ALTAI
THE BEST
THE BEST
Extreme tour to the Altai Mountains
Dates: May, 22 - May, 26 2018
5 days / 4 nights
Dates: May, 22 - May, 26 2018
5 days / 4 nights
ABOUT THE TOUR
Extreme activities
Motor boat
Whitewater rafting
Trekking and hiking
Helicopter excursion
Off-road driving
Whitewater rafting
Trekking and hiking
Helicopter excursion
Off-road driving
5 days / 4 nights
Departure from Gorno-Altaisk airport
Folk programs and traditional cuisine
Russian cuisine
Russian folk rites and songs
Traditional cuisine of nomadic people of Altai
Altai throat singing
Ancient rock drawings, steles and burial mounds
Russian folk rites and songs
Traditional cuisine of nomadic people of Altai
Altai throat singing
Ancient rock drawings, steles and burial mounds
1300 km
Land transportation by Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle specially prepared for off-road driving
Lake Teletskoye
Mt Belukha
Chuisky Highway
Seminsky and Chike-Taman Passes
Ilgumensky Rapid on the Katun River
Confluence of the Katun and Chuya Rivers
Rock Drawings of Kalbak-Tash
Kuraiskaya Steppe and the Severo-Chuisky Ridge
Lake Teletskoye
Mt Belukha
Chuisky Highway
Seminsky and Chike-Taman Passes
Ilgumensky Rapid on the Katun River
Confluence of the Katun and Chuya Rivers
Rock Drawings of Kalbak-Tash
Kuraiskaya Steppe and the Severo-Chuisky Ridge
Accommodation in well-furnished hotels and cozy cabins
Altai Village Hotel - 2 nights, luxury tourist complex on the bank of Lake Teletskoye (UNESCO Heritage Site)
TourSib Hotel - 2 nights (timber cottage with en-suite WC and shower
TourSib Hotel - 2 nights (timber cottage with en-suite WC and shower
Morning and evening photo shoots
You will not miss a single sunrise or sunset and can capture your best shoots of rhododendron blossom in the Altai Mountains
| Map of the trip The red line indicates the itinerary, blue points - overnight places and extreme points of the route 1 - airport of Gorno-Altaisk; 2 - Altai Village Hotel; 3 - excursion on Teletskoye Lake; 4 - Mt Belukha 5 - TurSib Hotel |
Altai
Altai is considered by World Community as one of the last untouched areas of the planet and a rich treasure trove of biodiversity (included into Global-200, the list of ecoregions identified by WWF as priorities for conservation). Translated from Mongolian language as "Golden Mountains", Altai was inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage List under this title. Golden Mountains of Altai nomination includes Altaisky Nature Reserve and Lake Teletskoye, Katunsky Nature Reserve and Mount Belukha, the Ukok Plateau. Located in four countries - Russia, Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan - the Altai Mountains stretch up two thousand kilometers from Siberian wilderness to Central Asian semi-deserts. The highest peak is Mt Belukha (4506 m).
1 DAY
Welcome to Altai
Welcome to Altai
Driving distance - 180 km, walking - 5 km
Accommodation - Altai Village Hotel (variants - Urochische Aktra Hotel - rooms in Siberian pine tree towers)
Full board meal - breakfast, lunch and dinner
Arrive in Gorno-Altaisk, where you will be met at the airport. After breakfast at the restaurant of Gorno-Altaisk you will be transferred to to Altai Village Hotel. The hotel is situated on the bank of Lake Teletskoye. After check-in and some rest you will be served the dinner at the restaurant of the hotel surrounded by majestic views of the lake. Then you will have spare time for leisurely walking, enjoying the lake and breathing invigorating alpine air in coniferous forest. We will visit Silver Spring and an century-aged Siberian Pine tree.
In the evening we will watch the stars through telescope. An astronomer from the University of Gorno-Altaisk will tell us about mysteries of the Universe (this activity could be carried out in another day according to the weather conditions).
Accommodation - Altai Village Hotel (variants - Urochische Aktra Hotel - rooms in Siberian pine tree towers)
Full board meal - breakfast, lunch and dinner
Arrive in Gorno-Altaisk, where you will be met at the airport. After breakfast at the restaurant of Gorno-Altaisk you will be transferred to to Altai Village Hotel. The hotel is situated on the bank of Lake Teletskoye. After check-in and some rest you will be served the dinner at the restaurant of the hotel surrounded by majestic views of the lake. Then you will have spare time for leisurely walking, enjoying the lake and breathing invigorating alpine air in coniferous forest. We will visit Silver Spring and an century-aged Siberian Pine tree.
In the evening we will watch the stars through telescope. An astronomer from the University of Gorno-Altaisk will tell us about mysteries of the Universe (this activity could be carried out in another day according to the weather conditions).
