Depart UK and arrive Barnaul the following morning. A full day's minibus drive takes us 750km south east to the Altai mountains, close to the borders of Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. We arrive at the 'base camp' of Vysotnik which is situated in a picturesque spot on the bank of the Katun River near the village of Tungur. 12 hours driving.

Using horses to carry our luggage we start the 3-day the trek to Ak-kem Lake Base Camp. We pass through Kucherla village, the last sign of population on the way to the mountains. Our route goes through  forest as we climb steadily to our next camp. 7 hours trekking, 22km.

We ascend today to a high camp to help with our acclimatisation. 7 hours trekking, 25km.

We ascend to the Kara-Turek pass (3060m) and drop down again to our camp on the bank of the Ak-kem river. 6 hours trekking, 18km.

Spare / rest / Acclimatisation day

We walk through forest alongside the river, passing the Ak-kem Lake, eventually reaching the moraine and towards the end of the day walk along the glacier to our camp. The twin peaks of Belukha are clear at the head of the valley. 7 hours trekking, 17km.

We spend the day practicing our ropework and ice skills on the glacier, possibly ascending to the Delone Pass (3400m) if the weather is favourable. This is the pass that we climb to tomorrow, and involves 5 to 6 pitches of 35° - 45°.

Today we make the ascent up to our high camp on the glacial Berelskoye Saddle, from where we can make the ascent to Belukha East the following day. We climb (again) to the Delone pass, and descend the other side to the Mensu Glacier. Another, easier, ascent takes us up across the Berelskoye Saddle pass to our camp high on the mountain. 7 hours climbing, 7 km.

Summit day. An early start is needed as we fix 6 ropes up the 40o - 45o slopes that lead up to the Belukhinsky pass. From here we follow the ridge for 250m to the summit of Belukha East (4506m). We return to the camp on the saddle for the night. 7 - 9 hours climbing, 12km.

Spare day for a second summit attempt in case of bad weather. If we have summited on the first attempt then we can use either or both of our spare summit days to ascend another peak in the area.

We retrace our steps back to the Ak-Kem Base Camp where we can make use of the Russian 'bania' (wet sauna) if inclined. 8 hours trekking, 17km.

Second spare day for a second summit attempt in case of bad weather.

Back down the river directly to the Three Birches camp. 6 hours trekking, 22km.

Back over the Kuzuyak Pass (1513m) to where we started at Vysotnik. 6 hours trekking, 15km.

Full day’s drive back to Barnaul. 12 hours driving.

Free morning in Barnaul. Transfer to the airport to connect with your overnight flight home.

Arrive back in the UK