Hiking tour to the foot of Belukha

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Feel the greatness of the Altai Mountains, reaching its very heart – the sacred Belukha Mountain! We will walk through the valleys of two legendary rivers – Kucherly and Akkema. We will overcome the Kara-Tyurek pass with a height of 3,060 meters above sea level, which offers a stunning view of the highest point of the Altai Mountains – Queen Belukha. We will stop on the shore of the most beautiful lakes – Kucherlinsky and Akkemsky. We will reach the Akkem glacier and the lake of Mountain Spirits. We will visit the valley of Seven Lakes and the extraordinary Yarlu Valley.

Location

Novosibirsk, Gorno-Altaysk

Hiking tours

from

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

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Tour highlights

Kucherlinsky Lake

We will relax on the shore of a picturesque lake with turquoise water and surrounded by mighty mountain peaks

The Beluga Queen

We will overcome the Kara-Tyurek pass and enjoy a stunning view of the highest point of the Altai Mountains

Hot bathhouse

At the end of the hike, we will have a long-awaited rest and a hot Russian wood-burning sauna

Itinerary

Day 1 - Novosibirsk – Gorno-Altaysk – Tyungur
(887 km – bus)
Our trip will start at 06:15 in Novosibirsk.
On the way, if necessary, we will pick up part of the group in Gorno-Altaisk.
There is a long road ahead to the village of Tyungur.
We'll stop for lunch on the way.
After accommodation at the campsite, we will prepare a delicious dinner and spend the night in tents.
Meals: dinner.
Day 2 - Elan tract – the bank of the Kucherla River
(8 km by car, 10 km on foot with backpacks)
Getting up at dawn, we will distribute equipment and food into backpacks, and also send some of the food to Akkem Lake on horseback.
And after that, we will drop to the starting point of the pedestrian route on cross-country transport.
After overcoming 2-3 running hours with halts, we will stop for a lunch snack.
We will spend the night in a cozy clearing on the banks of the Kucherla River.
Let's cook dinner and share our impressions of the first day and continue our acquaintance, sitting around the campfire under the starry Altai sky.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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Day 3 - Lake Kucherlinskoye
(16 km on foot with backpacks)
We'll get up early today.
In general, you need to get used to early rises.
Being in such a wonderful place as the Altai Mountains, you should not waste precious daylight hours on sleep when you can just go to bed early.
We will reach Lake Kucherlinskoye, where we will set up camp on the shore.
Mighty mountain peaks rise around this picturesque lake with turquoise water, which gives this landscape a truly unique look.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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Day 4 - A day at Kucherlinsky lake
We rest after the first days of the hike, and prepare for the ascent to the Kara-Tyurek pass.
If desired, you can go to the sauna and swim in the lake in the evening.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 5 - Transfer to the Tekelyushka River to the Cedar parking lots
(10 km on foot with backpacks)
From Kucherlinsky Lake, we will traverse to the Tekelyushka River to the Cedar camps, gradually gaining altitude.
We will set up our camp among the centuries-old cedars.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 6 - Kara-Tyurek Pass and Akkem Lake
(10 km on foot with backpacks)
Today we will reach the maximum height of our journey.
We will get from the valley of the Kucherla River to the valley of the Akkem River.
We will overcome the Kara-Tyurek pass with a height of 3060 meters above sea level.
From here you can enjoy a stunning view of the highest point of the Altai Mountains – Tsaritsa Belukha and the entire Belukhinsky knot.
After taking a lot of unforgettable photos, we will go down to the nearest stream, where we will make a lunch snack.
In the evening we will go down to Akkem lake, where we will camp overnight.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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Day 7 - A day at Akkem lake. Radial exit to the Yarlu River Valley
(6.5 km walking light)
Today you can sleep a little longer, but you need to disperse a little after a difficult ascent and descent through the pass, so we go to a small radial exit into the very interesting valley of the Yarlu River with its jasper canyons.
This place is a holy place for the followers of Roerich, there is a stone town called the "City of the Sun".
It is believed that it is in the Yarlu valley that the "place of power" and the entrance to Shambhala are located.
Yarlu Valley is interesting for its colorful rocks, the colors of which become especially bright after rain.
In the outline of the ridge separating the valleys of the Yarlu and Tekel rivers, one can, with a certain imagination, consider the profile of a woman, and the bright purple-red rock is called the Mother's Heart.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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Day 8 - A day at Akkem lake. Radial exit to the Valley of Seven Lakes
(6 km on foot light)
A day at Akkem lake.
Radial exit to the Valley of Seven Lakes.
Seven colorful mountain lakes are located in an enclosed amphitheater formed by mountain peaks among alpine meadows.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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Day 9 - A day at Akkem lake. Access to the Akkem glacier and ascent to Lake Ak-Oyuk
(5 km walking light)
A day at Akkem lake.
Access to the Akkem glacier and ascent to Lake Ak-Oyuk (lake of Mountain spirits).
Touching permafrost hundreds of thousands of years old is an amazing feeling.
The lake is considered so sacred that no Altai will dare to climb here.
It is believed that this lake, located in close proximity to the top of Belukha in geographical terms, is also very close to the entrance to the spirit world.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 10 - Akkem Lake – parking lot in front of Tekelu Waterfall
(6.5 km on foot with backpacks)
Today we will take a last look at the Akkem wall and Mount Belukha and set off down the valley of the Akkem River towards Tyungur.
Along the way, dense forests of cedars and larches await us, between which cranberry and blueberry blankets are spread.
Also from afar we will see the largest Altai waterfall Tekelu with a height of 60 m.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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Day 11 - Parking lot "Three birches"
(12 km on foot with backpacks)
The final running day.
Today we will get to the parking lot "Three birches" near the Kuzuyak pass, which we will overcome on GAZ-66.
We will arrive at the base, where we will have a long-awaited rest and a hot Russian wood-burning sauna!
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 12 - The final day
(887 km – bus)
At dawn we move back to Novosibirsk.
If necessary, we will bring part of the group to Gorno-Altaysk.
On the way, we will definitely stop to visit the souvenir market.
We recommend buying return tickets after 23:00.
If you are traveling through Novosibirsk, we recommend visiting: water park, zoo and aquarium.
Meals: breakfast.

