Altai - Land of Spirits +

This is the most intense tour of the Altai Mountains. From the change of landscapes, events, characters dizzy...

This is the best tour to understand and feel the Spirit of the Great Altai – the land where people still live in unity with nature, preserving the ancient traditions of their ancestors.

This is the best tour to see all the beauty and diversity of the Altai Land: the tour will take you along all the roads of the Altai - to the Mongolian and Kazakhstani borders; You will see the diversity of landscapes and climatic zones. High mountain steppes and snow-ice mountains, massifs of difficult taiga and alpine meadows, lakes and waterfalls of Altai. When crossing the Altai from north to south, not only the animal and plant world changes, but also the way of life of the local population.

The tour combines a rich program and quite comfortable accommodation, and therefore is able to satisfy the most inquisitive traveler, does not require participants in excellent physical shape and has no age restrictions.

1 Day.

Meeting at Gorno-Altaisk airport (9.00 – 10.00). Local time, ahead of Moscow by 4 hours.

In addition (up to 9.00) you can meet at the bus station and hotels in Gorno-Altaisk.

Excursion to the village of Chemal (auto + pedestrian). You will visit the picturesque temple on the island of Patmos, where you will touch the history of the foundation of the Christian mission in the Altai and the history of the restoration of the temple. Walk along a narrow "goat" path, you will see the "Sartakpay Gate" - a panorama of the confluence of the Chemal and Katun rivers, the Chemal HPP - the first hydroelectric power station in the Altai, built in 1935.

Excursion "Valley of Mountain Spirits". Excursion in the tract Chech-kysh is a picturesque rock canyon in the valley of the Katun River. You will hear the legend of the tract, climb to the observation deck, which offers a magnificent view of Katun.

Excursion to the Gorno-Altai Botanical Garden SB RAS. You will get acquainted with rare and medicinal plants of the Altai Mountains. Specialists will help you choose teas or medical fees.

The beginning of the tour on the Chui tract. In 2016, the Chuisky Track, the main road of Altai, was included in the top five most beautiful roads in the world according to National Geographis: “To drive along the Chuisky Track is like crossing the whole of Russia.”

Today we will overcome the Seminsky Pass and stop at the recreation center in Ongudai district. Ongudaysky is one of the largest areas of the Altai Mountains. Traditional beliefs and way of life of Altai people are still preserved here.

2 Day.

Sightseeing tour to the ethno-natural park "Uch-Enmek", Karakol valley: "Secrets of the sacred valley". You will get acquainted with the specially protected natural territory of the Altai - Karakol Valley, which since ancient times has a sacred meaning for the indigenous population. During the tour, travelers will get in touch with the history of Altai, get acquainted with the archaeological complexes of ancient culture, rock paintings. A unique opportunity to discover the innermost knowledge of the people entrusted with the preservation of the cultural wealth of Altai. Then we will go to one of the oldest villages of the Karakol valley, where our dinner with tasting dishes of Altai national cuisine is waiting.

After dinner we will get acquainted with one of the most ancient arts of Altai: throat singing, kai. It has long been believed that most performers are not just storytellers. During the performance of the kaya, they can go into a trance, see the future and even treat diseases.

In your free time, you can visit the confluence of two rivers: Katun and Ursul, or other beautiful locations of Ongudai district.

3 Day.

Continuation of the tour on the Chui tract.

Today we will overcome the Chike-Taman pass, see the beautiful Katun and Chuya rivers, the place of their confluence (the Chui-Oozy natural park) and some thresholds (3-5 categories of difficulty), along which water routes pass, visit the ancient Kalbak-Tash petroglyph complex. The complex contains more than 500 compositions consisting of more than 5000 drawings, the oldest of which date back to the 8th millennium BC.

Moving along the Chui tract deep into the Altai, in 2 days we will reach almost the Mongolian border, see the change of natural and climatic zones.

The Chui tract "climbs" higher and higher, and with it, we get to the Kurai and Chui steppes - one of the highest mountainous in the world (height n. U. m. up to 2000 m). The majestic panorama of the North Chui Ridge, steppe and semi-desert... - we will have many opportunities to see and capture extraordinary landscapes!

Accommodation in a hotel in Aktash village.

Day 4.

Acquaintance with the sights of Ulagan and Kosh-Agach districts. These are the most remote, high-mountain areas of the Altai Mountains. In addition, these are areas with their own, excellent culture.

We will continue the journey along the Chui tract, driving almost to the border with Mongolia, visit Geyser Lake and Mars - places with unusual "space" landscapes.

