Tour from Almaty

Trek to the foot of Belukha

5 · 22 reviews

Eight days in the Kazakh Altai: Katon-Karagay, Yazevoye Lake, and access to Belukha from Kazakhstan. Permits to the border zone, eco-fees, and three meals a day included.

WhenJune–September
Duration8 days / 7 nights
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $1,010/person

Program

Tour itinerary: Trek to the foot of Belukha

Days 1–2

Transfer to the Start of the Route

The group meets at the start of the route and transfers by jeep to the Katon-Karagay district. Overnight stay in field conditions. Gear preparation and briefing.

Days 3–4

Acclimatization and approach to Yazevoye Lake

A hike with a gradual altitude gain for adaptation. Setting up camp by Yazevoye Lake, rest and short radial outings.

Days 5–6

Approach to the foot of Belukha

Continuing the trek to the foot of Belukha Mountain. Setting up base camp; in good weather, an optional viewpoint outing to the glacier.

Day 7

Reserve Day and Return

A spare day in case of bad weather or for additional acclimatization. Start of the return journey to the trailhead.

Day 8

Tour end

Completion of the route and the return transfer. End of the program.

What's included

What is included: Trek to the foot of Belukha

Included in Price

Already included in the tour price

  • Transport along the whole route
  • An experienced guide accompanying you
  • Route and stops planning

Paid separately

Optional, on site

  • Personal expenses
  • Meals, unless stated otherwise
  • Entrance tickets to individual sites

What to Bring

To make the day comfortable

  • Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing
  • Water and a light snack
  • A charged phone or camera
  • A hat and sun protection

Team

Our team — guides and instructors from Almaty

Routes are led by working guides and instructors. The same people answer in WhatsApp and accompany groups on tour.

Aidos Serikov — Senior guide, mountain routes★4.9

Aidos Serikov

Senior guide, mountain routes

187 reviews · experience 14 years

Dinara Kassymova — Guide-lecturer in Almaty★5

Dinara Kassymova

Guide-lecturer in Almaty

142 review · experience 11 years

Marat Zhunussov — Trekking instructor★4.8

Marat Zhunussov

Trekking instructor

96 reviews · experience 9 years

Oleg Kim — Driver-guide, jeep tours★4.9

Oleg Kim

Driver-guide, jeep tours

164 review · experience 13 years

Zhanna Abenova — Tour manager★4.8

Zhanna Abenova

Tour manager

78 reviews · experience 7 years

Timur Beketov — Multi-day tour guide★4.9

Timur Beketov

Multi-day tour guide

118 reviews · experience 10 years

Aliya Nurlan — Group coordinator★5

Aliya Nurlan

Group coordinator

64 review · experience 6 years

Sergey Volkov — Instructor, ski tours★4.8

Sergey Volkov

Instructor, ski tours

103 review · experience 12 years

Reviews

Reviews of the trek to Belukha

Leave a review
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
AT
Aibek Ts.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

We chose this tour with my wife for our wedding anniversary. We wanted to see Belukha from the Kazakh side. Aliya organized everything, met us at the meeting point, explained about border passes. The road to Katon-Karagay is long, but the views compensate. In August the weather was excellent, hot during the day, cool at night. We walked with backpacks, it was hard, but the instructor supported us. The camp by the lake is a fairy tale. We returned tired but happy.

Verified review · Order #47050
MT
Maksat Ts.
Google ·
★★★★★

In July I went on a hike to Belukha. Wonderful nature, but the weather is changeable.

Verified review · Order #45943
EV
Ekaterina V.
Google ·
★★★★★

We went to Belukha in September, the weather was already autumnal, but the views of Yazevoye Lake compensated for everything. Overnight stays in tents were comfortable.

Verified review · Order #37510
GD
Gaukhar D.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

Beautiful places, but cold at night in September. The guide told everything, the group was friendly.

Verified review · Order #37497
AM
Aigul M.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

We went to Belukha in early September. The weather was already autumnal, minus at night, sun during the day. Thanks for the organization, everything was clear. Three meals a day, porridge, soups, tea. But at the pass there was a strong wind, we got chilled. The group was good, everyone helped. On the way back we walked in the rain, but that's the mountains. Overall we liked it, I recommend it to those ready for exertion.

Verified review · Order #37050
MT
Mariya Ts.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

We went with my son in August to show him Belukha. The weather is excellent, but the nights are cold. Everything is well organized, my son is delighted.

Verified review · Order #35906
OK
Oksana K.
Google ·
★★★★★

July, warm, but nights are cold. Yazevoye Lake is very beautiful. The guide is good.

Verified review · Order #35343
AK
Aizhan K.
Our website ·
★★★★★

In July it was warm, even hot during the day. Nights were cool. I really liked Yazevoye Lake.

Verified review · Order #34969
AZ
Aleksandr Z.
Our website ·
★★★★★

I went in July, the weather was excellent, hot during the day, cool at night. The route is well thought out, gradual acclimatization. The group was experienced, we walked at a good pace. I liked that permits and eco-fees were included, we didn't have to think about anything. Three meals a day, cooked over a fire. The views of Belukha are impressive. The only thing is, mosquitoes are active in July, bring repellent. Overall I recommend it.

Verified review · Order #34575
YZ
Yuriy Zh.
Our website ·
★★★★★

June, hike to Belukha. Aliya helped with the group, everything went smoothly.

