Big Country Travel: Trips to Russia, Adventure Tours & Vacation Packages

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Climbing Belukha, the highest peak of Altai and Siberia, is one of the most unusual types of outdoor activities. This is not surprising, since this peak exceeds the other peaks of Russia in complexity, such as Kazbek and even Elbrus. The ascent takes place along the ridge through Delaunay Peak along route 4A of difficulty category. You will see the picturesque Akkem Lake and glacier, as well as undergo the acclimatization necessary for a successful ascent.

Climbing Belukha is a difficult route that requires good physical and technical training, but you will be accompanied by professional climbing instructors of at least the first sports category and certified rescuers. Test yourself for strength and embark on this extreme journey to Mount Everest's little sister!

To complete this tour, you must independently issue a pass to the border zone, please contact the organizer for details.

Location

Russia, Altai Republic, Gorno-Altaysk

Mountain climbing

from

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Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)

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Tour highlights

Climbing Belukha

Together we will conquer the highest point of Siberia – the beautiful Beluga Whale

The most beautiful track

Our way to Akkem Lake will take place along the famous Akkem trail

Snow and ice classes

Let's put into practice the technique of movement in cats and the skills of working with equipment

Itinerary

Day 1 - Meeting with a group in Biysk or Gorno-Altaisk
We are meeting with a group in the city of Gorno-Altaysk
1. Airport — for those who arrive on Friday morning;
2. The pick—up point in the city is for those who arrive/ arrive in advance at 94 Kommunisticheskiy Prospekt (border control, where we will pick up the passes, the pass must be ordered in advance, 15 working days in advance).
Meeting time: according to the time, we are guided by departure in the morning, before 10.00.
Most often, planes and buses arrive in the morning.
For the first 2-3 days, the climbing and trekking group follow the route together.
The place and time of the meeting are preliminary, we are guided by the arrival of all participants of the ascent and trekking in order to choose the optimal time and meeting point.
Then we take a transfer to the village of Kucherla, from where the route begins.
The average travel time is 8 hours, and we stop for lunch at a roadside cafe.
In the evening, we stay in a 6-bed guest house, relax before the upcoming transition.
Day 2 - Transfer to the parking lot "Three Birches", transfer to a campsite in the area of Lake Akkemsky (2050 n.o.m)
We have breakfast in the village of Kucherla, then we are waiting for a pickup in a GAZ 66 off-road vehicle, a distance of 20 km, we drive about 1.5-2 hours to the tourist parking lot "Three Birches", from here the walking part begins, a 21 km walk along the Akkem River and about 1000 m of climbing with a backpack.
The transition is laborious, especially during precipitation, the trail can be very blurred (you can use rubber boots).
In the evening, we arrive at the campsite in the area of Akkem lake (2050 n.o.m.), the average transit time on this day is from 8 to 12 hours.
At the campsite, we stay in spacious 4-seater tents on decking, have dinner.

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Day 3 - A day of rest after casting
An acclimatization day, during which you can walk along the shores of Lake Akkema, go trekking with a group to the Yarlu Valley.
Also on this day, we listen to a safety lecture, check our equipment with a guide, and prepare for the ascent.
Day 4 - Akkem Lake crossing – Tomsk overnight stays (3000 n.o.m)
Akkem lake crossing – "Tomsk overnight stays" (3000 n.o.m.).
Today we will have an early ascent (around 04.00) and transfer to the next point of our route – the parking lot "Tomsk overnight stays".
We have to walk about 13 km and gain 1000 m in height.
As we move upward, the forest area ends and we approach the glacier area.
In the afternoon, according to the weather and the condition of the participants, we rest and can arrange a training session, we will consolidate in practice the technique of movement in cats (on snow and on ice), the basic skills of working with equipment.
Day 5 - Passage "Tomsk overnight stays" (3000 m) – Delaunay pass (3400 m) – assault camp under Delaunay peak (4000 m)
Early in the morning we go out to the Delaunay pass, passing it with the help of handrails – specially hung ropes.
The height difference between the Tomsk sites and the highest point of the pass is 400 meters.
After climbing the pass, we still have to climb a snow-and-ice ridge with climbing areas on a rock in cats.
The climbing route has difficulty category 4A and runs along pre-hung (in difficult areas) railing ropes using climbing equipment. Under Delaunay Peak at around 4000 m, we stop for the night at an assault camp to gain strength before storming Belukha.
*In case of adverse weather conditions, we set up the assault camp earlier, at the Delaunay Pass, and climb from the Delaunay Pass, along the same route

