Accommodation during the trip
Languages
Accommodation during the trip
Languages
Experiences you'll have
Breathtaking views of the Altai nature attract travelers from all over the world. You will take a sightseeing tour to this wonderful land, get acquainted with the local traditions and cuisine, and take a horse-riding hike to one of the most beautiful Altai mountain lakes – the Shavlinsky lakes, where it is difficult to travel to on foot.
To join this tour you need a good physical training and experience of horse riding. In 10 days you will drive more than 1500 km by car and 75 km on horseback, reaching the most remote and picturesque places of the Altai. Also trekking to the mountain lakes and rafting down the Katun river are in the program
Highlights of the journey:
Border permit is required for this tour. Personal data should be submitted minimum 35 days before the date of arrival
Itinerary
The journey begins in Gorno-Altaysk, Novosibirsk or Barnaul, where you should get to on your own. We are ready to help with ticket purchasing. If necessary, leave a comment in the application.
Day 1 Transfer to Elekmonar village and rafting on the Katun river
After the meeting at your arrival place, you will be transferred by comfortable bus to Elekmonar village (the longest way from Novosibirsk is 7 hours). On the way you will learn a lot of interesting things about the Altai Republic and get acquainted closer with the group.
After arriving, you will be accommodated at a cozy tourist base and have lunch (extra paid). Then you will get acquainted with the Altai water element and its main river Katun. You will float down the river on a raft for 2 hours (suitable for participants who have no experience of rafting in mountain rivers).
In the evening at the base, you will have dinner and a campfire with the whole group.
The route length: up to 500 km by minibus, 15 km rafting.
Day 2 Traveling along the Chuisky tract
After breakfast, you will head to your next destination – a tourist base at the confluence of the Chuya and Chibitka mountain rivers Your route will pass through the Chuysky tract, one of the most beautiful roads in Russia.
You will observe all the main natural and historical sights: you will ride through Seminsky (1894 m) and Chike-Taman (1460 m) passes, visit one of the most mystic places of Altai – Karakol valley, get acquainted with archeological monuments, and will have a chance to meditate on the junction of two mountain rivers – Chuya and Katun. On the way you will have lunch (extra paid).
In the evening you will check-in at the tourist base near the Chibit village, where you can have dinner and rest.
The route length: 300 km by minibus, 4 km on foot.
Day 3 Geyser Lake and the landscapes of the Chuisky range
After breakfast and a morning photo session, you will go to a small but beautiful geyser lake. It has blue clay bottom, which gives it a bright color, and the springs coming out of the ground draw fanciful patterns on the lake's bottom.
After lunch (extra paid), you will go to admire the beautiful landscapes of snow-covered peaks of the North-Chuya range from the Aktashsky repeater. Powerful off-road vehicles will take you up to the top. On a clear day you can see the main peak of Altai – Belukha mountain.
In the evening you will return to the base, where you will have a briefing according to tomorrow's horseback riding. After that, you will have dinner and can go to the Russian sauna.
The route length: 90 km by minibus, 5 km on foot.
Day 4 Horse-riding route to the Oroi pass
After breakfast, you will be given all necessary instructions according to the further horse-riding route, and then you will go to the starting point.
You will ride a horse to the headwaters of the Oroy river. From the Chuya river, the trail is steeply gaining height and goes to a plateau, to a height of about 1700 m high. Here you could enjoy the breathtaking views of the North-Chuya range. You will have lunch on route and closer to the evening set up a camp, have dinner and spend a night in tents.
The route length: 15 km on foot and horseback.
Day 5 Horse-riding route to Shabaga river
After breakfast, you will pack up the camp and continue the route. Today you will pass the boggy Oroi pass (2229 m, non-category) to the Shabaga river. Magnificent unearthly views are waiting for you. On the way you will have lunch, and in the evening you will pitch your tents near the confluence of the Shavla and Shabaga rivers (1800 m above sea level).
The route length: 14 km on foot and horseback.
Day 6 Horse-riding route to the Lower Shavlinsky lake
After breakfast, you will pack up the camp. Today you will reach your first Shavlinsky lake: The Lower one.
The trail goes to the floodplain of the Shavla river, among the trees, there is often marshy soil underfoot. You will have to overcome a steep ascent across the ancient moraine slope (1983 m high) to reach the lake. On the way, you will have a hiking lunch.
After setting up camp you will have free time at the lake. You can enjoy swimming in the icy lake and visiting the Russian sauna. In the evening dinner is waiting for you.
The route length: 18 km on foot and horseback.
