Included:
Visa support, meeting and transfers in Barnaul, 1 night hotel accomodation
(DBL), transportation to the Gorno Altaisk, helicopter flight to Akkem
Lake and return, all permits, all meals, horses, personnel including
cook, interpreteur, guides, horse drivers and actors, insurance including
rescue team support and helicopter evacuation.
Not included: Travel to and from Barnaul,
visa fees, personal items.
Options.
The arrival and departure point can be changed with Novosibirsk.
Accommodation: extra nights in Barnaul, SGL. Visiting the night club
in Barnaul. Heliskiing and alpine skiing. Helicopter flight is possible
from Novosibirsk and Barnaul as well. Additional activity: excursion
to Akkem Wall (Tomsk's Camp), Extreme New Year Celebration: climbing
(from Mt. Yarlu 1B UIAA, 3370 m to Mt. Belukha, 4506 m!).
The itinerary is subject to adjust to meet any of your special requests!
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Christmas and New Year in The Heart of The Golden Mountains. 5 days.
Region: Russia, Southern Siberia, Altai
Activity: traditional Russian New Year and
Ortodox Christmas celebration, exursions, horse riding
Trip Category: special
Difficulty: easy, no need of special
skill or gear (kids from 7 years old are allowed).
Dates of departure: December, 30 and January,
5 from Barnaul.
Altai - "The Golden Mountains" is the mountain land on the south of Siberia which keeps ecological purity and untouched wild nature so far. The communication with local people, many of which are followers of exotic doctrines- pagans (Shamanists), followers of Roerikh and Old Believers - gives an unique social experience.
Visiting the Akkem Valley on the foothill of Mt. Belukha allows to see all the beauty of the Altai mountains. The travellers can make side trips to the Akkem glacier and see amazing Akkem wall, spectacular Valley of 7 Lakes and misterious Yarlu Valley with Roerikh followers shrine. And, of course, you will check the taste of traditional Russian Ortodox Christmas and New Year celebration in unique place! Ded Moroz ("Grandpa Frost", Russian equalent of Santa Klaus) accompanied with his granddauther Snegurochka ("Snow Girl") and some very strange Altai persons, traditional feast, games, gifts and bania are waiting for you!
Itinerary:
| Day 1 | Arrival to Barnaul. 4 hrs minibus trip to Gorno-Altaisk helipad. Helicopter flight to Akkem lake near Mt. Belukha (1,5 hrs). Mountain hut accommodation. Acclimatization. |
| Day 2 | Horse-riding excursion to the Yarlu Valley and Roerikh Shrine with sacred energetical stone. New Year (Christmas) eve celebration. Ded Moroz, Snegurochka, the Great Shaman and all that are here! |
| Day 3 | Excursion to the Valley of 7 Lakes. Russian bania. |
| Day 4 | "Farewell to Belukha!". Helicopter flight to Gorno-Altaisk. Minibus trip to Barnaul. Overnight in hotel (DBL). |
| Day 5 | Departure from Barnaul. |
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The
Site of The Events...
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Belukha
and Akkem Wall from Karaturek pass. Bronia peak on the right.
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Akkem
lake. W. Belukha (left). The spur of Yarlu (far left).
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On
the Akkem glacier. Akkem Wall on the background.
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Upper
part of Akkem river.
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