Rakhmanov Lake Ski-Touring Camp

Katon-Karagai National Park

You will be one of those lucky beggars who have a chance to travel on snowy Altai mountains with a view of legendary sacred Mount Belukha. Many people dream to reach the top and see mythological Goddess Umai – the Guardian of the Earth – who has a huge power and healing energy and can make any wish come true.

About tour:

Backcountry in one of the most remote and sacred areas of Kazakhstan! The road will lead you to the far north-east of the country where you will visit the largest National Park Katon-Karagai, South Altai Mountains and get acquainted with nomadic culture and shamanic beliefs. The trip will take place at the gorgeous Rakhman Lake surrounded by the virgin mountain slopes with untouched and powder snow. During your staying in a cozy wooden guest house near the cedar forest on the shore of the lake you will enjoy the atmosphere of peace and wilderness and be able to take a rest from the Internet and mobile phones. You will be one of those lucky beggars who have a chance to travel in the snowy Altai mountains with a view to the legendary sacred Mount Belukha. The eastern summit is the highest in Altai and Siberia and has the altitude of 4 506 meters. Many people dream to reach the top and see mythological Goddess Umai – the Guardian of the Earth – who has a huge power and healing energy and can make any wish come true. But not every person has enough luck to come here. Only those ones who have loving hearts, kind thoughts and brave souls can reach it!

HIGHLIGHTS:

– exclusive itinerary
– remoteness and wilderness
– view of legendary sacred Mount Belukha
– magical beauty of frozen Rakhmanov Lake
– healing radon hot-springs
– countryside lifestyle
– discovering new powder slopes
– kazakh hospitality experience
– shamanic culture and mysterious legends of Altai

PRICE:

2500$ per person for the group of 2
1900$ per person for the group of 3
1600$ per person for the group of 4
1550$ per person for the group of 5-6
1450$ per person for the group of 7
1400$ per person for the group of 8-10

MAXIMUM:

10 people

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Itinerary:

Almaty – Oskemen – Katon-Karagai – Rakhmanov Lake – Uryl – Katon-Karagai – Oskemen – Almaty

Day by day Schedule:

Day 1

Domestic flight from Almaty to Oskemen (plane can be changed to train if you have one extra day). Arrival to Oskemem, lunch and departure to Katon-Karagai village by car (350 km). Accommodation in the guest house with dinner.

Day 2

Breakfast in the guest house and transfer to Rakhmanov Lake (110 km) by Russian UAZ (“Bukhanka”). Arrival to the lake, accommodation in the guest house. Lunch and ski-touring in the mountain area near the lake. Coming back to the guest house, dinner and rest.

Day 3

Breakfast, preparations.

Touring to the «no name» totally wild gorges located nearby. First part of the route will be going along the frozen lake shore, then passing through the forest and ending in alpine zone at an altitude of 2800 meters. During the day it will be possible to make 2-3 descents with the length of each run from 2 to 5 km with 800-1500 vertical meters. Picnic lunch during the day in the forest. Return to the guest house, dinner and rest.

Day 4

Breakfast, preparations.

Touring to the «no name» totally wild gorges located nearby. First part of the route will be going along the frozen lake shore, then passing through the forest and ending in alpine zone at an altitude of 2800 meters. During the day it will be possible to make 2-3 descents with the length of each run from 2 to 5 km with 800-1500 vertical meters. Picnic lunch during the day in the forest. Return to the guest house, dinner and rest.

Day 5

Breakfast, preparations.

Touring to the «no name» totally wild gorges located nearby. First part of the route will be going along the frozen lake shore, then passing through the forest and ending in alpine zone at an altitude of 2800 meters. During the day it will be possible to make 2-3 descents with the length of each run from 2 to 5 km with 800-1500 vertical meters. Picnic lunch during the day in the forest. Return to the guest house, dinner and rest.

Day 6

Breakfast, preparations.

