Climbing Mount Belukha
Horseback riding through the territory of the Katon-Karagay National Park and climbing to the summit of Mount Belukha, 4509 meters high
Difficulty level
AD+/D-
Age
18+
Duration
12 days
Climbing Mount Belukha
Horseback riding through the territory of the Katon-Karagay National Park and climbing to the summit of Mount Belukha, 4509 meters high
Difficulty level
AD+/D-
Age
18+
Duration
12 days
Belukha, 4509m
The "Climbing Belukha Mountain" tour program includes a horseback ride through the territory of the Katon-Karagay National Park, the largest reserve in Kazakhstan, to the Altay-pro base camp at the foot of Belukha Mountain (1950 meters above sea level), and the actual ascent to the summit of Belukha Mountain, 4509m.
Each day will bring you new impressions: alpine lakes, turbulent rivers, waterfalls, colorful mountains, and valleys.
You will spend several days in a tent camp with a view of the snowy peaks, and if the mountain allows you, you will visit the highest point of Altai - the summit of Belukha Mountain. The route is designed for people with average physical fitness and technical skills in mountaineering or tourism. Riding skills are welcome. The route is group, and you can join the tour on guaranteed dates.
You will spend several days in a tent camp with a view of the snowy peaks, and if the mountain allows you, you will visit the highest point of Altai - the summit of Belukha Mountain. The route is designed for people with average physical fitness and technical skills in mountaineering or tourism. Riding skills are welcome. The route is group, and you can join the tour on guaranteed dates.
PROGRAM
*the guide may adjust the program based on weather conditions and the overall technical and physical readiness of the entire group.
Day 1
Meeting with the guide in Ust-Kamenogorsk. Drive to the village of Karaiyryk (Yazyovka). We will pass by the villages of Katon-Karagay and Uryl, where we will receive a border pass, and there will be no more communication.
Travel distance: ~ 450 km.
Food: roadside cafes.
Meeting with the guide in Ust-Kamenogorsk. Drive to the village of Karaiyryk (Yazyovka). We will pass by the villages of Katon-Karagay and Uryl, where we will receive a border pass, and there will be no more communication.
Travel distance: ~ 450 km.
Food: roadside cafes.
Accommodation in a guest house.
Day 2
Early breakfast, departure to Lake Yazevoe via a dirt road, where the territory of the Katon-Karagay National Park begins. Saddle up the horses, and the path to the old winter quarters of Sarsenbay will pass along the lake, marshy terrain (200m), and the valley of the Belaya Berel River. After lunch at Sarsenbay's house, the road goes between fir and cedar trees, along the thickets of currants, blueberries, and honeysuckle bushes.
Along the way, we will stop near the "Devil's" bridge over the Belaya Berel River, a wooden bridge built in 1938.
For dinner, we arrive at the Kokkol waterfall in the Altay-pro Base Camp.
Horseback riding distance: ~34 km.
Altitude of the base camp: 1925 m.
Overnight stay in tents.
Early breakfast, departure to Lake Yazevoe via a dirt road, where the territory of the Katon-Karagay National Park begins. Saddle up the horses, and the path to the old winter quarters of Sarsenbay will pass along the lake, marshy terrain (200m), and the valley of the Belaya Berel River. After lunch at Sarsenbay's house, the road goes between fir and cedar trees, along the thickets of currants, blueberries, and honeysuckle bushes.
Along the way, we will stop near the "Devil's" bridge over the Belaya Berel River, a wooden bridge built in 1938.
For dinner, we arrive at the Kokkol waterfall in the Altay-pro Base Camp.
Horseback riding distance: ~34 km.
Altitude of the base camp: 1925 m.
Overnight stay in tents.
Day 3
We will trek to the first camp (can be done in trekking shoes) with elevation changes of up to 400 meters on the Bolshoi Berel glacier. We will only bring necessary items and equipment for the climb, and the communal load will be divided equally among all participants: food, gas, ropes, and tents. We will prepare dinner ourselves, and there will be time in the evening to dry personal belongings.
Trekking distance: ~12 km.
Elevation: 2400 m.
Food: high-altitude. Overnight stay in tents.
