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.
PRICE
LAND-ONLY PRICE: £929
PACKAGE PRICE: £1,359
Tour condition: Grade C. The 3-4 days are devoted to the ascent of Belukha. Basic mountaineering experience is required (using carabineers, ropes, crampons, ice-axes etc) for the ascent of Mt. Belukha, as well as good physical fitness. There will be several opportunities to practice ice climbing during the trip. Activities: climbing, trekking
Day 1. Arrival in Moscow. Our English-speaking guide will meet you at the international airport. Transfer to the hotel. Your first night in Moscow. Optional – bus tour “Moscow at night” or pub crawl.
Day 2. Check-out from the hotel. We will have time to explore the major highlights of Moscow – the city of great Russian history and culture. We will visit the St. Basil's cathedral, Red Square and the world-renowned Lenin Mausoleum. After this a short bus tour around Moscow is waiting for us. Our tour guide takes you to the “Sparrow Hills” with an observation platform which provides a fantastic panoramic view of Moscow and then through the main streets of Moscow - huge, busy and elegant at the same time. Transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Barnaul.
Day 3. Arrival in Barnaul. By a comfortable coach we travel 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 Russian banya (sauna) followed by a “welcome” dinner will help you to relax after this long journey.
Day 4. 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, 17km., 600 m altitude change).
Day 5. Today we continue trekking from Three Birches, our base camp to the Ak –Kem base camp.. The path goes along the river Ak Kem. You’ll never forget the moment you first discover the beauty of lake Ak-kem. We cross the Ak-kem river by a shaky bridge, , and in a half an hour we reach our base camp (2,000 m), where there’s a canteen, a Russian banya and a traditional Altai building,an Ail (a type of wooden yurt). This camp offers breathtaking views over Mount Belukha, huge, snowy and majestic.. (Day’s trek approx. 7 -8 hours, 22km., altitude change 900 m).
Day 6. From our camp we go on up along the Ak Kem to Tomskiye Nochevki, our next base camp “” (3000m.). We will be going through beautiful Siberian forest; then having crossed the waterlogged lands of the magnificent Lake Ak Kem we reach moraine and then the glacier. Two stunning white Siberian summits, - East Belukha (4506m.) and West Belukha (4400m.) tower magnificently over our base camp. Overnight in tents. (Day’s trek approx. 7 -8 hours, 17km., altitude change 1000 m).
Day 7. Today we devote our time to ice training on the Arbuz (watermelon) glacier, and relaxation. If weather conditions permit we’ll attempt to climb the Delone pass. Overnight in tents.
Day 8. We start early today. From our base camp at Tomskye Nochevki (3000m.) we will tackle the Delone pass (3400m.), a snow – ice wall of 35 – 45 grade steepness, and approx. 300m. height. Then we descend to the Mensu glacier and go up again to a plateau (3800m.) over the Berelskoye Saddle pass (3520m.). Overnight camping at the glacier. (Day’s trek approx. 7 -8 hours, 7km., altitude change 800 m).
Day 9. Attempt on the summit. We start at 6 a.m., heading towards the Belukhinsky mountain pass (3A). Having climbed the pass, which has a 40°- 45° degree gradient , we reach a ridge and in 10 – 15min. (250m.)we will be on the roof of Siberia! Descent by the same route. Overnight camping at the glacier. (Day’s trek approx. 7 -8 hours, 7km., altitude change 700 m)
Day 10. Reserve day in case of bad weather. Overnight in tents.
Day 11. Descent from plateau (3800) to Ak kem base camp (2000m.). After the hard climbing, relaxation in a traditional Russian banya. (Day’s trek approx. 7 -9 hours, 17km., altitude change 1800 m)
Day 12-13. Gradual descent to our base camp, Vystonik by the same route. Depending on the fitness level of the groupwe may be able to cover the whole distance in one day. On arrival our last chance during the tour to experience a Russian banya (sauna). Farewell dinner. (Trek approx. 5 -6 hours each day, 39km., altitude change 1150 m)
Day 14. Travel to Barnaul. On our way, we make a stop to visit a Museum of Local Lore in the city of Gorno-Altaisk. Overnight in a hotel in Barnaul.
Day 15. Early morning transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Moscow. It will still be morning when you arrive in Moscow, because of the time difference. Transfer from the local airport to the international airport for the flight back home.
Climbing conditions
Mt. Belukha is the highest peak in Siberia and forms part of the Katun range of the Altai mountains. It requires basic mountaineering experience, using carabineers, ropes etc. It is graded 3A in the Russian grading system (on the multi pitch route one of the pitches is graded very difficult): snow and ice sections at an angle of 35°-45°, steep rock features with good, numerous holds, not requiring artificial aids, - descent of these passages by free climbing or abseiling. Basic alpine equipment only, plus normal rock/ice climbing gear. There are some days of moderate to strenuous hiking on varied terrain which requires good physical condition and stamina. Maximum altitude gain is 1000 m a day. The trekkers either carry all their personal belongings plus 4-5 kg of communal equipment (tents, cooking pots, gas) and food for 2 days, or hire horses to carry the luggage.
Mt Belukha – the highest mountain in Siberia (4,506m) included on the UNESCO World Heritage list
Trekking in absolutely wild, unpopulated and rarely visited area of Altai mountains
Russian banya (sauna)
Optional: If you take a flight to the UK in the late evening you can enjoy Moscow for one more day. At your request we can organise for you one of the following activities:
If you are an art-lover, then you will be impressed by the world famous masterpieces displayed in the Tretyakov Gallery and in the Pushkin Museum;
Another option in Moscow would be a visit to the large and interesting Izmailovo Park, where you will find traditional wooden houses and churches as well as authentic Russian souvenirs;
You can also visit the Novodevichy Convent, which is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Convent was used by women of the Tsar’s family and of the aristocracy. Many members of the Tsar’s family and some very famous Russian artists, writers, politicians have been buried in its cemetery. The Convent provides an example of the highest accomplishments of Russian architecture with rich interiors and an important collection of paintings and artefacts.
Some places you visit in this journey are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Please click here to view the UNESCO review page:
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