Activities: trekking
Tour duration: 12 days
Group size: 5-15 persons
Active part’s duration: 8 days
Tour length: 125 km
Guides’ assistance: 1-2 guides
Air temperature day: +12+28 C, night: +5+15 C
Tour description:
| Day |
Itinerary, activities |
Mode of travel |
Distance |
| 1 |
Transfer Novosibirsk – Ust-Koksa. Leaving Novosibirsk at 8.00 p.m. Place of departure – 65, Sovetskaya street. Leaving Barnaul at 11.30 p.m. Place of departure – “Centralnaya” hotel. The road goes along the famous Chuysky Tract, once a main route of Russia - China trade. The road goes along Kanskaya steppe and finishes its run in Uymoskaya valley. The change of different landscapes and natural zones provides the traveler with general impression of this unique region of Asia. |
bus |
825 km |
| 2 |
Ust-Koksa. Arrival in Ust-Koksa. Dinner. Getting the equipment. Instructing. Supper. |
bus |
|
| 3 |
Early awakening. Breakfast. Transfer to Tyungur at 08.00 a.m. Climbing up the Kuzuyak mountain pass (1513 meters). Overnight in the place called “Three birch trees” which like three women see the travelers off to the country of silent and mysterious mountains. |
bus on foot |
64 km
15 km |
| 4 |
Going up the speedy Ak-Kem river with milky-white water. The word Ak-Kem means White Water in Turkish language and corresponds with the reality. The river starts in Ak-Kem glacier and carries in its steams the tiny pieces of white limestones from the slopes of Belukha. |
on foot |
30 km |
| 5 |
Coming up to the mountain lake of Ak-Kem at the altitude of 2000 meters. In a distance the huge icy masses of Ak-Kem glacier is visible. In still weather the Belukha Mountain is reflected in the green-white waters of the lake. After the lunch there is an excursion to the Yarlu gorge where the entire town is built from stones by the followers of mystical teachings of the famous Russian researcher and painter Nikolay Rerikh. |
on foot |
16 km |
| 6 |
Radial excursion to the bottom of Belukha to the realm of scalding ice and icy caves at the feet of the incredibly high vertical wall of Ak-Kem glacier. |
on foot |
24 km |
| 7 |
Climbing up the mountain pass of Kara-Tyurek (3060 meters). From the top of the pass the spectacular panoramic view on Belukha Mountain and endless snow peaks of Katun ridge unfolds in front of the traveler. It is a good opportunity to make pictures from the bird’s eye view where the presence of eternal outer space is clear and tangible. Overnight at the place called "Cedar meadow" |
on foot |
7 km |
| 8 |
Coming up to the lake of Kucherla at the altitude of 1780 meters. The lake is 5220 meters long and fish, which leave the running circles on the lake surface, sometimes disturbs its white-green waters. |
on foot |
8 km |
| 9 |
Kucherla lake - Izekeryu meadow. Eclipse watching |
on foot |
20 km |
| 10 |
Going down the Kucherla river. On the way in a rock cave next to the Kyulu river the ancient people created more than 100 rock paintings. Since the ancient times people have settled down under the shadow of Mysterious Belukha Mountain. Ten more paintings are situated on the surrounding rocks not far away from the cave. Coming back to Ust-Koksa settlement. Relaxation. Banya. Supper. |
on foot
bus |
15 km
64 km |
| 11 |
Time for rest. After the lunch transfer to Verhniy Uymon village. The village is one of the oldest settlements in the area and was founded by religious group of old-believers more then 300 years ago. There are two museums in Verhniy Uymon village: Ethnographical museum named after famous artist Rerih and Museum of old-believers’ religious traditions and culture. After excursion departure in Barnaul/Novosibirsk at 05.00 p.m. |
bus |
825 km |
| 12 |
Arrival in Barnaul at 06.00 a.m. Arrival in Novosibirsk at 11.00 a.m. |
bus |
|
To participate in the tour we recommend you to take the following personal wear and equipment with you:
- warm jacket
- rain gear
- trekking boots, trainers and slippers
- track-suit and warm hat
- 2 - 3 T-shirts, shorts
- 4 pairs of simple socks and 2 pairs of warm ones
- cap and sun
- glasses
- bathing suit
- flashlight, knife, matches, electric batteries
- personal tableware
- personal hygiene utensils
Fixed dates of departure and arrival:
24 july 2008 - 4 august 2008
Included:
- full board (except the meal during the transfer)
- excursions per program with entrance fees
- transfer from Novosibirsk to the starting point of the route and back to Novosibirsk
- guides/interpreters
- special equipment when needed
- insurance
- invitation letter for Russian visa
Not included:
- airtickets
- consular fees for visa
- meeting at the airport
- accommodation in hotels in Novosibirsk
- pack-horse rental (the pack horse can carry up to 50-60 kg of load)
- optional rafting down Katun River from Tyungur to the mouth of Ak-Kem river on a third day – 110 euro per group (up to 10 persons).
