Discover the Wild Beauty of the Siberian Part of Russia by Trekking (AL-04)

Tour condition: grade B - a good level of fitness is highly recommended for this journey. On occasion, you will be required to walk for up to eight hours in one day. We will be spending time at altitudes above 3000 meters.

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

A guided walking tour around major cultural and historical points in Moscow. You will see one of the famous “Seven Sisters” skyscrapers built during Stalin's last years and initially thought as elite housing. We will visit Lubyanka Square – the world-famous KGB centre of the Soviet epoch, Teatralnaya Square next to Bolshoi Theatre. Then we will continue our walk through the small central streets and lanes where every building has its own unique and interesting story. Most of them currently represent Russian theatres, hotels, museums or state institutions. We will also visit Tverskaya Street – the main and the busiest street in Moscow – with lots of shops, restaurants and unique combination of old, Stalin and modern architecture. We will finish our tour on the pedestrian Old Arbat Street, famous for its souvenirs and street dancers and artists. After the guided tour you will have some free time to browse among the shops selling merchandise and enjoy various Arbat cafes or restaurants.

Transfer to the airport. Our driver will meet you with a Go Russia sign board at the hotel lobby.

Transfer by bus (750 km, 12 – 13 hours) 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. The coach trip takes approx. 9hours. On arrival, a “welcome” dinner will help you to relax after this long journey.

Overnight in tents.

In the morning we start trekking from our base camp (850 m). The path goes through Kucherla, the last populated area on our way to the mountains. Then we will follow a path through the forest where we can see plenty of mushrooms, berries, and various kinds of trees and grasses. Today we explore the Kuzuyak pass (1,513 m). The pass isn't high but the going is quite challenging - this is the first test for our stamina. Camping on the banks of Ak-Kem, a mountain river whose cool waters will help you to relax. (Daily route of approx. 5-6 hours, 600 m altitude change).

Daily route of approx. 5-6 hours, 600 m altitude change

Overnight in tents.

We continue ascending along the Oroktoi brook to the Tukhman brook (2,000 m). 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.

Daily route of approx. 6-7 hours, 14km

Overnight in tents.

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. (Daily route of approx. 5-6 hours hiking, altitude change 100 m).

Daily route of approx. 5-6 hours hiking, altitude change 100m

Overnight in tents.

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. (Daily route of approx. 5-6 hours, altitude change 500 m).

Daily route of approx. 5-6 hours, altitude change 500m

Overnight in tents.

We cross the river Tekeliu and start ascending the Sarybel pass (2,300 m). 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 (2,000 m). There is a canteen, a Russian banya and a traditional Altai building - Ail (a type of wooden yurt) there. This camp offers you breathtaking views over the huge snowy majestic Mount Belukha. (Daily route of approx. 6-7 hours, altitude change 600 m)

Daily route of approx. 6-7 hours, altitude change 600m

Overnight in tents.

A day hike to the Ak – Ojouk valley which is famous for its beautiful seven lakes or a day hike to the mysterious ravine Yarlu. The unreal colours of the ravine will remain etched in your memory forever. There is a strong belief that the area around lake Ak-Kem has a powerful energy. Here you may meet very different people - from hermits to people believing in UFOs. There is a stone town here being built by people who have come to this place from all over the world to meditate near the sacred mountain Belukha. Return to the base camp.

Overnight in tents.

Today we ascend the Karatiurek pass (3,060 m). There may be some snow on the pass. After a while we’ll start our descent. The temperatue will rise and the vegetation become rich again. Another bewitching ravine appears on the way – the Kucherlinskoe ravine. Camping in a virgin cedar glade (2,000 m).

Daily route of approx. 6-8 hours, altitude change 1,000 m

Overnight in tents.

We continue descending through the mountain taiga forest. Camping on the shore of one of the most beautiful lakes in Altai – lake Kucherla. (Daily route of approx. 4-6 hours, altitude change 300 m)

Daily route of approx. 4-6 hours, altitude change 300m

Overnight in tents.

Trekking through the Kucherla ravine. Overnight in tents (Daily route of approx. 5-6 hours, altitude change 300 m).

Daily route of approx. 5-6 hours, altitude change 300m

Overnight in tents.

Gradual descent down the Kucherla river. On our way we’ll make a stop to see an ancient grotto and petroglyphs (prehistoric drawings) on a rock, which are several thousand years old. We cross a seemingly endless field and finally reach our base camp “Vysotnik”. Our last opportunity to experience a Russian banya (sauna) during the tour. Farewell dinner.

Transfer from camp Vysotnik to Barnaul

Our driver will meet you in the hotel lobby. Transfer to the airport.

Morning flight from Barnaul to Moscow.

Arrival in Moscow. Our driver will meet you in the arrival sector with a Go Russia sign board. Transfer from the local airport to the international airport for the flight back home.