This itinerary intended mostly for those who prefer to trek in "sportish style", carring a bit more than a daypack (pack horses support is NOT possible in Akkem gorge).
Cost:
for an offer! Discounts for big groups, special offer
for tourleaders.
Included: meeting and seeing off in Barnaul, 1 night hotel accomodation (**DBL) in Barnaul, transportation to the Tungur (start point) and return, all permits and local fees, 3 times a day hot meals on trekking, Russian bania 3 times, tent accommodation (2 person dual layer tents) on trekking, common camping gear, 2 nights accommodation in mountain hut at Tungur base, guide-interpreter, cook, horses and horseman to carry the gear to Akkem lake (note: horses go separate way on so-called "upper trail" and carry the supply for 3 days on Akkem lake and 2 days descent back to Tungur), rescue rangers team registration.
Options. Full drive transportation from Tungur to the start of the trail and/or from 3 Birches Glade to Tungur.
Itinerary (variant 2, return on "upper trail"):
| Day 1 | Arrival to Barnaul. 12-hrs bus trip to Tungur village (850 m). Overnight in mountain base, tent camping near the bank of the Katun river. You can leave extra luggage here. Russian bania. |
| Day 2 | Start. We pass through Kucherla,
the last village on our route. Following the rural road, we cross
Kucherla river on a bridge, the forest, then the large field and
come to the forestated foothill of Kuzuyak pass (n/c 1513 m).
The same rural road crosses the pass and descends to the nice meadow
on the Akkem river bank. Up to here, we have an opportynity to hire
a full drive truck to get from Tungur. Then we cross Akkem river
on a bridge and make a camp in a nice meadow on the Oroktoy stream
(1100 m). There is also an opportunity to avoid the Kuzuiak
pass by rafting on Katun river from the base to the confluence with
Akkem river. 6-8 hrs, 19 km, 600 m altitude drop. |
| Day 3 | Climb up the Oroktoy stream
gorge up to Tukhman river (2000 m). The surround views change
from taiga (Siberian forest) to high alpine meadows. We camp at
a picturesque place with great views to Mt. Belukha (4506 m,
the highest summit of Altai and entire Siberia) and surrounding
peaks. 6-7 hrs, 14 km, 900 m altitude drop. |
| Day 4 | The trail goes near the same
height level and leads us to the picturesque Kulduairy Lake (2000 m).
Here we have a chance to see a maral deer or a marmot. Camping in
the cedar forest. 7-8 hrs, 20 km, 100 m altitude drop. |
| Day 5 | Short day: a moderate ascent
and then we find ourselves at a plateau with some weirdly shaped
by the wind rocks and stones. After a short but steep descent we
reach our campsite on the banks of the Tekelu River (1800 m).
In the afternoon we have an optional hike upstream (4 km) along
the river to see two picturesue waterfalls. 3-4 hrs, 10 km, 500 m altitude drop. |
| Day 6 | We cross the Tekelu river and
climb up the easy Sarabel pass (n/c 2400 m). After long ridge
traverse and steep descent we reach the right gorge of Yarlu Valley
(you can find famous Golden Root herb here!). Then we should cross
the Ak-kem river (using boat or on horseback) and in a half of an
hour we finally reach the permanent BC at 1950 m, where we
have dinner and stay for one day. There is a canteen, a sauna and
a traditional Altai dwelling - ail (used as the dining room,
one more you can see before in Yarlu Valley - real hunters hut!).
This camp boasts breathtaking views of the huge snowy massif of
Mt. Belukha - both Eastern (Main) summit - 4506 m and Western
- 4178 m. 7-8 hrs, 15 km, altitude drop 600 m. |
| Day 7 |
Radial hikes from the BC site to Ak-Oyuk valley, also called as "Valley of 7 Lakes" due to it's small but very beautifull seven lakes of different colours (5-7 hrs hiking, altitude drop 400 m), or to holy (left) part of Yarlu valley (Nicolas Roerikh' followers built so-called "Stone Town" around Space Energy Rock here, excellent meditation site!). |
| Day 8 |
Crossing the Kara-Turek
pass (1A CD, 3060 m), steep ascent through the cedar forest
then on medium talos leading to the saddle with the obo
(stone pale marked with the pieces of fabrics). Unbeliveable views
on Mt. Belukha Wall. Descent on steep small size talos to cedar
forest where we camping overnight. |
| Day 9 |
Short ascent to a plateau – and we are descending, through
the taiga forest, to the emerald Kucherla Lake (1760 m).
