12 days Rafting and Horseback Riding to Belukha
Ascend by wise Altai horses to Alpine meadows of Ak-Kem-Argut watershed, the view of the Katunskij – Chujskij range with the cleft 2000 m deep at the bottom of which flows and froths the Argut river, mystical stone town in Jarlu canyon, the surface of Ak-kem lake – the mirror of Belukha. On the 1st of August you will observe the total Solar Eclipse from the highest point in Altai for 1 minute 45 seconds
Day 1– Arrive in Barnaul, the capital of Altai Krai. A representative of meets you at the airport. Travel by bus to reach base camp Vysotnik (850 m), which is situated in a picturesque place on the bank of the Katun river near the village of Tiungur. 750 km, 12 hours Day 2 – Today we start our trekking on a horseback. Tiungur (850 m) – the Kuzuyak pass (1513 m) – the Ak-kem River (1000 m) - the Oroktoy brook (1100 m). The Kuzuyak pass climb is not technically difficult but it’s a test of our and horses’ stamina. Overnight at the mouth of the Oroktoy brook. 19 km, 5-6 hours. Day 3 – The Oroktoy brook and the Tukhman River (2000 m). We will be able to see the panorama changes from taiga - deep Siberian forest to high alpine meadows. Overnight at a picturesque place with great panorama of Mt. Belukha (4506 m), the highest mountain of Siberia, and surrounding peaks. 14 km, 6-7 hours Day 4 - Tukhman river, Tomul pass , Mujnoh range, Soen-Chadyr mouth of river Sarah, Koir. Day 5 – Koir , Balturdak pass Day 6 – Green valley, Suluajry pass, Tekeliu Day 7 – Tekeliu , Jarlu-Boch pass, Yarlu canyon, “Ak-kem”.base camp Day 8 – An excursion day to the Ak-Ojouk valley, which is famous for its seven lakes all of different hues (5-7 hours hiking, altitude change 400 m), or to the Yarlu valley - the high energy place with «stones town» which was created by people visiting Yarlu for a meditation. Day 9 –  Ak-kem - the Karatiurek pass (3060 m) – “Green valley” on slopes of Kucherlinskij canyon. Climbing up the Karatiurek pass (3060 m) –is really serious test of endurance for us and our horses. The descend from the pass is steep and goes on talus. 23 km, 6-7 h. Day 10 – After breakfast we start along the Kucherla river. Kucherla lake - Izekeru glade ( 1300m). descent down the Kucherla River. Overnight near the river.21 km, drop 460 m, 4-5 h. Day 11 – Izekeru glade  “Vysotnik” We make a stop to look at the ancient petroglyphs on a rock. 38 km, 5-6 h. Day 12 – Travel to the city of Barnaul. 750 km, 12 hours. ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT The tour provides the group with tents, cooking pots, settle-bags for the luggage for horseback trekking, equipment for rafting (incl. life-vests, helmets, water-proof bags). You should bring the following items with you: foam sleeping mat, 3 seasons sleeping bag; shorts, T-shirt for hot weather, warm clothes (in the night it gets chilly); for the trekking on a horseback: high boots for riding (rubber boots will also do), waterproofs (should be not bright and rustling); for rafting: wooly tracksuit, footwear - special, neoprene slip-peers are ideal. Usual sneakers and wooly socks will also do. One should have two complete sets of clothes, at the minimum. One - for rafting, which is prone to get wet, the other - for the camp (there can be a shirt, jeans, a sweater, etc.). CONDITIONS OF THE HORSEBACK RIDING TO BELUKHA The route is not difficult and doesn’t require any special skills. But some reasonable horse riding experience is necessary for you to feel more comfortable when riding for several hours. Hiking and trekking experience is a plus. There will be horsemen-supervisors to help. On some steep ascents or descents it might be necessary to walk with the horse. We travel in a remote and unpopulated area, and we have to manage without the blessings of civilization. The weather in mountains changes rather quickly. There may be precipitation there. The day temperature is +10+30, the night 0 +10. The guide is able to change the program because of the weather and the other troubles. MEALS This tour provides the participants with 3 meals a day. At the base camps meals are at a cafe and a canteen. On the trekking the food is cooked on the open fire by a guide.
THE PRICE INCLUDES * Accommodation at base camp as in the program * FB (except meals in Barnaul and on the way Barnaul - Tiungur - Barnaul) * English-speaking mountain guides * communal equipment * horses * all permits and the registration * mountain insurance. THE PRICE DOESN’T INCLUDE * Airfare Moscow-Barnaul * transfer by bus Barnaul - Tiungur - Barnaul – EUR 105 p/per * horses for the luggage transportation (EUR 22 p/horse p/day) * rafting along the Katun River to the mouth of Ak-kem River (18 km, 2h) – EUR 125 p/group up to 10 persons * Russian sauna - 1 h - EUR 33 p/group 1-10 per.