust Koksa – Gorno-Altaysk (includes hand luggage up to 10 kg). Extra luggage is paid additionally; • local English speaking guide; • excursions, activities and entrance fees; • 24 hour help service by phone; • Russian visa support documents.
• Flights not mentioned; • Upgrade to a warm house Day 5 – Day 7 (~ 575 USD/ 533 EURO for all the group for 3 nights); • Russian visa fee; • Personal expenses; • Travel insurance.
What to know
Route is of medium difficulty for travelers in a good physical shape, but requires some training. You must be prepared for cross-country trekking trails up to 8 hours a day and climbing up to 1000 m. All group members participate in camp installation, set up their own tents and help with cooking. Age restrictions: children under 10 years old are not allowed, from 10 to 18 years old - accompanied by parents. Please pay attention to the 30 working days needed needed to require a border permit.
Route & locations
Gorno-Altaysk, Russia to Ust'-Koksa, Russia