Altai: The Golden Mountains. Aktru. Trekking. Climbing. Freeride skiing. 9 or 15 days.

Region: Russia, Southern Siberia, Altai
Activity: trekking, freeride skiing and boarding, optional horseriding, climbing or heliskiing
Trip Category: regular
Difficulty: easy to medium, no need of special skill or gear (kids from 14 years old are allowed).
Dates: mid-June - mid-September, 10-days and climbing option - year round. Freeride skiing: February-June.

Altai - "The Golden Mountains" is the mountain land on the south of Siberia which keeps ecological purity and untouched wild nature so far. The communication with local people, many of whom are followers of exotic doctrines- pagans (Shamanists), followers of Roerikh and Old Believers - gives an unique social experience.

There are also many archaeological and historical sites to visit in Altai: from Stone Ages (1,500,000 BCE Down Paleolith Ulala sit in Gorno-Altaisk, Ust-Kan Cave Sit 600,000 BCE) to famous Pazyryk Scythian King's burial mounds, Elangash and Kalbak Tash rock art sites (the 1st is the World's 2nd Rock Art site- more than 40,000 petroglyphs!), stone figures (Deer Stones, Kamenny Baba, Balbals) and many more!

In 1998 The Golden Mountains of Altai were included to UNESCO World Heritage list.

Aktru area (named after Aktru peak, 4040 m) is the highest part of Northern Chuisky Range (the highest summit is Maashey-Bashi peak, 4173 m. It offers variety of possibilities for trekking and climbing (from trekking peaks like "Kupol Treh Ozer" - "Three Lakes Dome", 1B UIAA, to Karatash North Wall, 6A UIAA). The unique feature of the area is the location of the "Aktru" mountaineering base - very close to Maliy (Small) Aktru glacier and it's availability even in winter. The area also has good features for snowboarding and heliskiing.

Itinerary (trekking + easy climbing):

Day 1	Arrival to Barnaul. 12-hrs drive to Kurai village. Hut or ail (national Altai dwelling) accommodation.
Day 2	4WD drive to the upper Aktru gorge through Kuraiskaya Steppe and Aktru gorge. Numerous of archaeological artefacts (Scythian ant Turkish burial mounds) en route. Accommodation in mountain hut. You can change 4WD to horseback here!
Day 3	Acclimatization day. Russian bania.
Day 4	Excursion to Maliy (Small) Aktru glacier.
Day 5	Excursion to Goluboe Ozero (Blue Lake), Bolshoi (Big) Aktru glacier. Excellent views to Aktru Peak.
Day 6	Day of rest.
Day 7	Climbing of the trekking peak "Kupol Treh Ozer" ("Three Lakes Dome"), 3556 m, 1B UIAA. Not technical ascent, main obstacles are: steep rocky slope at the beginning and the cover glacier on the very top. Magnificient panoramic views of the entire Mountain Altai from the summit! Russian bania on return to the base camp.
Day 8	4WD drive to Kurai village. Return to Barnaul. Hotel accommodation DBL BB.
Day 9	Transfer to airport or railway station. Departure from Barnaul.

• Days 1-7 as per itinerary above.
• Day 8. 4WD drive to the foothill of Majoy Pass. Hike over the pass (easy ascent) then descent to Maashey gorge. Camping.
• Day 9. Hiking up the Maashey Gorge.
• Day 10. Excursion to the Bolshoi (Big) Maashey glacier and the "Cup" Lake.
• Day 11. Excursion to "Alenka's Lakes" or Karakabak lakes.
• Days 12-13. Descent along the Maashey (Majoy) river to the Chuya river and 793 km point of Chuisky Trakt (Chuisky Highway).
• Day 14. Return to Barnaul. Hotel accommodation (***DBL BB).
• Day 15. Transfer to airport. Departure from Barnaul.

Cost: please for an offer!
Included: meeting and seeing off in Barnaul, 1 night hotel accomodation (***DBL BB) and 7 nights in mountai hut, 6 nights in tents, transportation to Aktru mountain base, from "Perevalka" to the Majoi Pass and return to Barnaul from 793 km of Chuisky Trakt, all permits, meals during trekking and climbing, common camping gear, horses for carring the gear on trekking (note: the horses can't go to the upper part om Maashey gorge!), guide, cook, horseman, bania - 2 times.
Not included: Travel to and from Barnaul, visa fees, alcoholic beverages and other luxuries, personal items.
Options. Visa support. The arrival and departure point can be changed with Novosibirsk, Biysk or Omsk. Additional exursions: Elangash Rock Art (petroglyphs) site (World 2nd Rock Art site, more than 40,000 petroglyphs!), Kalbak Tash rock art site with famous "Aliens" and "Giant Monster" figures, Chuia Deer Stone (Scythian warrior monument and rock art site), Inia Stellas (Deer Stones), Pazirik King's burial mounds (Scythian culture, VII-II c. BCE). Gear rental. Optional climbing (see the peak list below).

Climbing options: The following peak are available for climbing in Aktru area: Kiziltash (3800 m, 1B-3A UIAA); Pioneer (1B); Snezhnaya ("Snowy", 2B); UPI ("Ural Politechnical Institute", 2B); Aktru (4044 m, 2A-3A); Burevestnik ("Storm Petrel", 3700 m, 1B-2A); Karatash (3600 m, 2A-6A).

     As it was recently checked by brave (or crazy?) Whiteroom Productions team, Aktru area is perfect for freeride skiing tours! The wild and easy-to-reach slopes of Mt. Snezhnaya, Radistov, Aktru, Stazherov, Maashey gives you a plenty of all-grade ski runs, from newbee to expert skiers and boarders!

Itinerary (freeride skiing and boarding):

Heliskiing in this area is also possible!

Cost: please for an offer!
Included: meeting and seeing off in Barnaul, 1 night hotel accomodation (***DBL BB) in Barnaul and 8 nights in mountai hut, transportation to the Aktru mountain base and return, all permits and local fees, 3 times a day hot meals, guide-interpreteur, Russian bania - 2 times, rescue rangers team registration.
Not included: Travel to and from Barnaul, visa fees, alcoholic beverages and other luxuries, personal items, insurance.
Options. Visa support. The arrival and departure point can be changed with Novosibirsk, Biysk or Omsk. Additional exursions: Elangash Rock Art site (World 2nd Rock Art site, more than 40,000 ancient pictures!), Kalbak Tash rock art site with famous "Aliens" and "Giant Monster" figures, Chuia Deer Stone (Scythian warrior monument and rock art site), Inia Stellas (Deer Stones), Pazirik King's burial mounds (Scythian culture, VII-II c. BCE). Gear rental. Optional climbing (see the peak list below).

Any possible tailor-made trips are available! Just us of fill in the request form!