Discover The Wild Beauty Of The Siberian Part Of Russia By Trekking (AL-04)

Arrival in Moscow. Our driver will meet you in the arrival sector with a Go Russia sign board. Transfer to the hotel.

During the tour we will walk around major cultural and historical points in Moscow. We will visit the Red Square and take a stroll along the nearby pedestrian zone. In the afternoon you will be transferred to the airport for your overnight flight to Barnaul

Transfer by bus to the base camp “Vysotnik”. We travel by coach from the airport to the base camp “Vysotnik”, situated in a picturesque place. There are no highways on most of the territory of the Altai, therefore we have to use ordinary roads through the mountains. Trip time depends on the arrival city: from Barnaul - 750 km, about 13 hours; from Biysk - 650 km, about 11 hours; from Gorno-Altaysk - 500 km, about 8 hours.

On arrival, a “welcome” dinner will help you to relax after this long journey. Accommodation at the Vysotnik camp (850 m) in 2-bed rooms, facilities on the floors. Acquaintance with the guide, checking personal equipment, safety briefing.

Breakfast at the cafe. Packing and loading personal and group equipment onto cargo horses. Rafting from base camp Vysotnik along the river Katun to the mouth of the river Akkem (18 km, 1.5-2 hours). Lunch. Trekking up the valley of the river Akkem to the camping site at Oroktoy brook.

One of the most difficult trekking days. We continue ascending along the Oroktoi brook to the Tukhman brook. We will observe how the panorama and the vegetation changes from the taiga - deep Siberian forest - to high alpine meadows. Overnight at a picturesque place with a great view of Belukha, the highest mountain in Siberia, and surrounding peaks.

This day could be called a walk under the clouds. We will follow a trail until the final moderate descent to our camp site on the shore of lake Kulduairy. We may even catch sight of a hare or a deer along the way.

We have a short distance to walk today - just a moderate ascent and we find ourselves at a plateau with a panoramic view of the Katunskii range with its strangely shaped cliffs. After a short but steep descent, we reach our campsite on the banks of the Tekeliu river. In the afternoon we have an optional hike upstream along the river to see the highest waterfall of Altai - the Tekeliu waterfall (2 km, 1 hour).

We cross the river Tekeliu and start ascending the Sarybel pass. Tekeliu in the Altaic language means "a place where mountain goats live" and we may indeed see some goats here if we are lucky. You will never forget the special moment of discovering the beauty of lake Ak-kem for the first time. Walking across the Ak-kem river, we will cross a shaky bridge, and in a half an hour we'll reach our base camp. There is a canteen, a Russian banya and a traditional Altai building - Ail (a type of wooden yurt) there. This camp offers you breath-taking views over the huge snowy majestic Mount Belukha.

We are offering 5 radial day treks depending on weather and physical condition of the participants. Options are agreed with the guide.

Trekking to the Jarlu Valley (Edelweiss Valley), 2,264 m above sea level
The river valley attracts with its natural beauty and spiritual strength. Rocks, containing various minerals, shimmering from silvery to purple colours, give the valley a unique colour. In the upper reaches of the valley there is a picturesque place called "Stone City" - a place of pilgrimage for the followers of Roerich. Many people notice that this place has great energetic power.
Daily route of approx. 3-4 hours, 6 km, ascent 284 m, descent 284 m

Trekking to the valley of the Seven Lakes, 2,600 m above sea level
Walking along the shore of Lake Akkem and then a steep ascent to the left side of the lake valley. On the way up, the Ak-Oyuk river stretches like a silvery thread through seven lakes of different colours and shapes. A panorama of a new lake opens up around every turn. The colours range from emerald to grey and pale blue.
Daily route of approx. 4-5 hours, 12 km, ascent 679 m, descent 679 m

Trekking to the "Mountain Spirits" lake, 2,500 m above sea level
Trekking along the left bank of the Akkem Lake. Crossing the bridge of the Ak-Oyuk stream, which ends in a powerful waterfall from the ledge of the valley. Continue trekking on the left bank along the swampy floodplain of the river Akkem, cross the bridge over the river Akkem to the right bank. Climbing the moraine rampart and moving among the stones (the path is lost) to the site of the former chapel. To the left of this place, the ascent begins along the path, alternating with talus, to the valley of the Kara-Oyuk stream. The valley is distinguished by its dark colour of rocks, sparse vegetation, which makes it the complete opposite of the neighbouring Ak-Oyuk valley. In the upper reaches of the valley, there is a lake of "Mountain Spirits" with an emerald tint of water. On hot days, it is pleasant to swim in the lake thanks to the rocky ledges along the banks. The eponymous peak Kara-Oyuk (3,852 m) rises above the lake.
Daily route of approx. 5-6 hours, 14 km, ascent 518 m, descent 518 m

Trekking to the Akkem glacier
Trekking to the place of the former chapel. Continue walking along the lateral moraine (the trail is lost) on the right side of the former upper Akkem lake, descent from the moraine wall and ascent up the valley to the beginning of the Akkem glacier. The edge of the glacier is a huge ice grotto, which is the source of the river Akkem.
Daily route of approx. 4-6 hours, 12 km, ascent 250 m, descent 250 m

The Karatiurek Pass Ascend (3,060 m)
Trekking to the meteorological station on Lake Akkem, after which the ascent begins along the left side of the valley to the Karatyurek pass - the highest horse pass in Russia. One of the most breathtaking views of the Belukha massif opens from the top of the pass.
Daily route of approx. 5-6 hours, 12 km, ascent 1,080 m, descent 1,080 m

Optional trekking as above. During all radial treks, breakfasts and dinners are served in a cafe in the base camp, lunch pack on the route.

We start our descent along the valley of the river Akkem. From the meadow “Three birches” we will take a military 4WD truck and transfer through the Kuzuyak pass (1,500 m) to the camp site Vysotnik (15,5 km, 2-3 hours). Our last opportunity to experience a Russian banya (sauna, optional) during the tour. Farewell dinner..

Transfer from camp Vysotnik.

Our driver will meet you in the hotel lobby. Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.