Mount Belukha, is located in the heart of one of the most beautiful and mysterious places on earth – the Altai region of Siberia. This part of the Earth is also called the Russian Tibet, because of thewild, untamed beauty of its mountains, the crystal-clear water of its lakes and rivers, the rich wildlife of its valleys and forests;, but also because of its unknown history. Legends says that part of the invincible army of Genghis Khan settled in this area and that some of his treasures are still hidden in the Golden Mountains of Altai. Your route to Mount Belukha will go through green valleys and forests full of colourful flowers and wildlife species, in this remote, unpopulated part of Russia.
The one day ascent of Mount Belukha (4506 m), with its impressive double peak, its abundance of snow, and sheer walls of ice and snow will undoubtedly make this trip one to remember – especially if you start your journey to Altai at the end of July, to see the total eclipse of the sun on 1st August. The Mt. Belukha climb is graded 3A (in the Russian climb grading system the overall grade of a route is on a scale of 1 to 6, with subdivisions A and B). To participate in this tour you need to be in good physical condition and must have previous mountaineering experience.
Arrival in Moscow. Transfer to hotel and check in. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 2
Sightseeing tour around Moscow. Transfer to the airport and depart to Barnaul.
Day 3
Arrival in Barnaul. Transfer by bus (620 km, 8-9 hours) to the base camp “Vysotnik”. On arrival a Russian banya (sauna) and a “welcome” dinner. Overnight in wooden lodges.
Day 4
Start trekking from our base camp (850 m). Tackling the Kuzuyak pass (1,513 m). Overnight in tents. (Daily route of approx. 5-6 hours, 600 m altitude change).
Day 5
Trekking from our base camp “Three birches” (1100m.)to base camp Ak –Kem (2000m.). (Daily route of approx. 7 -8 hours, 22km., altitude change 900 m).
Day 6
Continue ascending from Ak Kem camp (2000m.) to our base camp “Tomskiye Nochevki” (3000m.). Overnight in tents. (Daily route of approx. 7 -8 hours, 17km., altitude change 1000 m).
Day 7
Ice training on “Arbuz” (watermelon) glacier and resting. Depending on weather conditions attempt to climb Delone pass. Overnight in tents.
Day 8
Early start. “Tomskye Nochevki” (3000m.) - Delone pass (3400m.) Then descending to Mensu glacier and further ascend to a plateau (3800m.) over the Berelskoye Saddle pass (3520m.). Overnight in tents at the glacier. (Daily route of approx. 7 -8 hours, 7km., altitude change 800 m).
Day 9
Summit attempt. Start at 6 am, the Belukhinsky mountain pass (3A) climb, then reach a ridge and in 10 – 15min. (250m.) we will be on the top of Siberia! Descending the same way. Overnight in tents at the glacier. (Daily route of approx. 7 -8 hours, 7km., altitude change 700 m)
Day 10
Reserve day in case of bad weather. Overnight in tents.
Day 11
Descend from plateau (3800) to Ak kem base camp (2000m.). Russian banya. (Daily route of approx. 7 -9 hours, 17km., altitude change 1800 m)
Day 12-13
Descend to our base camp “Vystonik” the same way. Depending on the group fitness level it is possible to cover whole distance in one day. Russian banya (sauna). Farewell dinner. (Route of approx. 5 -6 hours each day, 39km., altitude change 1150 m)
Day 14
Transfer to Barnaul stopping on our way to visit a Museum of Local Lore in Gorno-Altaisk. Overnight in a hotel in Barnaul.
Day 15
Early morning transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Moscow. Upon arrival transfer from the local airport to the international airport for the flight back home.
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