off-road tour to snow-capped mountains in siberian wilderness
Great Altai Expedition
Experience the grandeur of the Altai Mountains by land, air and water. Your soul will be awaken by natural beauty of this pristine region. Here you will witness fragility and diversity of our planet through observing jagged peaks crowned by glaciers, listening to cascading rivers, hiking in mountainous forests and breathing fresh invigorating alpine air.

You will be fascinated by the largest unbroken stretches of coniferous forest in the world, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, gripping indigenous folk programs, traditional cuisine. You could fill out your portfolio with spectacular photos of rare animals (most of them are included into the Red List of endangered species) and breathtaking mountain landscapes.

Highlight of the whole trip will be definitely the helicopter flight to
Mt Belukha (4506 m), the highest mountain of Altai and Siberia. This hidden gem is located in a much undiscovered area as it is only accessible via 10-days hike or by helicopter.
Map of the Great Altai
Red lines - state borders of Russia, Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan

Great Altai or Altai Mountains is a mountainous transboundury region at the intersection of four countries - Russia, Mongolia, China and Kazakhstan

Area, outlined by the blue line
- the Altai Republic (venue of current trip)


Altai Mountains
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).
tour program
Day 1. Arrival - Tour Sib Hotel
Accommodation: Tour Sib Hotel, country style well-designed timber cottages with en suite facilities (WC, shower), twin rooms
Meals included: breakfast and lunch - in the cafe near airport of Novosibirsk or Biisk, dinner - TourSib restaurant (traditional Russian cuisine)
Distance: bus - depends of the airport location (Novosibirsk, Barnaul or Gorno-Altaisk)

Transfer from the airport to Tour Sib Hotel. Check-in into a rustic timber cottages for 2 person in the pine forest on the bank of the mountainous Katun River. Upon arrival at the hotel you can enjoy your first breakfast at the traditional indigenous Russian restaurant with delicious Russian cuisine.
Afterwards you will have spare time to have rest, plan the next days of activity, enjoy walking along the riverside and breath invigorating coniferous air. Dinner and leisure time
Schematic Plan of Day 1
Red line - itinerary;
Red points - hotels and must-see places

1- airport of Gorno-Altaisk;
2 - Tour Sib Lodge

Day 2. Transfer to Zaimka Kamza Hotel
Accommodation: Zaimka Kamza Lodge. A timber cottage for two tourists (TWIN), en suite facilities (WC, shower), veranda.
Food: breakfast and dinner - Tour Sib restaurant, lunch - cafe along the way, dinner - Zaimka Kamza Lodge
Distance: jeep - 330 km (6 hours).

We need to prepare special permit for visiting the border zone. Documents should be submitted not less then 60 days before the visit date.

Excursions along the way: European bison nursery, the Seminsky Pass (1717 m), Afanasyevo burial mounds in Elo Village (the 3d millennium BCE).
Accommodation at the lodge. Dinner and leisure time.
Schematic Plan of Day 2
Red line - itinerary;
Red points - hotels and must-see places

1- Tour Sib Lodge;
2 - Zaimka Kamza Lodge
Day 3. Rafting and visiting Russian Village Verkh-Uimon
Accommodation: Zaimka Kamza Lodge. A timber cottage for two tourists (TWIN), en suite facilities (WC, shower), heating veranda.
Food: breakfast, lunch and dinner - Zaimka Kamza Lodge
Distance: jeep - 60, raft - 30 km, hiking - 5 km

After breakfast we'll drive to the Tyuguryuk River. Here we'll start the 2,5 hours rafting. You'll enjoy with scenic river landscapes and awesome rafting experience. Picnic lunch on the bank of the river. Returning to Zaimka Kamza Lodge, lunch.
After lunch and rest we'll visit the oldest village of this region - Verkh-Uimon and two museums in it. In the Museum of Nicholas Roerich, located in ancient house of the 19th century, you'll get to know about his Asian expedition "Altai-Himalayas", cultural and philosophical attitudes. For years this great Russian public figure had been living in India until his death. Then we'll visit Museum of Russian Old-Believers and find out about traditions and customs of Russian local inhabitants of the Uimonskaya Valley. Finally with artists of "Siberia" Ensemble we'll take part in cheerful Russian folk roundelays and hilarious song rites. Also you will enjoy Russian cuisine.
Returning to Zaimka Kamza Lodge. Dinner and spare time.
Schematic Plan of Day 3
Red line - itinerary;
Red points - hotels and must-see places

1 - Zaimka Kamza Lodge;
2 - Rafting start place;
3 - Verkh-Uimon Village


Day 4. Off-road driving towards Red Mountain. Hiking to the lakes
Accommodation: Zaimka Kamza Lodge. A timber cottage for two tourists (TWIN), en suite facilities (WC, shower), heating veranda.
Food: breakfast and dinner - Zaimka Kamza Lodge, picnic lunch
Distance: jeep - 100 km (3,5 hours), hiking - 8 km

