Hike to the foot of Belukha. Altai

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In this trekking we will go to the foot of the main peak of Altai along one of the most picturesque hiking trails. Every day there is a new height, river valleys and mountain lakes of rare beauty and magnificent panoramas of Belukha, which opens up in a new way every kilometer of the way.

In addition to Belukha, in 10 days of travel we will see: the colorful Yarlu gorge, the Lake of Mountain Spirits, the Valley of Seven lakes, the Akkem glacier, the most beautiful lake of Altai Ak-Kem and climb the Black Heart pass (Kara-Tyurek) – places endowed with extraordinary energy.

The trip will take place with light backpacks, we will live in a comfortable tent camping on the lake. Accem.

Location

Gorno-Altaysk / Biysk

Hiking tours

from

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booking

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

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Tour highlights

Cozy camping

We will live in a comfortable campsite with spacious tents and a sauna

Places of Power

Let's experience the powerful energy of the Yarlu Valley, covered with legends and myths

Valley of the Seven Lakes

Let's inhale the aromas of blooming alpine meadows and admire the numerous waterfalls

Itinerary

Day 1 - Meeting. Transfer to Kucherla village
The meeting of the group in Biysk near the railway station or in Gorno-Altaysk near the bus station at 9:00.
Departure from Gorno-Altaysk by transfer to the village of Kucherla.
The distance is 416 kilometers.
Travel time is 6-8 hours.
We'll stop for lunch along the way.
In the afternoon, we arrive in the village of Kucherla and stay at the base in guest houses.
We are getting acquainted, preparing for the upcoming drop, having dinner.
Day 2 - Transfer to the campsite
In the morning we have breakfast at the base and start the journey to the parking lot "Three birches" through the Kuzuyak pass.
The pass is low — 1513 m.
We will drive this way on GAZ-66.
Travel time is 2 hours.
A pedestrian crossing awaits us from the Three Birches parking lot.
In terms of time, it will take 8-10 hours.
We will make rest stops and snacks.
Upon arrival at the campsite, dinner and a sauna.
Day 3 - Day of rest
On this day we rest at the campsite.
If desired, we take a short walk to the Akkem Lake and the mountain weather station.
It is important to rest and prepare for tomorrow's route.
Day 4 - Yarlu Valley
A huge number of legends and myths are associated with these places.
Esotericists and mediums claim that the most powerful places of power are located here.
Roerich's followers consider him a saint.
For those who do not believe in spirits and places of power, Yarlu Valley will also impress with the colorful mountains surrounding it — pink, blue, purple.
Day 5 - Climbing the Karatyurek pass
On this day, we will climb as high as possible — up to an altitude of 3060 m above sea level.
This is exactly the height of the Karatyurek pass.
It offers a beautiful view of Belukha Mountain, Katun ridge, Akkem River valley.
The exit will take place early in the morning, the radial exit will take from 5 to 10 hours.
The pass has a difficulty category of 1A.
Day 6 - A walk to the Valley of Seven Lakes
Amazing lakes, numerous waterfalls, blooming alpine meadows and snow—white peaks - you will love it here!
The uppermost lakes are located at an altitude of just over 2,600 m.
Day 7 - Mountain Spirits Lake and Akkem Glacier
On this day, we will get as close as possible to the Beluga Whale.
We will visit the Mountain Spirits Lake with very clear and turquoise water.
Day 8 - Day of rest
According to the program, we have a rest day.
You can walk around the beautiful Akkema Lake, which offers a breathtaking view of Belukha and the Akkema Wall.
Such a sight will not leave anyone indifferent!
Day 9 - Base in Kucherla
After breakfast, we go down the already familiar path to the parking lot "Three birches".
GAZ-66 will be waiting for us there, which will take the group to the base in Kucherla.
There we will have a hot bath and a delicious dinner — an excellent end to the hike.
Day 10 - Departure home
We have breakfast at the base in Kucherla, get ready and take a transfer back to Biysk or Gorno-Altaysk.
The travel time to Gorno-Altaysk will be approximately 6-8 hours, during the transfer there will be a stop for lunch.
We return to Gorno-Altaysk at around 17.00, we recommend taking train and plane tickets with a few hours' reserve.

Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Tour organizer's comments

Climbing Belukha does not require climbing skills, but requires endurance and excellent physical fitness. You should be ready to walk 8-10 hours a day with a 10-12 kg backpack. The good news is that the dates of the ascent are known in advance, so you can have time to prepare. Before climbing, we conduct practical training on mountaineering techniques and safety in the mountains.

Accommodation

Tent

7 nights
Guest House

2 nights

Comfort

Basic

The tour includes accommodation in a tent campsite on Akkem Lake and a campsite in the village of Kucherla.

The first night at the Tekelu parking lot, where our intermediate campsite will be located, followed by camping on the lake. Ak-Kem – all inclusive (large new tents, meals, sauna). Accommodation in a separate tent is possible – negotiated individually (depends on the workload of the campsite) an additional fee of 500 rubles / day.