We will trek to the first camp (can be done in trekking shoes) with elevation changes of up to 400 meters on the Bolshoi Berel glacier. We will only bring necessary items and equipment for the climb, and the communal load will be divided equally among all participants: food, gas, ropes, and tents. We will prepare dinner ourselves, and there will be time in the evening to dry personal belongings.
Trekking distance: ~12 km.
Elevation: 2400 m.
Food: high-altitude. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 4
Early wake-up at 1:00 am, departure at 2:30 am. We will trek to the second camp fully equipped with crampons, harnesses, helmets, ice axes, self-belay devices, jumars, and descenders. We will arrive at the second camp by 12:00 pm, set up tents, and prepare for lunch.
Trekking distance: ~5 km.
Elevation: 3350 m.
Early wake-up at 1:00 am, departure at 2:30 am. We will trek to the second camp fully equipped with crampons, harnesses, helmets, ice axes, self-belay devices, jumars, and descenders. We will arrive at the second camp by 12:00 pm, set up tents, and prepare for lunch.
Trekking distance: ~5 km.
Elevation: 3350 m.
Food: high-altitude. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 5
Wake-up at 4:00 am, departure at 6:00 am. We will trek to the third camp.
Trekking distance: ~3 km.
Elevation: 3750 m.
Food: high-altitude. Overnight stay in tents.
Wake-up at 4:00 am, departure at 6:00 am. We will trek to the third camp.
Trekking distance: ~3 km.
Elevation: 3750 m.
Food: high-altitude. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 6
Summit day. Wake-up at 12:00 am, departure at 1:30 am. We will climb to the highest point of Mount Belukha. Equipment such as tents and sleeping bags will be left at the camp. If the weather is good, we will witness the sunrise on the pre-summit ridge. We will descend from the summit using the same route as the ascent, and arrive at the third camp by around 2:00 pm.
Trekking distance: ~9 km.
Elevation: 4509 m.
Food: high-altitude. Overnight stay in tents.
Summit day. Wake-up at 12:00 am, departure at 1:30 am. We will climb to the highest point of Mount Belukha. Equipment such as tents and sleeping bags will be left at the camp. If the weather is good, we will witness the sunrise on the pre-summit ridge. We will descend from the summit using the same route as the ascent, and arrive at the third camp by around 2:00 pm.
Trekking distance: ~9 km.
Elevation: 4509 m.
Food: high-altitude. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 7
Extra day in case of bad weather.
Extra day in case of bad weather.
Day 8
Extra day in case of bad weather.
Extra day in case of bad weather.
Day 9
Wake-up at 1:00 am, departure at 2:30 am. We will descend from the third camp to the first camp.
Trekking distance: ~8 km.
Food: high-altitude. Overnight stay in tents.
Wake-up at 1:00 am, departure at 2:30 am. We will descend from the third camp to the first camp.
Trekking distance: ~8 km.
Food: high-altitude. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 10
Wake-up at 4:00 am, departure at 5:30 am. We will descend from the first camp to the Altay-pro Base Camp, and arrive there by around 5:00 pm.
Trekking distance: ~12 km.
Wake-up at 4:00 am, departure at 5:30 am. We will descend from the first camp to the Altay-pro Base Camp, and arrive there by around 5:00 pm.
Trekking distance: ~12 km.
Food: lunch on the way, dinner at the base camp. Overnight stay in tents.
Day 11
We will descend on horseback to Lake Yazevoye and then by car to the village of Karaairik (Yazevka). If possible, we will visit the Yazovsky cascading waterfall.
Horseback riding distance: ~34 km.
Overnight stay in a guest house.
We will descend on horseback to Lake Yazevoye and then by car to the village of Karaairik (Yazevka). If possible, we will visit the Yazovsky cascading waterfall.
Horseback riding distance: ~34 km.
Overnight stay in a guest house.
Day 12
Return to the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk.
Travel distance: ~450 km.
Food: roadside cafes.
Return to the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk.
Travel distance: ~450 km.
Food: roadside cafes.
Arrival in the city around 8:00 pm.
1 650 $
The spots are limited, and reservation in the group is confirmed after a 30% deposit, which is non-refundable.
