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Excursion tour to the Altai Mountains «A week in the mountains»

Excursion tour «A week in the mountains»

Tour activities

Welcome you to make a road trip and spend a week in the Altai mountains.

See the unique and world-famous sights such as Chuyskiy Tract, mountain passes Seminsky and Chike-Taman, the confluence of the Chuya and Katun rivers, steep cliffs and picturesque valleys. Sparkling waterfalls, clear springs, colorful Lake Geyser and many other sights. The guides will tell you about the historical and archaeological features of the region.

You will have a chanse to visit another planet – «Altai Mars». It is an alien kind of landscape: the mountains are coloured with bright colors: orange, burgundy, yellow, red.

Please note! The tour price depends on accommodation type.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

fascinating automobile trip in Altai mountains

rich sightseeing program

motor boat trip on Lake Teletskoye

visiting Tavda caves

excursion to the honey apiary

Chuisky tract and famous passes

unique Patmos Island

landscapes of Altai Mars

mysterious Lake Geyser

beautiful waterfalls

horseback ride

rafting on the Lower Katun River

TOUR ITINERARY

Meeting in Barnaul / Gorno-Altaisk city.
Pick-up / meeting times:
at Barnaul Airport – from 7:00 am to 8:00 am
at Barnaul Railway Station – from 8:00 AM to 9:00 am
at Gorno-Altaisk Airport – until 11:00 am*
*Please note! Time difference from Moscow: +4 hours
Transfer to Barangol village (auto 300/40 km). Accommodation in a guest house.
Meals are paid on spot.
Walking through a pine forest to picturesque Kamyshlinsky waterfall. It consists of two cascades, the total height of 12 meters, it is small but very beautiful, at the foot of the rock jets break into thousands of splashes of all colors of the rainbow.
Visit a trout farm, where those who wish can go fishing (catch is paid separately).
Then – an easy horseback ride.
You will return back by motorboats along the Katun River.
Returning to the guest house.
Dinner.
* Important: weight limit for participants on the horseback ride – up to 110 kg.
- Electricity available
- Good mobile signal
- Shower available
- Accommodation in guesthouses
Breakfast.
Today we will have a trip to LakeTeletskoye (auto 190 km) and a walk on a motor boat.
Somewhere in the heart of the Altai country lies the golden lake Altyn-Kel. Its waters are like pure emerald, its shores are large diamonds, taiga around is like feathers of malachite, the sky above it is a scattering of sapphires. How many fairy tales are told, how many songs are sung about its beauty and greatness...
A trip on a motor boat along Lake Teletskoye will allow you to see all the charm of the Pearl of Altai, to learn its secrets and mysteries, to admire the beauty of the shores surrounding the lake, to get unforgettable impressions and purest energy.
You will head to Korbu Waterfall (12.5 m), located 100 meters from the shore. This place offers unforgettable impressions and pure energy.
Light lunch (snack).
Returning to the guest house.
Dinner.
Duration of excursions – 14 hours.
- Electricity available
- Bad mobile signal
- Shower available
- Accommodation in guesthouses
Breakfast.
Excursion to Tavda (Tavdinskiye) caves.
People are always attracted by the unknown, mysterious, hidden by darkness. Caves are probably the brightest example of the mystery created by nature. When a man gets into the narrow or wide passages of «underground palaces», he can be possessed either by anxiety and fear, or indomitable curiosity – both attracts, makes you return again and again to solve this mystery.
Caves are quite a rare geological phenomenon. They allow a man to look deep into the earth, to know the contents of its bowels, to look at the grandiose, impressive work of water. During the whole excursion you will be accompanied by legends, legends and true stories about Tavda caves.
Next we will visit the apiary Honey Paradise.
This is a magical place! The apiary is located deep in the mountains, on the bank of the pond, is a breeding farm of the breed of bees «Karpatka», which is characterized by a non-evil character. Honey produced at this apiary is distinguished by its exquisite flavor and rich bouquet. The apiary offers unique products of beekeeping: honey in honeycomb, propolis and, of course, mead, the recipe of which is kept in deep secrecy.
Lunch.
Rafting on the Katun River. Plunge into the power of nature and inexhaustible energy. Feel the powerful charge that can completely reboot you from the city bustle and everyday affairs.
The Katun River starts its way at the foot of Belukha. Its length is 688 kilometers. Katun in translation from Altai – «Kadyn» is the mistress. Beautiful powerful and unpredictable.
Returning to the guest house.
Dinner.
Enjoy hot banya (Russian sauna) and herbal tea at the end of the great day.
Duration of excursions – 4 hours.
- Electricity available
- Bad mobile signal
- Shower available
- Accommodation in guesthouses
Breakfast.
