Planet Altai
About this tour
This is Altai sightseeing tour - a country of mountains, which lies between China, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. Altai is one of the most eco-friendly regions of the Planet. It is included in the WWF Global 200 List - 200 eco-friendly regions of the Planet that are vitally important for preservation of global biodiversity on Earth. The fourth part of the mountainous country is occupied by Nature Reserves, National Parks, Natural Monuments and other natural eco-territories, that are protected by the Government. There are no industrial facilities. Mountain rivers are crystal clean you can drink water from there. The largest snow leopard population in Russia lives in Altai, you can see wild Siberian orchids in the forests, and Altai glaciers feed the largest rivers of the Planet - the Ob and Irtysh. During this trip, you will visit several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, visit the shore of Lake Teletskoye, which is considered as the younger brother of Lake Baikal. We will climb to the alpine peaks, we will drive along winding roads and raft along the Katun River. During this trip, local residents will host us and we will learn their customs, culture and way of life.
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! On the way to the lake, we will make a stop to try local herbal tea with homemade pancakes. Arrival in our accommodation. We will visit a local apiary and try famous Altai honey. At the evening, we will walk to the ancient cedar and a spring with silver water or to the Third River waterfall. Dinner. Accommodation – Artybash hotel 3* or Gornoe ozero hotel or similar. Distance – By bus ~ Barnaul 450 km, Gorno Altaysk ~ 200 km, walking ~ 4 km.
Day 2: Artybash, Russia to Vodopad Korbu, Russia
Today we take a private boat around Lake Teletskoye. Our trip will begin with visiting Korbu waterfall - the most famous and popular waterfall on Lake Teletskoye. Afterwards we will visit nearby village of Yailu, the only village in Russia that is located in the Reserve. This is the warmest place in Altai. Yailu is a mystical place. People need to have a special strength of will and spirit to live here. You will feel it when visiting the village. Bears often come here from the taiga. The village is cut off from civilization for a significant part of the year, external communication is possible on ice or on a winter road passing through the taiga in the mountains only. We will go around Lake Teletskoye and see apple orchard, hear many stories about life in the mountains. At the end of the trip, lunch will be served in Evgeny’s rural estate (dishes cooked from local eco-products, homemade liqueurs). Return to the hotel, free time. Accommodation – Artybash hotel 3* or Gornoe ozero hotel or similar. Distance – By boat ~ 70 km, walking ~ 5 km.
Day 3: Artybash, Russia to Kosh-Agach, Russia
In the morning we return to Gorno-Altaysk and visit to the National Museum of the Altai Republic. We will learn about the culture of the people of Altai, also learn about ancient people from the Denisova Cave, which have been discovered recently, and is different from any previously known ancestors of a human. The highlight of the visit to the museum will be the underground hall-sarcophagus of the Ukok Plateau, which stores the mummy of Princess of Ukok. This was the noble girl who lived in the 4th century BC. Lunch in Gorno-Altaysk and transfer to Gorno-Altaysk airport. Departure to Kosh-Agach village by domestic airline. During an hour long flight, we will cross the entire Altai mountain country and fly 600 km close to the border of Mongolia. Kosh-Agach is located in the Chui steppe - an extensive alpine semi-desert. Nomadic Kazakhs live here, their lifestyle hasn’t changed over the past hundred years. They breed yaks and camels. Visiting Mars, this is rather unusual place, formed from ancient rocks, evolved from the shores of the warm tropical sea even before the Altai Mountains had appeared. In the evening, we will arrive in the Kurai steppe, surrounded by high mountain peaks of the North Chuysky ridge. You will meet sunset with a view of the glaciers and snow caps of the peaks of Aktru and Kurkurek (4173 m). Accommodation – Saykol Glamping or Travelers Guild (comfortable tents) or similar. Distance – By bus ~ 250 km, walking ~ 7 km.
Day 4: Kosh-Agach, Russia to Altay-Aktru, Kuray, Russia
In the morning we will drive to the Aktru gorge by cross-country vehicles. It is located at an altitude of 2500 m above sea level at the foothills of glaciers. The road to Aktru goes through mountain passes and it is needed to use off-road vehicles. We will hike to Lake Sachki and through alpine meadows full of flowers and ancient cedars, see a waterfall which starts from a glacier. There is a scientific station of Tomsk State University (base of glaciologists) in Aktru, and the most famous glacier of Altai - Small Aktru. It is included in the list of 100 glaciers of our Planet, which are being monitored for recording climate change on the Planet. Lunch will be served at a cafe in the mountains. Return to glamping and dinner.
