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Muir's
Tours - Siberia
- Shambala Trek |
Trekking The
Altai - Katunsky
Nature Reserve - Intermediate Version
Hike into the
Katunsky Nature Reserve, one of the most scenic areas in the Altai Mountains of
Siberia. Trek to the glacier laden Belukha
Mountain (4503m), the highest
peak in Siberia, which adjoins the Katunsky Nature Reserve.
The
contrasting wild grandeur of the mountains with peaceful
and picturesque vistas will ensure your trekking is very memorable. There are many mountain lakes with turquoise
waters around the Katunsky ridge. In July and August, the alpine
meadows are in luxuriant bloom. In the reserve you may meet Siberian
wapiti (red deer), musk-deer, brown bear, sable, Siberian weasel,
squirrel, chipmunk, Siberian ibex. The elusive
snow leopard and the Altai snowcock also make a home in these hills. Expert guides from the reserve will lead you.
Getting to the area is
not easy, but the rewards are very rich indeed. The
trek takes us to wonderful canyons of the Kucherla river and to Kucherlinskii
Lake. The Kucherla is a very attractive river with milky blue water. A circle of snow-capped
peaks (3000 meters plus) surrounds Kucherlinskii lake and they
are reflected in the quiet water.
Mountain passes provide extensive
panoramas of the Katunsky Ridge and ice-covered Belukha mountain.
These places are a real Mecca for mountaineers and artists.
In addition
to visiting a unique corner of the world, you will also learn
about the ancient culture of the Old-Believers (they are ethnic
Russians who split off from the Russian Orthodox Church in 1966
and sought to live a self-sustaining life, in the most remote
place they could find). You will also visit the ethnographic museum
in the Verhnii Ujmon village and also places connected with the
expeditions of N.K. Roerikh, a famous Russian artist, traveller,
archaeologist and writer.
Your guide will ensure you experience many new things about
life in the wilderness.
WWF Russia benefits from the major part
of the proceeds from this trip, with the balance of the profits going to our
other core charities.
Level
of Difficulty: Hard (Intermediate /
Moderate)
The type of trekking
is mixed, some backpacking and some with day packs only, but it is not hard
going on any section when you need to carry a full pack.
The
Group:
The group will be a
mixture of German and English people mainly, with perhaps some Americans.
The Guide:
Will be a local accomplished leader who speaks English and
German.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in
Barnaul early in the morning (local time). Bus transfer to
Gorno-Altaysk (9.00 a.m. – 2.00 p.m.). Lunch. Excursion to the museum
of local lore and to the art gallery. Start your 500-km bus trip across the
Mountain Altai. Overnight in the village of Ust-Kan in wooden cabins with
outside facilities.
Day 2 Continue 500-km
trip by bus to the Tyungur village on the Katun’ river. The
road crosses all the main landscapes of Altai (except highlands) including three
panoramic mountain passes which are more than 1000 m above the sea level.
Arrive in the village of Tyungur, overnight in stationary tents or wooden huts
with rustic facilities in the tourist camping “Vysotnik”. *In Altaian language,
Tyungur means “shaman’s tambourine”. This village, founded in 1903, is populated
by Russians and Altaians.
Day 3 Transfer on
12 km up Kucherla River. The trail runs through the
blossoming meadows and light forests along the river bank over the impetuous
river up to the turn to the weather-station Kara-Tyurek. Ascent to the
weather-station that is located at the altitude of 2650 meters. Fantastic
view on mountain ranges unfolds from this point. Hiking distance today –
15 km. The altitude difference is 1500 meters.
Day 4 From the
weather-station the trail follows the mountain range up to Kara-Tyurek (“Black
Heart”) mountain pass and goes down to Ak-kem Lake. The path
ascends grassy slope and crosses larch forest, then luxuriant blossoming alpine
meadows and swampy areas abounding in medicinal Rose-root Stone-Crop ($Rodiola
rosea%, or “golden root” in Russian). Then the trail goes to the mountain pass
across the stony fields. You will see colonies of marmots and mountain birds.
From the highest point of the mountain pass, we enjoy breathtaking mountain
panoramas: beautiful view to Belukha, which is towering just in
front of us, as well as to the Lake of Spirits, Yarlu valley, Blue Mountains and
Kucherly river valley. Travelers will spend the whole day walking through the
mountain country on the altitudes of 2500 – 3000 meters. Hiking distance
today is 20 km, the altitude difference – 500 meters. To make the
passage to Ak-Kem Lake easier, the pack horses will carry the camp equipment and
food supply for the first two days. Overnight in the tented camp.