The deepest lake in the Altai Mountains (325 m) and one of the deepest lakes in Russia. Inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage List as one of the most pristine places it is commonly known as the Baikal's junior brother. Among the indigenous inhabitants the name of the lake is Altyn-Kyol or Golden Lake. Numerous tributaries (over 80) cascading to the lake with stunning waterfalls. The most picturesque is the Korbu Waterfall (12 meters high). Lake Teletskoye gives the birth to the only river - the Biya River, one of two sourcing rivers of the Ob River. The last one is ranked among the 10 largest rivers of the planet. Lake's right side is conserving as a part of the Altaisky Nature Reserve.
2 DAY
Golden lake
Golden lake
Distance - 150 km motor boat, hiking - 5-7 km
Accommodation - Altai Village Hotel (variants - Urochische Aktra Hotel - rooms in Siberian pine tree towers; Gornoye Ozero Hotel)
Full board meal - breakfast, lunch and dinner
Today we'll have an excursion on the lake by motor boat. We will cross the lake - 80 km and reach the mouth of the Chulyshman River - the largest tributary of Teletskoye Lake. Afterwards we will explore some rocky banks and bays, visit the Korbu Waterfall (12 m) and the warmest place in the Altai Mountains - Yailyu village. All the sites are included into the UNESCO World Heritage List. Overnight at Altai Village Hotel
Accommodation - Altai Village Hotel (variants - Urochische Aktra Hotel - rooms in Siberian pine tree towers; Gornoye Ozero Hotel)
Full board meal - breakfast, lunch and dinner
Today we'll have an excursion on the lake by motor boat. We will cross the lake - 80 km and reach the mouth of the Chulyshman River - the largest tributary of Teletskoye Lake. Afterwards we will explore some rocky banks and bays, visit the Korbu Waterfall (12 m) and the warmest place in the Altai Mountains - Yailyu village. All the sites are included into the UNESCO World Heritage List. Overnight at Altai Village Hotel
3 DAY
Towards the highest mountain of Altai
Towards the highest mountain of Altai
Distance - 360 km by helicopter, hiking - 3-5 km
Accommodation - TurSib Hotel
Full board meal - breakfast at the restaurant of Altay Village Hotel, packed lunch at the Akkemskoye Lake near Mt Belukha, dinner at the Tursib Hotel
Please, notice that Mt. Belukha is located on the Russian-Kazakhstan border. We need to prepare special permit to visit the border zone. Documents should be submitted not less then 60 days before the visit date.
Helicopter excursion to the highest mountain of Siberia, Mount Belukha (4506 meters, or 14783 ft), would be the highlight of the whole trip without any doubt. We'll cross the vast ocean of the Altai Mountains by helicopter towards the summit of the Altai - Mt. Belukha. It is included into UNESCO World Heritage List as a part of Golden Mountains of Altai nomination. We will observe crowned by glaciers peaks from the bird's eye view and finally land at the bank of Lake Akkemskoye. This lake was formed by one of the glaciers descending from the slope of Mt Belukha. The two glittering peaks of Mt Belukha reflect in the lake surface like in a mirror.
We'll explore the picturesque banks of Lake Akkemskoye and hike towards the Chapel of Archangel Michail near the Akkemsky Glacier (2,5 hours round trip).
Please note that Mt Belukha is situated in the alpine zone (more then 2000 m). There is high probability of low temperatures and even sudden snow storm. It is highly recommended to take warm and waterproof clothes, warm hat and gloves. Also you will need sunglasses and sunscreen.
On way back to the lake we will have a packed lunch or picnic. Afterwards we'll be transferred to TurSib Hotel, which is situated on the bank of the Katun River in pine-tree forest. Upon arrival to the hotel you will enjoy Russian cuisine in cozy restaurant of the hotel.
Accommodation - TurSib Hotel
Full board meal - breakfast at the restaurant of Altay Village Hotel, packed lunch at the Akkemskoye Lake near Mt Belukha, dinner at the Tursib Hotel
Please, notice that Mt. Belukha is located on the Russian-Kazakhstan border. We need to prepare special permit to visit the border zone. Documents should be submitted not less then 60 days before the visit date.
Helicopter excursion to the highest mountain of Siberia, Mount Belukha (4506 meters, or 14783 ft), would be the highlight of the whole trip without any doubt. We'll cross the vast ocean of the Altai Mountains by helicopter towards the summit of the Altai - Mt. Belukha. It is included into UNESCO World Heritage List as a part of Golden Mountains of Altai nomination. We will observe crowned by glaciers peaks from the bird's eye view and finally land at the bank of Lake Akkemskoye. This lake was formed by one of the glaciers descending from the slope of Mt Belukha. The two glittering peaks of Mt Belukha reflect in the lake surface like in a mirror.
We'll explore the picturesque banks of Lake Akkemskoye and hike towards the Chapel of Archangel Michail near the Akkemsky Glacier (2,5 hours round trip).
Please note that Mt Belukha is situated in the alpine zone (more then 2000 m). There is high probability of low temperatures and even sudden snow storm. It is highly recommended to take warm and waterproof clothes, warm hat and gloves. Also you will need sunglasses and sunscreen.