The full payment is required 20 days before the start of the climb. In case of cancellation for any reason, the payment is non-refundable, but 40% of the payment can be carried over to the next year, or you can transfer your spot to a friend.
The full payment is required 20 days before the start of the climb. In case of cancellation for any reason, the payment is non-refundable, but 40% of the payment can be carried over to the next year, or you can transfer your spot to a friend.
The travel cost includes:
- Food and accommodation throughout the journey
- Guided tour services
- Group instructor
- Horse rental
- Sauna at the base camp (firewood for the sauna is prepared by the group)
- Satellite communication at the base camp
- Electricity at the base camp
- Entrance tickets to the Katon-Karagay National Park
- Border zone permit
- All transfers and drop-offs
The travel cost does not include:
- Airfare to and from Ust-Kamenogorsk
- Personal expenses (for souvenirs, cedar nuts, tea, honey, etc.)
- Insurance policy against accidents
- Sleeping bag rental
- High-altitude boots
- Individual high-altitude tableware (plate, spoon, mug)
- Tips for the climbing team
WHAT TO BRING:
Equipment
- Sleeping pad (karemat) and sleeping bag (comfortable to -25℃)
- Trekking backpack (80-100L) and waterproof cover for backpack
- Hydration pack for documents and valuables
- Equipment (harness, ice axe, jumar, helmet, descender, crampons, self-belay devices)
- Trekking poles
- Pillow for horseback riding (40x60, up to 10 cm in height)
- Headlamp and spare batteries
- Power bank
- Water bottle and thermos (0.7L)
Clothing and Footwear
- Waterproof hiking shoes (rubber boots or hiking boots)
- High-altitude boots
- Spare shoes for staying in the camp (sneakers)
- Windproof and waterproof (membrane) clothing
- Heavy-duty raincoat
- Headgear for sun protection
- Warm hat and buff
- Thermal underwear
- Warm clothing: jacket, pants (ski suit with insulation), warm gloves, insulated mittens
- Trekking (or sport) socks
Personal Hygiene and Medications
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen, lip balm, blister plasters
- Insect repellent spray
- Personal first aid kit (the guide carries a large group first aid kit, but tourists must have the necessary amount of medication for their chronic illnesses)
- Towel
- Toothpaste + toothbrush
- Soap, shampoo, etc.
- Personal hygiene products
- Lighter
Documents and Other
- Passport or identification card, money, medical insurance
- Inflatable pillow
- Swimwear
If you do not have mountaineering equipment (harness, ice axe, jumar, helmet, descender, crampons, self-belay devices), please notify us in advance.
Additional rental equipment is available:
- Sleeping bag — $5 per day
- Sleeping pad (karemat) — $1 per day
- Boots — $5 per day
Additional rental equipment is available:
- Sleeping bag — $5 per day
- Sleeping pad (karemat) — $1 per day
- Boots — $5 per day
If you have any special dietary preferences (such as being a vegetarian) or allergies to certain foods, please let us know. We will take this into account when preparing the menu.
If you have any chronic illnesses, please inform us when booking the tour. Necessary individual medications should be included in your personal first aid kit, as our first aid kit may not have the medications you need.
If you have any chronic illnesses, please inform us when booking the tour. Necessary individual medications should be included in your personal first aid kit, as our first aid kit may not have the medications you need.
If you do not have mountaineering equipment (harness, ice axe, jumar, helmet, descender, crampons, self-belay devices), please notify us in advance.
Additional rental equipment is available:
- Sleeping bag — $5 per day
- Sleeping pad (karemat) — $1 per day
- Boots — $5 per day
Additional rental equipment is available:
- Sleeping bag — $5 per day
- Sleeping pad (karemat) — $1 per day
- Boots — $5 per day
If you have any special dietary preferences (such as being a vegetarian) or allergies to certain foods, please let us know. We will take this into account when preparing the menu.
If you have any chronic illnesses, please inform us when booking the tour. Necessary individual medications should be included in your personal first aid kit, as our first aid kit may not have the medications you need.
If you have any chronic illnesses, please inform us when booking the tour. Necessary individual medications should be included in your personal first aid kit, as our first aid kit may not have the medications you need.
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