The Altay Mountains are one of the most serene and beautiful locations on Earth. Quiet mountain lakes reflect snowy peaks, while alpine meadows carpeted with wildflowers cover gently rolling valleys. Glaciers cover the highest peaks feeding hundreds of mountain streams and rivers cascading down the peaks in torrents of water. While to the north of the mountains the flat grassy steppe stretches in Russia, the Altay Mountains shelter primordial taiga forest. Few other places can compete with the beauty of the Altay Mountains and the region is a sparsely populated paradise for photographers, hikers, artists, mountaineers and those who love nature. Tundra & Taiga offers you a memorable trip to the heart of the “Golden Mountains”.
Tour dates: July 3 - July 20 - 2004
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrival in Moscow. Bus transfer to downtown. Accommodation at the Arbat Hotel (a 3-star hotel located in downtown Moscow (double rooms). Leisure time (2 hrs) after checking in to the hotel, followed by a welcoming dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 2:
Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to the Red Square, the Kremlin, and its historic cathedrals. Lunch at a downtown restaurant followed by a boat excursion along the River Moskva or, in case of poor weather, more sightseeing and shopping. In the evening, the group will fly to Barnaul.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 3:
Arrive in Barnaul at 06.30 a.m. and the expedition will travel by bus to the city of Gorno-Altaysk, the capital of the autonomous Altay Republic. Lunch at a city restaurant followed by a visit to the Museum of Nature History and the Art Gallery. In the late afternoon, the group will once again board buses and will begin a 500-kilometer journey across the Altay Mountains. The expedition will camp overnight in tents.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 4:
In the morning, the expedition will resume its 500-kilometer journey to the southern village of Tyungur. The journey will cross all the main mountain passes of the Altay, including three panoramic mountain passes rising 1000 meters (continue 500-km trip by car 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 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level. The expedition will make a brief stop along the way to visit the Ust-Kan cave, renowned for its ancient cave paintings. The group will visit the ethnographic museum in the village of Mendur-Sokkon village, and will stop at a national farm producing the traditional drink of kumys made from fermented mares milk.The group will camp overnight the tourist campground of Vysotnik in the village of Tyungur. Russians and indigenous Altay people the village, founded in 1903. In the Altayan language, Tyungur means “shaman’s drum”.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 5:
From Tyungur, participants will begin their trek across the Altay mountains. Horses will transport supplies and the first leg of the trek will cover 18 kilometers (over 10 miles). The expedition will pass by the scenic Altay village of Kucherla. The hike will cross a mixed forest and large meadow before reaching the Kuzuyak mountain pass (1,513 meters or close to 5,000 feet above sea level) covered by cedar pines and fir trees. Having crossed the pass, a trail descends to the terrace of the mountain river Ak-kem. Demoiselle cranes are often spotted in the region. The expedition will eat en route and will sleep in tents.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 6:
The expedition will continue with a 30-kilometer (18 mile) hike to Aktash Lake. The expedition will follow a 2,500-year-old trail following Oraktoi Creek that was used since Scythian times. The trail cuts through a taiga forest of larch and cedar trees before leading to mountain meadows of the Oraktoi ridge. From the ridge, the expedition will have a clear view of Akoyuk Mountain and other peaks rising in the horizon. The hike will cross rocky terrain, and if hikers keep their eyes open, nephrite pebbles can be found along the trail. The journey will cross another mountain pass—Tomul Pass (2,580 meters or close to 8,500 feet above sea level). The day’s journey will end on the shores of the picturesque Ak-Tash Lake where the group will sleep overnight in tents. Given the high altitude and the cool nights, Tundra and Taiga recommends that you bring high quality sleeping bags: rated to at least –15 degrees Celsius.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 7:
Leaving Ak-Tash lake, the expedition will set out for Akkem Lake, a distance of 26 kilometers (over 15 miles). Walking westwards, the day’s journey will ascend another mountain pass and cross a number of saltlicks that attract large numbers of Siberian ibexes. Having crossed the pass, the group will follow a trail down to the Tekelyu River Valley (literally the valley of the ibexes). A picnic lunch will be eaten en route near one of the waterfalls of the Tekelyu River: in total there are 6 waterfalls, the last and highest is 60 meters. The expedition will make its way to an edelweiss meadow located 30-minutes away from Akkem Lake. Working its way to the meadow, the expedition will stop for a long rest at the waterfalls. The entire days trek lasts approximately 10 hours. The expedition will camp overnight.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 8:
