Chuya Alps
About this tour
This tour is active and made for people who love hiking. Daily trekking to mountain lakes, alpine meadows, clear rivers, waterfalls and glaciers. All days of the program, except last night, we will live in a remote mountain village near the border with Mongolia overlooking the snow-covered mountains of the North Chuysky Ridge. We will be accommodated in camping with traditional wooden houses with WC and shower outside, decorated in accordance with local traditions. Tour fits active people and suggested from 12 years old.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Gorno-Altaysk, Russia to Chuya Alps, Russia
Arrival to Barnaul / Gorno-Altaysk. Transfer to the airport of Gorno-Altaysk. Domestic flight to Kosh-Agach village, located at the border with Mongolia. Transfer to Kurai village. Accommodation in camping, in separate Altai wooden houses. WC and shower facilities outside, sauna house possible with an additional payment. Accommodation – Chuya Alps camping, double or twin occupancy in wooden houses with WC and shower outside of houses. Distance – By bus ~ Barnaul 250 km, Gorno Altaysk ~ 55 km, domestic flight.
Day 2: Chuya Alps, Russia to Kosh-Agach, Russia
Today we will visit one of the most unusual places in Altai - Chuya steppe. This is a huge intermountain basin, which is located at the border with Mongolia at an altitude of about 2000 m. Here we will see an alpine semi-desert landscapes, possibly camels and yaks. Mostly Kazakh nomads live here and in the mornings and evenings mullah is singing in the villages. We will visit the Altai Mars - a geological monument in the valley of the Kyzyl-Chin River. The red-colored rocks of this canyon formed millions of years ago, long before the Altai Mountains were born, when a warm sea splashed here. At the end of the day, we will visit the ancient sanctuary with the petroglyphs of Turu-Alty. This is a natural temple of the sun of the Bronze Age, our ancestors have used not only to communicate with gods, but also to observe the stars. Accommodation – Chuya Alps camping, double or twin occupancy in wooden houses with WC and shower outside of houses. Distance – By bus ~ 140 km, walking ~ 8 km.
Day 3: Chuya Alps, Russia to Altay-Aktru, Kuray, Russia
In the morning we drive to the Aktru mountain climbing gorge by off-road vehicles. It is located at an altitude of 2500 m above sea level at the foothills of glaciers. Aktru Gorge has been functioning nonstop as a climbing camp since the 1930s. Here we will have an introduction tour which does not require special skills in mountaineering. We will stop at Lake Sachki, visit a waterfall that is born directly from a glacier and walk in alpine meadows with flowers and cedars. There is also a scientific station of Tomsk State University (base of glaciologists). We will also see the most famous glacier of Altai - Small Aktru. It is included in the list of 100 glaciers of our planet, which are continuously monitored to record climate change on the planet. Return to the camp in the evening. Accommodation – Chuya Alps camping, double or twin occupancy in wooden houses with WC and shower outside of houses. Distance – By off road bus ~ 40 km, walking ~ 17 km.
Day 4: Chuya Alps, Russia to Lake Dzhangyskol, Russia
Early in the morning we will hike for about an hour to the observation peak near the camping. Here opens up an unforgettable panorama of the North Chuysky ridge and the valley of the Chuya River. At this time, the first rays of the sun will begin to color the peaks in pink and you can enjoy one of the most beautiful sights in Altai. Return to the camping and afterwards we will go to the alpine Lake Dzhangyzkol, which also reflects mountain peaks. In the evening - a concert of Altai throat singing near the campfire. This unusual and amazing type of folk performing art has become the hallmark of Altai and is included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Accommodation – Chuya Alps camping, double or twin occupancy in wooden houses with WC and shower outside of houses. Distance – By off road bus ~ 15 km, walking ~ 10 km.
Day 5: Chuya Alps, Russia
Today we will make a hiking trip - we will travel in the valley of the Kuekhtanar River and hike up to the mountain lakes. These lakes have an unusual color and clear water and their second name is Mountain Elf Lakes. We will pass through the mountain taiga of larch trees; at the end of summer, there are many mushrooms and wild berries. we will see alpine tundra and the kingdom of stones. We will visit the ancient melting furnaces, which were used by the Turks in the early Middle Ages. Accommodation – Chuya Alps camping, double or twin occupancy in wooden houses with WC and shower outside of houses. Distance – By bus ~ 40 km, walking ~ 10 km.
Day 6: Aktash, Altai Republic, Russia to Chibit, Russia
Today we will travel along the most beautiful highway in Altai and all Russia – the Chuysky Tract. This is the northernmost part of the Great Silk Road. The Chuysky Tract near the border with Mongolia is the most picturesque and rich in natural monuments. In the morning we will go to Aktash village to visit a silver spring and Geyser Lake. This is a small forest pond. But the lake does not cease to amaze with its turquoise and purity, as well as the fact that it is "alive". Reservoir constantly “breathes” through the emission of air bubbles from the bottom. Afterwards we will visit two waterfalls near Chibit village. They are located in the forest and we can observe the picturesque fields of flowering steppe plants around them. Drive to the Achik mountain pass with stunning views of the highest mountain of Altai and Siberia – Mount Belukha (4509 m, UNESCO World Heritage Site). Return to the camping in the evening. Accommodation – Chuya Alps camping, double or twin occupancy in wooden houses with WC and shower outside of houses. Distance – By bus ~ 160 km, by 4 x 4 ~ 15 km, walking ~ 8 km.
Day 7: Chuya Alps, Russia to Gorno-Altaysk, Russia
Breakfast and free time till an afternoon drive to Kosh-Agach village. Short domestic flight to Gorno-Altaysk. Accommodation in a guesthouse Sokol near Gorno-Altaysk airport or transfer to Barnaul and accommodation in Hotel Barnaul. Accommodation – Guesthouse Sokolnear Gorno Altaysk or hotel Barnaul in Barnaul. Distance – By bus ~ 55 km Gorno Altaysk, ~ 220 km to Barnaul.
Day 8: Gorno-Altaysk, Russia
Morning transfer to Gorno Altaysk RGK airport for departure flight back home or transfer to Barnaul airport BAX for departure back home. Distance – by bus ~ 40 km.
What's included
Total price includes: • accommodation ½ DBL according to the program; • all transport and transfers; • domestic flights Gorno-Altaysk – Kosh Agach – Gorno-Altaysk (includes hand luggage up to 10 kg). Extra luggage is paid additionally; • local English speaking guide; • excursions, activities and entrance fees; • one bottle of water per person a day; • 24 hour help service by phone; • Russian visa support documents.
Total price does not include: • Flights not mentioned; • Meals - camping has an equipped kitchen provided to guests on a complimentary basis for cooking meals. During excursions, we will stop at cafes, where can order meals. • Sauna house rental in Chuya Alps; • Russian visa fee; • Personal expenses; • Travel insurance.
What to know
Active tour
Route & locations
Gorno-Altaysk, Russia to Chuya Alps, Russia