Trekking to Belukha and rafting all over Katun

Belukha is one of the largest mountain peaks in Russia, the height reaches 4506 m. In 1998, it was awarded the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Majestic silence and majestic beauty always reign here, causing people who come to such places to have a surge of inner spirituality. Belukha Peak is crowned by the powerful Katun Ridge, linking it into a single mountain system. There are 169 glaciers on the slopes and in the valleys, feeding many rivers, the main of which is the Katun sung in legends.

Location

Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Biysk, Gorno-Altaysk
from
$1,847
$2,054
The price is valid until 23 Jun
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
14 days
13 nights
Departures
5 - 18 Jul
25 Jul - 7 Aug
14 - 27 Aug
Accommodation
  • Tent
    13 nights
Comfort
  • Basic
Difficulty
Challenging
Does not require specific skills, but one must be in a good physical shape
Group
From 5 to 18 tourists
Minimum age
16 years old
Group meet at
Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Biysk, Gorno-Altaysk
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

Altai Peaks
We will see the peaks of the highest mountain of the Altai Mountains – Belukha
Alloy
We will take a rafting trip along the largest river of the Altai Mountains – Katuni
Away from the city
We will rest in tents under the open sky

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Car transfer to the village of Tyungur

    Today you will have a car trip to the village of Tyungur.

    From the city of Biysk, the route will run along the famous Chuisky highway, part of which runs along the banks of the largest river in Gorny Altai, the Katun.

    During the journey, you will climb to the highest point of the Chuisky tract, the Seminsky Pass, after which the road goes to the right of the Chuisky tract.

    After a while you will find yourself on the Yabogan pass, and after descending from it in the Ust-Kansk steppe.

    After passing through the small Kirlyk pass, the Abai steppe and the Gromotukha pass, you will again see the beautiful Katun in the Uimon valley.

    Arrival at the Tyungur village area in the evening.

    Accommodation in tents at the base campsite, dinner.

    Meals included: dinner.

    By car (from Barnaul): 680 km. 12 hours on the road (excluding traffic jams and sanitary stops).

  • Day 2 - Tyungur village – Elan tract – Saltonian keys
  • Day 3 - Salton Keys – Stone Hut
  • Day 4 - Kamennaya izba – Karatyurek Pass – Akkemskoye Lake
  • Day 5 - Radial exit to Yarlu Valley
  • Day 6 - Radial walking tour to the "Valley of the Seven Lakes"
  • Day 7 - Lake Ak-Kem – R. Ak-Kem
  • Day 8 - Ak-Kem river – Kuzuyak pass – Tyungur village
  • Day 9 - Tyungur village – the mouth of the Argut River
  • Day 10 - The mouth of the Argut River is the mouth of the Chuya River
  • Day 11 - The mouth of the Chuya River – "Wedding Meadow"
  • Day 12 - Wedding Glade – Petroglyphs parking lot
  • Day 13 - Petroglyphs parking lot – Kuyus village
  • Day 14 - Kuyus village – Gorno-Altaysk – Biysk – Barnaul – Novosibirsk
Difficulty
Does not require specific skills, but one must be in a good physical shape
Tour organizer's comments

Important! During the first three days of the hike, the horses will carry all the equipment, food and personal belongings. The cargo is transported at the rate of one horse per two tour participants. With the horses, we will walk to Lake Akkem, then the horses will return to the village of Tyungur, and the tour will continue without a horse escort. 

On the last two days of the hike (days 7 and 8 according to the program), tourists themselves carry backpacks not only with personal belongings, but also the remaining food, as well as general equipment, which is divided equally among all. 

Approximately 2-3 kg of public cargo and groceries will be added to personal belongings. 

On average, a backpack can weigh from 11 to 13 kg during such a transition. 

The hike is followed by the water part of the tour — rafting along the Upper and Middle Katun River, which will start from the site near the village of Tyungur and end in the village of Kuyus. 

We will pass through all known thresholds, including the most difficult of them: "Akkemsky breakthrough" (Upper Katun), "Ilgumen", "Kadrin pipe" and "Sabbath" (Middle Katun).

During the rafting, the raft(s) will insure the catamaran or kayak from the water. 

Features: the route is difficult, but it does not require special physical training. A tourist should be ready to travel, not be afraid of hiking conditions and the adversities of the weather.

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Tent
    13 nights
Comfort
  • Basic

On the active part of the route, tourists are accommodated in 2-3-seater modern tents with an awning. On the 1st, 8th and 13th day of the tour, accommodation in tents on the camping site. 

Tent 13 nights

Tour conditions

Group
From 5 to 18 tourists
Minimum age
16 years old
Duration
14 days 13 nights
Group meets at
Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Biysk, Gorno-Altaysk

