Oroktoy Approach to Akkem: Gyuldyayry, Tekelyu and Kara-Tyurek: hiking in Altai
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Oroktoy Approach to Akkem: Gyuldyayry, Tekelyu and Kara-Tyurek

Distance
100.5 km
Estimated moving time
1 d 10 h
Elevation gain
—
Difficulty
Hard
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Route description

The Oroktoy side introduces Belukha gradually. Beyond Kuzuyak, the journey turns towards Oroktoy and Tukhman before reaching the small lake of Gyuldyayry. By then the village road feels distant, and the walk has acquired its own sequence of names, a lakeshore pause and crossings towards the Akkem valley. Allow time for the side approach to Tekelyu Waterfall rather than rushing towards the next camp. Sarybel Plateau offers another angle on the mountains, while the Yarlu walk exchanges broad scenery for the details of Stone City and Roerich Stone. Akkem Lake then becomes a place to wait: cloud can hide Belukha, making an unhurried stay more valuable than a promise of summits visible at a fixed hour. The return crosses Kara-Tyurek towards the Kucherla valley and Kuylyu Grotto, ending the mountain journey with rock carvings beside the path. This version does not visit the shore of Kucherla Lake. Its defining places are Oroktoy, Gyuldyayry, Tekelyu and Akkem; an excursion to the other large lake belongs in a separate plan.

Route status

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Подробнее о состоянии маршрута No recent trail condition reports
Data source Information prepared

The description, logistics and points of interest were prepared using maps and open sources. Trail conditions may change.

Geometry imported from GPX. Trail conditions have not been checked in the field. Difficulty was estimated automatically from distance and elevation gain.

Last updated 12.10.2026

Before travelling, check trail access, restrictions and the weather forecast.

Current conditions No recent trail condition reports

Conditions may have changed. Share a report after completing the route.

Community experience

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Elevation profile

gentle climb steep

Surface

Dirt / grass 66% · Gravel 11% · Improved surface 2% · Unknown 21%

Surface data covers 79.9 km of 100.5 km; the rest of the track is not yet classified.

Dirt / grass 66% · 66.4 km
Gravel 11% · 11.0 km
Improved surface 2% · 1.67 km
Dirt 1% · 0.88 km
Unknown 21% · 20.6 km

Before you go

Всё важное о маршруте

Route at a glance

Главное за минуту
Approach Akkem along the Oroktoy path through Lake Gyuldyayry, Tekelyu and Sarybel, visit Yarlu, then return across Kara-Tyurek towards the Kucherla Petroglyphs. A distinct lake-and-pass journey without the Kucherla lakeshore detour.
Length
100.5 km
Elevation gain
2796 m
Surface
Dirt / grass 66%
Oroktoy Approach to Akkem: Gyuldyayry, Tekelyu and Kara-Tyurek: route photo 4 in Altai

Route suitability

Кому будет комфортно
Without a car - Hard With children - With caution With a dog - No data By bike - No With a stroller - No Mobile signal - No data Mountain-walking stamina and readiness for several days outdoors are necessary. Plan children’s stages with a guide according to previous experience. Check nature-park rules and dog access beforehand, and plan without relying on continuous reception away from the village.

Nearby

Kucherla Lake is far above the valley return and needs a separate substantial stage; this walk does not reach its shore. Akkem Glacier and the Valley of Seven Lakes offer possible additional days requiring their own assessment. Climbing Belukha is a different undertaking from visiting the lake.

Getting there

Варианты и важные моменты Show on map
Without a car
Arrange arrival in Tyungur first. Vysotnik publishes an approach via Ust-Koksa with a booked final transfer; check current services and the connection. The walking start and finish are different places near Tyungur, so agree the exact collection point.
By car
Plan road arrival in Tyungur separately from the walk towards Kuzuyak. If using Vysotnik on Zarechnaya Street, agree arrival with its staff. A vehicle transfer or rafting stage in another operator’s programme is not automatically part of this independent walking version.
Parking
Vysotnik lists paid passenger-car parking. Confirm storage for the full trek and how you will return to the car. Parking directly beside both ends of the walk has not been verified.