In the village of Kosh-Agach and Zhana-aul, we will get acquainted with the customs and traditions of the Kazakhs, who make up the majority of the local population: we will visit a farm with camels, try kumys, learn everything about hunting with eagles and how real Kazakh carpets are made.

5 Day.

Moving to Ust-Koksinsky district of the Altai Republic (380 km).

On the way excursion and stop at 4 passes

Coming to Ust-Cox. Hotel accommodation. Walking on the confluence of the Coxa and Katun rivers. These places are considered sacred in Altai and are revered by locals, regardless of faith and nationality.

6 Day.

Free day. This day in the protected Uimon valley you can devote to rest, walks, health procedures in the hotel or (optional, for an additional fee from 2000 rubles / person, payment on the spot) go on an excursion to the Red Mountain (or Multi Lakes). The Red Mountain Massif is located about 60 km from S. Ust-Koksa at an altitude of 2471 m above sea level

The largest lake, the Lower, is about a kilometer long and three hundred to four hundred meters wide. On the shores of the lake there is a cedar forest. The area near the Red Mountain is rich in unique medicinal herbs: red root, maral root, red brush, golden root, etc. By road transport we reach the first lake and go for a walk to the second. Here you can relax and take great photos with the views of the surrounding nature.

After a little rest, we start climbing to Lake 3. In 5 minutes we find ourselves on the observation deck with a magnificent view.

7 Day.

A tour of Uimon Valley.

C XVIII in here on the outskirts of the Russian Empire settled Old Believers. For centuries, the reserved valley attracted freedom-loving and dissenting people who sought not only salvation from the persecutors of the faith, but also the legendary country of Belovodye, where “all lived in justice and according to the divine law.”

Until now, in search of Belovodya and Shambhala, many people from all over Russia come to the Uimon Valley, some of them remain here forever. Try to “touch” the mystery of Uimon Valley!

You will get acquainted with the nature and history of the valley, visit sacred places for local residents (Altai and Old Believers), get acquainted with the folklore and life of the Old Believers in the Museum of History and Culture of the Uimon Valley.

Here, in the village of Verkh-Uimon, is the museum of N. K. Roerich.

The museum-reserve of Roerich was opened in the estate of V.S. Atamanov. Here the famous scientist, traveler and artist Nicholas Roerich stayed during the Central Asian expedition. According to the results of the expedition, Roerich published a huge number of scientific articles, created hundreds of beautiful paintings and a project to build a settlement of the future Zvenigorod in the Uimon Valley.

Today you have the opportunity to see the highest peak of Siberia, Belukha – Mount Uch Sumer, considered sacred by many peoples. At will (for an additional fee from 25000 rubles / person) a helicopter flight to the foot of the mountain Belukha. (It is advisable to order in advance).

Moving to Maiminsky District. Hotel accommodation.

8 Day.

Moving to Teletskoye Lake: Gorno-Altaisk - Artybash village (240 km).

On the way, a short tour of Gorno-Altaisk, an excursion to the National Museum of the Altai Republic named after A. V. Anokhin. The museum funds contain unique collections of the first local historians of Altai, archaeological materials from the excavations of the Ak-Alakh mounds from the Ukok plateau, the largest collection of paintings and graphic works of the first Altai artist G.I. Choros-Gurkin.

Accommodation at the recreation center, in the village of Artybash.

Sightseeing walking tour of the village of Artybash.

You will get acquainted with the history of the development and study of the Lake, visit the silver spring, hear the Altai legends about Altyn Köl. Those who wish can climb Mount Tyalan-Tuu, from where the magnificent panorama of Teletskoye Lake opens from a bird's eye view.

9 Day.

We will visit the famous waterfalls, see protected villages, a beautiful rocky cape and the place of meteorite fall. Corbu is a beautiful and impressive waterfall on the Great Corbu River. Since the water does not fall quite steeply, and on the way it breaks into stones, a spectacular water fan is formed. Visit to the ethno park. Acquaintance with the history and traditions of Altai families. Tasting dishes of national cuisine.

10 Day.

After breakfast, leave for Gorno-Altaisk. Approximate time of arrival in Gorno-Altaisk 14.00.

If you are leaving Gorno-Altaisk the next morning, do not forget to book a hotel in advance!

• excursion and transport services under the tour program (including entrance tickets to museums);
• 2-/3-bed accommodation in hotels and recreation centers "standard" with amenities on the floor or on the territory, "comfort" - with amenities in the room;
• 2 meals a day (breakfast and dinner from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the day of departure);
• services of an accompanying guide;
• recreational fees.