Auto-pedestrian tour "To the Chui Squirrels".

Chui Belki are snow giants with a height of 3-4 thousand meters, which seem to have come out of a fairy tale!

Imagine peaks, wrapped in eternal snow and glaciers, and massive steep slopes, rugged by river gorges.

Here nature has shown all its tricks, creating incredible reliefs that have been formed for millions of years under the influence of ice, wind, snow and water.

This mountainous area is a real pearl of the Altai Mountains and one of the most beautiful places you can imagine. It is here that more than 70% of all Altai glaciers are concentrated, and this spectacle is breathtaking!

But be prepared, an adventure in Chui Squirrels is not a walk in the park! You will find a lack of familiar comfort, a difficult road that will test your endurance, and radically changing weather that will add peppers to your journey. But in return you will receive unearthly beauty and views that are breathtaking!

This tour is for real adventurers and wildlife lovers. Prepare your cameras, join us and plunge into the world of snowy peaks and ice wonders of Altai!

Tour dates: 13 - 17 August; 19 - 23 August 2025

Day 1. Legends of the Chui Tract

Beginning of the path: acquaintance with the Chui tract
After meeting and getting acquainted with the guide, we will go to a large excursion program along the Chui tract. You will hear fascinating stories about the construction of this legendary road, which connects many cultural and natural attractions of the region.

Seminsky and Chike-Taman passes
The first stop will be at the Seminsky Pass, where we will walk and enjoy stunning views. Further, our path will continue through the Chike-Taman Pass, which is famous for its picturesque landscapes and steep climbs. Here we will make a few stops to capture on camera and in memory of these unforgettable moments.

Katuni Valley and the Katun Loop
After the Chike-Taman pass, we will continue moving along the picturesque valley of the Katun River. Among the rocks of Maly Yaloman, we are waiting for a magnificent bend of Katun, known as the “Katun Loop”. This place amazes with its beauty and is an ideal background for memorable pictures.

Katun terraces and mouth of the Chui River
One of these stops will be the observation deck “Katun Terraces” – a unique geological formation that arose as a result of centuries of erosion. Find out how and when they were formed, and enjoy their majestic appearance.

No less impressive will be a walk to the mouth of the Chui River - a sacred place for the Altai people, where two large rivers of the Altai Mountains meet: Chuya and Katun. Chuya has slightly less transparency than Katun, and their waters create a unique picture, especially in the autumn period.

Final stop: village of Kurai
The final point of our current route will be the village of Kurai Kosh-Agach district. Here we will stop for a rest to share our first impressions and prepare for tomorrow.

Day 2. In the heart of the Altai peaks.

Our journey will begin with an exciting trip on high-pass transport - whether UAZ, GAZ-66 or ZIL - to the climbing camp in the Aktru Gorge.

Prepare for real trials: along the way you have to overcome fords and off-road, which will add thrills and unite your team. The journey will take about 4 hours, but believe me, it’s worth it!

To the Big Actor Glacier
After arriving at the site, we are waiting for an unforgettable trekking up the Aktru River. We will pass through the picturesque Baranyi foreheads and go to the majestic glacier of the Big Actor. The trail is about 4 km long, but each step will be rewarded with stunning views and a sense of true adventure.

The final point of your journey will be a picnic at the foot of the glacier, where we will enjoy a snack in the fresh air and exchange impressions with the group.

Relaxing bath
The end of the day will be a relaxing bath, where you can relieve fatigue and really enjoy the moment.

Day 3. Lake Mountain Elves

Today our way lies to the magnificent Kuektanar lakes. A whole system of reservoirs that smoothly flow into each other, forming streams, ducts and even waterfalls.

Here the river Kuektanar originates, which crosses the Chui tract and then flows into the Chui, becoming its right tributary.

An oasis of tranquility and splendor
Our journey will begin with a walk to the “Lake of the Mountain Elves” – two bodies of water connected by a wide channel and located at an altitude of 2176 meters above sea level.

Surrounded by majestic Altai cedars and pine trees, as well as green meadows, these lakes change color depending on the lighting, shimmering from dark blue to turquoise green.

Here, among the pristine nature, you can enjoy peace and quiet, forgetting about everyday worries.

The path through natural zones
Most of the way, the road will pass through the mountain coniferous taiga, alpine meadows and chimneys - stone placers formed as a result of weathering of rocks. This diversity of landscapes makes the hike even more fascinating and unforgettable.

Cozy evening.
After a busy day, returning to the base will be a real rest. In the evening you will find a cozy atmosphere, perhaps, new acquaintances and conversations at the campfire under the starry sky of Altai.