On way back to the lake we will have a packed lunch or picnic. Afterwards we'll be transferred to TurSib Hotel, which is situated on the bank of the Katun River in pine-tree forest. Upon arrival to the hotel you will enjoy Russian cuisine in cozy restaurant of the hotel.
The summit of the Altai Mountains and UNESCO World Heritage object. Mt Belukha, crowned with two sparkly white peaks and more then 160 glaciers, stands high above the Katunsky Ridge and Altai mountains. Its peaks can be observed far away from many passes and ridges. Mt. Belukha is depicted in the Coat of Arms of the Altai Republic symbolizing vast Altai ridges itself. Its name originated from the Russian word belaya or white due to the large snow cover on the slopes. Indigenous inhabitants of Altai used to name it Kadyn-Bazhi that means the source of the Katun River. One should be very lucky to see this majestic and capricious Tzarina of Altai hidden behind clouds most of the year.
4 DAY
Rafting on the Katun River
Rafting on the Katun River
Driving distance - 50 km, raft - 30 km
Accommodation - TurSib Hotel
Full board meal - breakfast, lunch and dinner at the TurSib Hotel Restaurant
After breakfast we will go by car along the Katun River valley. This river is the largest in the Altai Mountains. It's source is on the slope of Mt Belukha (the highest summit of Altai) at the altitude of 2000 m. We'll have a 3-hour whitewater rafting and excursion to the Kamyshlinsky Waterfall.
In the late afternoon you will enjoy Russian bath-house or banya with small basin. It will help you to relax after whitewater adventures. Hot steam with aroma of a birch broom, cold invigorating water in a small basin and herbal tea with honey will be the successful final of this day full of extreme emotions.
The evening will be marked by acquaintance with native culture. After dinner you will enjoy gripping transcendental throat singing of a kaichi, a skillful performer of native epic songs. Meanwhile we will cook barbecue in the open pavilion or summer house on the bank of the Katun River.
Accommodation - TurSib Hotel
Full board meal - breakfast, lunch and dinner at the TurSib Hotel Restaurant
After breakfast we will go by car along the Katun River valley. This river is the largest in the Altai Mountains. It's source is on the slope of Mt Belukha (the highest summit of Altai) at the altitude of 2000 m. We'll have a 3-hour whitewater rafting and excursion to the Kamyshlinsky Waterfall.
In the late afternoon you will enjoy Russian bath-house or banya with small basin. It will help you to relax after whitewater adventures. Hot steam with aroma of a birch broom, cold invigorating water in a small basin and herbal tea with honey will be the successful final of this day full of extreme emotions.
The evening will be marked by acquaintance with native culture. After dinner you will enjoy gripping transcendental throat singing of a kaichi, a skillful performer of native epic songs. Meanwhile we will cook barbecue in the open pavilion or summer house on the bank of the Katun River.
5 DAY
Departure to the airport and flight to Moscow
Departure to the airport and flight to Moscow
Driving distance - 75 km
Meal - packed breakfast
Packed breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. At 7 a.m. you will be transferred to the airport of Gorno-Altaisk for returning flight to home. Farewell!
Meal - packed breakfast
Packed breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. At 7 a.m. you will be transferred to the airport of Gorno-Altaisk for returning flight to home. Farewell!
TOURIST EQUIPMENT AND GEAR
Clothes
May weather is extremely contrast in the Altai Mountains. You can enjoy a really hot summer one day, and suddenly experience the snowstorm and low temperatures next day. Having warm, windproof and waterproof clothes is a matter of safety and getting satisfaction of the tour. You should pack into your travel bag some T-shirts, fleece jacket, membrane jacket/windbreaker, trekking boots, comfortable shoes for hiking, warm hat and gloves, fleece trousers, windproof trousers, sport socks, cap or kerchief, sunglasses, swim suite for bath house, rubber slippers.
Photography gear
The more lenses you take, the more opportunities to capture WOW-shoots you will have. You will need a long-focus lens or telephoto lens (for example, 150-600 or 200-500), wide-angle lens (fisheye, 14-24 or 17-35 etc), standard lens or zoom, for example 24-70, 24-120, speed light. Recharger, additional memory cards and set of filters (graduated and polar). Don't forget to take a tripod for morning, evening and night shoots.
Equipment
Backpack or bag for photography gear, rain cover for backpack, waterproof bag for documents, backpack for clothes, headlamp with additional batteries.
Documents
Documents, pasport, visa, money and card, mobile phone and recharging, medical insurance.
Medicine
Preparations for motion sickness in transport, individual medicine. May is the high-risk season of tick-borne encephalitis transmitted by the bite of several species of infected ticks. It is highly recommended to vaccinate in advance to prevent tick-borne encephalitis.
Personal Higyene
Sunscreen, hygienic and sunscreen lipstick, toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo, soap and bast.
PHOTO&VIDEO CREDITS: Pavel Filatov
All graphic materials belong to their owners and are used for demonstration purposes only. Please do not use them in commercial projects.