The waters of the Akkem and Kucherla Lakes are called «dead»
and «alive» accordingly. You can fishing in Kucherla.
We camping on the lake shore.
|
| Day 11 |
Trekking down from Kucherla Lake along of the Kucherla river
valley (1 300 m). Overnight on the right river bank. |
| Day 12 | Cnt. descending along Kucherla
Valley. Ancient (Stone Adges) rock art site ("Shaman Rock"
grotte). We come back to Tungur base! Note: 4WD transportation to
avoid hike through the village is possible here). 4-6 hrs, 24 km, 450 m altitude drop. |
| Day 13 | Return to Barnaul. Hotel accommodation (**DBL). |
| Day 14 | Transfer to airport or railway station. Departure from Barnaul. |
This itinerary intended mostly for those who prefer to carry all the way only the daypack (pack horses support is possible for the whole trek).
Cost
(light package):
for an offer! Discounts for big groups, special offer
for tourleaders.
Included: meeting and transfers in Barnaul, 1 night hotel accomodation (DBL), transportation to the Tungur (start point) and return, all permits, meals during trekking, Russian bania 3 times, tent accommodation (2 person dual layer tents) on trekking, common camping gear, 2 nights accommodation in mountain hut at Tungur base, guide, cook.
Cost
(full package):
for an offer! Discounts for big groups, special offer
for tourleaders.
Included: meeting and transfers in Barnaul, 1 night hotel accomodation (DBL), transportation to the Tungur (start point) and return, all permits, meals during trekking, Russian bania 3 times, tent accommodation (2 person dual layer tents) on trekking, common camping gear, 2 nights accommodation in mountain hut at Tungur base, horses accompanying the team and carrying the luggage all the way, guide, cook, horseman.
Not included (all
packages): Travel to and from Barnaul, visa fees, alcoholic
beverages and other luxuries, personal items.
Options. Visa
support. The arrival and departure point can be changed to Novosibirsk,
Omsk, Biysk or Gorno-Altaisk. Additional excursions: Ust-Kan
cave with paleolithic sit (600,000 BCE), Pazyrik burial mounds (Scythian
culture, VII-II c. BCE), Kalbak Tash and Elangash Rock Arts sites (from
Stone Ages to Turkish times). Peaks to climb: "The Crown of Altai",
Boris, Roerikh Peak, Delone Peak, Belukha West (4440 m), up to
4B UIAA, Mount Yarlu (1B,
3370 m), Mount Bronia ("Armor", 2A, 3291 m). Traveller's
insurance which covers rescue team support and helicopter evacuation
(recommended) - about $2 per person per day. Transfer from Tungur base
to and from the end of the road (about 30 min, recommended to avoid
hike through the village). Porters for carrying the luggage from Akkem
lake. Helicopter flights from/to Gorno-Altaisk, Barnaul, Novosibirsk
to/from Akkem or Kucherla lakes. Accommodation
in mountain hut on Akkem Lake. Picnic (BBQ) on the way to/from Tungur.
Any possible tailor-made trips are available! Just us of fill in the request form!
Services in Tungur base (available separately):
- 4-hrs rafting on Katun river down to the junction with Ak-Kem ("White Water") river;
- meals served in national Altai dwelling- ail. Exclusive offer - cooking of the set of Altai national meals from the ram on demand!
- Russian bania including cedar barrel option;
- gear rental;
- horse riding trips;
- extra horses for carring luggage and/or riding to/from Akken lake;
- cloak room service
