Legends Of Golden Lake
About this tour
You spend an unforgettable week on the shore of the deepest lake of Altai, included into UNESCO Heritage list, enjoy the freshness of mountain air and travel on a private motor boat across the whole water area of Lake Teletskoye. We will visit local people and get acquainted with the life of the Siberian villages. Also you enjoy rafting on the Biya River. Finally you visit National Museum of the Altai Republic and see the mummy of Siberian Ice Maiden.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Gorno-Altaysk, Russia to Artybash, Russia
Meeting at the airport, we travel to the capital of the republic of Altai - Gorno-Altaysk. We continue our way towards Lake Teletskoye. UNESCO World Heritage Site, protected as part of the Altai Natural Biosphere Reserve. The lake is surrounded by mountain taiga. The special value of the lake is crystal clear water, which would be enough to supply city with a population of half a million people nonstop for 600 years! Arrival in the hotel, check in and free time. Lunch and dinner included. Accommodation – Artybash hotel 3* or Gornoe ozero hotel or similar. Distance – By bus ~ Barnaul 420 km, Gorno Altaysk ~ 170 km, walking ~ 4 km
Day 2: Artybash, Russia to Vodopad Korbu, Russia
After breakfast we will start with approximately 5-hour excursion on the lake. During this tour we will learn about the legends of Altyn-Kel. Visit Korbu waterfall - the most famous and popular waterfall on Lake Teletskoye in the Altai biosphere reserve. At the evening enjoy unique cultural esoteric tradition of the Northern Eurasia peoples (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Site) - concert of Altai throat singing. Accommodation – Artybash hotel 3* or Gornoe ozero hotel or similar. Distance – By boat ~ 70 km, walking ~ 7 km.
Day 3: Artybash, Russia
After breakfast in a morning we will do some activity - rafting on the Biya River - the only river which flows out of Lake Teletskoye. We will overcome several simple and safe rapids. Afterwards we will visit a mountain apiary where we can taste and buy Altai mountain honey. This is quite a unique product and maybe one of the best quality honeys on a world. At the evening we will experience master class of making Russian dolls. We take a part in a folklore program with singing and dancing. Accommodation – Artybash hotel 3* or Gornoe ozero hotel or similar. Distance – By bus ~ 50 km, by boat ~ 15 km.
Day 4: Artybash, Russia to Cape Kyrsay, Russia
Today we will cross the whole lake from one side to another. On a way of approximately 80 km watching mountains and lake surrounding we arrive in its southern point. Afterwards visiting Bele, the warmest place in Altai and also one of the most beautiful places on Lake Teletskoye, part of the Altai Nature Reserve. Here local people grow many different kinds of fruits like pears, apricots, almonds etc. We will meet local people who will make for us traditional lunch. Return to hotel by boat. Dinner. Accommodation – Artybash hotel 3* or Gornoe ozero hotel or similar. Distance – By boat ~ 160 km, walking ~ 8 km.
Day 5: Artybash, Russia to Yaylyu, Russia
After breakfast, we sail to Yaylyu. In translation it means "fertile". This is called the sunniest place on the lake - apple trees, canadian maples, and oaks grow here. Yaylyu is the only place on the lake, from where a full view of the southern and northern opens. In the village we meet Evgeniy Veselovskiy – specialist of Altai Reserve. Together with him we walk through the reserve, visit a weather station, see engine of the oldest motor ship of a lake, visit a spring, on the shore of fabulous snags and giant anthills, go down to Vaskina mountain. Lunch in the manor house of Evgeny Veselovsky. Night at a guest house in Yaylyu. Accommodation – Guesthouse Yaylyu. Double or twin rooms, WC outside of a room or similar. Distance – By boat ~ 35 km, walking ~ 8 km.
Day 6: Artybash, Russia to Gorno-Altaysk, Russia
After breakfast, we leave Lake Teletskoye and go to the city nearest to the airport. On the way, we visit the A. Anokhin National Museum, we see the rich archaeological and ethnographic collections of the museum, including the Ukok Plateau complex and the famous mummy of the Altai Princess. This is the mummy of a noble woman, possibly a shaman, who lived in the Scythian time (6-2 centuries BC). The people of Altai worship the Altai Princess as their patroness. Overnight in a hotel in Gorno Altaysk or Barnaul. Accommodation – Hotel Gorno Altaysk or hotel Barnaul or similar. Distance – By bus Gorno Altaysk ~ 170 km, Barnaul ~ 420 km, walking ~ 3 km.
Day 7: Gorno-Altaysk, Russia
After breakfast, we leave Lake Teletskoye and go to the city nearest to the airport. On the way, we visit the A. Anokhin National Museum, we see the rich archaeological and ethnographic collections of the museum, including the Ukok Plateau complex and the famous mummy of the Altai Princess. This is the mummy of a noble woman, possibly a shaman, who lived in the Scythian time (6-2 centuries BC). The people of Altai worship the Altai Princess as their patroness. Overnight in a hotel in Gorno Altaysk or Barnaul. Accommodation – Hotel Gorno Altaysk or hotel Barnaul or similar. Distance – By bus Gorno Altaysk ~ 170 km, Barnaul ~ 420 km, walking ~ 3 km.
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; • 24 hour help service by phone; • Russian visa support documents.
Total price does not include: • International and domestic flights; • Russian visa fee; • Personal expenses; • Travel insurance.
What to know
Tour is all about lake Teletskoye and its area. Comfortable way to travel.
Route & locations
Gorno-Altaysk, Russia to Artybash, Russia