Day 5 Day for
relaxation on the shore of Ak-Kem Lake under the shadow of
vertical Ak-Kem Wall covered with glittering glaciers. Banya (Russian steam
bath).
Day 6 Radial excursion
to the picturesque Yarlu Gorge that is touched with
multicolored rock formations and blossoming meadows. Visit to a legendary
Oracle-Stone that is said to foresee the future. The Altai Elders used to sit on
it and ask the question. The first answer to appear in the mind was true. Hiking
distance – 12 km.
Day 7 Travelers ascend
to the hanging Valley of Seven Lakes along the steep path. To
the left, we view the peak Bronya (3291 m) and majestic Akoyuk peak
(3670 m), which seems white because of the powerful hanging Akoyuk glacier.
Akoyuk Mountain closes the Valley of Seven Lakes from the south. Ascending along
the path across alpine meadows in luxuriant bloom, we will discover several
lakes of various water colors laying on different levels. Ringing waterfalls
make the picture especially impressive. On the way back, we descend to the
bottom of the Akoyuk mountain, where, very close to the glacier, lays one of the
most beautiful lakes of this valley. Our loupe route will take 10-12 hours,
12 km and max altitude 2600 m.
Day 8 Hike to the
Akkem glacier along the eastern shore of the Akkem lake (1, 5
hrs). From the glacier, we enjoy the majestic view to Belukha Peak. To the west
from Belukha, we see the peaks Bronya (3291 m), Akoyuk (3670 m),
Roerikh (3492 m), Urusvati, and 20th Anniversary of October (4178 m).
The last object of our excursion is the powerful cascade of glaciers. The whole
trip takes about 10 hrs, 10 km, and altitude about 2600 m above
sea level).
Day 9 Day for relaxation.
Day 10 Radial excursion
to the Lake of Mountain Spirits. This enigmatic lake with dark
emerald water is hidden among high craggy cliffs on the left side of Kara-Ayuk
Mountain. Hiking distance – 14 km.
Day 11 Passage from
Ak-Kem Lake to the camping place next to the famous Tekelyu
waterfall (there are 6 waterfalls in total, and the last is
60 meters high). There are salting places, and you will have a chance to
observe Siberian ibexes (“Teke” in Altaian means “ibex”). It is possible to see
Altaian snow cocks or to hear their cries. Hiking distance today – 15 km.
Day 12 Passage down
Ak-Kem River to the picturesque camping place “Three birches”. Hiking distance –
20 km.
Day 13 Passage from
“Three birches” to Tungur village. The trail goes over the easy
mountain pass Kuzuyak (1513 above the sea level) covered by cedar pines and
firs. On the way, we will see the local medicinal plant Alpic Thistle
($Rhaponticum carthamoides%, locally known as “Siberian stag’s route”). By foot
– 15 km.
Day 14 Bus
trip to Barnaul (12 hrs).
Day 15 Transfer to the
airport, departure to Moscow at 8.30 a.m.
Dates:
June 25-July 9,
2007 2008 Dates coming very soon !! (not very
different from 2007)
July 7–21, 2007
July 19 – August 2, 2007
July 31 – August 14, 2007
August 12 – 26,
2007
August 24 – September 7, 2007
Price Indication per person of a group
of 8 or more people GBP / USD: Euro860 per
person in a group of 10 participants, which is
about
GBP640 - GBP690 / USD1268 -
USD1300.
There is an
internal flight included and these are purchased at the time of booking and the
actual cost will depend upon market prices at the time. Book early for the
lowest price.
Email
for current price
What is included
All transfers and transportation within Moscow and whilst
getting to the trekking area and back. Accommodation in tented camps
whilst trekking, poor quality local hotels (that's all there is) enroute
to and in the Kamchatka area and back, plus good quality hotels in
Moscow. Meals as stated by the code (B =
Breakfast, L = lunch, D =
dinner). An English /
German speaking guide. All sightseeing costs
and fees. Visa application support. All support staff.
What is not included
International airfare or
departure taxes. Travel insurance. Visa fees. Alcoholic or soft drinks while
trekking or any drinks when in hotels. Tips. Items of a personal
nature.
Airfare (from the UK)
As
a guide, the airfare should be in the range GBP490 to GBP550 including
outbound taxes for economy class. We can provide a quotation for you (but not
for all starting points outside of the UK).
.
Visas
A visa is required for
Russia and this will cost GBP30 / USD50. We will provide the letter of
invitation that is needed before you apply for a visa at your local Russian consulate.
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on
this trip. We recommend the BMC policies www.thebmc.co.uk