Akkem Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Altay Region. Three days will be spent hiking in the Akkem Lake valley exploring a number of natural treasures: the Valley of Seven Lakes, Akkem Glacier and the Lake of Spirits. The first trek will bring participants to the Valley of Seven Lakes. Two mountains tower above the path to the valley: Bronya Mountain (3,291 meters; 10,800 feet) and the majestic Akoyuk Peak (3,670 meters; 12,000 feet). Following an alpine path crossing alpine meadows in luxuriant bloom, the expedition will discover brightly colored lakes ringed with waterfalls. Climbing to the bottom of Akoyuk Mountain, the trail will bring the expedition close to the mountains glacier at the bottom of which lies one of the most beautiful lakes of the valley. The day’s hike will take approximately 10 to 12 hours. Overnight camping in tents.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 9:
Hike to the Akkem glacier along the eastern shore of the Akkem Lake (1.5 hours). From the glacier, the expedition will revel in the majestic view of Belukha Peak reflected in Akkem Lake. To the west, a number of peaks rise above the skyline: some of the highest peaks rise over 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) above the horizon. The final destination of the day’s trek is the cascading glacier. The whole trip takes close to 10 hours.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 10:
Following two days of heavy hiking, the expedition will trek to the Lake of Spirits: a lake possessing mystic powers according to local beliefs. The route to the valley of the Lake of Spirits is quite easy and will take half a day. From the Lake of Spirits, it is possible to climb to the peak of Yarlu Mountain (3,370 meters or 11,000 feet). If the group climbs to the peak, then the entire day’s excursion will last close to 11 hours. Following the day’s hike, the expedition will camp overnight in tents.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 11:
Having thoroughly explored Akkem Lake and surroundings, the expedition will set out for Kucherlinsky Lake located across the Kara-Tyurek (“Black Heart”) mountain pass. At the outset, the path steeply ascends grassy slopes before crossing a larch forest and alpine meadows in full bloom. The trail will then cross swampy areas abounding in a medicinal plants. In the mountain meadows and marshes colonies of marmots and mountain songbirds abound. The pass rises over 3,000 meters (close to 10,000 feet) in height and provides a breathtaking panorama of the terrain that was covered in previous days as well as the Kucherly valley that lies ahead. Kucherlinsky Lake is one of the largest and most scenic lakes in the region. It is over 50 kilometers (30 miles) in length and close to a kilometer in width (0.5 miles). It plunges down 55 meters (180 feet) in depth. The lake is located at an altitude of 1790 meters (close to 5,900 feet) avove sea level. The lake is crowned to the east and west by the 3000-meter (over 11,000 feet) peaks and the lake is closed to the north by morraine sediments and to the south by the narrow canyon of the Kucherla River. Adding to the amazing panorama is the Kucherla River itself and its numerous rapids and the small streams that cascade down into the lake. The larch and pine forests that ring the lake are home to a number of species including Siberian stags, lynx and sable. Overnight camping in tents.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 12:
An entire day will be spent hiking in the surrounding terrain. The group will trek to both the Green and Blue Lakes: their waters dyed by minerals leaching out of mountain rocks. Larch forests will be crossed before reaching the hanging valley and its waterfalls. The entire hiking trip takes about 11 hrs. Overnight camping in tents.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 13:
The expedition will begin working its way back to the Tyungur village. The expedition will hike to the Kuldura-Oyuk River valley. Kuldura-Oyuk flows into Kucherlinsky Lake from the West. The day’s hike will be challenging as it will mean climbing the hanging valley of the creek and crossing stone fields. The day’s hike will end at Blue Lake. Overnight camping in tents.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 14:
The expedition will hike to the Vysotnik tourist camping located in Tyungur village. The road home will follow a moraine pass which will provide a farewell view of the magical views of the Altay Mountains and Valleys. A trail will follow high mountain terraces passing by a ridge covered by pure cedar forest and alpine meadows. The day’s journey will pass by the Tegeek Waterfall and the mouth of the Tekelyushka River. The rocks are adorned with several dozen ancient petroglyphs. That afternoon, the group will reach the village and will camp in the village campground.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 15:
Continuation of day 14.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 16:
Early morning departure and 12 hour bus trip to return to the Barnaul. Overnight stay at the hotel (double accommodation).
(B) (L) (D)
Day 17:
Return flight to Moscow. Overnight stay at a 3-star hotel.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 18:
Return flight home.
(B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
The cost includes all accommodation, transportation, airline tickets (within Russia), train tickets, 3 meals per day, and all museum and park fees. It will also include visa support and Russian visa fees. Tundra & Taiga cuts through the red tape: we will fill out the form with the information you provide, collect the materials from you (photos and other required documents) and we will apply for a visa on your behalf. Excluded from the price: international airfare to Russia; souvenirs, lunch and dinner while sight seeing in Moscow and all alcoholic beverages and food not included in scheduled meals and excursions in the itinerary. Participants are also required to buy travel medical insurance for the trip.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Russia
Hiking & Trekking
|
| Check out these similar vacation offers: |
|
|
