Ski-touring In Katon-karagai National Park
About this tour
Backcountry in one of the most remote and sacred corners of Kazakhstan. The road will lead you to the far north-east of the country where you will visit the largest National Park Katon-Karagai, South Altai Mountain Range and get acquainted with nomadic culture and shamanic beliefs. The trip will take place at gorgeous Rakhmanov Lake surrounded by the virgin mountain slopes. During your staying in the cozy wooden guest house near the cedar forest on the shore of the lake you will ejoy the atmosphere of peace and wilderness and could take a rest from the Internet and mobile phone. You will be one of those lucky beggars who have a chance to travel on snowy Altai mountains with a view of legendary sacred Mount Belukha. The eastern summit is the highest in Altai and Siberia and has altitude 4506 meters. Many people dream to reach the top and see mythological Goddess Umai - Gardian of the Earth who has a huge power and healing energy and can make any wish come true. There is an opinion that in this area you can open the gates to the mysterious and magical World of Shambala where the beautiful dreams come true and people find inner peace and harmony.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Oskemen, Kazakhstan to Katon-Karagay, Kazakhstan
Meeting the guide in Oskemem, lunch and departure to Katon-Karagai village by car (350 km). Accommodation in the guest house with dinner and sauna.
Day 2: Katon-Karagay, Kazakhstan to Rakhmanovskie Klyuchi, Kazakhstan
Breakfast in the guest house and transfer to Rakhmanov Lake (110 km) by Russian UAZ (“Bukhanka”). Arrival to the lake, accommodation in the guest house. Lunch and ski-touring in the mountain area near the lake. Coming back to the guest house, dinner and rest.
Day 3: Rakhmanovskie Klyuchi, Kazakhstan
Breakfast, preparations. Touring to the «no name» totally wild gorges located nearby. First part of the route will be going along the frozen lake shore, then passing through the forest and ending in alpine zone at an altitude of 2800 meters. During the day it will be possible to make 2-3 runs with 800-1500 vertical meters in total. Return to the guest house, dinner and rest.
Day 4: Rakhmanovskie Klyuchi, Kazakhstan
Breakfast, preparations. Touring to the «no name» totally wild gorges located nearby. First part of the route will be going along the frozen lake shore, then passing through the forest and ending in alpine zone at an altitude of 2800 meters. During the day it will be possible to make 2-3 runs with 800-1500 vertical meters in total. Return to the guest house, dinner and rest.
Day 5: Rakhmanovskie Klyuchi, Kazakhstan
Breakfast, preparations. Touring to the «no name» totally wild gorges located nearby. First part of the route will be going along the frozen lake shore, then passing through the forest and ending in alpine zone at an altitude of 2800 meters. During the day it will be possible to make 2-3 runs with 800-1500 vertical meters in total. Return to the guest house, dinner and rest.
Day 6: Rakhmanovskie Klyuchi, Kazakhstan
Breakfast, preparations. Touring to the Radostnyi pass (“Joyfull”) and ridges nearby. At the beginning you will have to walk about 20 mins in boots for getting to the start point. Maximun altitude on the highest point 2700 meters. During the day it will be possible to make 2-3 runs with 800-1500 vertical meters in total. Return to the guest house, dinner and rest.
Day 7: Rakhmanovskie Klyuchi, Kazakhstan
Breakfast, preparations. Touring to the Radostnyi pass (“Joyfull”) and ridges nearby. At the beginning you will have to walk about 20 mins in boots for getting to the start point. Maximum altitude on the highest point 2700 meters. During the day it will be possible to make 2-3 runs with 800-1500 vertical meters in total. Return to the guest house, dinner and rest.
Day 8: Rakhmanovskie Klyuchi, Kazakhstan to Katon-Karagay, Kazakhstan
Breakfast, preparations. Departure to the Uryl village (60 km). Lunch in the house of the hospitable Pilipenko family decorated in traditional Altai style by talented artist and landlord Andrey whose artworks reflect ancient culture and traditions of Altai culture. Here you will also see shamanic items, dream catchers, custom furniture, old hunter wooden skis with natural animal skins and “Ayil” constructions – traditional dwelling of Altai nations. Transfer to the guest house in Katon-Karagai village (60 km). Sauna and dinner.
Day 9: Katon-Karagay, Kazakhstan to Oskemen, Kazakhstan
Breakfast, tea ceremony and honey tasting with a local Healer, Witch and Herbalist. Excursion to the food and clothing market of the village, visiting souvenir shopes and stores with various healing packaged herbal teas, tinctres, balms and honey. Departure to Oskemen (350 km). Stop on the way in Altai city for lunch. Accommodation in comfortable hotel in Oskemen. Evening city walk, dinner and rest.
What's included
1. Accommodation according to the program. 2. All transfers according to the program. 3. Meals indicated in the program. 4. English-speaking KMGA skiing guide. 5. All environmental and ecological fees. 6. Sauna in Katon-Karagai guest house. 7. Drinking water.
1. Rental of ski and avalanche equipment. 2. Meals not indicated in the program and/or not included into the tour price. 3. Visa support and registration on the territory of Kazakhstan, if required. 4. Personal expenses and other expenses not indicated in the program. 5. Insurance policy. 6. Cost of the domestic flight Almaty-Oskemen-Almaty (~150-180 EUR).
Languages spoken
What to know
Required clothing and equipment: Safety: – avalanche equipment (avalanche safety kit: shovel, probe, transceiver); - airbag backpack (optionally). Equipment: – freeride backpack with skis/spliboard fixation (volume 30-40 liters); – helmet; – goggles with a spare lens for foggy conditions (better to have 2 goggles); – ski-touring or snowboard boots; – freeride skis or splitboard with proper touring bindings; – climbing skins; – telescopic poles. Personal clothing and accessories: – thermal base layer; - membrane jacket and pants; - insulation layers (softshell jacket, light primaloft sweater or vest); - warm down jacket; – extra set of wool or fleece thermal base layer; - few pairs of warm thermal socks; - warm trekking shoes or boots; – softshell gloves; - warm mittens; – beanie; - cap; - neck tube; – sunscreen with a high degree of UV protection SPF 50+; – sunglasses; - inti-frost cream; – swimsuit, towel and slippers for visiting sauna; – personal AID kit (pain and flu medication, adhesive plaster, individual medications in case of having chronic diseases); - isothermal foil survival blanket; – repair kit (spare parts and tools for adjustment and repair your bindings, duct tape, rubber straps) – thermos; – water bottle; – head lamp; – personal hygienic items; - power bank; – spare batteries for your transceiver; - chargers and cords for your electronic devices; – adaptor for outlet charging, if needed (220V 50Hz European outlet). Food and drinks: – individual snacks (energy and protein bars, muesli, dry fruits and nuts, special mount nutrition, isotonic and etc.)
Route & locations
Oskemen, Kazakhstan to Katon-Karagay, Kazakhstan