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Wild
Sightings in the Altai
June
18 - July 2, 2006
You
will begin at the Nature Park Uch-Enmek in the Ongudaisky region where
you will be introduced to the culture of the Altai people. Ongudai
is considered the “navel” of the Altai people because
it is the spiritual home to their culture and beliefs. You will see
ancient rock pictures and petroglyphs; meet local experts and park
managers who will explain the ancient beliefs and many important cultural
resources.
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Brachanthemum
Baranovy is an endemic plant adapted to only grow in the Ongudaisky
raion. It is 40 million years old according to scientific researches.
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From Ongudai,
you will travel to Nature Park Belukha in the Ust-Koksa region. Mount
Belukha is the tallest mountain in Siberia (4,506m) and is on the border
between Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation. The park is one of the
most popular tourist destinations in Russia, valued for its astounding
beauty and rugged terrain. The 4-day hike will follow the main trekking
trail to the base Mt. Belukha, passing fields of alpine flowers and
glacial streams. Base camp will be at the side of the glacial Lake Akkem
(elevation 2,330m.). Day hikes from your campsite will take you through
alpine tundra, passing more glaciers, to the place of seven lakes, and
to look for herds of wild Argali sheep. Park managers, rangers and our
botanist-expert will help you to explore the flora and fauna of this
location.
You will also have
a chance to learn more about the local cultures - the indigenous Altai
community; the Russian Old Believers, learn their legends, fairy tales
and myths, connected to Mt. Belukha. In ancient Buddhist books, Belukha
is inscribed as a mystic site with an access to Shambhala (Shangri-La).
Nikolas Roerich, a famous Russian historian and ethnography scientist
who studied the Central Asia cultures started his long expedition “Altai-Himalayas”
to Tibet and India from this location 80 years ago (in 1926).
Throughout
the trip you will hear Altai throat singing and Russian folk music;
enjoy banyas and visit ethnographic museums.
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Day |
Date |
Camp/Activity |
1 |
19
June |
Fly
to Barnaul, meet guide at the Barnaul airport, and travel by van
to the Altai Republic. Relax in a hotel in Gorno-Altaisk, Enjoy
a Welcome dinner. Discuss trip and details. |
2 |
20
June |
Ground
transportation to NP Uch Enmek, visit rock pictures and petroglyphs.
Travel to Tyungur in Ust-Koksa region, for dinner, stay in a tourist
base at Kucherla village. |
3 |
21
June |
All
day walking with stops for lunch and dinner, camp overnight at Base
Camp 1. Lecture by local scholar on rock pictures and local cultures. |
4 |
22
June |
Sightseeing,
all day walking with stops for lunch and dinner, camp overnight
at Base Camp 2. Lecture by botanist on alpine flora. |
5 |
23
June |
Hiking/acclimatization,
rest. Camp overnight at Base Camp 3. Lecture on local flowers with
botanist. |
6 |
24
June |
Hiking/acclimatization,
rest and overnight camping at Base Camp 4 at Lake Akkem. Lecture
on the explosion of tourism and the threat to Nature Park Belukha.
Explore location with guide and park managers. |
7 |
25
June |
Day
hiking, camping near the glacial Akkem Lake, banya. Sightseeing
and exploration of park with park managers. |
8 |
26
June |
Hike
to Tomsk University camp base to view the Belukha Mountain panorama,
and explore tundra vegetation. Hike 3,000m pass to the Kucherlinsky
Lake. Stay overnight in bungalows. |
9 |
27
June |
Look
for Argali mountain sheep in early morning with park rangers. Lecture
on fauna of the park. Enjoy a motorboat excursion down the Lake.
Return to Base Camp 3. |
10 |
28
June |
Hike
back to Base Camp 2 with park rangers. Explore vegetation along
trail. Dinner and camp overnight at Base Camp 2. |
11 |
29
June |
Descend
to Base Camp 1. Camp overnight in tents. Dinner with local throat
singers who will provide a concert by the fire. |
12 |
30
June |
Hike
to Base Kucherla. Visit the village of the Russian Old Believers
and Nikolas Roerich Museums in Nizhny Uimon. Dinner. Stay overnight
in Base Camp bungalows, enjoy a banya and rest. |
13 |
1
July |
Arrival
to the Sousga village at Maima region. Souvenir shopping, sightseeing
and dinner, stay at hotel U Katuny. |
14 |
2
July |
Return
by van to Gorno-Altaisk. Shopping and sightseeing. Farewell dinner
with guides and botanists. Ground travel to Barnaul. Stay overnight
in hotel. |
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