Winter Altai

Seasonal: from November to March (in November and March, some events will depend on snow cover).

If you decide to go on a trip to Altai in winter, then it is better not to find a route. Mountains powdered with fresh snow, turquoise rivers, trees in thick frost. When traveling in February, March - the sun warms already in spring heat. It is time for a beautiful and active rest. You will find an excursion program on the caves of ancient people, blue lakes, a place of power - a gorge of spirits, religious places of the Altai people, river canyons and passes. A huge plus of a holiday at this time of year - there are practically no other tourists, you can accommodate in many middle-class and luxury bases at a 50% discount.

1 DAY. Meet Altai. Patmos Island and the CHEMALS HPP. Ecological Trail.

Meeting (we will agree on the place individually). Today we go to the island of Patmos (a monastery on the island right in the middle of the mountain river Katun), walk along the suspension bridge, admire the confluence of the two mountain rivers Chemala and Katun (the color of the water in the rivers is different), see the picturesque Chemala HPP, built in the 3rd years of the last century. After the tour, lunch at the cafe, or, I can organize a great picnic near the campfire on a beautiful observation deck overlooking the mountains. After lunch we will take a walk along a picturesque ecological trail.

2 DAY. Blue Lakes. Askat Masters Village.

Today you will visit the blue ice-free lakes of incredible beauty. They are called the eyes of Katun and can be seen only in winter and late autumn, because in summer the Katun River floods them with its waters. The most daring can swim, the water temperature is +4 ± 6 degrees, a hiking bath works nearby. Lunch. Next, a trip to the village of Askat masters. Here, you will get acquainted with the work of local artisans. Every resident here has some skill, someone makes ceramics, leather, rare fabrics, wood, someone draws stunning paintings in different styles, someone makes sculptures, someone writes poems and stories, someone makes musical instruments. There you will learn to play various ethno-instruments, pass a session of sound therapy with Tibetan bowls. At the end of the day, everyone will make a totem of leather and fur, all this will take place under the guidance of a master of leather affairs.

3 DAY. Ghost Gorge. Dragon's heart. A trip to the mountains or a trip on quadrocycles (to choose).

In the morning you will see the incredibly picturesque valley of Sartakpay (Altai hero). In this valley, the Katun River practically does not freeze, its bright turquoise looks very beautiful against the background of snow. Next, you will take a walk through the gorge of spirits – a place of power among the Altaians, here they prayed to their gods, asked for healing and help. This place is called such an ancient name that scientists still can not decipher its meaning. During the tour, you will visit the source of health (an ice-free key that strikes from the bowels of the mountain), a frozen waterfall, a complex of rock paintings and a delightful observation plaza. After that, a small lunch (sandwiches, a thermos with a hot one) and we will go to another unusual place, there is a huge heart stone stuck among the rocks. It forms an incredible picture that looks great in photos. Lunch. Next, to choose - or horseback riding in the mountains or a trip on quad bikes (snowmobiles do not ride here - there is little snow).

4 DAY. It's a dog ride. Tooth Pitch. TAUDINSKY CAVES.

In the morning you will ride a dog sled husky. Communication with beautiful and intelligent dogs in the role of a cayuron will give you incomparable pleasure. After that, you will visit the reserve, where you will get acquainted with the endangered species of animals - bison (at the moment 46 individuals live in the reserve). Lunch in a nice restaurant where you can taste the national cuisine. Excursion to the Tavdin caves are karst caves, where ancient people lived in the Neolithic era, you will visit the Big Tavdin cave.

5 DAY. A walk to the frozen water. Observation deck on Lake Manzherok. The local museum (if desired).

Today you will send along the ecological trail through the snow-covered forest, to the spectacular Kamyshlinsky waterfall. The village of this we will send to the Manzherok ski complex, where you can visit the observation deck on the lift or go skiing, snowboarding, tubing, skating. Lunch in Gorno-Altaisk. If desired, you can visit the Anokhin Republican Museum, where the mummy of the Altai Princess is currently located.

For those who would like to stay for more days, additional excursions are recommended:

(1) Chui Track and all its attractions.

2) Sightseeing tour of Belokurikha and its surroundings.

(3) Swan Lake.

(4) Travel on Lake Teletskoye and its attractions.