Tour to Lake Yazevoye and Mount Belukha (12 days)
Mountain hike to the Kokkol mine and the upper camp -
Walk to the winter garden of Sersembai -
Lake Yazevoye and Mount Belukha are two natural wonders located in the heart of the Katon–Karagai National Park, which attract travelers with their pristine beauty and mysterious atmosphere. These places seem to be created for those who are looking for inspiration in nature, want to touch ancient legends and enjoy the tranquility of a remote corner of the Kazakh Altai.
Lake Yazevoye is called the pearl of the reserve. Surrounded by dense forests and high mountains, it impresses with its crystal clear water and peaceful atmosphere. On the shores of the lake you can see a variety of flora and fauna, including rare animals such as marals and roe deer. In summer, there are ideal conditions for camping, boating and relaxing holidays away from civilization. Picturesque views open from the water, and the transparency of the lake allows you to look into its depths, where grayling is found, making this place attractive for anglers.
The majestic Belukha Mountain, the highest peak of the Altai Mountains (4506 m), rises nearby and gives the landscape a dramatic contrast. Belukha has a sacred significance for many peoples of the region and is considered one of the mystical centers of the Earth. Its snowy peaks reflect the sun, creating an extraordinary brilliance, and legends connect Belukha with ancient worlds and spiritual perfection. For those who want to test themselves, the routes towards Belukha offer unforgettable views, glaciers, alpine meadows and the purest mountain streams.
A joint visit to Lake Yazevoye and Mount Belukha is a unique opportunity to see two outstanding natural monuments in one trip. Here everyone will find something of their own: peace, inspiration, unity with nature or an adventure that will remain in memory forever.
- Distance of the route:
1094 km
- Season time:
Summer time
- Best time:
June, August
- Group size:
1-20
- Days & nights:
12 days, 11 nights
Tour itinerary:
Transfer: Ust-Kamenogorsk – Kaznakovskaya ferry (175 km). Arrival at Kaznakovsk ferry, waiting for the ferry.
Crossing to the opposite shore of the Bukhtarma reservoir (4 km).
Transfer: Kaznakovskaya ferry – the village of Katon Karagai (206 km). Lunch in the village of Katon Karagai.
Transfer: Katon-Karagai settlement – Uryl settlement (60 km). Stop in the village of Uryl, where you can visit shops. There will be no more shops further down our path.
Transfer: Uryl village – Berel village – bridge over the Belaya Berel River – Karaayryk village (Yazovka) – Yazev waterfall (45 km). A walk to the Yazevy waterfall.
Transfer: Yazevy waterfall – Lake Yazevy 1656 meters above sea level (5 km). Arrival at Lake Yazevoye. Accommodation in guest houses or tents, dinner, overnight.
Breakfast. Lake Yazevoye is one of the fascinating parts of our journey through the Kazakh Altai. Lake Yazevoye is located in a picturesque valley located at an altitude of 1,656 meters above sea level. The length of the lake, from north to south 3 kilometers, width 600 meters.
The lake is quite warm in the summer, you can swim in it. In clear weather, the coast offers a magnificent view of the two-headed peak of Mount Belukha 4506 meters above sea level. There is only one species of fish in the lake – ide. A day of rest on Lake Yazev. Lunch. Walking in the vicinity of the lake. Return to the camp, dinner, overnight.
Breakfast. We leave Lake Yazevoye and head towards an abandoned sawmill, which is located in the northeastern part of the lake (5 km). There is a short stop here, rest.
Further crossing: sawmill - Lower Saddle pass height 1970 m above sea level Karakus Lake (7 km). After the sawmill, the trail goes up. Lunch is on the way. Our trail goes along the Russian border, which is located to the northwest of us.
Soon, a swampy clearing with a length of about 3 kilometers begins. A little more time on the way and we will see a picturesque panorama of Lake Karakus. We pass above Lake Karakus for another 2 kilometers and stop for the night, dinner, overnight in tents.
Breakfast. On the way, we pass the pass of 1786 meters above sea level, our further path lies to the winter park Sersembai (camp of Tursunkhan shepherd), which is located at an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level (6 km). Lunch in the vicinity of the Shepherd's camp
Further crossing: winter park Sersembai – the right tributary of the Belaya Berel river Itolgon creek height 1607.6 meters above sea level (6 km). After the winter camp, a wide trail begins, up the Belaya Berel River. Many streams flow down from the eastern slope of the Katun Ridge. Overnight stop above Itolgon Creek, dinner, overnight in tents.
