Altai The Best
About this tour
The best observing tour to those who are traveling to Altai for the first time. More than 2000 km along the mountainous highways, off-road driving with everyday trekking to the most beautiful sites of Altai. Nomadic culture and trying local cuisine.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Barnaul, Russia to Chemal, Russia
Arrival in the Barnaul or Gorno Altaysk airport. If arriving in Barnaul, after landing a short visit to the lookout of the Nagorny Park where you can enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the Ob River. A shuttle bus to the Altai Mountains for around 300km. On the way to the Altai Mountains we visit the oldest city of the Altai Region - the Biysk, that is also the birthplace of the Russian writer, actor and director - Vasily Shukshin. If arrival in Gorno Altaysk airport, around 100 km transfer to the accommodation near Chemal. Wooden houses near the river. Great place to get first impressions of Siberia. Arrival at the hotel and dinner. Accommodation – hotel TurSib 3* or similar. Distance – By bus ~ Barnaul 350 km, Gorno Altaysk ~ 100 km, walking ~ 4 km.
Day 2: Chemal, Russia to Che-Chkysh. Dolina Gornykh Dukhov, Russia
After breakfast we will have an active morning, rafting down the Katun River for around 30 km. Katun is a rapid river crossing all of Altai. Afterwards an excursion to deer breeding farm. Other local tradition – horseback riding for about an hour. In the afternoon we will visit Chemal and its famous Patmos Island with an Orthodox Church of St. John the Evangelist. Walking by the goat trails along the Katun River's stream we head on to Chemal Hydroelectric Power Station, where we have an opportunity to see places where The White Fang (movie) by the novel of Jack London was shot. At Chemal HPS we can buy local souvenirs. At the end of the day we will hike to the Che-Chkysh Valley of Spirits. Accommodation – hotel TurSib 3* or similar. Distance – By bus ~ 80 km, rafting ~ 30 km, walking ~ 5 km.
Day 3: Chemal, Russia to Uch Enmek, Russia
After breakfast we travel to Chuysky Tract - the most beautiful mountain highway of Russia. It connects Altai krai and republic of Altai with Mongolia. We overcome the Seminsky Pass (1717 m) where Siberian pine tree taiga grows and we will get into the sacred valley of Central Altai. From ancient times to the present days Karakol valley is considered to be "The Heart of Altai". In the Bronze Age there were placed mysterious megaliths; during the Scythian time tribal chiefs were buried here; in present the locals perform shamanic rituals. While making the excursion along the valley, we will see ancient monuments, modern sanctums and wonderful natural landscapes, including the Edelweiss glade. We will visit the Altai Culture Museum and learn traditions of the modern inhabitants of this mountainous country. Live performance of throat singing, lunch at the Altai villa and tasting cuisine are also for your pleasure. Accommodation – guesthouse Uch Enmek or similar. Double occupancy, shared WC and shower on the floor. Distance – By bus ~ 300 km, walking ~ 7 km.
Day 4: Uch Enmek, Russia to Aktash, Altai Republic, Russia
Today we will explore the most interesting sights of the Chuysky Tract. "Kalabak-Tash" sanctuary is a complex of ancient cave paintings. Afterwards travelling along the road and stopping to see monument to the builders of Chuysky Tract. We will walk to see valleys of the Chuya River waterfalls and later special and quite unique Lake of Geysers. In the end of the day we will get into Kurai Steppe, where a breathtaking panorama of the North-Chuisky ridge with the peaks of Aktru and Kurckureck (over 4 thousand meters) will be just in a front of us. Snow white mountain peaks and glaciers. In the evening we arrive to "The Chuysky Alps" camping. Dinner and chance to enjoy a bathhouse. Accommodation – Camping “The Chuysky Alps” or similar. Basic wooden house, double occupancy, wooden toilet and bath outside of house. Distance – By bus ~ 280 km, walking ~ 8 km.