Included in price

  • transport delivery to the tour from Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Biysk, Gorno-Altaisk and back;
  • all-terrain drop-off on the 2nd and 8th day of the tour to the Elan tract and from the parking lot "Three Birches". Due to weather conditions, vehicles may not travel the entire section of the road;
  • packhorse rental 2,3,4 days of the tour;
  • services of guides, instructors, grooms;
  • meals from dinner on the day of arrival to breakfast on the day of departure;
  • group equipment: tents, awning, campfire and kitchen equipment, first aid kit. On the alloy additionally: raft, carrot (saved the end), general dry runs, a barrel for food;
  • personal equipment: sleeping bag, sleeping mat (karemat). On the alloy additionally: life jacket, helmet, paddle, dry run, neoprene overalls, windproof jacket;
  • medical insurance and accident insurance (insurance for foreign citizens and citizens of the Russian Federation over 64 years old is paid additionally);
  • sauna according to the program, on the eighth and thirteenth day of the tour;
  • camping in tents on the first, eighth and thirteenth day of the tour;
  • admission to the reserve;
  • registration of the group in the Ministry of Emergency Situations;
  • guided tours according to the program.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Biysk, Gorno-Altaysk and back;
  • insurance for foreign citizens (including CIS countries) and citizens of the Russian Federation over 64 years of age;
  • rent a personal horse, for casting on 2,3,4 days of the tour;
  • meals at roadside cafes, during the transfer;
  • services offered at the base parking lots and not included in the program;
  • additional baths, on the first day at the campsite, on the lake. Accem and the twelfth day of the tour;
  • any changes to the program that entail additional costs.

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour
  • backpack with wide straps, 80-100 liters;
  • trekking poles;
  • reliable waterproof liner, plastic bags (waterproof bag to protect especially valuable personal items – money, documents, camera, etc.) from the water;
  • hiking shoes for hiking, sneakers or trekking boots with ankle fixation are best suited. Avoid new shoes that are not worn out;
  • neoprene shoes (boots) for rafting; sneakers with woolen, plain, and preferably neoprene socks. We do not issue neoprene shoes;
  • replacement shoes for camping (sneakers, slates);
  • comfortable clothing for walking radial crossings – sweatpants that do not restrict movement, made of lightweight quick-drying material, a shirt or a long-sleeve T-shirt;
  • a neoprene wetsuit (half-overalls) of 3 mm is issued for the alloy. If you wish, you can take a neoprene jacket with you (not included in the price, we do not rent it). In case of bad weather, you can take a turtleneck, vest, shirt (not restricting movement) under the neoprene. We issue splash-proof jackets on top of the neoprene;
  • a set of clothes for moving in the car and relaxing in the camp – trousers, shirt, shorts, T-shirt;
  • thermal underwear. Either tights, warm tights with a vest or turtleneck (for sleeping);
  • a warm sweater;
  • warm jacket (synthetic or down jacket);
  • warm hat (fleece or wool);
  • a cap or a panama hat;
  • gloves (even simple cotton ones will do);
  • socks – 2-3 pairs of cotton or linen, 1 pair of wool;
  • a waterproof raincoat or suit that can withstand heavy rain is a must! The raincoat should be durable, not made of thin polyethylene;
  • bathing suit;
  • toilet and hygiene supplies. Including hygienic lipstick and sunscreen with a high protection factor;
  • sunglasses that protect the eyes from ultraviolet rays in the mountains;
  • small flashlight (headlamp);
  • individual medicines;
  • a small water flask. You can use a plastic bottle with a capacity of 0.5 liters;
  • a camera or video camera (optional) with hermetically sealed;
  • tourist seat (hob);
  • personal tableware (bowl, mug, spoon);
  • we give out sleeping bags, but it is better to have your own (comfort -5;0), since the sleeping bag is an object of individual use.

Recommendations for filling an individual first aid kit:

A group going on a hiking and boating trip in Altai is provided with a common first aid kit, which is located at the instructor guide. However, each participant of an active tour of the Altai Mountains must also have a personal first-aid kit, which must contain a supply of individual medicines (which you regularly take), as well as the following medicines:

  • patch for scratches, cuts and calluses (bactericidal (with "green") 6x10 cm is recommended, as it holds well on the skin and can be cut into pieces of different widths);
  • roll Band-aid (1 pc.);
  • a medium-sized bandage (1 pc.);
  • analgesic (in tablets) (1 pack);
  • Aspirin (1 pack);
  • Citramon (1 pack);
  • nasal congestion relief drops (1 pc.);
  • eye drops (Albucide) (1 pc.);
  • remedy for cold symptoms (for example, Coldrex, etc.) (2-3 packs);
  • antiseptic ointment or cream (for example, Levomekol, Baneocin, etc.) (1 pc.);
  • sunburn remedy (for example, Lifeguard, Boro-plus, Panthenol, etc.) (1 pc.);
  • elastic bandage (1 pc.);
  • remedy for sore throat (1-2 packs);
  • fast-acting remedies for indigestion (for example, Loperamide, Imodium, etc.) (1-2 packs);
  • enzyme preparation (for example, Mezim, etc.) (1-2 packs);
  • an antihistamine drug that does not cause drowsiness (for example, Kestin, Claritin, Zirtek, etc.) (1 pack);
  • multivitamins (optional).
How do I book a tour for a foreign tourist?
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How are meals organized on the route?
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Dates and Prices

  • $2,054
    $1,847
    Early Booker Deal
    5 – 18 Jul 14 days 13 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $2,054
    $1,847
    Early Booker Deal
    25 Jul – 7 Aug 14 days 13 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $2,054
    $1,847
    Early Booker Deal
    14 – 27 Aug 14 days 13 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now

Reviews Leave a review

  • V
    Valeri
    about provider
    10 Feb, 2026
    Special thanks to our guide, Lyudmila, she has a great sense of humor and was fantastic at working with our group. If the providers are reading this, she definitely deserves an award for her professionalism. We’re absolutely thrilled 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 and will happily recommend you to everyone :)
  • A
    Anna
    about provider
    18 Nov, 2025
    Many thanks to the provider and especially to our guide Lyudmila. Everything was just as promised👍😊