Belukha 4,506 m · turquoise lakes of Siberia
Altai Trek to Belukha
Ten days in Siberian wilderness: Kucherla lake, the Karatyurek pass and the turquoise Akkem lake beneath the north face of Belukha.
- Duration
- 10 days
- Max altitude
- 3,060 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Group size
- Up to 12
- Region
- Altai
From€1,890/ person
- 4.9 traveller rating
- 95% summit success
- No payment to book
Overview
About this tour
This horse-supported trek crosses the heart of the Katun range to reach the foot of Belukha, the highest mountain in Siberia. Horses carry the main luggage, so you walk with a daypack through larch forest, alpine meadows and over a high pass with the best view of Belukha in the Altai.
No climbing skills are needed — just good walking fitness and a taste for camping. Nights are spent in tents and simple mountain lodges, with a banya at the end of the trail.
- Turquoise Kucherla and Akkem lakes
- Karatyurek pass (3,060 m) with a panoramic view of Belukha
- The 2-km north face of Belukha seen up close from Akkem
- Horse support — walk with a light daypack
- Siberian banya at the end of the trek
Day by day
Itinerary
Weather may change the order of days; your guide always has a reserve plan.
- Day1
Arrival in Gorno-Altaisk, drive to Tyungur
900 mMeet at Gorno-Altaisk airport and drive the scenic Chuysky tract and mountain roads to the village of Tyungur (about 9–10 hours with stops). Night in a guesthouse.
- Day2
Into the Kucherla valley
Hand over luggage to the horse team and start walking up the forested Kucherla valley. Camp by the river.
- Day3
Kucherla lake
1,790 mContinue to Kucherla lake, a 5-km ribbon of turquoise water among steep slopes. Afternoon free to swim (bravely) or explore.
- Day4
Towards the pass
2,300 mClimb into the high Karagem valley and camp below the Karatyurek pass, above the tree line.
Comfort
Accommodation & meals
Guesthouse in Tyungur
Wooden guesthouse with shared bathrooms and a traditional banya.
Tents on the trail
Two-person trekking tents and a shared mess tent. Sleeping mats provided.
Lodges at Akkem lake
Simple wooden lodges near the meteo station when available; tents otherwise.
Meals
Full board from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 10. Hot meals are cooked in camp; lunches on the trail are packed.
Price details
What's included
Included
- Airport transfers Gorno-Altaisk – Tyungur – Gorno-Altaisk
- English-speaking trekking guide and assistant guide
- Horse support for main luggage (up to 15 kg per person)
- Camp cook and full board
- Tents, mess tent, sleeping mats and cooking equipment
- Accommodation in Tyungur and at Akkem lake as per itinerary
- Nature park entrance and registration fees
- Satellite phone and first-aid kit
- Visa support (invitation letter)
Not included
- International flights to and from the start city
- Travel insurance with mountain rescue cover (mandatory)
- Russian visa fee
- Domestic flights to Gorno-Altaisk
- Sleeping bag and personal trekking gear
- Optional helicopter transfer from Akkem lake
Dates & prices
Choose your date
Small international groups. Booking is free — we confirm details with you before any payment.
No fixed dates yet
We run private departures on request — tell us your dates and group size.
Need other dates or a private group? — we organise departures on request.
Packing list
Required equipment
What to bring for this programme. Most technical items can be rented from us — no need to fly with them.
Clothing
- Rain jacket & waterproof trousers
- Fleece mid-layer
- Light down or synthetic jacketRent
- Thermal base layer for cold nights
- Quick-dry trekking trousers and T-shirts
- Sun cap, warm hat and light gloves
Footwear
- Waterproof trekking boots, broken in
- Sandals for river crossings and camp
- Trekking socks · 3–4 pairs
Camping & trail gear
- Sleeping bag, comfort 0 °CRent
- Sleeping matRent
- Trekking polesRent
- Daypack 30–40 L + rain cover
- Duffel bag for luggage · 80–100 L
Personal items
- Headlamp + spare batteries
- Sunglasses (cat. 3)
- Water bottle or hydration bladder
- Insect repellent and sunscreen
- Personal first-aid kit and medication
RentItems marked “rent” can be picked up in Gorno-Altaisk on day 1. Horses carry the duffel bags between camps.
Reviews
What our travellers say
55 reviews on TripAdvisor
210 reviews on Google- Google
“Комфортный тур на западную вершину Эльбруса с юга с Сергеем Тарасовым. Это был не просто тур, а кинотур! Довольна всем! Организация на высшем уровне. Питание, трансфер, безопасность, аренда снаряжения - понравилось абсолютно всё! Спасибо огромное за эмоции и впечатления!”
ННаиля Филиппова September 2026 - Google
“Пользуюсь услугами компании не первый раз и планирую дальше с ними путешествовать: отличная компания, профессиональные гиды.”
AAleks September 2026 - TripAdvisor
Подъём на Эльбрус! Западная вершина.
“Поднялись с группой на западную вершину Эльбруса! У нас был опытный гид Алексей Сикилинда, который грамотно выждал погоду, и мы успешно взошли на вершину. Были ребята, которые говорили что им всё равно на погоду, ведь они идут с Ксенией Котляр, и пошли на день раньше. Но взойти на вершину у них не вышло, и они вернулись назад. А мы зашли) Спасибо опыту Алексея). Компания была максимально разношёрстная - плотник, доктор, менеджер и торговый представитель. Несмотря на это все нашли общий язык и поддерживали друг друга во время всего тура) Что конечно же положительно повлияло на успех восхождения. В целом о поездке впечатление отличное, всё было хорошо - трансфер, снаряжение, питание. Спасибо компании Эльбрус Эксперт за прекрасный тур!”
ССергей М September 2026
FAQ
Good to know
How hard is the trek?
Days are 5–7 hours of walking, with one long day over the 3,060 m pass. Anyone who hikes regularly and can manage several days in a row will be fine.
Can I ride a horse instead of walking?
Riding horses can be arranged for some sections at extra cost. Let us know when booking so we can plan the horse team.
What about mosquitoes and weather?
Mosquitoes can be active in July in the lower valleys — bring repellent. Weather changes quickly; expect warm days, cold nights near freezing at the pass, and occasional rain.
Is there phone signal on the trek?
No mobile coverage after Tyungur. Your guide carries a satellite phone for emergencies and can send short messages to your family if needed.
The mountain is waiting
Ready for your summit?
From €1,890 per person. Pick a date now — we confirm everything personally, no payment at this step.