Altai - Trekking in the most beautiful Mountains of Siberia
Enjoy our trekking trip to Altai - the breathtaking mountains of Siberia. We’ve prepared for you an amazing trek in the region of the highest peak of Altai - Belukha Mountain. Our backpacks will be carried by horses or transported by cars.
The trek will take us through picturesque valleys and high mountain passes, we will reach high mountain lakes and the glacier. We’ll get the chance to see amazing Belukha Mountain in all it’s glory and we will take the famous Chuysky Tract - the main road connecting Russia and Mongolia.
Altai (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is the most diversified mountainous region of Siberia. We will pass snow-capped peaks of over 4000 m, glaciers, rare geological forms (like mushroom rocks and red rocks), canyons, beautiful valleys with rapid rivers, the taiga, steppes, birch groves and forests.
During this trekking trip we will pass the Kucherla and Ak-Kem valley and cross the Karaturek pass. We’ll rest in the cottages by Lake Kucherla and Ak-Kem Lake, and we will see the Valley of 7 Lakes. We’ll sleep in tents mostly on the campsites and spend the nights watching stars.
Come and enjoy a trip to the most beautiful mountains of Siberia!
Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, no trips to Russia are planned for the coming year.
INITIARY:
DAY 1
Departure to Barnaul, the capital of the Altai Krai.
DAY 2
Arrive to Baranul in the morning and departure to the the famous Chuysky Tract - the main road connecting Russia and Mongolia, built by prisoners from the Gulag Archipelago. Drive through the Semynska Pass. We reach the village Tiungur and the heart of the Altai surrounded by its highest peaks.
DAY 3
Through the flowery meadows we go for a warm-up trek to the nearby mountain Bajda, from where we will be able to see Belukha for the first time (if the weather is good enough)
[Estimated distance and altitude*: about 16 km, from 846 by 1821 to 846 m above sea level].
DAY 4
Soviet marshrutkas will take us to the beginning of the trail. We start trekking towards Kucherlinsky Lake. Overnight in tents in a beautiful clearing on the banks of the Kucherla River.
[Estimated distance and height *: about 16 km, from 1000 to 1344 to 1270 m a.s.l.]
DAY 5-6
Wandering through a dense forest, we continue trekking in Kucherla Valley. We set up a camp for 2 days at the at the Kucherlinsky Lake - it will be our base from which we will set off for trekking towards high mountain lakes.
[Estimated distance and height*: day 5 - about 16 km, from 1270 by 1796 to 1690 m; day 6 - about 13 km, from 1690 by 2290 to 1690 m]
DAY 7-8
We go towards the highest point of our trekking - Kara-Tiurek Pass (3060 m above sea level). We go over the border of the forest, where we have a great opportunity to admire breathtaking views of the high mountain area. We set up the camp on a beautifully situated clearing below the pass, which we will pass the next day. In good weather we will be able to admire a beautiful view of the glacier that covers Belukha, Akkem Valley and peaks surrounding us. We descend from the pass and reach our destination - an organized camping site located in a coniferous forest at an altitude of 1950 m above sea level, just below Akkem Lake.[Estimated distance and height*: day 7 - about 13 km, from 1690 to 2240 m; day 8 - about 14 km, from 2150 to 3092 to 1975 m].
DAY 9-11
Having a base below Lake Ak-Kem, we spend the next days trekking:
• to the Ak-Kem Lake and glacier and the foot of the beautiful Belukha Mountain - the highest peak of the Altai!
• to the Valley of 7 Lakes, situated in a small alpine valley, covered with alpine-type meadows, surrounded by snow-covered peaks
• to the mysterious Stone Town on the east through the Jarlu valley
[Estimated distance and altitude*: day 9 - about 15 km, from 1975 by 2650 na 1975 m; day 10 - about 17 km, from 1975 by 2296 na 1975 m; day 11 - about 10 km, from 1975 by 2254 na 1975 m].
DAY 12
We are slowly returning to civilization, heading northwards through the Akkem Valley in the midst of beautiful Altai nature, along the banks of a rapid river. After the long trekking day, transfer to Tiungur.
DAY 13
Spare day that can also be used for rafting on the high-mountain river Katun.
DAY 14
A day trip to Barnaul. Evening party - farewell to Russia!
DAY 15
Morning departure from Barnaul to Warsaw.
PRICE INCLUDES:
• a return flight ticket with all charges
• care of an English-speaking guide
• porters/horses to transport luggage during trekking
• tents
• transport by minibus, off-road and lorry
• accommodation in a hotel in Barnaul *** , turbas and campsites
• half board on trekking days and breakfast every day
• 3x "banya"- Siberian sauna
• information packages and maps
• compulsory insurance guarantee for the travel agency
• NNW and KL + insurance of luggage up to 200 Euro
• a mandatory fee for the State Tourist Guarantee Fund (TFG) for each person
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
• Visa to Russia
• Optional trips (rafting, helicopter flight over the Altai, etc.) and admission tickets
FLIGHT:
The place of departure is WARSAW or MOSCOW. In case you wish to travel from another destination or book flights on your own, please contact us for price quotation for this trip.
FOOD:
We provide half board (breakfasts and dinners) prepared by the local guide-cook on trekking days. On no-trekking days only breakfast is provided.
Snacks/lunches during the trekking on their own.
There will be a possibility of buying products in shops or a local bistro before the trekking. Prices are similar to those in Poland.
ACCOMODATION:
It will be varied. In Barnaul 1 night in hotel 3*. In Tiungur 4 nights in the turbaza or at local hosts. Other accommodation on campsites in a tent: 4 nights in turbazas with basic infrastructure, and 4 nights on forest glades without infrastructure.
SANITARY EQUIPMENT:
In all places except the Barnaul, the toilet is not standard. On the campsite we will have to use the outhouse. In the mountains there is no regular shower with hot water. Instead, there is a Siberian "banya". A wooden house, often smelling of a tree, clean inside, warm and two buckets of hot and cold water without restrictions. Separate bath for men and women.
TRANSPORT:
We will travel with a Russian marshrutka "Gazela" without air conditioning or UAZ field car.
WARNING:
Trips to the former USSR sometimes require a participant of a large dose of patience in relation to the speed of local service, understanding of requirements or time arrangements. As long as we are able to disconnect from the "Western" sense of time and duty, then a trip for us will be a beautiful, unique impression. Some itinerary points and the order of days may change.
GROUP:
We travel in small groups. The minimum number of people on the trip is 7, maximum 15.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
• The itinerary may change depending on the date of departure, weather and other factors.
• Learn more about general conditions of participation and find out how to sign up for a trip.
• The organizer of the trip is Active Travel Agency Barents.pl.