Touring to the Radostnyi pass (“Joyfull”) and ridges nearby. At the beginning you will have to walk about 30 mins in boots for getting the start point. Maximun altitude on the highest point 2700 meters. During the day it will be possible to make 2-3 descents with the length of each run from 2 to 5 km with 800-1500 vertical meters. Picnic lunch during the day in the forest. Return to the guest house, dinner and rest.

Day 7

Breakfast, preparations.

Touring to the Radostnyi pass (“Joyfull”) and ridges nearby. At the beginning you will have to walk about 30 mins in boots for getting the start point. Maximun altitude on the highest point 2700 meters. During the day it will be possible to make 2-3 descents with the length of each run from 2 to 5 km with 800-1500 vertical meters. Picnic lunch during the day in the forest. Return to the guest house, dinner and rest.

Day 8

Breakfast, preparations. Departure to the Uryl village (60 km). Lunch in the house of the hospitable Pilipenko family decorated in traditional Altai style by talented artist and landlord Andrey whose artworks reflect ancient culture and traditions of Altai people. Here you will also see shamanic items, dream catchers, custom furniture, old hunter wooden skis with natural animal skins and “Ayil” constructions – traditional dwelling of Altai nations. Transfer to the guest house, sauna and dinner.

Day 9

Breakfast and departure to Kato-Karagai village (60 km). Tea ceremony and honey tasting with a local Healer, Witch and Herbalist. Excursion to the food and clothing market of the village, visiting souvenir shopes and stores with various healing packaged herbal teas, tinctres, balms and honey. Departure to Oskemen (350 km). Stop on the way in Altai city for lunch. Accommodation in comfortable hotel in Oskemen. Evening walk, dinner and rest.

Day 10

Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the airport. Flight to Almaty. Accommodation in comfortable hotel in Almaty.

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Required clothing and equipment

Safety:

– avalanche equipment (avalanche safety kit: shovel, probe, transceiver
– airbag backpack (optionally)

Personal clothing and accessories:

– thermal base layer
– membrane jacket and pants
– polartec or fleece jacket
– primaloft or downy thin sweater or vest
– warm down jacket
– extra set of thick thermal base layer
– two pairs of warm thermal socks
– winter casual shoes or boots
– fleece or softshell gloves
– warm mittens
– warm beanie
– cap
– neck warmer
– sunscreen with a high degree of UV protection SPF 50+

– sunglasses
– rubber slippers for visiting sauna
– personal hygienic items
– personal AID kit (pain and flu medication, adhesive tape, individual medications in case of having chronic diseases)
– isothermal foil survival blanket
– repair kit (spare parts and tools for adjustment and repairing your bindings, duct tape, rubber straps)
– thermos
– water tank
– head lamp
– spare batteries for your transceiver
– adaptor for outlet charging, if needed (220V 50Hz European outlet)
– matches or a lighter in a waterproof package
– chargers and cords for your electronic devices

Equipment:

– freeride backpack with skis/splitboard fixation (volume 35-40 liters)
– helmet
– goggles with a spare lens for foggy conditions
(better to have 2 goggles)
– ski-touring/snowboard boots
– freeride skis/splitboard with proper touring bindings
– climbing skins
– telescopic poles

Food:
– individual snacks (energy and protein bars, muesli, dry fruits and nuts, special mount nutrition and etc.)

Services included in the package:

1. Accommodation according to the program.
2. All transfers according to the program.
3. Meals indicated in the program.
4. English-speaking KMGA skiing guides.
5. All environmental and ecological fees.
6. Sauna in Katon-Karagai and Uryl guest houses.
7. Drinking water.

Services does not included in the package:

1. Rental of ski and avalanche equipment.
2. Meals not indicated in the program and/or not included into the tour price.
3. Visa support and registration on the territory of Kazakhstan, if required.
4. Personal expenses and other expenses not indicated in the program.
5. Insurance policy.
6. Cost of the domestic flight Almaty-Oskemen-Almaty (~160-200 USD).

Please, note:

Depending on weather, temperature and snow conditions, the guide can make adjustments to the program.
It is required to have travel insurance covering freeride and backcountry, including rescue by helicopter.

Apply for the tour