A car tour of the Altai Mountains. When the maralnik blooms

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Spring is the brightest time in the Altai Mountains, a time of contrasts, bright blooming glades and snowfields on the peaks of the mountains. In early May, the maralnik blooms — a symbol of the Altai spring.

You will admire the blooming maralnik in the valley of the Chulyshman River, where at this time you can also see powerful spring waterfalls and one of the wonders of nature — Stone mushrooms. In just 6 days, you will drive a thousand kilometers, enjoying the reviving nature of Altai, see panoramas of glaciers, an amazing Geyser Lake and ancient mounds.

Descents and ascents along the mountain serpentine, breathtaking views, relaxation of body and soul in cozy wooden houses and a hot bathhouse are waiting for you.

Location

Barnaul, Gorno-Altaisk

Sightseeing tours

from

Early
booking

Contact the tour coordinator

Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)

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Tour highlights

Pink-purple avalanches of the mountains

Let's breathe in the invigorating scent of spring flowers and take amazing photos!

Siberian bathhouse

After the intense Altai adventures, we will steam in a hot Russian bathhouse

One of the wonders of Russia

We will see "Stone mushrooms" — such mushrooms still "grow" several mm per year, and reach a height of 7 meters!

Invigorating hiking

We will feel the powerful energy of the mountain canyons — we will have a short hike down and up the serpentine

Itinerary

Day 1 - The first acquaintance with the Altai Mountains
We will meet in Barnaul on the square. We will start at 8:00-8:30 and leave for the Altai Republic, there will be sanitary stops and breakfast along the way.
At 12:00-12:30 we arrive in the city of Gorno-Altaysk, where we meet with the rest of the group.
Having refreshed ourselves at lunch in the village of Karlushka, we will begin to get acquainted with the Altai Mountains, nature, culture, history and national peculiarities.
We will take a half-hour walk along the suspension bridge over the beautiful Katun River, to the picturesque Kamyshlinsky waterfall.
The waterfall itself impresses with its beauty and power.
A tourist infrastructure has been created around the waterfall, where those who wish will visit the beekeeping museum, souvenir shops, drink tea and even test themselves on a trolley descent (not included in the price).
We will return back the same way or by motor boat (extra charge, from 700 rubles / person) along the Katun River, which will add unforgettable impressions from the “take-off” of the boat on choppy water.
Next, we will visit the Altai village, where a fascinating story about the life and national cuisine of the Altai peoples from a cultural speaker awaits; throat singing - kai and tasting dishes of national cuisine.
Check-in at the base and rest.
Impressions of the day: waterfall on the Kamyshla River, ethno-village, throat singing, national cuisine.

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Day 2 - Chuisky tract
At 9:00 we vacate the rooms, have breakfast and hit the road to enjoy the scenery of the Chui tract.
According to National Geographic magazine, the road ranks fifth in the list of the most beautiful roads on the planet.
Frequent landscape changes, photo shoots in the maralnik flowering areas, small walks in the brightest locations of the tract will give delight and make this day unforgettable.
We will arrive at the place of accommodation later in the evening.
Check-in at the base, rest.
Impressions of the day: the Seminsky Pass, the Chike-Taman pass, the Yalomanskaya Arc, the place of power – the confluence of the Chuya and Katuni rivers, the Katun Terraces, the archaeological complex Adyr-Kan, the old Chuisky tract.

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Day 3 - Space adventures
Breakfast and back on the road.
Today we are waiting for the most remote area of the Altai Republic with exotic landscapes similar to the neighboring territories of Mongolia.
We will stop in the Kurai steppe and enjoy the views of the glaciers of the North Chui Range, the largest in Central Asia.
Next, we will change the transport to off-road and plunge into the atmosphere of space travel in the valley of the Chagan-Uzun River.
The Martian and lunar landscapes of the tract give the impression that you are on another planet.
After lunch, we will admire the beauty of the Blue Lake on the Mena River.
Underground springs erode the silt and blue-white clay at the bottom and create bizarre drawings.
What kind of drawings will we see today? Return to the campsite, free time.
Impressions of the day: Geyser Lake, Kurai and Chui steppe, North Chui ridge, “Altai Mars", "Moon".
Difficulty of the day: moving to UAZ-loaf, 40 km of dirt road.

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Day 4 - To the land of a thousand lakes
At 9:00 we vacate the rooms, have breakfast and set off along the Ulagan highway along the Chibitka River to the edge of a thousand lakes.
The landscape around will gradually change, the trees will become lower, the temperature will drop, and the picture will resemble a high-altitude tundra.
We will visit the complex of five large mounds of the Pazyryk tract and touch the ancient secrets of Altai.
The burial mounds belong to the elite of the Pazyryk society and date back to the V–IV centuries BC.
Then, from the observation deck, from a height of 800 m, we will admire the grandiose view of the Chulyshman River valley and the surrounding mountains.
After lunch and accommodation at the recreation center, we will cross the Chulyshman river and walk to the Kurkure waterfall.
At the end of spring, the waterfall is especially impressive with its rapid rapid flow.
Impressions of the day: Red Gate, Ulagan pass, "Royal" mounds, Uzun-kel Lake, Uch-kel Lake, Katu-Yaryk pass, Kurkure waterfall.
Difficulty of the day: hiking down the Katu-Yaryk pass – 3.5 km, height difference – 800 m, dirt road, dust; trekking to the waterfall, without climbing uphill – 3 km; dirt road – 100 km.

