7 days
Fixed dates
14 people
from 12 years old
Average
Glamping
Russian
Climbing, Gastronomy, Trekking, Excursion tours
Discover the real Altai: alone with untouched wild nature, far from resort areas, among mountain peaks and endless open spaces. Auto tours and trekking outings, gatherings around the fire and delicious food await you. You will see the Kurai and Chui steppes, the North Chuisky ridge, Geyser Lake, the Ulagan Highlands, the Katu-Yaryk pass, the Chulyshman valley with the Kurkure waterfall and much more.
This is a unique active tour for those who want to see Altai outside the resort villages and popular locations.
The real beauty of this region begins precisely where, on the border of endless steppes, long mountain ranges rise, on the tops of which the snow does not melt even in summer. We will cover many kilometers of the Chuysky tract to reach beautiful glamping with well-appointed safari tents, and then we will make daily walks or auto excursions to places of attraction, including the legendary Altai Mars, the Kurai steppe, the Maashey gorge and the dizzying Katu-Yaryk pass. We will go down the Katu-Yaryk to the valley of the Chulyshman River, where we will visit one of the most beautiful waterfalls - Kurkure. If you want to see the true Altai and its mysterious wild paths, this tour is perfect for you! You will also get acquainted with the ancient history of the region: you will see rock paintings of the Kalbak-Tash tract and the mounds of Scythian leaders on the Ulagan Highlands, and hear a story about the unique Pazyryk culture. Not only the excursions and locations visited will be unusual, but also the place of residence. You will stay in a comfortable glamping camp, in stylish safari tents with all amenities (soft bed, toilet, hot shower). It is as comfortable as in a regular hotel room, but at the same time a completely special atmosphere! And the last night you will spend in a yurt on the territory of ethno-glamping, take part in a traditional Altai tea party, try on authentic national costumes and feel like a true nomad.
Our main place of residence for the duration of the tour is a stylish glamping site located in a protected area of Altai. 10 beautiful tents (safari tents) are spread among flowering valleys and mountain ranges: this is a very special holiday in maximum proximity to nature. The interior of the tents is thought out to the smallest detail, so you will definitely want to have a photo shoot not only outside, but also inside :) Each tent has a dry closet and a shower with hot water. The restaurant serves delicious set breakfasts and dinners with elements of oriental cuisine.
We will stay at this ethno-glamping site for one night on our way back to the airport. You will find accommodation in authentic yurts, delicious cuisine of the peoples of Central Asia, a peaceful atmosphere and beautiful views. The national flavor is also preserved inside the yurts; household items are decorated with elegant traditional ornaments. At the same time, you won’t have to give up comfort: the yurts are warm, and each has its own bathroom.
We meet at the airport of Gorno-Altaisk and set off on a long journey deep into the Altai Mountains! The transfer will take 8 hours, but it will not be a boring trip, but a most exciting journey. The Chuysky tract is one of the most beautiful roads in Russia and the world! And these are not empty words: the tract is regularly included in ratings compiled by authoritative publications such as National Geographic. As you progress, you will see how the landscape gradually changes, becoming more wild and beautiful, and the mountains grow from low hills to snow-capped peaks. We will make stops in the most picturesque and interesting locations: Seminsky Pass and Chike-Taman Pass, from which panoramic views open, the stormy Ilgumensky rapids, an observation deck at the confluence of the Chuya and Katun rivers, the ancient petroglyphs of the Kalbak-Tash tract. We will also have lunch with national dishes in a home-cooked cafe. In the evening we arrive at a campsite in the mountains, have dinner and relax.
The second day will be calm and relaxed. You can take a break from the flight and long transfer, take a walk around the glamping site and the surrounding area, lie in a hammock, and have a photo shoot in nature. In the middle of the day we will make an easy trek to a nearby mountain. It offers breathtaking panoramic views. In the evening - relax by the fire, under the starry sky. If you wish, you can also visit a hot cedar bathhouse on the bank of a mountain stream: just warm up or steam with fragrant birch brooms.
Today we will take a car excursion along the Chuisky tract towards the border with Mongolia. First of all, we will visit Geyser Lake, a small reservoir of piercing turquoise color, on the surface of which hot springs gushing from the bottom create amazing patterns. The next stop is in the endless Kurai steppes. Against the backdrop of a huge, flat expanse, a chain of snow-capped peaks rises on the horizon - this is the fantastically beautiful North Chuya Range. To fully enjoy this spectacle, we will make a short trek to the observation deck. Then you will find the Chui steppe, with its landscapes reminiscent of such close Mongolia, and a real miracle of nature - Altai Mars. Rocks of bizarre shapes were formed under the influence of winds and erosion, and the unusual red shades of stones and earth appeared due to their special mineral composition. Also on this day you will have lunch in the traditional dwelling of the Altai peoples - aile, and get to know the local culture better.
This is the most active day of the program with two trekking exits. After breakfast we go to the Maashey (Mazhoy) gorge, where the river of the same name flows. The journey on foot will take 1-2 hours, you will be rewarded with incredibly beautiful views of pristine nature: you will see majestic mountain slopes, green meadows, rushing streams and rivers. Before heading back along the same route, we will have a picnic at the mouth of the river. In the afternoon - trekking to the Chibit waterfalls (the journey there will take about an hour). The streams of water, compressed by dark rocks, do not fall from a very great height, but they look impressive. On sunny days, rainbows form above them, which is why one of the waterfalls received a second name - Rainbow.
On the fifth day - a car excursion to the most remote and protected places of Altai. Early in the morning we set off on an off-road bus. Along the way, crossing the Ulagan Highlands, you will see dead lakes and find out why they are called that, overcome the Ulagan Pass with its centuries-old pine trees, and visit the mysterious mounds of the Scythians. Then a grandiose sight awaits you: the Katu-Yaryk pass, stretching like a narrow winding ribbon down an almost vertical cliff. We'll stop at the top to take photos with the pass and valley far below in the background, and then head down this incredible road to the Chulyshman River canyon. After lunch, we will take a short hike to the deep Kurkure waterfall. In the evening - return to glamping.
We leave the hospitable Taigala glamping and return to civilization along the already familiar Chuysky tract. Along the way, we will make stops in those locations that we did not meet on the first day of the trip. We will also stop for lunch. In the afternoon we arrive at the ethno-glamping “Altai Nomad” at the Turquoise Katun resort. In the evening there will be a farewell dinner with traditional nomadic dishes and a small cultural program, during which everyone will be able to try on national Altai outfits.
After breakfast at the glamping, transfer to Gorno-Altaisk airport. See you again!
All the walking excursions we take are not very difficult - within 5-10 km, without sudden climbs. Therefore, the program is suitable for people without serious physical training.
The age category of the program is 12+.
On the main days of the program - full board (lunches can be replaced with picnics in picturesque natural locations). On the first day - lunch and dinner, on the last day - only breakfast.
This tour is suitable for groups of 8 to 14 people.
Insurance is not included in the tour price, but we recommend purchasing it before your trip. You can also get vaccinated in advance. In summer, ticks are actually found in Altai.