5 days
Fixed dates
14 people
from 6 years old
Basic
Guest house or tourist center, Hotel
Russian
Sightseeing tours
We invite you to experience Altai in its most colorful season! The blooming of the maralnik is an unforgettable spectacle, annually attracting countless tourists from all over Russia. In this magical atmosphere, you'll discover Altai's seven main attractions—from the legendary Katun River to the majestic Lake Teletskoye, from the Chuya Highway to the turbulent Ilgumen Rapids.
The program is designed specifically to introduce you to the region: you'll visit the most iconic locations. The majestic Chuysky Tract, the stunning 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. During a visit to an eco-village, you'll see graceful marals, one of the region's symbols, up close. The highlight of the tour is the season during which you'll travel through Altai. Late April and the first half of May is the blooming season of the maralnik (also known as Siberian wild rosemary, a variety of rhododendron). Mountain slopes and the banks of turbulent rivers are hidden under a carpet of pink and purple buds. During this same period, globeflowers (or "little globeflowers") typically bloom, adding their piercing orange accents to the riot of color.
This tour is a road trip: you'll travel in comfortable transport, observing the changing landscapes, and making stops at vantage points, powerful spots, and at the tops of mountain passes. At Lake Teletskoye, we'll take a short hike to a waterfall, enjoying the fresh spring air and the amazing harmony of the blossoming nature around you. Each evening, you'll return to a cozy hotel to relax in comfort after the day's adventures.
*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 enjoy a home-cooked breakfast of Russian cuisine and then continue onward. Ahead of us lies the beautiful Katunya, the main Altai River, whose banks are carpeted with soft purple maral grass. We'll make stops at vantage points so you can enjoy the views and take beautiful photos. By 3:00 PM, you'll be checking into your hotel and free time. Relax after your flight, as 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 also experience the traditional beliefs of the region by ascending the Che-Chkysh Valley, known as the Valley of Mountain Spirits. 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 planet! As you travel along it toward the Mongolian border, you'll enjoy 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. Along the way, we'll admire the blooming maral grass and take breathtakingly beautiful photos. We'll climb two passes—Seminsky and Chike-Taman—and stop at observation platforms to admire the panoramic views. One of the highlights of the day will be a visit to the turbulent Ilgumensky Rapids. By 8:00 PM, filled with emotion from the magnificent landscapes of the Chuysky Tract during blooming, 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." This freshwater body stretches for over 78 kilometers, with its largely wild shores preserving the diversity of Altai flora and fauna. You'll see the lake both up close, with a stroll along the shore, and from above, with a cable car ride to the summit of Mount Kokkuya. Then, a short hiking excursion along an eco-trail awaits. We'll reach the cascade of waterfalls on the Third River. The waterfalls are quite small—about 5 meters each—but they're a stunningly beautiful place that will fill you with peace. A gentle walk through the forest will allow you to fully appreciate the Altai nature. Return to the hotel by 9:00 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.
Insurance is included in the tour price. May is peak tick season in Altai, so we strongly recommend additional vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis before your trip.
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