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Day 6 - Belukha ascent (4509 m)
Belukha ascent (4509 m).
We continue climbing.
We climb to the top of Delaunay Peak (4260 m), then drop the height a little, descending into the saddle between Delaunay Peak and Vostochnaya Belukha.
Then we go up again.
And now we have reached our goal – we are standing on Vostochnaya Belukha (4509 m).
We rejoice, take pictures, enjoy the views from the top and set off on the way back along the climbing path.
Today we have to go down to the Tomsk Sleepovers.

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Day 7 - Descent to the base campsite on Lake Akkema
We continue the descent.
Today we are going to move from the "Tomsk overnight stays" to the base campsite in the area of Akkem Lake.
Day 8 - Reserve day
A spare day in case of bad weather.
If we were lucky with the weather and we ascended Belukha on the first attempt, then this day is at our disposal.
If desired, it will be possible to climb the Kara-Tyurek pass with a walking group.
There is a great view of Belukha from there!
We can also take a walk to the Yarlu Valley, admire the mystical multicolored mountains.
Day 9 - A reserve day.
Reserve day.
A spare day in case of bad weather.
If we didn't use this day and the ascent turned out right away, we can go on a trekking route on this day and relax at the base camp.
Day 10 - Descent to the parking lot "Three birches"
Descent to the parking lot "Three birches".
Transfer to GAZ 66 to the village of Kucherla, return to the guest houses.
The descent is laborious, 500 m climbs, the distance is 21 km.
During precipitation, the trail can be heavily blurred and rubber boots can be used.
Day 11 - Departure to Gorno-Altaysk
Transfer Kucherla – Gorno-Altaysk.
We leave Kucherla at about 6-8 a.m., we will be in Gorno-Altaysk at about 16 hours, we recommend taking tickets with at least a few hours in time, since the road is long, there may be delays, there may be traffic jams at the entrance to Gorno-Altaysk due to numerous tourists.
Changes may be made to the program based on the weather conditions and the condition of the participants.

Difficulty

Only for experienced and physically fit hikers. Requires specific skills and equipment

Tour organizer's comments

Climbing Belukha is a difficult route that requires good physical and technical training, as there are long cross—country crossings.

Accommodation

Guest House

2 nights
Tent

7 nights

Comfort

Basic

The tour includes accommodation in a guest house in the village of Kucherla (2 nights) and in tents along the way.

The cost of the tour for 1 person is 285,000 rubles.

Individual ascent with an instructor is possible. Price on request.

Tour conditions

Group

From 2 to 8 tourists

Minimum age

18 years old

Duration

11 days 10 nights

Group meets at

Russia, Altai Republic, Gorno-Altaysk

Included in price

the work of a guide for a group of 2 participants;
consulting assistance in obtaining a pass to the border zone (we send instructions on how to fill out an application, answer questions);
transfer Gorno-Altaysk - p. Kucherla - Gorno-Altaysk (cars of different formats passenger / minivan / minibus, depending on the number of participants, other tourists are often present in the transfer, for example, our trekking group going parallel with the ascent);
accommodation (2 nights) with meals at the Active Life tourist base in Kucherla (2 breakfasts + 2 dinners) in 6-bed guest houses;
GAS drop-66 p.Kucherla - parking lot "Three birches" on the second day of the program;
discharge to the GAS-66 parking lot "Three birches" - P. Kucherla on the ninth day of the program;
accommodation with meals at a campsite in the Akkem lake area (6 nights according to the program). Camping tent: 4-seater tents are placed on decking, a camping dining room, a camping kitchen, a tent bath with steam and hot water;
transportation of public cargo to the campsite in the Akkem Lake area (tents, equipment and food are thrown in advance);
meals on the active part of the route (at the base camp in the Akkem Lake area, hot breakfasts and dinners (porridges, soups, side dishes, cereals, vegetables), then with the complication of the route, the products become freeze-dried (dried), during lunch the group most often passes part of the route, so a snack is presented (sweets, nuts, dried fruits, bacon, sausage, cheese);
registration of the group in the Ministry of Emergency Situations;
group first aid kit (at Akkem base camp, on Tomsk);
public camping equipment (assault tents, campfire, gas, etc.);
climbing equipment (helmet, crampons, harness, rope, carabiners, etc.);
satellite communications in case of emergency, radio communications and navigation;
consultations with the guide and the organizers in preparation for the ascent;
corporate certificate of ascent
mountaineering insurance (we work with the insurance company Guarantee, insurance includes sports “Mountaineering”, coverage of 1,000,000 rubles).