Departure to the Chemal village along the Chemalsky tract – one of the most popular places in the Altai Mountains. In its vicinity there are a great number of sights that deserve the your attention: hydroelectric power station, water reservoir, the confluence of the rivers Chemal and Katun, springs of Living and Dead water, rock of love, crying rock, Sartakpai gate, goat path and others. A great number of legends and true stories connected with these objects will be heard during the excursion.
Then we will go to Patmos Island. This is an amazingly beautiful place of the Altai Mountains. In 1915 a wooden temple built in 1849 in Chemal was moved here, which was destroyed with time. By 2001 the temple was restored and consecrated again. The temple is undergoing a gradual renovation of old icons. On the stone of the island, the nuns carved an image of the Mother of God with a baby in her arms. Next to the temple there is a skete of St. John the Theologian.
Plunge into the unique beauty of Altai mountains, rivers and waterfalls. Taste spring water and take a bird's eye view of the surroundings. Katun flows below, you can see the Chemalsky tract, Chechkysh tract. The foothills covered with a green carpet stretch behind the river. Here you can see only a tiny piece of Altai splendor, but feel its power and strength.
Duration 5 hours (auto 60 km).
ATV tour with visiting the spring Serebryany Klyuchik (Silver Key), it's clear water gives the power of Altai nature.
Overcoming off-road will add extreme and vivid impressions, especially when going down the creek bed and passing through the mud section. Under the guidance of experienced instructors it is safe.
Duration 1 hour (2 people on 1 ATV).
Returning to the guest house.
Dinner.
Hot banya (Russian sauna).
- Electricity available
- Bad mobile signal
- Shower available
- Accommodation in guesthouses
Breakfast.
Check-out.
Transfer along the famous Chuisky tract (auto 300 km).
Its history goes back to the depth of centuries. Once this road was a pack trail, a branch of the Great Silk Road, «Chinese road», as it was called. Nowadays it is the main transportation artery of the Altai Mountains, which has preserved numerous traces of the peoples who lived here. Seminsky pass – Dyal-Menku («Eternal Mountain») 1894 meters above sea level – the highest point of the Chuisky tract.
The next pass on our way is Chike-Taman («Flat sole»). The height of the pass is 1460 meters, but because of its steepness it seems much higher.
There are a lot of interesting places to see all along the Chuisky tract: Katun terraces, Yaloman settlement, Tsaplin's suspension bridge, stone sculptures, rock paintings, burial mounds, the confluence of Chuya and Katun, Katun and Chuisky bomas, sanctuary Kalbak-Tash, White Bom.
Lunch.
Legends, tales, historical and archaeological facts, ethnographic details in addition to unusually picturesque natural riches are waiting for you.
In the evening we arrive at the camp and check into hotel rooms. (facilities in a room or on the floor).
- Electricity available
- Bad mobile signal
- Shower available
- Accommodation in guesthouses
Breakfast.
We continue driving along the Chuisky tract (130 km) and we are lucky to observe a magnificent picture of snow-white peaks and sparkling glaciers – the panorama of the North Chuisky Squirrels.
A short drive across the Kurai steppe and we are on another planet. These places are called Altai Mars, and all because the valleys of Kyzylchin and Chagan-Uzun rivers can be rightfully considered real natural reserves of the recent history of mountains. Rocks of different time epochs are well exposed here, which gives an opportunity to explore them.
Lunch.
Walking to Lake Geyser, which will reveal its mysteries to you and may reveal the secrets of your future.
Walking to Chibitsky and Vucharakh waterfalls.
There are two picturesque waterfalls in the tributaries of the Chuya River, the way will be along the left bank of the Chuya River. We admire magnificent landscapes. The waterfalls are located in very interesting places among steep rocks and huge boulders, surrounded by triangular dark coniferous fir-trees and smart light-green larches.
Returning to the camping.
Dinner.
- Electricity available
- Bad mobile signal
- Shower available
- Accommodation in guesthouses
Breakfast.
The final day of our adventure!
The road back to Barangol follows the same Chuysky Tract – 300 km of breathtaking scenery. Along the way, we stop at scenic viewpoints and picturesque spots. You'll want to breathe it all in, take in every last view, and carry a piece of this grandeur home with you!
Lunch.
The evening is time for relaxation, a long-awaited authentic Altai sauna, and leisurely conversations where you can share your impressions of the entire tour.
Dinner.
Transfer options:
Departure to Barnaul: a group transfer departs from Barangol at 10:00 PM. Arrival in Barnaul is expected around 3–4 AM (300 km). This marks the end of the tour program.
Departure to Gorno-Altaisk: gor guests flying out of Gorno-Altaisk Airport, an additional transfer (40 km) will be arranged on the following morning.*
* Departure to Gorno-Altaisk airport next morning (40 km). It is necessary to book accommodation in Barangol village for one night before the flight. Accommodation costs are not included in the tour price.
*Times are approximate.
*The route and schedule may be promptly adjusted by the instructor based on current conditions to ensure maximum safety.
- Good mobile signal

