KAZAKHSTAN

Ski-touring in Katon-Karagai

Backcountry in one of the most remote and sacred corners 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.

Geo-tech Overview

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!

November – April
9 days
intermediate, advanced
Kalmachikha, Kazakhstan Altai
1800 — 2800 m.a.s.l.
Oskemen

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE

MAP AND WEATHER

meteoblue

Things You Don’t Want to Miss

Trail 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.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE:

Day 1

Domestic flight from Almaty or Astana 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, 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 city walk, dinner and rest.

SEND REQUEST

Useful Information

Tips & Resources

PRICE LIST:

6200 EUR per one person
3400 EUR per person for the group of 2
2600 EUR per person for the group of 3
2200 EUR per person for the group of 4-6
1900 EUR per person for the group of 7-8
1700 EUR per person for the group of 9-10

Accommodation:

You’ll stay in simple but cozy guest houses in the countryside surrounded by wild nature with shared bathrooms, hot showers, and daily access to a traditional sauna. Each place offers hearty homemade meals served in a common dining area, where breakfast, mountain lunches, and dinners bring everyone together after a day outdoors. Wi-Fi is available only in the villages, while mobile signal is limited — a perfect chance to disconnect and enjoy peace, fresh air, and simple mountain comfort.

NECESSARY GEAR AND CLOTHING:

Safety:

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

Personal clothing and accessories:

– thermal base layer
– membrane jacket and pants
– insulation layers (softshell jacket, light primaloft sweater or vest)
– warm down jacket
– extra set of wool or fleece thermal base layer
– few pairs of warm thermal socks
– warm trekking shoes or boots
– softshell gloves
– warm mittens
– beanie
– cap
– neck tube
– sunscreen with a high degree of UV protection SPF 50+
– sunglasses
– inti-frost cream
– swimsuit, towel and slippers for visiting sauna;
– personal AID kit (pain and flu medication, adhesive plaster, individual medications in case of having chronic diseases)
– isothermal foil survival blanket
– repair kit (spare parts and tools for adjustment and repair your bindings, duct tape, rubber straps)
– thermos
– water bottle
– head lamp
– personal hygienic items
– power bank
– spare batteries for your transceiver
– chargers and cords for your electronic devices
– adaptor for outlet charging, if needed (220V 50Hz European outlet)

Equipment:

– freeride backpack with skis/spliboard fixation (volume 30-40 liters)
– helmet
– goggles with a spare lens for foggy conditions
– ski-touring or snowboard boots
– freeride skis or splitboard with proper touring bindings
– climbing skins
– telescopic poles