Paid extra

travel to Gorno-Altaysk from your city and back;
meals at roadside cafes during the transfer;
personal camping equipment (backpack, sleeping bag, track. sticks, etc.);
horse-drawn drop-off of personal equipment and equipment to the campsite in the Akkem Lake area and back (it is important to take into account that horses go up to the base camp for 2 days, participants for 1 day (since they walk along different trails), therefore, you can not give things that will be useful for the first night (sleeping bag, etc.) for horse-drawn drop-off casts 850r / kg (prices are approximate according to the 2024 season).

It's important to know

Shoes:

mountain boots with a hard sole (preferably with a welt under the cat);
trekking boots (can be replaced with sturdy sneakers);
light slippers (for the camp).

Clothes:

windproof jacket (Membrane: gore tex or equivalent);
windproof trousers (Membrane: gore tex or equivalent);
a down jacket with a hood (Down or synthetic);
insulated pants (Softshell, windblock, windstopper);
insulated jacket (Softshell, windblock, windstopper);
warm thermal underwear;
2 pairs of mittens (Polartec, fleece);
windproof leggings;
hat (Softshell, windblock, windstopper, nolartec, fleece, HB);
balaclava (Softshell, windblock, windstopper, nolartec, fleece, HB);
thermal cables;
2 pairs of socks (thermal socks dry faster than regular ones);
lightweight trousers;
2 T-shirts/T-shirts;
2 sets of underwear;
2 pairs of cotton socks.

Camping equipment:

expedition backpack (for men 80-90 liters, for girls 50-70 liters);
a cape for a backpack (in case of rain);
snow-proof shoe covers;
Sleeping bag (comfort temperature: -20 °C);
2 polyurethane foam mats (it is warmer to sleep on two mats);
hoba (polyurethane foam seat);
trekking poles (with attachments so that they do not fall into the snow);
headlamp with LEDs (be sure to insert new batteries);
matches, lighter (in an airtight package);
water container (thermos, hydrator, 1-1.5 liter bottle).

Personal items:

mug, spoon, plate (plastic or stainless steel);
folding knife;
Sunglasses (IMPORTANT! with a UV filter. Protection level ≥ 3);
sunscreen, lipstick (with a protection factor of at least 50);
brush, paste, towel (made of quick-drying materials);
bathroom accessories;
a patch for the prevention of corns (2-3 cm wide);
first aid kit + vitamins (for "favorite diseases");
toilet paper (1 roll);
reftamide (ticks can be on the day of casting and discarding, then not).

Documents:

Russian passport (Required! Border guards will check it);
a pass to the border zone (Required! It is issued independently. Border guards will check it);
MHI policy;
tick bite insurance (ticks can be on the day of dropping and discarding, then not);
cash for personal expenses and unforeseen circumstances.

Dates and Prices

$3,233

15 – 25 May 11 days 10 nights

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22 May – 1 Jun 11 days 10 nights

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29 May – 8 Jun 11 days 10 nights

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5 – 15 Jun 11 days 10 nights

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12 – 22 Jun 11 days 10 nights

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19 – 29 Jun 11 days 10 nights

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26 Jun – 6 Jul 11 days 10 nights

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3 – 13 Jul 11 days 10 nights

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10 – 20 Jul 11 days 10 nights

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17 – 27 Jul 11 days 10 nights

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24 Jul – 3 Aug 11 days 10 nights

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31 Jul – 10 Aug 11 days 10 nights

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7 – 17 Aug 11 days 10 nights

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14 – 24 Aug 11 days 10 nights

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21 – 31 Aug 11 days 10 nights

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28 Aug – 7 Sep 11 days 10 nights

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4 – 14 Sep 11 days 10 nights

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11 – 21 Sep 11 days 10 nights

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18 – 28 Sep 11 days 10 nights

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Climbing Belukha in 10 days