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Mount Belukha

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Mountain
—°4
Mount Belukha (Kazakhstan)

Weather…

Mount Belukha, a majestic, ice-clad mountain in the heart of the Altai Mountains, is the highest peak in Siberia and one of the highest in Kazakhstan. It is located right on the border between Russia and Kazakhstan and consists of two distinct peaks, the East Peak and the West Peak, often referred to as the 'Twin Peaks' and separated by a deep saddle. The East Peak is the higher of the two at 4,506 meters. The mountain and its surroundings hold great spiritual significance for the Altai peoples and followers of Buddhism and Shamanism; they believe the mythical kingdom of Shambhala is hidden here. The landscape around Belukha is spectacular, characterized by vast glaciers that feed numerous rivers like the Katun, turquoise lakes like Akkem Lake, and a rich alpine flora. Climbing Belukha is a serious undertaking and requires mountaineering experience. The area is part of the 'Golden Mountains of Altai' UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-20-18-11-241112114-4-13-18
Rain mm202031546674886449514125

📋 Practical info

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Getting there
Mount Belukha in the Altai Mountains is extremely remote and is mostly reached after a multi-day journey via the village of Tyungur using off-road vehicles.
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Best season
The windows for expeditions are short and are generally limited to the summer months of July and August, when the otherwise harsh Siberian climate is slightly milder.
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Terrain & paths
The terrain includes vast glaciers, deep crevasses, and steep ice walls, making the mountain suitable exclusively for highly technical and experienced alpinists.
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What to bring
Comprehensive glacier and ice climbing gear, extremely warm sleeping bags, and robust high-alpine tents are absolutely essential for survival and a successful climb.
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Parking
Vehicles must be left behind in distant base villages like Tyungur, as there is absolutely no road infrastructure present in the immediate mountain region.
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Safety
Due to rapid weather shifts and significant avalanche risks, extreme caution is required; hiring a professional guide and carrying a satellite phone are highly recommended.
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Time needed
A summit expedition typically takes about 12 to 15 days, provided that the frequently unpredictable and severe weather conditions actually allow for a safe ascent.

Geography

Coordinates
49.80770, 86.59130

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Rakhmanovskie SpringsRakhmanovskie Springs9 km · SExplore →
Kanas LakeKanas Lake50 km · NExplore →
Dzungarian BasinDzungarian Basin54 km · NWExplore →
ChemalChemal66 km · SExplore →
KemerovoKemerovo69 km · SEExplore →
Katon-Karagay National ParkKaton-Karagay National Park70 km · SExplore →
Gorno-AltayskGorno-Altaysk72 km · SExplore →
Xinjiang Cotton FieldsXinjiang Cotton Fields75 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Mount Belukha (4)

Kindyk tas📍 landmark

A sacred stone at the foot of Mount Belukha, revered as the "navel of the earth" in local tradition.

Belukha🌿 nature

The highest peak of the Altai Mountains at 4,506 meters and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Delone🌿 nature

A distinctive pyramid-shaped peak in the Katun ridge of the Belukha massif.

Chasovnia Sviatogo Arkhangela Mikhaila📍 landmark

A high-altitude wooden Orthodox chapel built for mountaineers and rescuers.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

How high is Mount Belukha?
It is the highest peak in the Altai Mountains at 4,506 meters.
Is climbing possible for beginners?
No, it requires mountaineering experience and equipment for glacier crossings.
What significance does the mountain have for the locals?
It is considered a sacred mountain and often seen as the spiritual center of the Altai.
When is the best time for an expedition?
July and August offer the most stable weather for climbers.
How do you reach the base camp?
Usually through multi-day hikes or by helicopter from Ust-Kamenogorsk.
Mount Belukha: where is it located?
Mount Belukha is located in Kazakhstan.
Mount Belukha: what is there to see?
Highlights include Kindyk tas, Belukha, Delone.
Mount Belukha: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Mount Belukha: why is it worth visiting?
Mount Belukha, a majestic, ice-clad mountain in the heart of the Altai Mountains, is the highest peak in Siberia and one of the highest in Kazakhstan.
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Nearby cities

Rakhmanovskie Springs — Mount Belukha (Kazakhstan)
Rakhmanovskie Springs
A high-altitude resort in the Altai Mountains, famous for its healing radon springs and proximity to Mount Belukha.
Kanas Lake — Mount Belukha (Kazakhstan)
Kanas Lake
Kanas Lake is a pristine alpine lake in the Altay Mountains, famous for its changing colors and mysterious lake monster legends.
Chemal — Mount Belukha (Kazakhstan)
Chemal
Chemal is a popular resort in Altai, famous for its mild microclimate, Patmos Island, and the scenic Katun River.
Gorno-Altaysk — Mount Belukha (Kazakhstan)
Gorno-Altaysk
Gorno-Altaysk is the capital of the Altai Republic.

Nature

Lake Zaysan — Mount Belukha (Kazakhstan)
Lake Zaysan
An ancient freshwater lake in eastern Kazakhstan, often considered one of the oldest lakes in the world.
Irtysh River — Mount Belukha (Kazakhstan)
Irtysh River
One of the longest rivers in Asia, flowing from the Altai Mountains through Kazakhstan towards Siberia.

More places

Katon-Karagay National Park — Mount Belukha (Kazakhstan)
Katon-Karagay National Park
The country's largest national park in the Altai Mountains protects pristine taiga and endangered species.
Markakol Nature Reserve — Mount Belukha (Kazakhstan)
Markakol Nature Reserve
The crystal-clear mountain lake and its shores protect endemic fish and a rich alpine fauna.
Altai Mountains — Mount Belukha (Kazakhstan)
Altai Mountains
The Kazakh part of the Altai Mountains is known for its pristine landscapes and rich biodiversity.
Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium and Magnesium Plant — Mount Belukha (Kazakhstan)
Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium and Magnesium Plant
A highly specialized industrial plant in eastern Kazakhstan producing aerospace-grade titanium metal.
Tarbagatai National Park — Mount Belukha (Kazakhstan)
Tarbagatai National Park
One of the youngest parks, preserving the flora of the southern Altai slopes and rare steppe plants.
Tarbagatai Mountains — Mount Belukha (Kazakhstan)
Tarbagatai Mountains
The Tarbagatai Mountains are a mountain range forming the border between Kazakhstan and China's Xinjiang region.
🗺️
Abai-Shakarim Mausoleum
The brilliant white towers of this monument rise like lighthouses of the intellect into the steppe sky.
Dzungarian Basin — Mount Belukha (Kazakhstan)
Dzungarian Basin
A large geological basin in northwestern China, located in the northern half of Xinjiang.