After breakfast we'll drive to the Red Mountain (2471 m). Slopes of this volcanic by origin mountain are adorned with several scenic lakes. Never melting snow and ice floes could be preserved on the lakes even in the middle of summer. Spectacular passes, snowcapped mountains, coniferous forest, alpine meadows, cascading crystal waterfalls, turquoise lakes will impress you and make you never want to leave.
Picnic lunch, returning to the Zaimka Kamza Lodge. Dinner and spare time.
Schematic Plan of Day 4
Red line - itinerary;
Red points - hotels and must-see places

1 - Zaimka Kamza Lodge
2 - Red Mount


Day 5. Helicopter excursion to
Mt Belukha (4506 m)
Accommodation: Inegen Lodge. A timber cottage for two tourists (TWIN), en suite facilities (WC, shower), veranda.
Food: breakfast - Zaimka Kamza Lodge, lunch - picnic near the Mt Belukha, dinner - Inegen Lodge
Distance: helicopter - 250 km (3,5 hours), hiking - 6-7 km

Helicopter excursion to the highest mountain of Siberia - Mount Belukha (4506 m).
We'll cross the vast ocean of the Altai Mountains by helicopter towards the highest top - Mt. Belukha. From the bird's view we'll observe crowned by glaciers peaks and land at the bank of Lake Akkemskoye formed by one of the Belukha's glaciers with the same name.
Then we'll hike to the Chapel of Archangel Michail near the Akkemsky Glacier (2,5 hours round trip). Picnic lunch on the bank of Lake Akkemskoye. Helicopter transfer to Inegen Lodge. Dinner, spare time
Schematic Plan of Day 5
Red line - itinerary;
Red points - hotels and must-see places

1 - Zaimka Kamza Lodge;
2 - Mt Belukha;
3 - Inegen Lodge


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. Symbolizing vast Altai ridges Mt. Belukha is depicted in the Coat of Arms of the Altai Republic. Its name originated from the Russian word belaya or white due to the large snow cover on it's 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.
Day 6. Hiking to the mouth of the Argut River
Accommodation: Inegen Lodge. Timber cottages for two tourists (TWIN), en suite facilities (WC, shower), veranda.
Food: breakfast and dinner - Inegen Lodge, lunch - picnic on the Katun River's bank
Distance: jeep - 40 km, hiking - 6-7 km

After breakfast we'll hike along the Tyungur Path towards the Argut River Mouth (tributary of the Katun River). The Argut River's valley is home to rare animal species - snow leopard. We'll walk the old narrow road, constructed in 1950s, over the breathtaking rapids of the Katun River.
In the evening you will guest in the ail - national dwelling of Altaians. Here you will be engaged into indigenous culture of nomadic people by performers of traditional Altai throat singing. Deep vibrating sounds of various intensity and hues performing by a kaichi - master of throat singing in front of the fire, will evoke transcendental feelings in your soul and make you realize soleness and unlimited eternity of this Universe.
Schematic Plan of Day 6
Red line - itinerary;
Red points - hotels and must-see places

1 - Inegen Lodge
2 - the Argut River's Mouth


Day 7. Wonders of Chuisky Trakt
Accommodation: Aktru Lodge, standard room (TWIN). Shared facilities outside the hotel. Russian bath-house.
Food: breakfast - Inegen Lodge, lunch - cafe on the way, dinner - Aktru Lodge
Distance: jeep - 150 km (3,5 hours), hiking - 5 km
Today we'll ride along the Chuisky Trakt, the oldest and most picturesque road in the Altai Mountains, originated long ago as a caravan path between Siberia, Central Asia and Middle East. By exploring petroglyphs of the Kalbak-Tash Site we'll immerse into history and mythology of ancient inhabitants of the Altai Mountains. Next point of the tour will be small Geizernoye Lake inside forested area in the mountains. Brightly turquoise colored it has unusual patterns on surface due to air bubbles on its bottom. In the Kuraiskaya Steppe you'll observe the most astounding scene of Altai - elevated up to the 4 thousand meters above the see level snow capped Severo-Chuisky mountain ridge with winding silver band of the Chuya River. After lunch we'll have off-road driving to Aktru Alpine Center located at the foothills of the glaciated and snowcapped mountains of the Severo-Chuisky Ridge (2150 m above the sea level). Accommodation at the lodge, rest and dinner.
Schematic Plan of Day 7
Red line - itinerary;
Red points - hotels and must-see places

1 - Inegen Lodge;
2 - Aktru Alpine Center


Mountainous highway through the Altai Mountains to Mongolia. It is considered as the northern branch of the Great Silk Road. The highway was ranked in the list of 10 most beautiful roads of the world by National Geographic of Russia magazine.
Kalbak-Tash Rock Drawings
A kind of an open-air museum and rich treasury of ancient cosmological ideas and beliefs of ancient dwellers of Altai curved on rock surfaces. Various mythological plots and ritual scenes from the end of Stone Age to Medieval battles and runic inscriptions unfold before your eyes through exploring those unique petroglyphs.
Day 8. Hiking towards the Blue Lake and the Large Aktru Glacier
Accommodation: Aktru Lodge, standard room (TWIN). Shared facilities outside the hotel. Russian bath-house.
Food: breakfast, lunch and dinner - Aktru Lodge
Distance: hiking - 10 km