2 more photos

Tour conditions

Group

up to 15 tourists

Minimum age

16 years old

Duration

10 days 9 nights

Group meets at

Gorno-Altaysk / Biysk

Included in price

the work of a guide;
transfer Gorno-Altaysk (Biysk) - Kucherla - Gorno-Altaysk (Biysk);
transfer Kucherla - "Three birches" - Kucherla;
3 meals a day;
accommodation, meals and a sauna in the village of Kucherla in a guest house (2 nights);
camping accommodation on the lake. Ak-Kem - all inclusive (large new tents, meals, sauna);
registration of the group in the Ministry of Emergency Situations;
rental of public camping equipment (tents, cooking utensils);
transportation of public goods (groceries, tents);
accident insurance for the duration of the hike;
assistance in obtaining a border pass (a border pass is required only for foreign citizens);
group first aid kit.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Gorno-Altaysk/ Biysk and back;
dropping off personal items at the campsite;
a separate tent;
calls via satellite (cost per minute ~ 300 rubles);
meals at roadside cafes (during the transfer).

It's important to know

Shoes:

trekking / mountain boots (high boot to protect the ankle, aggressive tread, it is also important that your shoes do not get wet, we recommend using impregnation);
trekking sneakers (suitable for participants with a trained ankle, there are many sections with stone scree on the route, so it is not recommended for beginners to wear sneakers);
slippers/sandals (closed-toed shoes are required to protect fingers from injury).

Clothes:

windproof jacket with a hood (we recommend taking a membrane jacket that will protect you from precipitation);
windproof trousers (we recommend taking membrane trousers that will protect you from precipitation);
a down jacket with a hood (you need a light down jacket (up to -10), with synthetic insulation, or down);
insulated jacket (a jacket with fleece lining is suitable);
thermal underwear (it is better to take a combination of synthetics and wool, medium thickness, or thin);
mittens/gloves 1 pair (made of fleece or other quick-drying materials);
hb gloves;
hat (fleece, or other quick-drying, breathable materials);
panama hat/cap/buff from the sun (buff is necessary to cover the neck from the sun's rays);
thermal socks 2 pairs (for summer trekking);
warm socks (for sleeping, not compression);
lightweight trousers (made of quick-drying materials, breathable), shorts (summer, quick-drying);
T-shirt 2 pieces (made of synthetic, preferably with long sleeves);
replaceable underwear 2 pieces;
socks are ordinary, hb 2 pieces;
swimsuit / swimming trunks.

Camping equipment:

expedition backpack 80-90 liters (men), 60-70 liters (women);
assault backpack (small backpack for radial routes with a volume of up to 40 liters);
rain cover on the backpack (make sure that the cape will be put on a filled backpack with a caremate attached);
sleeping bag (comfortable temperature from -5 and below, we recommend using synthetic materials);
compression bag (in order to keep your belongings dry and facilitate transportation);
karemat — 1 pc. (for overnight stay in the parking lot "Tekelu");
trekking poles (it is important to choose poles specifically for trekking, not Scandinavian walking);
headlamp with LEDs (be sure to insert new batteries);
sunglasses with UV filter of the third protection category (preferably with a cover);
thermos, hydrator, water bottle 0.5 — 1 l.;
lighter;
knife, mug, spoon, stainless steel cup;
towel made of quick-drying materials;
Toothbrush;
patch 1 roll Width 2-3 cm.;
sunscreen and lipstick;
first aid kit + vitamins;
reftamide (a remedy for ticks and other insects).

Documents:

Russian passport;
MHI policy;
tick bite insurance policy (ticks can meet on the first and last day of the tour, in early June).

Dates and Prices

$825

23 May – 1 Jun, 2025 10 days 9 nights

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$825

30 May – 8 Jun, 2025 10 days 9 nights

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$825

6 – 15 Jun, 2025 10 days 9 nights

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$825

13 – 22 Jun, 2025 10 days 9 nights

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$825

20 – 29 Jun, 2025 10 days 9 nights

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$825

27 Jun – 6 Jul, 2025 10 days 9 nights

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$825

4 – 13 Jul, 2025 10 days 9 nights

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$825

11 – 20 Jul, 2025 10 days 9 nights

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$825

18 – 27 Jul, 2025 10 days 9 nights

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$825

25 Jul – 3 Aug, 2025 10 days 9 nights

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$825

1 – 10 Aug, 2025 10 days 9 nights

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$825

8 – 17 Aug, 2025 10 days 9 nights

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$825

15 – 24 Aug, 2025 10 days 9 nights

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$825

29 Aug – 7 Sep, 2025 10 days 9 nights

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$825

5 – 14 Sep, 2025 10 days 9 nights

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$825

12 – 21 Sep, 2025 10 days 9 nights

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$825

19 – 28 Sep, 2025 10 days 9 nights

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