Russia Altai Republic Trek

Overview

Belukha (4,506 m) is Siberia's highest mountain and the Altai's holy centre — twin-peaked, heavily glaciated, and guarded by three days of walking from the last village. From Tyungur the trail climbs the Ak-Kem valley (or crosses the 3,060 m Kara-Tyurek pass for the grandstand view) to Lake Ak-Kem, where the 2,000-metre Ak-Kem Wall fills the head of the valley and glacier melt turns the water a milky turquoise. Kyira ribbons flutter at every pass, and Scythian burial mounds dot the steppe on the drive in along the Katun and Chuya valleys. This is genuine backcountry: carry or horse-pack full supplies, expect river fords and snow on the passes in any month, and arrange the border-zone permit in advance — Belukha stands on the Kazakh frontier. A local guide earns their keep in navigation and culture alike. June to August only. Around £2,000 including Gorno-Altaysk transfers, guide and pack horses for an eight-day round trip. Check current visa and access practicalities for Russia carefully before planning — they change, and the flights are the hard part.

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Prefilled for 1 June 2027 — the next best-season window. Search on partner sites — opens in a new tab.