Day 5: Aktash, Altai Republic, Russia to Katu Yaryk, Russia
Early morning wake up to visit Chui Steppe not far from the border with Mongolia. This is a unique geological monument in the valley of the Kyzyl-Chin River. Due to an unusual landscape of red color rocks, among tourists this place is called Mars. After a visit to Mars, we return to have a breakfast in our camping and afterwards continue our journey to the untouched part of Altai – Chulyshman valley and river. On the way we will see Pazyryk burial mounds - the necropolis of tribal chiefs of the Scythian time, who glorified Altai. Arriving at the top of the Katu-Yaryk Pass, we will be able to observe the panorama of the Chulyshman canyon and some waterfalls. To enjoy more of this amazing place, we will be walking down on a small path and after about 5 km reach our camping just in the Chulyshman valley. Accommodation – camping “Ezen” or similar. Wooden houses, double occupancy, wooden toilet and bath outside of house. Distance – By bus ~ 200 km, walking ~ 10 km.
Day 6: Katu Yaryk, Russia to Vodopad Kurkure, Russia
Today we admire the waterfalls of the Chulyshman Valley. If you have enough strength, we will be able to trek to the Uchar waterfall; this 160-meter giant is considered to be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Altai Region. But if you want to reach the waterfall, you are to set from the camping early (about 5 am) and cope with 20 km of mountain paths (there and back). If the trip to Uchar seems complicated to you, we can replace it with a walk to the Kurkure waterfall (about 30 m high) - about 3-4 hours (4-6 km), which is near the camping on the opposite bank. In the evening - sitting around a traditional bonfire and going to the bathhouse. Accommodation – camping “Meschke - Tash” or similar. Wooden houses, double occupancy, wooden toilet and bath outside of house. Distance – By bus ~ 50km, walking ~ 20 km or ~ 6 km.
Day 7: Vodopad Kurkure, Russia to Artybash, Russia
In the morning after breakfast we hike up in a hill for about 45 minutes to the Stone Mushrooms. These are unusual rock formations, preserved since the Ice Age. This unique place is found mostly here in the Chulysman valley. Afterwards we continue our way along the valley of the Chulyshman River to the southern part of Lake Teletskoye. Lake Teletskoye at its deepest point is 325m and from one side to another it is approximately 85 km long. We get in a motorboat and cross the entire Lake Teletskoye to its Northern part. Southern part of a lake is still hardly reachable, but after arrival in its Nothern part, we are back in a civilization. Dinner and night in a hotel. Accommodation – hotel Mountain lake or similar. Distance – by bus ~ 60 km, by boat ~ 80 km, walking ~ 5 km.
Day 8: Artybash, Russia
Free day at the lake Teletskoye. Possible to relax and enjoy at hotels swimming pool. Walk to a village Artybash to buy some local souvenirs. Visit hotels medical center and for an additional fee try some medical treatment or massage. Visit a small waterfall near hotel. See a honey processing in the area of Lake Teletskoye. Accommodation – hotel Mountain lake or similar.
Day 9: Artybash, Russia to Barnaul, Russia
After breakfast drive to Barnaul. Several stops on a way. Total time around 7 hours of driving. Arrival in Barnaul, capital of Altai krai. Evening in a city, advised to visit Nagorny park. Advised to walk near by one of the biggest rivers in Siberia: Ob river which flows here in Barnaul.
Day 10: Barnaul, Russia
Morning transfer to Barnaul BAX airport for departure flight back home.
What's included
Total price includes: • accommodation ½ DBL according to the program; • full board meals as mentioned; • all transport and transfers; • boat on a lake Teletskoye; • local English speaking guide; • excursions, activities and entrance fees; • one bottle of water per person a day; • 3 times free entrance to sauna (banya); • 1 hour of horseback riding; • 1 time rafting on a river Katun; • 24 hour help service by phone; • Russian visa support documents.
Total price does not include: • International flights; • Russian visa fee; • Personal expenses; • Travel insurance.
What to know
Tour covering most of Altai, specially beautiful Chulyshman valley. During a trip some basic accommodation and some slow land roads. Otherwise one of the most impressive tours around Altai.
Route & locations
Barnaul, Russia to Chemal, Russia