Difficulty

Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health

Tour organizer's comments

This tour is suitable for all lovers of outdoor activities in good physical shape, who do not have serious health problems. The weight of the backpack is 15-20 kg.

Accommodation

Tent

9 nights
Camp Site

2 nights

Comfort

Basic

The tour provides accommodation in a tent on the route and on the territory of the tourist base in Tyungur (the first night — in tents, the night before departure — in cabins).

Tour conditions

Group

up to 18 tourists

Minimum age

16 years old

Duration

12 days 11 nights

Group meets at

Novosibirsk, Gorno-Altaysk

Included in price

transfer from Novosibirsk / Gorno-Altaysk to the starting point of the route and back;
transfer of participants from Tyungur to the Elan tract in cross-country vehicles;
transfer of participants through the Kuzuyak pass to Tyungur on GAZ-66;
dropping off some of the food on horseback;
accommodation on the territory of the tourist base in Tyungur (the first night - in tents, the night before departure - in cabins);
meals on the route;
sauna at the recreation center on the last day;
the work of instructors;
rental of group equipment (tents, awnings, etc.);
group first aid kit, communication and navigation equipment;
consultations on the selection of clothes, ticket purchase;
a signature buff.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Novosibirsk / Gorno-Altaysk and back;
meals on the road;
insurance against n/a;
sauna on lakes Kucherlinskoye and Ak-kem (about 1000 rubles);
tips for the guide (optional).

It's important to know

Equipment:

sleeping bag (comfort 0 or -3), lightweight! (weight about 1kg);
travel mat;
trekking poles (clips of the ClickLock or FlickLock system);
backpack 65-85 L (hard back, comfortable and wide adjustable waist belt!) + rain cape;
backpack 15-30 L (lightweight) for radial exits;
airtight bags (lightweight) to keep things dry.

Clothing and shoes:

trekking boots (ankle is fixed, thick sole, if you have new shoes, then we will definitely wear them out 10 days before the hike);
sandals (with a fixed heel) or EVA galoshes;
membrane jacket 10000/10000 (if the jacket is over 1 year old, we treat it with a waterproof impregnation);
pants are wind and moisture proof;
lightweight down jacket or insulated jacket (weight about 400g);
fleece hat, buff, panama hat/cap;
insulated jacket (fleece);
T-shirt or long sleeve shirt;
1-2 T-shirts (preferably synthetic);
T-shirt with wide shoulders under the straps of a backpack (running);
trekking socks (4 pairs, synthetic) + warm trekking socks 1 pair;
lightweight running pants, you can also use shorts;
underwear;
a set of moisture-wicking thermal underwear.

What else to take:

2 liters of breadcrumbs – take instead of bread (you can put it in a tetrapack of juice for 2 liters.);
plate, spoon, mug (not ceramic), knife, matches;
personal first aid kit, in case of chronic diseases (the instructor will have a public first aid kit with a standard set of medicines) + elastic bandage, sterile bandage – 2 pcs., hydrogen peroxide, a wide tissue-based roll patch;
personal hygiene products (toothpaste, brush, soap, biodegradable shampoo (preferably solid), toilet paper 1 roll, accessories for girls, etc.);
absorbent towel (light and quick-drying);
0.5-0.7L water bottle;
sunglasses that do not pass ultraviolet light;
sunscreen;
a flashlight (preferably a headlamp) + a set of batteries.

Documents:

passport in an airtight case;
n/a insurance policy;
money for souvenirs and additional expenses (about 10 thousand rubles in cash + a card).

Additionally (optional):

gaiters / "lanterns" (worn over boots);
insulated lightweight down vest;
bathing accessories;
pocket snacks (nuts, dried fruits, bars);
thermos 0.5 – 1 liter;
sports isotonics for breeding in water;
camera (video camera);
lipstick is hygienic;
a set of threads with a needle;
5-10 m rope with a diameter of 5 mm (for drying clothes, repairs);
girls can take a dress for photos.

What not to take:

Wet wipes are evil for nature!

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification

$638

27 Jul – 7 Aug, 2025 12 days 11 nights

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