Breakfast. Crossing: Itolgon creek – bridge over the Belaya Berel River (8 km). We continue our way to the bridge over the Belaya Berel River on the right side of the river. Lunch at the bridge. The bridge over the Belaya Berel River was built in 1938. This is a complex engineering structure that has been used to cross the river for 80 years (2018). The bridge is built of larch and nailed together with forged nails.
Crossing: bridge over the Belaya Berel River – Lower camp 1795 meters above sea level (5 km). There is a very picturesque place in the vicinity of the bridge over the Belaya Berel River, there are a lot of blueberries here. A steep and difficult ascent to the pass begins from the bridge. Arrival at the Lower camp, installation of tents, accommodation, dinner, overnight.
Breakfast. The Kokkol mine operated until 1954. Only two houses remain from the Lower Camp today. The surroundings of the Lower Camp are a traditional parking point for all tourists visiting Altai. From here, radial routes are made to the foot of Belukha, the Bolshoy and Maly Berel glaciers, to the Upper Camp, Lake Kokkol. A radial walk to the Kokkolsky waterfall, which is located near our camp (15 minutes).
Watching the waterfall, you can drown in the water dust rising from the bottom up, like a thick fog that forms an iridescent glow. A walk in the vicinity of the Lower Camp. From the surroundings of the Lower Camp, in clear weather, there is a magnificent view of the top of the Eastern Belukha 4506 meters above sea level, a wide panorama overlooking the Berel glacier.
The Bolshoy Kokkol River flows at the bottom, which flows into the Belaya Berel River. A bridge has been laid across the Bolshoy Kokkol River to the opposite bank, on which huts are located. Lunch, dinner, overnight in tents.
Breakfast. We will take a radial walk to the Upper Camp, ford the Malaya Kokkol River, and visit Lake Kokkol on the way. The upper camp is located on the pass and there is a real old road leading to it, laid through moraine deposits.
There is an open-air museum on the pass - barracks, a lot of mining equipment is scattered, a locomobile, diesel, ore carts (endovki), the remains of a Ford car. Lunch. There is also a processing plant, which is also in good condition.
Here is a world of rocks, glaciers and snowfields, mosses and lichens, alpine lakes and crystal streams. A walk in the surroundings. Return to the Lower Camp, dinner, overnight.
Breakfast. We leave the camp and visit the moraine lake of Equilibrium (Warm) on the way. The lake was formed from glacial water, it is located opposite Mount Belukha and in good weather the mountains and the blue sky are reflected in the lake. Excursion to the foot of the Berel glacier. At first, the trail goes along the slopes overgrown with cedar forest. Small fords through streams. We go down to the Warm lake. The water in the lake is warmer than in the neighboring glacial lakes. Next, a ford through the upper reaches of the river.
In the rain, this ford can be a serious obstacle. Beyond the ford there is a steep climb to the helipad. There is a camp of rescuers of the regional detachment from Ust-Kamenogorsk. From this place there is a wonderful view of the Berel glacier and the beautiful Beluga Whale. We return along the rocky scree sliding down from the glacier and begin climbing along its spurs.
After visiting Lake Equilibrium (Warm), we descend to Lake Bely and soon visit the grotto, from where the sources of the Bely Berel River begin. Lunch. Return to the Lower camp, dinner, overnight in tents.
Breakfast. Crossing: Lower camp - bridge over the Belaya Berel River (5 km). Lunch is on the way.
Crossing: bridge over the Belaya Berel River – Itolgon creek (8 km). Dinner, overnight in tents.
Breakfast. On the way, we pass the pass of 1786 meters above sea level, our further path lies to the winter park Sersembai (camp of Tursunkhan shepherd), (6 km). Lunch in the vicinity of the Shepherd's camp.
Crossing: winter park Sersembai – upper reaches of Lake Karakus (6 km). Dinner, overnight in tents.
Breakfast. Hiking: upper reaches of Lake Karakus – Lower Saddle pass – sawmill (7 km). Lunch is on the way.
Crossing: sawmill – Lake Yazevoye (5 km). Arrival at Lake Yazevoye, accommodation in guest houses or tents, dinner, overnight.
Breakfast. Transfer: Lake Yazevoye – The village of Uryl (50 km). Stop in the village of Uryl, visit the shops.
Transfer: Uryl village – Katon-Karagai village (60 km). Lunch at the cafe.
Transfer: the village of Katon-Karagai – Kaznakovskaya ferry (206 km). Crossing to the opposite shore of the Bukhtarma reservoir (4 km).
Transfer: Kaznakovskaya ferry – Ust-Kamenogorsk (175 km). Arrival in Ust-Kamenogorsk, transfer to the hotel, accommodation, dinner, overnight.
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