Verified review · Order #33831
DK
Darya K.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

We chose the tour spontaneously, my friend and I decided to spend our vacation in the mountains. Zhanna helped pick a date in September, explained everything about payment. The transfers are long, but we were ready. The weather in September is already autumnal: sun during the day, frost at night. The route is not easy, but the views of Belukha are worth it. Food is normal, porridges, soups, tea. I liked that permits and eco-fees were included. We got a bit tired, but there are lots of impressions. Thanks for the organization!

Verified review · Order #27778
BB
Bakhyt B.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

V sentyabre poehali s druzyami k Beluhe. Aydos otlichno organizoval marshrut, vse bezopasno.

Verified review · Order #27640
AZ
Adil Zh.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

September is the perfect time for the trek. Cool, but comfortable to walk, and the views of Belukha open up fantastically.

Verified review · Order #27356
SL
Sholpan L.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Great hike! The weather in September is already cool, but we were lucky. Overnights in tents, food is good. I recommend it to everyone who loves mountains.

Verified review · Order #26878
LN
Laura N.
Google ·
★★★★★

I went with my family in August, it was a gift for my father's birthday. The nature is wonderful, but the weather was hot.

Verified review · Order #26374
TY
Tamara Ya.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

My sister and I decided to go to the mountains, chose this tour for August. The weather was warm, but cool in the mountains, especially in the evening. We liked the program, especially Yazevoye Lake. Meals are three times a day, all inclusive. We got a bit tired from the transfers, but it's worth it.

Verified review · Order #25609
MK
Marzhan K.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

In August we went with friends, Marat gave an excellent briefing on trekking. The weather was warm, but cold at night. Overall we liked it.

Verified review · Order #25618
VT
Vitaliy Ts.
Our website ·
★★★★★

In July I went on this trek with friends. The weather was hot, but cool in the mountains, especially at altitude. The program is well thought out: acclimatization, radial hikes, access to the glacier. Meals are three times a day, hearty. The downside is mosquitoes at Yazevoye Lake, bring repellent. But these are trifles. The guide explained everything, the group was friendly. Permits and eco-fees were included, no need to worry about anything. Rating 4, I recommend.

Verified review · Order #24814
TS
Talgat Sh.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Poehali s bratom v sentyabre, hoteli uvidet Beluhu. Pogoda byla holodnaya, no krasivo.

Verified review · Order #18020
SK
Sabina K.
Our website ·
★★★★★

My husband and I were celebrating our anniversary and instead of a restaurant we decided to go to the mountains. In September there are few people, the weather is cool, but Belukha revealed itself in all its beauty. Nights in the tent are cold, you need a serious sleeping bag. Despite this, there are plenty of impressions, thanks to the organizers for their efficiency.

Verified review · Order #17959
OL
Oksana L.
Our website ·
★★★★★

I went on this tour in July. The nature is very beautiful, the mountains are wonderful. But some days it rained and the path was difficult. However, the organization is good, I am satisfied.

Verified review · Order #15877
KL
Kristina L.
Google ·
★★★★★

Poehali s muzhem v iyule, hoteli otmstit den rozhdeniya. Timur horosho vel gruppu, vse ponyatno obyyasnil.

Verified review · Order #15578

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the trek to the foot of Belukha

We've collected the questions travelers ask most often. Didn't find your answer? Write to us — a guide will reply in a couple of minutes.

Ask a question

The walking part is a trek with a gradual gain in altitude: first acclimatisation hikes, then the approach to the foot of Belukha and back to the start of the route. How hard it feels depends on the weather and your fitness, but the route is designed for people with ordinary endurance, without mountaineering experience. Before departure the guide will advise you on how to pace yourself and manage your energy.

The route is built with acclimatisation in mind: the first days involve a gradual gain in altitude, and there is a spare day. You will be sleeping in field conditions, so basic endurance and a willingness to camp in a tent matter. If you have any health concerns, it is better to message us on WhatsApp in advance — we will discuss your situation.

The tour is a group trek, with nights in the field and transfers to the start of the route, so it is not designed for small children. We will honestly clarify the age and specific workload for your date on WhatsApp. That way you will understand whether the format suits your child.

Dress in layers: footwear you can walk in comfortably for many hours, and items you can take off or put on depending on the weather in the mountains. Plus a hat for the sun, sun protection, water, a light snack and a charged phone or camera. Nights in the field are colder than the daytime walks, so a warm layer will not go amiss — the guide will advise you on exactly what to take before departure.

The price includes transfers along the entire route, the services of an experienced guide, and the organisation of the route and stops. It also covers the arrangement of permits for the border zone, fees for staying in the area, and three meals a day. Personal expenses and entrance tickets to individual sites are separate; we will clarify the details on WhatsApp for your date.

The start is the group meeting at the start of the route, from where the group travels by jeep to the trailhead — these are the first two days of the programme, with a night in the field. The exact meeting place and time depend on the departure date, so we will confirm for your date on WhatsApp. After that everything follows the programme with the guide.

The tour is advertised as a group tour, so by default you go with other participants. The possibility of putting together your own group specifically for this trek to Belukha in June–September is discussed separately — message us on WhatsApp with your dates. There we will also advise what is realistic for the group composition for your departures.