5 days
Fixed dates
10 people
from 7 years old
Basic
Guest house or tourist center
Russian
Sightseeing tours
Winter Altai is a true fairytale! A magical kingdom of turquoise ice, fluffy snow, and shaggy frost. In this wondrous atmosphere, you'll discover the region's seven main attractions: see the Katun River, drive along one of the most beautiful highways in the world, cross picturesque mountain passes, and stroll along the shores of Lake Teletskoye…
You'll travel along the beautiful Chuysky Tract, stopping at pass observation platforms and beside turbulent, foaming rapids. You'll see the Katun River, not completely frozen over and sparkling with a mesmerizing turquoise amid its snow-capped shores. You'll visit Swan Lake, where hundreds of beautiful birds winter, and a maral farm, where you'll meet marals and bison. In Chemal, you'll take an excursion to the hydroelectric power station and walk across the wooden suspension bridge leading to the sacred island of Patmos. You'll also reach Lake Teletskoye and take a cable car to the top of the mountain to enjoy a fabulous panorama of the lake and its surroundings.
Although the history and traditions of the region aren't the central focus of the trip, you'll learn a little about them: while traveling along the Chuysky Tract, we'll stop at cliffs with petroglyphs, and on the way from Lake Teletskoye, we'll visit one of the indigenous peoples, the Tubalars.
This is a very comprehensive tour, allowing you to see the most famous natural monuments, historical sites, and places of power in just four full days. This trip will be interesting even for those who have already visited Altai in the summer, as familiar locations look completely different in the winter scenery!
A park hotel surrounded by a pine forest, offering a tranquil and peaceful setting. Spacious rooms are housed in cedar chalets, offering plenty of light and a pleasant aroma of wood. The hotel grounds feature a unique park of wooden sculptures created as part of the "Altai. Attraction" festival in 2018 and 2022.
This resort complex boasts vast grounds, a wealth of entertainment, and the highest level of comfort. It's especially ideal for families, boasting a wonderful kids' club, playgrounds, and other activities. Adults will enjoy attentive service, luxurious restaurants and bars, karaoke, a billiards room, and a luxurious spa and sauna complex.
A five-star hotel surrounded by cedar forests and mountain slopes, right on the banks of the Katun River. Accommodations are in cozy chalets made of Altai cedar or in classic, spacious rooms. All accommodations feature panoramic windows, allowing you to truly connect with nature. The hotel complex also features a spa, steam rooms, a large indoor pool, and an authentic restaurant with a gourmet menu.
We'll meet at the Gorno-Altaisk airport. We'll head to Kaimskoye, a maral breeding farm. Besides marals, you'll see bison, horses, and other animals at the farm. Here we'll have breakfast (Russian cuisine) and sample maral appetizers. We'll take a stroll through the picturesque grounds; the farm is located in a beautiful river valley, surrounded by mountain slopes.
Afterward, we'll visit Swan Lake, the only wintering site for swans in Siberia. The graceful, snow-white birds on the surface of the water, in the frosty haze, are a magical sight! After capturing countless beautiful photos, we'll check into our hotel in the afternoon. Free time is available for relaxation or leisurely strolls.
Today we'll visit Chemal, one of Altai's main resorts, an ancient village with unique sights. We'll visit the highlights: the Chemal Hydroelectric Power Station near the confluence of the Chemal and Katun rivers, as well as Patmos Island with its temple, reached by a wooden suspension bridge.
After lunch at a café, we'll continue our self-guided tour. The afternoon will be dedicated to Altai's main river, the incredibly impressive and powerful Katun. In winter, it doesn't freeze completely, offering views of the piercing turquoise water framed by ice and frost. We'll make a stop at the "Dragon's Teeth"—picturesque cliffs jutting out of the water.
The Chuysky Tract, which we'll be traveling along today, is the most beautiful road in Russia and one of the most beautiful in the world, according to National Geographic magazine. We'll make stops at places of power, archaeological sites, and interesting photogenic locations. And there are plenty of them: the Seminsky Pass and the Chike-Taman Pass with their magnificent observation decks, ancient petroglyphs, and the turbulent Ilgumensky Rapids—one of the few rapids of the Middle Katun River accessible near the highway.
On this day, you'll have the opportunity to stroll through the forest, soak up the crisp, crisp air, and watch the landscape gradually change as the mountains rise higher along the route.
On the final day of the excursion, you'll see Lake Teletskoye, one of the deepest lakes in the country. However, it's remarkable not only for its depth and size, but also for its inspiring beauty, stunning at any time of year. You'll see icy splashes, taiga-covered shores, and mountain ranges melting into a bluish haze. We'll take the cable car up Mount Kokkuya to admire this magnificent panorama from above. You can have lunch here or descend and visit a café at the foot of the mountain.
On the way back from Lake Teletskoye to the hotel, we'll stop in a village to visit the Tubalars, one of the indigenous peoples of Altai. You'll learn about their traditions and way of life.
We bid farewell to Altai: after breakfast, transfer to the airport. We look forward to seeing you again!
On this tour, you can choose from three accommodation options, ranging from 3 to 5 stars. All hotels offer comfortable rooms with private bathrooms.
We recommend this tour for children ages 6 and up. Discounts are available for children under 12.
The tour price does not include lunches (if you choose the Podgorica resort) or lunches and dinners (at the Altai Palace and Grand Chalet Altai hotels). You can also purchase souvenirs for yourself and your loved ones if you wish.
Average winter temperatures in Altai range from -12 to -23°C, but colder temperatures and strong winds are also possible (especially on the passes). We recommend wearing a ski suit—it's warm and windproof, yet still allows the body to breathe. Don't forget good winter boots, mittens, and a hat.
If you wish, you can stay in Altai after your excursion: go skiing in Belokurikha or Manzherok, or relax at one of the Altai spa resorts. We'll be happy to help you choose accommodations and make reservations.
Ask your tour coordinator questions
Tour from an official tour operator listed in the Rostourism register
