8 Days: The Great Journey To the Heart of the ALTAI
Day 0 : Arrival in Ust-Kamenogorsk
Meeting Point: All participants gather in the city of Ust-
Kamenogorsk.
Dinner: Enjoy a group dinner at a local café, where you’ll
meet your fellow travelers, guides, and organizers.
Overnight Stay: Spend the night in Ust-Kamenogorsk to rest
and prepare for the adventure ahead.
This is the perfect opportunity to get to know your team,
ask any last-minute questions, and set the tone for an
incredible journey!
Day 1: Ust-Kamenogorsk – Katon-Karagai – Yazovoy Waterfall – Lake Yazovoe
Early in the morning, we depart from Ust-Kamenogorsk by car.
By midday, our group will arrive in the village of Katon-Karagai.
We complete the necessary permits for entering the territory of the national
park and pay the ecological fees.
We have lunch at a café in the village of Katon-Karagai.
After lunch, we continue our journey deeper into the Kazakh Altai.
In the village of Uryl, we pass through the border checkpoint.
By around 6:00 PM, we arrive at our overnight location near Lake Yazovoe.
Dinner. Overnight stay at the guest house.
Day 2: Lake Yazovoe – Lower Camp (Kokkol)
Early Breakfast: We start the day with an early breakfast to fuel up for the
adventure ahead.
Preparing the Horses: We saddle up the horses and set off toward the foothills of
Mount Belukha, heading to the Lower Camp. Be sure to wear comfortable
clothing and prepare for a long but rewarding horseback ride.
Lunch Break: Around midday, we’ll take a break for lunch and rest, soaking in the
breathtaking views of the Altai wilderness.
Continuing the Journey: After lunch, we continue our ride to the Lower Camp,
which will be our base for the next few days. From here, we’ll make daily radial
hikes to explore the surrounding areas.
Dinner and Overnight: Upon arrival, we’ll set up camp, enjoy a hearty dinner, and
spend the night in tents under the starry Altai sky.
Day 3: Lake of Equilibrium. Peak Faith. Shaman’s Labyrinth
Today’s adventure takes us on a fascinating trek to three iconic locations:
1.Lake of Equilibrium: A serene alpine lake known for its crystal-clear waters
and stunning reflections of the surrounding peaks.
2.Peak Faith: One of the symbolic peaks of the Altai Mountains, offering
breathtaking panoramic views.
3.Shaman’s Labyrinth: A mystical site filled with ancient energy and spiritual
significance, where you can feel the connection to the Altai’s rich cultural
heritage.
We’ll return to the Lower Camp in the evening for dinner and another peaceful
night in tents.
Day 4: Prayer Stone (Roerich Stone). Small Berel Glacier.
Morning: After breakfast, we set off on a radial hike to the sacred Prayer Stone
(Roerich Stone), a place of deep spiritual significance. Along the way, we’ll
pass by the picturesque “Warm” Lake. From the stone, you’ll enjoy a
magnificent view of Mount Belukha.
Lunch: We’ll have a light lunch near the Prayer Stone, soaking in the serene
atmosphere.
Afternoon: Depending on the weather and the group’s energy, we’ll continue
our trek to the Small Berel Glacier, where you can witness the raw beauty of
the Altai’s icy landscapes.
Evening: We return to the Lower Camp by evening. Enjoy some free time to
relax, followed by dinner. Spend the night in tents, reflecting on the day’s
adventures.
Day 5: Kokkol Waterfall. (Rest Day)
Morning: After breakfast, we’ll take a leisurely walk to the Kokkol Waterfall,
located just a short distance from our camp. The Kokkol Waterfall is a stunning,
magical creation of nature and one of the largest waterfalls in Kazakhstan. Its
cascading waters drop about 80 meters, with a stream width of 10 meters. The
waterfall is formed by the small mountain river Bolshoy Kokkol, which flows from the lake of the same name and merges into the Belaya Berel River.
Afternoon: After lunch, we return to the camp. Enjoy some free time to relax or
explore optional nearby locations at your own pace.
Evening: Dinner at the camp. Spend the night in tents, surrounded by the peaceful sounds of nature.
Day 6: Upper Camp. Kokkol Mine.
Morning: After breakfast, we embark on a radial trek to the Upper Camp of
the abandoned Kokkol Mine. This old tungsten mine, located near the border
with the Russian Federation, is a unique monument to mining history.
Established in 1938 at the Kokkol Pass (3,000 meters above sea level), the
mine’s structures and elements of the processing plant have been remarkably
preserved due to the cold climate, creating an open-air museum of industrial
heritage.
Lunch: We’ll have a light lunch at the mine, surrounded by the fascinating
remnants of its past.
Afternoon: After exploring the site, we descend back to the Lower Camp.
Evening: Dinner at the camp. Spend the night in tents, reflecting on the day’s
discoveries.
Day 7: Lower Camp – Lake Yazovoe
Today, we begin our return journey to Lake Yazovoe on horseback, retracing
our path through the stunning landscapes of the Altai Mountains.
By evening,
we arrive at the guest house near the lake, where we’ll spend the night.
Day 8: Lake Yazovoe – Katon-Karagai Village – Ust-Kamenogorsk
After breakfast, we depart by car from Lake Yazovoe, passing through the
village of Katon-Karagai, and finally arrive in Ust-Kamenogorsk.
This marks the
end of our incredible journey through the heart of the Altai Mountains.
Price Information
Price includes:
Transportation: Round-trip transfer by car from Ust-Kamenogorsk to Lake Yazovoe and back.
Accommodation: Overnight stay at the guest house of the National Park on Lake Yazovoe (on the first and 7th day of the tour).
Guides: Support from experienced guide-instructors throughout the route (2 guides for a group of 8-12 people).
Meals: Balanced meals during the trek (field kitchen).
Chef: A professional chef to prepare meals.
Fees: Ecological fees for staying in the Katon-Karagai National Park.
Permits: Arrangement of permits for the border zone.
Horses: Horses for each participant from Lake Yazovoe to the Camp and back.
Luggage Preparation: Preparation of luggage for the horseback part (horse nets, durable bags).
Group Equipment: Fully equipped field camp, utensils, solar battery, etc.
Group first aid kit.
Emergency Communication: Satellite phone for an emergency.Not Included:
Logistics to Ust-Kamenogorsk: Our managers will assist you in planning your travel logistics to
Ust-Kamenogorsk from your city.
Accommodation in Ust-Kamenogorsk: Overnight stay in Ust-Kamenogorsk before and after the tour
(our managers can help you choose and book a hotel or
apartment in Ust-Kamenogorsk).
Lunch at a Café in Katon-Karagai Village: Lunch on the first and last day of the route
Medical Insurance: Medical insurance (highly recommended to arrange).
Rental Equipment: Rental of sleeping bags, trekking poles, backpacks or duffelbags (optional; you can select the items you need and reserve them for the trip).
Single occupancy – we can arrange a separate sleeping
space in a tourist tent for you (please contact our managers for the price of single occupancy).
Price
per person:
July 12 – 19, 2026 , 8 days, 575,000 KZT, classic route.
July 19 -27, 2026 , 9 days, 685,000 KZT, route via ITELGON.
July 27- Aug 3, 2026 , 8 days, 575,000 KZT, classic route.