Rerikh trekking tour to the foot of the highest mountain of Siberia

• 13 - days alpine expedition to the Altai mountains
• ideal holidays for those who like trekking, mountaineering and adventures

The ideal time for the trip is from the middle of June to the middle of September.
The participants should send their applications at least 10 days before the tour starts.
From 2 participants and in any time!

Altai is a unique region in South-WestSiberia, it has an amazing variety of landscapes: from boundless steppes to impassable taiga forests. The Altai Mountains are the highest in Siberia. There you"ll find virginal nature and the abundance of wild life. Not only the area as a whole but every highland valley presents an amazing variety of landscapes. It is the land of thrilling and impressive contrasts. There you"ll see beautiful mountain lakes with pure turquoise water and dramatic rocky hollows, you"ll be impressed by the rich palette of colours and a breathtaking panorama from the bird"s-eye view, you"ll hear the roar of mountain river rapids. The route passes through the spots of Rerikh"s expeditions across the southern Altai. In this region one feels a close and intimate connection with nature. It is not just an odd coincidence that Nickolai Rerikh painted about 200 pictures during his short stop in Verkh-Uimon village.

After the arrival in Barnaul the tourists go by minibus to Tyungur village where the trekking part of the trip starts. The group crosses the Katun river and reaches the place of destination near picturesque Kucherla lake. On the way the tourists will have an opportunity to see the 50 metres high Tegeek waterfalls. The path leads to LakeAk-kem across the Kara-Tyurek Range (3050 m). Beluhamountain (4506 m) is visible from the range. There is a meteorological station on the shore. The group will stay there for a day. You can climb the Students range and see the Ak-kem glacier. The vertical Ak-kem Wall is almost two kilometres high. It looks fantastic!

The number of participants: from 2 to 8 persons.

Services:

• 13 days in the mountains.
• Trekking according to the schedule. The tourists are accompanied by experienced guides. Pack horses are available.
• The list of transfers: Barnaul airport - the center of Barnaul - Tyungur (the Altai Republic) and back.
• On the way back the participants are accommodated at a hotel. Farewell dinner.
• In emergency cases a helicopter fare will be covered by the insurance.

Price (Euro)

440 - 6-8 persons; 580 - 3-5 persons; 695 - 2 persons; 1100 - 1 person.

Note: soft and alcoholic drinks are not included in the price

Requirements:

• Good physical form and persistence are required.
• During 6-days-hike (to Beluha Mountain and back) the participants carry their equipment.
• Help in camp setting is very welcomed.
• The hikers are advised to consult a doctor before a tour.
• The participants should ignore the lack of comfort.

An important note: if you choose a tour to Siberia you should realize that regional infrastructure does not always meet European standards.

Equipment:

You must have warm, waterproof boots, a sleeping-bag designed for the temperatures around 0^oC. The approximate list of mountain gear: a warm coat with a hood, a vest, a waterproof wind-breaker with a hood, warm waterproof trousers, a sweater, mittens, a knitted woolen hat; a rucksack of 90-110 liters capacity, a rucksack for climbing, an insulation mat.

The travel guide:

Day 1.
Arrive in Barnaul. The transfer to the office. A brief discussion about the route. The unnecessary luggage you can leave in the office. The transfer to the Seminsky Range tourist/sports campsite (1800 m). The transfer takes about 6 hours. The accommodation at wooden cottages which are surrounded by cedar forest (double apartments, shower / toilet).

Day 2.
Breakfast. 8-hours trip to Tyungur village. The Vysotnik camping - accommodation in tents. (850 m). Dinner, camp-fire. All the rest nights you"ll camp out. Food is cooked by your tour guides on the open fire.

Days 3-4.
Breakfast. Food is shared and packed on horses. The participants carry their stuff in their rucksacks. The acclimatization takes 2 days. The short trekking trip across the Kuzuyak Range (1340 m) and along the Ak-kem River to the camping on the shore of Ak-kem Lake (2150 m).

Day 5.
The rest at the camp near Ak-kem Lake. You"ll enjoy the magnificent view. If the weather is fine you"ll see Beluha mountain (eastern and western peaks, the famous southern wall). Acclimatization. Russian bath-house (banya).

Day 6.
The excursion to the Seven Lakes Valley . Rest in tents.

Day 7.
The trekking trip to theAk-Kem glacier and to the foot of Beluha mountain.

Day 8.
The excursion to the Yarlu Valley. Rest in tents.

Day 9 - 10.
The trekking trip across the Kara-Tyurek Range (3050 m) to the Tekelyu river.

Day 11.
The trekking trip to the Vysotnik camping. Visiting a bath-house (Russian banya). Accommodation in wooden cabins (the accommodation with every convenience).

Day 12.
The transfer to the Dennis Cave (Denisova Peschera) camping. The excursion to Scythian burial mounds, the sightseeing of rock paintings. The excursion to caves.

Day 13.
The transfer to Barnaul. The accommodation at the Barnaul hotel. Farewell dinner.

Day 14.
The transfer to the Barnaul airport. Departure.