What is included in the price

English speaking guide service
visa support (invitation letter for Russian visa)
return transport from Barnaul / Gorno-Altaisk to the tour start point and back
transport services according to the program
full board (3 meals per day) according to the program – from dinner on the first day to dinner on the last day
accommodation in 2/3-bed hotel rooms / cabins as per the selected program (with or without private facilities): Days 1–4 – guest house in the village of Barangol; Days 5–6 – eco-сamp Kochevnik (Nomad)
recreational fees
medical insurance
sauna / Russian banya – 3 times in the village of Barangol (after rafting, after ATV riding, on the final day of the tour)
rental of equipment provided for in the program
entrance tickets to excursion sites and crossings to them:
horseback riding – 1 hour
motorboats from Kamyshlinsky Waterfall
bridge crossing at Tsarskaya Okhota
boat rental on Lake Teletskoye, entrance tickets to Korbu Waterfall
tickets to Tavdinsky Caves, payment for the bridge across the Katun River
entrance to the Chechkysh Gorge
ATV excursion — 1 hour (twin occupancy per vehicle)
rafting – 2 hours
entrance tickets to Kalbak-Tash, Geyser Lake
drop-off to Mars, tickets to visit Mars

What is not included

train or air tickets to Barnaul / Gorno-Altaisk and back
additional excursions not included in the program
personal expenses and souvenirs
extra night in Barangol village (in case of return flight from Gorno-Altaisk)
sauna / Russian banya not included the program
porter services
alcohol drinks
tips

Price clarification

Tour price based on twin occupancy:

98 000 Rubles per person – in guest houses/rooms without private facilities (sanitary block available on the territory)

115 000 Rubles per person – in guest houses/rooms with private facilities

Supplement for single occupancy:

9 000 Rubles per person – in guest houses/rooms without private facilities (sanitary block available on the territory)

20 000 Rubles per person – in guest houses/rooms with private facilities

How to get there

Please send us your arrival details in advance – flight or train number and time of your arrival in Barnaul or Gorno-Altaisk.
Local time is differs with Moscow time +4 hours (when in Moscow 12:00 – in Barnaul 16:00).

Meeting of the group:

at Barnaul Airport – from 7:00 am to 8:00 am

at Barnaul Railway Station – from 8:00 am to 9:00 am

at Gorno-Altaisk Airport – until 11:00 am

In case of the delay of the plane, train, bus or car and possible late arrival in Barnaul, be sure to inform the tour operator about the situation.

Boarding is organized by the bus driver according to the list, not earlier than 07:00. Backpacks and oversized equipment are loaded either in the trunks or in the cabin, depending on the capacity of the vehicle.

Return transfer at the end of the tour:

Departure to Barnaul/Biysk: in the evening (22:00) of the last day of the tour, arrival in Barnaul around 03:00–04:00 am, in Biysk around 01:00 am of the next day. In Biysk the passengers can be dropped off only on the route of the bus, the bus does not enter the bus and railway station. Thus, return tickets should be purchased for the next morning.

Departure to Gorno-Altaisk is carried out on the next day after the end of the tour at 07:00–08:00 am (depending on the time of departure). In this case it is necessary to book accommodation for one night in Barangol. The price for accommodation from 1000 rubles per person. Accommodation is not included in the cost of the tour, booked in advance on full payment.

There are several ways to get from Moscow to the starting point of the tour:
the most convenient way is by airplane to Gorno-Altaisk (about 4,5 hours from Moscow: Aeroflot, Pobeda, S7 and other airlines).

You can also get there:
– by flight to Barnaul (4 hours from Moscow, Aeroflot, S7 Airlines and others);
– by train to Barnaul (2,5 days from Moscow);
– by flight to Novosibirsk (3,5 hours from Moscow, Aeroflot, S7 Airlines and others);
– by train to Novosibirsk (2 days from Moscow)
Flight tickets to Novosibirsk are often cheaper than to Barnaul, but transfer from Novosibirsk takes longer.

Flights from Moscow to Barnaul or Gorno-Altaisk usually depart in the evening and land the next morning. Flights from Barnaul depart to Moscow in the morning and land in Moscow the same morning. There are day flights from Moscow to Novosibirsk, which are convenient to arrive at the time of the tour start. There are evening and morning flights from Novosibirsk to Moscow.