Photo: Anton Volnuhin ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
May ice on the Mongolian border.
Munku-Sardyk is the highest point of the Sayan, and over the May holidays people walk in along the frozen bed of the Bely Irkut as if on a road: ice sheets, a canyon, crampons from the first kilometre. The summit sits on the Mongolian border with Lake Khövsgöl in view. Six days from Irkutsk, tents at 2,100 m, a simple but genuine snow-and-ice route. A fine first ascent in the Siberian spring.
- 3,491 m, the highest point of the Sayan
- Approach on the ice of the Bely Irkut
- Lake Khövsgöl from the ridge
- Baikal and the Tunka valley on the way
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Transfer 320 km
Irkutsk to the Tunka valley
We meet in Irkutsk and drive along southern Baikal via Kultuk and up the Tunka valley to Mondy at 1,300 m. Six hours, then registration with the border guards.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Mondy - DAY 2 · 8 km, 500 m of ascent
Up the ice of the Bely Irkut
From the road bridge we walk up the frozen bed of the Bely Irkut, 8 km, through a canyon of ice sheets. Crampons on from the start; camp at Strelka at 1,900 m.
Overnight: Tent, Strelka 1,900 m - DAY 3 · 5 km, training
Camp below the peak and practice
Up the Muguvek to the upper camp at 2,100 m, about 5 km. In the afternoon, practice on the snow slope: self-arrest, crampon steps, rope teams.
Overnight: Tent, 2,100 m - DAY 4 · Summit 3,491 m, 10 hours
Ascent of Munku-Sardyk
Off at 4:00. The glacier, then a snow-and-ice slope of up to 35 degrees to the Sedlo pass at 3,200 m and the ridge to the summit at 3,491 m. Khövsgöl below; back at camp by 15:00.
Overnight: Tent, 2,100 m - DAY 5 · 13 km, 800 m of descent
Down to Mondy
A reserve morning in case of weather. Then down the ice of the Bely Irkut to the road, 13 km, and back to Mondy for a sauna and dinner.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Mondy - DAY 6 · Transfer 320 km
Back along Baikal
The drive to Irkutsk with a stop at Baikal in Kultuk. Arrival by evening; flights late that night or in the morning.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Tent camps on the route, 3 nights
Guesthouse in Mondy, 2 nights
Three meals a day
Mountain guide per 4 participants
Transfers Irkutsk — Mondy
Border zone permit
Tents, stoves, ropes, helmets
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Crampon and ice-axe rental
Optional Zhemchug hot springs
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
Hiking experience and readiness for nights down to minus 15 are enough. Crampons and ice axe we learn on the river ice on day one; Ivan helps choose sleeping bag and boots beforehand.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Footwear and warm layers for the specific mountain and season
- Sunglasses, gloves and spare mittens
- A headtorch and personal equipment from the guide's list
- For Kazbek: agreed crampons, harness and ice axe
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.