Day 4. The glacial expanses of Akkola

Path to the glacier
After the morning gathering and breakfast, we will begin our journey at UAZ, which will take us to the heart of the valley of the Akkol River. From here our trekking will begin - about 4 km upstream.

Along the way, you can enjoy the beauty of the surrounding nature, the sounds of the mountain river and fresh air.

Panorama of Sofia glacier
The main purpose of our trip is the observation deck, which opens a stunning panorama of the Sofia glacier and the majestic peaks of the South Chui Ridge.

Before you will be the mountains of Brother, Xenia and Sister, rising at an altitude of 3,500 to 3885 meters above sea level.

But the real gem of this place is the Sofia glacier, its area is about 17.6 km2, the length is about 8 km, and the thickness reaches 150 meters. The tongue of the glacier descends to an altitude of 2500 meters, creating an impressive and fascinating sight.

Unforgettable views and impressions
On the observation deck you will have enough time to enjoy the views, take photos and feel the majesty of nature. Every moment here is filled with admiration and awe at the power and beauty of the glacier.

Return to Kurai
After you enjoy the views and take memorable pictures, we will return to the cozy town of Kurai. Here you will be waiting for a well-deserved rest and recovery.

Day 5. Final day: Return to the Chui Track.

We will start our day with an early rise and a light breakfast to make the most of the time left to enjoy the views and memories.

The road along the Chui tract is already known to us for its numerous turns, ascents and descents, but the change of direction of movement will allow us to see places from new angles.

This final day will be the perfect conclusion of our journey, filled with natural beauty, new discoveries and unforgettable experiences.

We thank you for your participation and hope that your heart will forever remain in captivity of the Altai mountains!

Organizational details:

The route thread: Gorno-Altaisk - Chuisky tract - Kurai - Aktru gorge - Kuektanar lakes - Sofia glacier - Chui tract - Gorno-Altaisk.

Tour format: car with radial exits.

Natural and climatic conditions: the route runs on the territory of the Ulagan district, at an altitude of 1500 - 2000 m above the Ur.m. The climate is sharply continental. Daytime summer temperatures on some days rise to +22, taking into account the scorching sun at such a height, you can get sunburn. But night temperatures can drop to sub-zero values.

Complexity of the tour: the tour requires a certain physical training, as it involves walking transitions and climbs.

Age restriction: from 14 to 60 years.

Group size: The tour will take place when recruiting a group of 4 people. The maximum number of participants in the group is 10 people.

Transport: SsangYong Istana, UAZ Loaf.

The length of the motor part of the route: 980 km, of which 150 km is a dirt road and off-road.

Accommodation conditions: two / three-bed accommodation in the guest house: shower, toilet on the floor.

Food organization: complex breakfasts are included in the tour price. If you have food restrictions, please report them on the questionnaire.

Lunches and dinners will be held in the cafe along the route. The average check in a cafe is 600-700 rubles. In the evening there is an opportunity to cook your own food in the common kitchen of the camp.

Terminal, bank cards, transfers: Most shops, pharmacies, cafes and retail outlets accept payments through the terminal.

Mobile communication on the route: Despite all the charms of Altai, you need to be prepared for possible interruptions with communication and the Internet. In remote mountainous areas, as well as along the Chui tract, the signal may be weak or absent at all.

The availability of Wi-Fi at the campground depends on the specific location. For clarification of information, contact the manager.

What to take with you on the route:

• trekking sticks;
• warm set of clothes, designed for a temperature of 0, -5 degrees: windshield jacket, sweater, warm pants or fleece suit, hat, several pairs of warm socks;
• raincoat / waterproof suit with hood;
• summer camping comfortable things: several T-shirts, shorts, trousers, socks, headdress from the sun - a cap or a bandana;
• shoes – comfortable, well-spent trekking shoes or sneakers, slates or sandals for rest;
• a small backpack for things on walks to put a jacket, a water bottle, a first aid kit, etc. ;
• personal hygiene items, a small towel,
• individual first aid kit, individual medicines, in the presence of chronic diseases,
• bottle 0.5 l under water;
• sunscreen, sunglasses,
• swimsuit
• tourist seat (hoba),
• camera or video camera,
• cash for souvenirs, other personal expenses,
• documents, passport, MHI policy,
• powerbank.

We wish you a pleasant rest on the route!

• High traffic throughout the route.
• Rent a UAZ.
• Work as a guide instructor.
• Tour service.
• Insurance policy.
• Payment of recreational fees.
• Overnight in the hotel / houses at the campground.
• Breakfast from day 2 to day 5.
• Bath, 1 time.