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Day 5 - The Wonders of Chulyshman
At 9:00 we vacate the rooms, have breakfast and go deep into the Chulyshmansky canyon.
On the way, we will stop on the banks of the Chulyshman River and from the observation deck we will be impressed by one of the largest waterfalls in Russia – Kuluzun and the power of the Tudan threshold.
Next, a walk in the Ak-Kurum tract to the Stone mushrooms.
Unusual rock formations resemble mushrooms, thanks to their “caps" and “legs".
They seem to live their own lives, changing shape and size under the influence of natural forces.
Going up to the Stone Mushrooms, we will enjoy a stunning view of the winding waters of the Chulyshman River and its quiet tract.
After lunch, we set off on our way back towards the village of Aktash.
We will make a stop at the Ulagan pass, walk to the observation deck and Kidel Lake.
In the evening – dinner, accommodation at the base, a farewell bonfire.
Impressions of the day: Stone mushrooms, Tudan threshold, Katu-Yaryk pass, Kedelu-Kel Lake, Red Gate.
Difficulty of the day: hiking up the Katu-Yaryk pass – 3.5 km, height difference – 800 m, dirt road, stones, dust; trekking on Stone mushrooms – 2.5 km, height difference – 500 m; dirt road – 180 km.

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Day 6 - Goodbye, Altai!
At 8:00 we vacate the rooms, have breakfast and set off along the Chui highway on the way back.
To make the road interesting, we planned to visit several fascinating places: the Ilgumen threshold on the Katun River, the Ininsky sand pillars and the Tsaplinsky Bridge.
In the evening, with a lot of emotions and a lot of memories, we return to Barnaul.
Impressions of the day: Chuisky tract, Ilgumen threshold, Ininsky sand pillars, Tsaplinsky Bridge, Seminsky Pass, Chike-Taman pass, Yalomanskaya Arc, Katun terraces, old Chuisky tract.

Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Tour organizer's comments

Sightseeing car tour with radial exits. On average, the crossings are 150-300 kilometers per day. We make stops every 1.5-2 hours, so the journey will not be tedious. The length of the automobile part of the route is 1,620 km, of which 320 km is a dirt road.

Accommodation

Camp Site

6 nights

Comfort

Basic+

The tour provides accommodation at camp sites along the route.

Day 1 – guest house "Mountains&Pines", "manor "River" or similar;
2.3 day – village of Aktash/Chibit: campsite "KaraSuu", "Start", "Shavlo" or similar;
Day 4 – Chulyshman river valley, Chulyshman Valley camp site or similar;
Day 5 – village Aktash /Chibit: campsite "KaraSuu", "Start", "Shavlo" or similar.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the accommodation, RUB.:

Double room	Single room
73 300	86 300

Bed linen and a small towel are provided. Hair dryers and hygiene kits are not available everywhere. It is possible to order a sauna at all camp sites; it is paid on the spot – from 2000 rubles per hour, at least 2 hours. Bath towels are not provided everywhere, we recommend taking them with you.

Campsite “Mountains and Pines”

Well-maintained 3-storey house made of pine timber; comfortable 2, 3 and 4-bed rooms with mountain views; bathroom with toilet, shower and washing machine on each floor; large kitchen-living room with TV, stove, microwave, kettle, coffee maker and dishes; landscaped territory with a summer kitchen and a barbecue area; a chic Russian sauna; free Wi-Fi.

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Another option

Manor "River"

A studio room of 15 sq.m. with a bathroom made of cedar beams, a separate entrance to the room from the street, its own terrace with a table and chairs.

Each room has a:

toilet;
sink;
shower with cold and hot water;
mirror;
liquid soap;
toilet paper;
foot towel;
shelving with shelves;
double bed;
double sofa bed;
bed linen, blankets and pillows;
two towels for each (one for hands, one for body);
teapot;
two coffee tables;
plates, mugs, spoons, forks, small kitchen knife, chopping block -plastic
food storage containers;
mini refrigerator;
heater;
sockets.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 18 tourists

Minimum age

6 years old

Duration

6 days 5 nights

Group meets at

Barnaul, Gorno-Altaisk

Included in price

transportation services according to the program;
set breakfasts from day 2 to day 6;
rent a cross-country car;
overnight stays at the hotel/campsite;
the excursion program;
crossing the Chulyshman river;
payment of recreational fees and entrance tickets.

Paid extra

flights to Barnaul/ Gorno-Altaisk and back;
meals in cafes, lunches and dinners, the average check is 500-600 rubles.;
tick bite insurance (May-June period) 600 rubles.

It's important to know

a warm set of clothes: a windproof jacket, a sweater, warm trousers or a fleece suit, a hat, several pairs of warm socks;
raincoat/waterproof suit with hood;
summer hiking comfortable things (several T-shirts, shorts, trousers, socks, a sun hat - a cap or a bandana);
shoes – comfortable, well-worn boots or sneakers, slates or sandals for relaxation;
a small backpack for things on excursions, walks (to put a jacket, a water bottle, a first aid kit, etc.);
personal hygiene items, a small towel;
individual first aid kit, individual medicines, in the presence of chronic diseases;
0.5 l bottle under water;
sunscreen, sunglasses (high solar activity);
cash for souvenirs, other personal expenses;
documents, passport, MHI policy,
insurance against tick-borne encephalitis in case of its presence;
powerbank;
repellents, tick protection products (the highest tick activity in May and early June).

Dates and Prices

$732

30 Apr – 5 May, 2025 6 days 5 nights

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No need to pay now
$732

7 – 12 May, 2025 6 days 5 nights

Submit request
No need to pay now