[KOLA | KARELIA |KHAN-TENGRI | COMMUNISM PEAK | ALTAI | ELBRUS |KLIUTCHEVSKAYA SOPKA ]

Altai The Golden Mountains
ALTAI

Altai, a vast mountain area in the heart of Asia has been subdivided on maps into Russian, Mongolian and Gobi since the 19h century. The mountains belong to four major countries -- Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China. Altai stretches for over 2,000 km from North-West to South-East. As peaks reach the cold areas, the picture resembles the Far North, with eternal snow and ice. Not only the area as a whole but every highland valley presents an amazing variety of landscapes. Altai in Russia is rightfully considered the pearl of Siberia.

Situated far away from industrial centers, the Altai is an exclusively pure region in ecological respects. Its highest summit is Mount Belukha, 4506m; from its slopes the biggest river of the area, Katun, starts. There are many legends connected with the Altai.

In the vicinity of Lake Ak-kem you can explore two places: the Valley of the Seven Lakes and the Valley of the Yarlu River. Crossing the Kara-Tyurek pass, 3600 m, you will find yourself in the neighboring Kucherla valley with a cave containing rock-carvings.

The region is populated by Russians and by Altaians, the old oriental people.

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DAY -- TO -- DAY PROGRAM

Moscow ---- Barnaul ---- Altai ---- Barnaul ---- Moscow
Day 1 Arrive Moscow , Sheremetievo-2 Depart by plane to Barnaul at 23.35
Day 2 Arrive Barnaul 7.30. Bus. Overnight at a camping place.
Day 3 Arrive base camp in the village of Tyungur. Accommodation in huts. Russian sauna.
Day 4 A hike in the vicinity of the camp. Climb peak Baida - panorama point
Day 5 Hike up the Akkem valley.(4-5 hours). Overnight stay in tents.
Day 6 Arrive base camp on the shore of lake Akkem. Altitude 2000m (5-6 hours). In base camp stay in tents, two persons in one tent. Meals served in a large tent.
Day 7 Hike to the Seven multicolor lakes. Climb peak Bronya. Picturesque view of Mt. Belukha.
Day 8 Hike to the edge of Akkem glacier, to the foot of Mt. Belukha. Overnight stay at a hut.
Day 9 Hike along a glacier. Walk back to base camp at Akkem lake.
Day 10 Hike to green valley, lake of Spirits
Day 11 Pass over to Kutcherla valley.
Day 12 Return to base camp in Tyungur. Russian sauna. Farewell party.
Day 13 Depart by bus to Barnaul. Overnight at a camping place.
Day 14 Arrive Barnaul. Depart by plane to Moscow
Day 15 Depart to home.

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The price includes:
  • accommodation throughout the stay (base camp, tents)
  • all transfers
  • three meals a day
  • a mountain guide of TST with his auxiliary team.
The price doesn't include:
  • internal regular flights from Moscow (or St.Petersburg) to Barnaul and back. The cost of the tickets for the present moment is about: via St.Petersburg - 450 and via Moscow -400.
  • luggage transportation by air on internal lines (20 kg free)
  • personal expenses
  • Russian visa cost
  • unexpected preliminary evacuation cost
  • an insurance

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