Altai Trek-Belukha Mountian
Altai Trek-Belukha
The Altai Sayan EcoRegion has been identified by WWF as one of their Global 200 regions in which more than 90 percent of the planet’s biodiversity is concentrated. The major part of this EcoRegion is shared by Russia and Mongolia. The minor part also includes China and Kazakhstan. The Altai Mountains divide them. The highlands of Mongolia are dry steppes with snow-capped mountains, whereas the lower elevation western parts in Russia are largely forested, being part of southernmost Siberia, with its own micro-climate. The Russian part is significantly more humid and wet. There are excellent apples and different kinds of berries to be found in season. Kazakhs, Russians and Altai peoples inhabit Respublika Altai. The Mongolian side is also mostly Kazakh, but there are also Tuvans, Mongols and many other ethnic minorities. The local people in the region speak a variety of local languages, which are part of the Slavic, Mongol, Turkic and Altai language groups.
Brief Outline Itinerary
This journey starts in Ölgii which has the westernmost airport in Mongolia. There are flights from the capital Ulaanbaatar and also Almaty and Ust-Kamenogorsk in Kazakhstan. There are a number of extension trips in westernmost Mongolia. International flight connections are best negotiated with Russian Aeroflot Airlines, who fly to both Barnaul (BAX) and Ulaanbaatar (ULN). Your trip is vehicle supported. We will make use of local hotels in Russia and a ger camp at Sagsay near Ölgii. The border crossing at Tashanta (Russia) and Tsagaannuur (Mongolia) opened for third country nationals in 2005.
Day 1 To Ölgii
Arrive in Ölgii. Go to the Blue Wolf Restaurant & Bar in Ölgii or arrange to be met at the airport. Visit Ölgii, a small Kazakh town. There are some handicraft shops, a square, a provincial museum, an interesting mosque and a marketplace,(here called a bazaar, of course). Bayan-Ölgii has many ethnic minorities, but around 80 percent are Kazakhs, who are Muslims and a Turkic-speaking people. Most people here speak also Mongolian. We transfer to the nearby village of Sagsay. Overnight at the Blue Wolf Ger Camp.
Day 2 To Ongudai
We depart Sagsay and Ölgii very early and drive about two hours on a gravel road towards the Mongolian border post at Tsagaan Nuur. The border crossing takes anywhere from an hour to a couple of hours. Once cleared we drive on the Kosh-Agach Plateau. It is a spectacular journey on a good tarmac road, down several valleys, until we almost reach the tree line. We will have our lunch en route. The Katun and Choy Rivers follow the road. The surrounding mountains are high, often with snow-capped peaks. Forests occur as soon as the elevation is lower. There will be cedars at Seminskiy. We will pass several villages, such as Ondugai, where Turkic-speaking Altai people live. Arrive at Mangerok, 540km into Russia from the Tashanta border. Accommodation at the camp near Ongudai.
Day 3 Chibit-Ust-Koksa
At first the road goes along the famous Chuysky Tract, once a main route of Russia - China trade. We drive the breathtaking mountain pass and then we turn off the main road and continuing up the Kanskaya steppe to Uymoskaya valley. The change of different landscapes and natural zones provides the travelers with general impression of this unique region of Asia. Arrival in Ust-Koksa. Dinner. Getting the equipment. Instructing. 390kms
Day 4 Start trekking
Early breakfast. Transfer to Tyungur at
Day 5 Going up 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. More ten paintings are situated on the surrounding rocks not far away from the cave.18km
Day 6 To lake Kucherla
Radial excursion to Kucherla lake, that is at the altitude of
Day 7 Easy climb to Kara-Tyurek pass
Climbing up the mountain pass of Kara-Tyurek (
Day 8 Soft hiking around
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 the Ak-Kem glacier.12km
Day 9 Rest day
Time for rest next to Ak-Kem lake at the altitude of
Day 10 Along Ak-Kem river
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.20km
Day 11 To Kuzuyak pass
Climbing up the Kuzuyak mountain pass (
Day 12 To Verhniy Uymon
After breakfast 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: The Ethnographical museum named after famous artist Rerih and The Museum of old-believers’ religious traditions and culture. After lunch we will drive for about 220km gaining elevation towards the Mongolian highlands, crossing several mountain passes. It is a spectacular road journey on a good tarmac road, up several valleys, until we reach almost to the tree line. We will have our lunch en route. The Katun and Choy Rivers follow the road. The surrounding mountains are high, often with snow-capped peaks. We will pass several villages, such as Ondugai, where Turkic-speaking Altai people live. Overmight at a ger camp.
Day 13 To Ulgii
Continue to drive up on to the Kosh Agach Plateau, from which Mongolia is visible. The area is now drier with some 160mm precipitation per annum. Kosh Agach is the main town. Almost all people living here are Kazakhs. We will cross into Mongolia after the small village of Tashanta. It will certainly take at least an hour of formalities for both sides. The goods roads will totally disappear as we enter into Mongolia. From the border there is a spectacular 2-3 hour ride across the mountain steppes to Ölgii. Ger camp overnight at Sagsay, half an hour drive outside Ölgii.
Day 14 End services
After breakfast we will transfer you to your next destination, be it a flight to Ulaanbaatar or to continue with any of our additional itineraries in western Mongolia. The town of Hovd is a 5-6 hour drive away, which will cost an additional USD 270 for one vehicle with driver.
Some recommendations:
Summer months in Russian Altai are from early June to mid September.Although summers are hot and dry with occasional rain, the temperature can fluctuate as much 20 degrees centigrade between day and night.So be prepared for all weather conditions.
What to bring:
Binoculars,sunscreen,a hat,gloves,long underware for travel in the high mountains,comfortable footware,lip balm,sanitary hand wipes,sunglasses,prescription medications,(if needed),rain gear,flashlight.
Staff:
A local guide who speaks English, Russian and Kazakh will accompany the group at all times.A cook will follow, with an assistant.In addition, the services of the local herdsmen will be hired along with their animals.The horsemen follow a traditional lifestyle in the areas where we will be riding.
Meals:
Our cook will prepare the meals.We pride ourselves in having cooks adapt to both western and local cooking on our trips.There are always vegetables available, and we have no problem accommodating vegetarians on our trips.
Price:
USD …… per person (min 2 members)
Group size:
2-15
Discounts available for groups.
Includes: English speaking guide and all meals. All overnights in camps and tents, camping equipments, flights (UB-Olgyi-UB) and transfers, packing horses, all Border and National park permits.
Excludes: Alchogol drinks, laundry and horse ride.Visa fee.
Single tent/ger supplement is USD 30 per night.
