Living conditions

— Where can we take a shower?
— There are several options:

1. There is a bathhouse (sauna) at the base camp. The cost is 6,000 tenge for 40 minutes per person, and you should go in groups of 2-3 people. There is also an old bathhouse 100 meters from the camp, which you can heat up yourself for free.
2. The most reliable option is the river near the camp. The water is cold but invigorating.

— Do we need to bring our own dishes for the trekking program?
— No. The camp is equipped with all the necessary dishes. If desired, you can bring a small thermos.

— Do we need to bring our own dishes for the climbing program?
— Yes, you will need to bring lightweight dishes (cup/spoon/mug) and a thermos. We provide dishes for cooking (JETBOIL and pots).

— Should we bring a sleeping pad/mat for trekking?
— No, you don't need to bring one.

— Should we bring a sleeping pad/mat for the ascent?
— Yes, you should bring one.

— What type of sleeping bag should we bring?
— Even in the summer months, the temperature in the mountains can drop below freezing. Snow in June is a common occurrence. Therefore, we recommend bringing sleeping bags with a comfort temperature range of —20 to 0°C.

— I don't eat meat/fish/pork, etc. What should I do?
— Inform us in advance about your culinary preferences, and we will take them into account when planning the menu.

— Is mobile phone coverage available at the camp?
— No.

Technical Questions

— I'm going on a climbing expedition, and I don't have equipment. Can I rent it?
— Yes. If you lack mountaineering gear (harness, ice axe, jumar, helmet, belay device, crampons, self-belay slings), please notify us in advance. Additionally, you can rent the following:
Sleeping bag — $5 per day
Sleeping mat — $1 per day
Boots — $5 per day

— I'm planning a trek to Mount Belukha, and I don't have equipment. Can I rent it?
— Yes. Additionally, you can rent a sleeping bag for $5 per day.

— The program mentions bringing rubber boots and a raincoat. Is this mandatory?
— Rain and morning dew on the grass are common occurrences in Altay. Rest assured, in rainy weather, rubber boots and a raincoat will become your closest friends.

— I've never ridden a horse before. Is such a journey suitable for beginners?
— More than half of our clients mount a horse for the first time. Therefore, we pay special attention to briefing and safety techniques on the equestrian route. For some people, the trip becomes a challenge, and we recommend familiarizing yourself with the basics of horseback riding at the equestrian club in your city before the journey.

Documents

— Do I need a visa?
— Kazakhstan offers visa-free entry for most nationalities. The full list of countries included in the visa-free regime is available here.

— I don't have accident insurance. What should I do?
— Accident insurance is mandatory. You can obtain it at the insurance company's office or online. It should specify "mountaineering" for climbing or "tourism" for trekking. This type of insurance is available, for example, in NSK. The insurance coverage should be at least 2.5 million tenge for residents of Kazakhstan and at least 3.5 million tenge for foreign citizens.

— Are any special permits required? Any other special documents?
— Yes. We will provide you with a permit for staying in the border zone and a pass for the national park; these are included in the tour cost.

Payment

— Do I need local currency?
— In Ust-Kamenogorsk, you can usually pay with cards most of the time. If you decide to buy souvenirs in villages along the way or at the camp, you will need cash. The currency of Kazakhstan is the tenge (KZT).

— How much does participation in the climbing/trekking tour cost?
— Refer to the program descriptions; booking requires a 30% advance payment.

— I won't be able to come. How can I get a refund?
— The advance payment is non-refundable. In case of cancellation of the ascent for any reason, 40% of the payment will be credited to you until the end of the next year, or your payment can be used by someone else you know.

Everything Else

— There are many of us, and we want to come, but you don't have tours on the dates we need. What should we do?
— Write to us on WhatsApp; we can create an individual program for you.

— The program indicates the start and end dates of the tour. When should we arrive?
— Come one day before the first day of the tour. On the morning of the first day, we depart towards Katon-Karagay. We return to Ust-Kamenogorsk in the evening on the last day of the tour.

— I'm a guide and want to come to the camp with my group. Is it possible?
— Yes, it's possible. Contact us on WhatsApp, and we'll provide more details. In short, the cost of accommodation and meals in the camp is 30,000 tenge per person per day, with a reservation made 50 days before the tour. Permanent partners receive a 15% discount.

— What is the weather like?
— In the summer, the weather is quite stable: you need to bring both a swimsuit and a warm winter ski suit. You can check the camp's weather here.