The Siberian Forests to the Mountain Lakes

Arrival in Moscow. Our English-speaking guide will meet you at the international airport. Transfer to the hotel. Your first night in Moscow. Optional – bus tour “Moscow at night” or pub crawl.

Check-out from the hotel. We will have time to explore the major highlights of Moscow – the city of great Russian history and culture. We will visit the St. Basil's cathedral, Red Square and the world-renowned Lenin Mausoleum. After this a short bus tour around Moscow is waiting for us. Our tour guide takes you to the “Sparrow Hills” with an observation platform which provides a fantastic panoramic view of Moscow and then through the main streets of Moscow - huge, busy and elegant at the same time. Transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Barnaul.

In the morning we start our riding trip to the main destination of the trip – Belukha Mountain, the highest mountain in Siberia. The path goes through the last populated area on our way to the mountains. Then we will follow a path through the forest where we can see plenty of mushrooms, berries, and various kinds of trees and grasses. Today we explore the Kuzuyak pass (1513 m). The pass isn't high but the riding is quite challenging - this is the first test of our stamina. Camping on the banks of Ak-kem, a mountain river whose cool waters will help you to relax. (Daily route of approx. 5 -6 hours, 19km).

We continue ascending along the Oroktoi brook to the Tukhman brook (2,000 m). We will observe how the panorama and the vegetation changes from the taiga - deep Siberian forest - to high alpine meadows. Overnight at a picturesque place with a great view of Belukha, the highest mountain in Siberia, and surrounding peaks. (Daily route of approx. of 6-7 hours, 14 km.)

Tukhman – Tomul pass - Mujnoh range – Soen Chadyr river – river Sarah mouth.

Koir – Balturdak pass – Green valley

Tekeliu river – Suluarjry – Suluarjry river – Tekeliu pass.

. River Tekeliu – Jarlu Boch pass – Yarlu valley – base camp We cross the Tekeliu river and start ascending another mountain pass (2200 m). Tekeliu in the Altaic language means "a place where mountain goats live" and we may indeed see some goats here if we are lucky. You will never forget the special moment of discovering the beauty of lake Ak-kem for the first time. Walking across the river with the same name Ak-kem, we will cross a shaky bridge, and in a half an hour we'll reach our second base camp (2000 m). There is a canteen, a Russian banya and a traditional Altai building - Ail (a type of wooden yurt) here. This camp offers you breathtaking views over the huge snowy majestic Mount Belukha. (Daily route of approx. 6-7 hours, altitude change 600 m).

. A day hike to the mysterious Ak – Ojouk valley., which is famous for its seven lakes all of different hues. There is a strong belief that the area around lake Ak-Kem has a powerful energy. Here you may meet very different people - from hermits to people believing in UFOs. There is a stone town here being built by people who have come to this place from all over the world to meditate near the sacred mountain Belukha. Return to the base camp. (Daily route of approx. 5-7 hours, altitude change 400 m)

Today we ascend the Karatiurek pass (3060 m). There may be some snow on the pass. After a while we’ll start our descent. The descent from the pass is steep and goes on talus. From here we can see the magical green-blue Kucherla Lake. The temperature will rise and the vegetation become rich again. Another bewitching ravine appears on the way – the Kucherlinskoe ravine. Camping in a virgin cedar glade (2200 m). (Daily route of approx. 5-6 hours, altitude change 900 m).

. Gradual descent down the Izekeriu river and the Kucherla river.

On our way we’ll make a stop to see an ancient grotto and petroglyphs (prehistoric drawings) on a rock, which are several thousand years old. We cross a seemingly endless field and finally reach our tourist base “Vysotnik”. (Daily route of approx. 7-8 hours, altitude change 1000 m).

Accommodation: 3* hotel DBL in Moscow - 1 night, 3* hotel DBL in Barnaul – 1 night, tent for 2-4 people – 11 nights, On days 3 and 13 upgrade possible wooden lodge “Vysotnik” (western style toilet outside, sauna) - £70 Meals: full board while horse riding. No meals on transfers Transport: coach, horses Equipment and gear on a tour: equipment for camping and field kitchen, dinning dishes, tents for 2-4 people Tour staff and support: English-speaking guide, a horsemen, a driver Local culture and traditions: all excursions, entrance fee as described in the itinerary Other services: invitation letter, registration in Russia and permits, all airport transfers within Russia Not included Personal travel insurance, optional excursions and services, Russian visa Optional Overview excursion in Barnaul Optional services fees Single supplement in Barnaul and Moscow 3* hotel: £70 per night

Airline tickets are booked through an ATOL Bonded Agent in London who specialises in travel to and from Russia. They will also assist you in obtaining the necessary visa applications and entry into Russia