After breakfast we'll hike to the glacier Large Aktru and small Blue Lake near its tongue. The excursion will be extremely harsh. You will experience huge stones, steep climbing, elevation more then 2000 meters above the sea level, strong wind and other high mountainous conditions. At the same time you will see the birthplace of glacial rivers, never melting snow, ragged glacial cracks, old Siberian pine trees aged of hundreds of years, fragile alpine flowers and many other wonders of alpine region. Picnic lunch and returning to the lodge. Dinner. Spare time
Day 9. Mongolian semi-deserts of Altai
Accommodation: Hotel of Sailugemsky National Park in Kosh-Agach Village, standard room (TWIN), en suite facilities in every room (WC, shower).
Food: breakfast - Aktru Alpine Center, lunch - cafe of Tydtuyaryk yurt camping, dinner - Hotel of Sailugemsky National Park in Kosh-Agach Village
Distance: jeep - 120 km, hiking - 10 km

We need to prepare special permit to visit the border zone. Documents should be submitted 60 days before the visit date.

After breakfast we'll leave the Aktru Alpine Center and ride towards the border with Mongolia. We'll explore the most fascinating locations in the Chuiskaya Steppe - the coldest and most arid region of Altai. Its arid highlands more typical for neighboring Mongolia rather Altai mountain ridges with stretches of coniferous forests and cascading rivers. In the outskirts of the steppe we'll visit the Kyzyl-Chin River valley. Due to its surreal geologic features embracing a various kind of red hues and extremely similar to Mars landscapes, this destination is also called Mars. Sculptured by powers of nature millions of years ago these formations originated long before the Altai Mountains birth.
Accommodation in hotel and rest. Dinner. Spare time
Schematic Plan of Day 9
Red line - itinerary;
Red points - hotels and must-see places

1 - Aktru Alpine Center;
2 - Sailugemsky National Park Hotel in Kosh-Agach Village


Day 10. Excursion to Sailugemsky National Park
Accommodation: Hotel of Sailugemsky National Park in Kosh-Agach Village, standard room (TWIN), en suite facilities in every room (WC, shower).
Food: breakfast and dinner -Hotel of Sailugemsky National Park in Kosh-Agach Village, lunch - visit-center of Sailugemsky National Park
Distance: jeep - 90 km, hiking - 8 km

We need to prepare special permit to visit the border zone. Documents should be submitted 60 days before the visit date.

After breakfast we'll have off-road driving to Sailugemsky National Park which is extremely essential for snow leopard and Altai argali (mountain sheep) preservation. Fantastic landscapes of the park are similar to Mongolian and Tibet highlands. By the way we'll explore petroglyphs of Mt Zhalgyz-Tobe. Lunch in visit-center of Sailugemsky National Park. Returning to Kosh-Agach Village to the hotel. Dinner and spare time.
Schematic Plan of Day 10
Red line - itinerary;
Red points - hotels and must-see places

1 - Sailugemsky National Park Hotel in Kosh-Agach Village;
2 - visit-center of Sailugemsky National Park (Chagan-Burgazy)


Day 11. Off-road driving to the Yuzhno-Chuisky Ridge, hiking to Sophiisky Glacier
Accommodation: Tydtuyaryk camping, mongolian yurt, shared facilities outside the yurt (bath-house and wooden toilet)
Food: breakfast - Sailugemsky National Park Hotel, picnic lunch, dinner - Tydtuyaryk camping
Distance: jeep - 90 km, hiking - 8 km

Today we'll visit the Yuzhno-Chuisky Ridge and hike to the Sophiisky Glacier. This ridge is one of the highest in Altai. Here you will immerse into invigorating ambience of glacial lakes, sparkling creecks with fresh water, alpine flowers and white-headed mountains. Picnic lunch and transfer to the Tydtuyaryk yurt camping. Dinner and spare time.

Schematic Plan of Day 11
Red line - itinerary;
Red points - hotels and must-see places

1 - Sailugemsky National Park Hotel in Kosh-Agach Village;
2 - Sophiisky Glacier
3 - Tydtuyaryk yurt camping



Day 12. Transfer to Gorno-Altaisk
Accommodation: Sokol Lodge, standard TWIN room with en suite facilities (WC, shower)
Food: breakfast - Tydtuyaryk camping, lunch - Uch-Enmek cafe, dinner - Sokol Lodge
Distance: jeep - 460 km (7 hours)

We'll leave for Gorno-Altaisk airport along the Chuisky Trakt. Excursions by the way: Ilgumensky Rapid on the Katun River, Chike-Taman Pass. Accommodation at the hotel. Dinner and rest.
Schematic Plan of Day 12
Red line - itinerary;
Red points - hotels and must-see places

1 - Tydtuyaryk yurt camping;
2 - Finskaya Dacha Lodge and Airport of Gorno-Altaisk


Day 13. Transfer to Gorno-Altaisk Airport and flight to Moscow
Early breakfast and transfer to airport. Farewell to Altai
Watch a video of Golden Mountains of Altai provided and kindly shared with us by Pavel Filatov:

Photo credits: Pavel Filatov


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