Day 5: Kosh-Agach, Russia to Uch Enmek, Russia
Today we will travel 200 kilometers along the most beautiful mountain road in Russia - the Chuysky tract. This is an ancient path that connected the residents of southern Siberia with the nomads of Central Asia and ancient China, India and Persia. The Chuysky tract is often called the Northern Silk Road. We will see the Geyser Lake, visit the waterfalls near Chibit village and the open-air museum Kalbak-Tash, located at the junction of The Chuya and Katun Rivers, where several thousand of petroglyphs are presented. Picnic lunch on the way. Overnight at Uch-Enmek Hotel. Accommodation - Uch-Enmek hotel (shared WC and bathroom on a floor) Distance – By bus ~ 280 km, walking ~ 6 km.
Day 6: Uch Enmek, Russia to Karakol, Russia
In the morning, we will visit the Karakol valley. It is located in the very center of Altai. For locals it is a sacred place with many places of power, ancient sanctuaries and monuments in the valley. We will visit the traditional Altai house, where many unusual items are stored - vessels made of cow wood, a wooden moonshine, baby rattles from a ram and many other everyday items of Altai nomads. Altai cuisine tasting lunch will be served in the house. Altai sweets (chok-chok) cooking workshop and a concert of Altai throat singing. This is a unique esoteric-performing tradition of Altai nomads and neighboring regions is included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Transfer to the hotel, located on the Katun River. On our way, we will visit the Seminsky pass, where the Siberian cedar taiga grows. This tree is a symbol of Altai, it is believed that cedar gives vitality and longevity. It is also famous for its healthy and nutritious pine nuts. Overnight at a mountain hotel, located on the sore of the Katun River. Dinner served at the hotel. Accommodation – Klever Resort hotel 4* or similar. Distance – By bus ~ 230km, walking ~ 6 km.
Day 7: Chemal, Russia to Katun River, Russia
Katun - translation from the Turkic means "mistress", "spouse of the khan." Such a name has a reason- almost all of the Altai rivers flow into the Katun, later it merges with the Biya river and forms the Ob River - one of the largest rivers on our Planet. In the morning, we will make a simple rafting down the Katun. We will be instructed and provided with special wetsuits, vests and helmets. After rafting, we will make a stop at Kamyshlinsky waterfall. Visit to Chemal, people come here to get a better health, especially lungs, since the air contains positive air ions. We will visit the Temple of St. John the Evangelist on the Patmos Island and the icons shop. Then, we will hike along the goat path to the Chemal Hydroelectric Power Station and to the mouth of the Chemal River. Note. If you departure to Moscow from Barnaul Airport, then transfer and an overnight at hotel in Barnaul. Accommodation – Klever Resort hotel 4* or similar. Hotel Barnaul if departure from Barnaul or similar. Distance – by bus ~ 60 km or 310 km, by boat ~ 15 km, walking ~ 4 km.
Day 8: Chemal, Russia to Gorno-Altaysk, Russia
If departure from Gorno Altaysk, morning transfer from Chemal to the airport RGK. If departure from Barnaul, morning departure from Barnaul hotel to Barnaul airport BAX.
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; • 1 time rafting on a river Katun; • Domestic flight Gorno Altaysk – Kosh Agach; • 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 restrictions: 1) The capacity of the local plane is 15 passengers and only hand luggage up to 10 kg per person on board. Heavy luggage above 10 kg will be delivered separately with ground shipping. 2) Travel period from May to September. 3) In May and September, the dates of the trip should be agreed with the flight schedule, as flights are not operated daily. 4) The recommended age of travelers is over 10 years old and suitable for older people. It should be noted, that part of the trip takes place in the highlands at altitudes up to 2500 meters above the sea level. People with meteosensitivity should pay attention to this fact. 5) Active programs - rafting, trekking, jipping - are suitable for people of different age groups and do not require special training. 6) When traveling in May and early June, please pay attention to tick activity. We recommend advance vaccinations. Otherwise, the tick-borne encephalitis insurance will be issued.
Route & locations
Gorno-Altaysk, Russia to Artybash, Russia