Электрички туда и обратно

Расписание на дату и время, до которого нужно выйти на маршрут

What to expect

Places
Kuzuyak Pass the named crossing on the approach towards Oroktoy.
Lake Gyuldyayry a lakeshore stop beyond Tukhman.
Tekelyu Waterfall the named cascade beside a side approach before Akkem.
Sarybel Plateau a mapped lookout towards the Akkem valley.
Yarlu Stone City the rocky locality on the Yarlu excursion.
Roerich Stone Master Stone beside Stone City.
Akkem Lake the northern shore below the Belukha massif.
Kara-Tyurek Pass the crossing on the return towards Kucherla.
Kucherla Petroglyphs at Kuylyu Grotto rock carvings beside the valley path.

Difficult sections and safety

На что обратить внимание
Elevation gainСуммарный набор высоты — 2796 м.
SurfaceDirt / grass 66%, Gravel 11%, Improved surface 2%, Unknown 21%.
Риски Pace the upper Oroktoy approach for the whole journey. Choose the Tekelyu Waterfall approach with a guide: wet rocks and a steep edge need care, and going beneath the falling water is optional. Assess current snow, wind and descent conditions before Kara-Tyurek. Agree emergency communications, alternative exits and a return time. Arrange nature-park access under current rules and check the relevant border formalities.

How much time to allow

Оцените свой темп
Расчётное время в пути 1 d 10 h
С запасом на остановки + 30–60 мин
Journey format | a multi-day mountain trek Divide the Oroktoy approach into manageable stages, with time for Tekelyu, Yarlu and the Akkem shore. Then plan the pass day and Kucherla descent. Returning to the stored car and spare weather time need their own place in the schedule. Another programme containing transfers and additional lakes is not an exact timetable for this walk.

Best time to go

Сезонность и рекомендации
Choose dates after assessing the upper Oroktoy path and Kara-Tyurek. Even in summer, prepare for cold nights and prolonged rain. At either end of the season, check snow on the crossings and the availability of agreed accommodation. Keep the Tekelyu and Akkem days flexible enough to choose suitable conditions.

What to bring

Базовый список для комфортного похода
Mountain boots and spare dry socks
Tent, sleeping bag and mat suited to the selected overnight stages
Insulating layers, waterproof clothing and dry bags
Reserve food and water treatment
Offline map, compass, phone and spare power
Walking poles, headtorch and first-aid kit
Emergency communications matched to the group’s agreed plan

FAQ

Questions before the trip

Can I do this route without a car?

Arrange arrival in Tyungur first. Vysotnik publishes an approach via Ust-Koksa with a booked final transfer; check current services and the connection. The walking start and finish are different places near Tyungur, so agree the exact collection point

Is this route suitable for children?

Possible with caution: review the surface, difficult sections, and extra time for stops in advance.

Can I download GPX and KML?

Yes, GPX and KML are available on the route page. Open the map, download the file, and use it in a navigator before your trip; key route facts: 100.5 km, hard.

Photo authors and sources
  1. Route photo 1 Original source

    Converted to WebP, maximum 1800×1200 px, no crop.

  2. Route photo 2 Original source

    Converted to WebP, maximum 1800×1200 px, no crop.

  3. Route photo 3
    не указан источником; не присваивать авторство издателю
    не установлена; требуется разрешение до публикации
    Original source

    Converted to WebP, maximum 1800×1200 px, no crop.

  4. Route photo 4
    не указан источником; не присваивать авторство издателю
    не установлена; требуется разрешение до публикации
    Original source

    Converted to WebP, maximum 1800×1200 px, no crop.

  5. Route photo 5
    не указан источником; не присваивать авторство издателю
    не установлена; требуется разрешение до публикации
    Original source

    Converted to WebP, maximum 1800×1200 px, no crop.

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