Day 7 Radial trekking to Upper Shavlinsky lake
After breakfast, you will prepare for the trekking route to Upper Shavlinsky lake. It is located at an altitude of 2500 m above sea level. A narrow path goes straight along the valley between the mountains.
On route you will admire the beautiful view of the mountain giants – the peaks with romantic names "Dream", "Beauty" and "Fairy Tale". The extraordinary beauty and energy of this place make it possible to hold different spiritual practices with great efficiency.
In the evening you will return to the camp, have dinner and rest. You will listen to the different Altai legends and can sail a boat on the lake.
The route length: 18 km on foot (without backpacks).
Day 8 Start of a reverse route from the Shavlinsky lakes
After breakfast, you will pack up the camp and say farewell to the Shavlinsky lakes. Today you will have a big reverse passage along the rivers to the camping on the Shabaga river. In the evening you will have dinner and spend a night in tents.
The route length: 20 km on foot and horseback.
Day 9 Arrival to Chibit village
After breakfast, you will pack up the camp. Today is the last day of your route and the longest one: you will go along the rivers, through Oroi pass, down to Chibit village, and come back to "Kochevnik" tourist base. Here you can rest, visit the Russian sauna, have a farawell dinner and campfire.
The route length: 27 km on foot and horseback.
Day 10 Way back and transfers
Today is the final day of your journey to Altai. After breakfast, you will drive along the most beautiful and picturesque part of the Chuisky tract toward the Seminskiy pass. On route you will stop to have lunch (extra paid) and visit the souvenir market, where you can buy various products of local artisans.
At 2 pm transfer to Gorno-Altaysk, Barnaul and Novosibirsk will be organized (arrival to Gorno-Altaysk is planned at 3 pm, to Barnaul – at 7 pm, to Novosibirsk – at 11 pm).
The route length: 330 km by car to Gorno-Altaysk, 580 km to Barnaul and 780 km to Novosibirsk.
Accommodation during the trip
On the first day of the tour, you will stay in "The Territory of Happiness" tourist base in double/twin rooms. This is a cozy guest house near a small mountain river, in the Elekmonar village, where you can try the local food and sit around the campfire. Each room has a double or twin bed, a cupboard a fridge, a table and chairs, a kettle. The facilities (toilet and shower) are on site.
Three nights of the tour (days 2, 3 and 9) you will spend at the "Kochevnik" (Rus. for Nomad) tourist complex, located near the Chibit village, at the confluence of the Chuya and Chibitka mountain rivers. You will be accommodated in comfortable double or twin rooms. There are a TV, a fridge, a table and chairs, a kettle and free Wi-Fi in the room. You can visit a Russian sauna, a paintball club, a wellness center. There are different sports courts for playing tennis, football, basketball and volleyball in the tourist complex area as well. The facilities (toilet and shower) are on site.
During the horse-riding route to the Shavlinsky lakes (days 4-8), you will live in tents (for 2 people).
Common questions
During the whole tour you will be accompanied by the English-speaking guides (1-2 people). Also 2 or 3 horse breeders and a cook will escort you during the horse-riding routes.
The price of the tour includes 3 meals a day except for lunches on days 1, 2, 3, 10:
A transfer service is available from the city of arrival. Please, note, that the local time is indicated in the program (the difference with Moscow +4 hours).
Day 1. Transfer from Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Gorno-Altaisk:
Day 10. Transfer to Gorno-Altaisk, Novosibirsk and Barnaul:
This tour is suitable for physically trained people and people with horse-riding experience. During hiking the baggage is transported by the pack-horses.
We strongly recommend you to take riding lessons in equestrian clubs of your city before you join this tour. All participants should know the basic principles of horse riding, be able to trot and gallop and feel confident in the saddle. On route the participants are not allowed to go into a gallop, the group moves one by one in a column, however, your should be able to stay in the saddle and gallop in case of an emergency situation.
Children aged from 12 to 18 years old accompanied by parents can participate in the tour.
You will be provided with all nessasary tourist equipment:
Clothes and shoes:
Personal belongings and equipment:
To participate in tour it is necessary to submit the following information not later than 35 days before start of the tour:
The issue of border permit is included in the tour.
We highly recommend to get a tick-borne encephalitis vaccination, especially for May-June arrivals. In Russia vaccination is done in 2 parts. The first vaccine is made 45 days before arrival to Russia. The second vaccine — 7-14 days before arrival to the Altai region.
The vaccination process might differ in your country. For details, please contact your doctor. If you are not willing to go through vaccination process, please, be assured that your medical insurance covers tick-borne encephalitists.
