5 days
Fixed dates
14 people
from 6 years old
Basic
Guest house or tourist center, Hotel
Russian
Sightseeing tours
The 7 main attractions of Altai—from the legendary Katun River to the majestic Lake Teletskoye. You'll travel along the Chuysky Tract, one of the most beautiful roads in the world, and take the best photos from the Chike-Taman Pass observation deck and at the turbulent Ilgumen Rapids. And all this—against the backdrop of gradually awakening nature, blooming snowdrops, and singing streams.
This tour is designed specifically to introduce you to the region: you'll visit its most iconic locations. The majestic Chuysky Tract, the breathtakingly beautiful Katun River, mountain passes, turbulent rapids, and Golden Lake—in a single trip, you'll explore the natural attractions that have made the Altai Mountains famous and attract thousands of tourists every year. And all this during the wonderfully quiet season, when Altai is less crowded and nature awakens from its winter slumber. You'll feel the mountain breeze carrying the scents of spring, see the ice on Lake Teletskoye glistening in the warm sunlight, and the mighty Katun River reclaiming more and more space for its turbulent waters (though even in the winter months, it's not completely frozen over). During your visit to the eco-village, you'll see graceful red deer, one of the symbols of Altai, up close.
The tour is organized as a road trip: you'll travel in comfortable transport, observing the changing landscapes, and making stops at vantage points, places of power, and at the tops of mountain passes. In addition to the beautiful nature, you'll get to know the local culture: your guide will tell you about the legends and myths that surround literally every corner of the region, and we'll also visit the Tubalars, one of the small indigenous peoples of Altai.
*You can choose the hotel star rating that suits you. Please note: the tour price depends on this
This park hotel is nestled among a pine forest, in a secluded area between the mountain and the Katun River. Here you'll relax in a peaceful and quiet setting. Spacious rooms are housed in cedar chalets, filled with natural light and the pleasant aroma of wood. The hotel grounds feature a unique wooden sculpture park, a delight for both adults and children.
This resort complex boasts vast grounds, a wealth of entertainment, and a respectable level of comfort. It's especially suitable for families, with a wonderful kids' club, playgrounds, and other activities. Adults can enjoy luxurious restaurants and bars, karaoke, a billiards room, and a spa and sauna complex.
A luxurious complex surrounded by cedar forests and mountain slopes, right on the banks of the Katun River. Two accommodation options are available: cozy chalets made of Altai cedar or classic, spacious rooms. The hotel complex features a spa, steam rooms, a large indoor pool, and an authentic restaurant with a gourmet menu.
Panoramic views of the mountain slopes and lake surface and well-designed infrastructure: the resort boasts restaurants and bars, a children's cafe, a spa, and a children's recreation center with a climbing wall and rope course. The hotel rooms are decorated with natural materials, allowing you to feel at one with nature every moment of your stay.
We'll meet you at the Gorno-Altaisk airport. First things first, we need a delicious breakfast! So, we'll head to the Kaimskoye eco-village. This cozy, secluded spot surrounded by mountains and valleys is home to marals—majestic deer with powerful, branching antlers, one of the main symbols of Altai. You might also encounter other animals here, such as horses and yaks. You'll have a home-cooked breakfast of Russian cuisine and then continue onward. Ahead of us awaits the beautiful Katunya, the main river in Altai. Even in winter, it's not completely frozen over, and in March, its awakening is already evident: here and there, turbulent water breaks through the cracked ice. We'll make sure to make stops at vantage points so you can enjoy the views and take beautiful photos. By 3:00 PM, check into your hotel and have some free time. Relax after your flight, because several exciting and adventurous days lie ahead!
The second day holds even more encounters with the Katun River, which originates from the highest peak of Altai, snow-capped Belukha, and traverses the entire region, feeding other mountain rivers. Along its course, there are numerous natural landmarks, and we'll stop at one of them for a walk and photos. These are the "Dragon's Teeth"—a chain of jagged rocks jutting from the surface. Our next destination is the popular resort village of Chemal, where we'll visit the Chemal Hydroelectric Power Station, located at the confluence of the Chemal and Katun rivers, and walk across a wooden suspension bridge to Patmos Island, home to an Orthodox church. We'll return to the hotel in the evening.
We'll set off along the Chuysky Tract, consistently ranked among the most beautiful roads in Russia and even the world! As you travel along the highway toward the Mongolian border, you'll be able to admire the gradually changing landscape: the mountains grow ever higher, rising from low hills to sky-high mountain ranges, where snow never melts even in the summer heat. We'll climb two passes—Seminsky and Chike-Taman—and stop at observation platforms to admire the panoramic views of the gradually awakening Altai nature. One of the highlights of the day will be a visit to the turbulent Ilgumensky Rapids. This small section of the river is one of the most challenging rapids on the Katun River, classified as a category 4. By 8:00 PM, filled with emotion from the magnificent landscapes of the Chuysky Tract, we'll return to the hotel.
Lake Teletskoye is a true pearl of Altai, "Baikal's Younger Brother." Its other name is Altyn-Köl, which translates as "Golden Lake." It's a freshwater body stretching over 78 kilometers, with largely untouched shores that preserve the diversity of Altai flora and fauna. In winter, most of the lake (the northern part, where we'll be visiting) is frozen over, but in March, both the ice and the snow on the shore begin to melt under the gradually warming spring sun. It's not yet the change of seasons, but winter is already retreating, and the atmosphere on Lake Teletskoye is truly unique. You can see it both up close, on a walk along the shore, and from above, by taking the cable car to the summit of Mount Kokkuya. An ethnographic adventure awaits you: we'll visit an Altai village home to one of the local indigenous peoples, the Tubalars, and get to know their culture, beliefs, and way of life. Return to the hotel by 8-9 PM.
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport. See you soon!
The program is designed for children ages 6 and up. Children ages 6-12 receive special rates when sharing an extra bed.
Breakfasts are served at hotels. We'll make lunch stops at good local cafes; meals are at your own expense.
This program is designed for a group of 2 to 14 people.
What a great idea! Many of our guests want to take advantage of Altai wellness programs or stay longer at spa hotels after the active excursion portion of their tour. If you'd like to extend your stay, just let us know—we'll help you choose and book.
Ask your tour coordinator questions
Tour from an official tour operator listed in the Rostourism register
