A journey to the heart of Altai

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You will go on a trip where in 10 days you will get acquainted with the most significant and energetically strong places of Altai. The expedition of the Roerich family in search of the mysterious Shambhala went this way, and the Old Believers who moved here many centuries ago.

You will visit the main shamanic valley, if desired, you will sail on a raft along the Katun River and fly by helicopter over Belukha, visit the Multinsky and Krasnogorsk lakes, visit the settlement of Old Believers, see the snow-white caps of the Katun ridge and the valley of waterfalls.

Location

Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Gorno-Altaysk

from

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

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Tour highlights

Mesmerizing Multin lakes

We will spend a few days away from civilization relaxing or fishing on the shore of a picturesque mountain lake

The Sacred peak

We will admire from the observation deck the sacred Belukha Mountain, which is considered the umbilical cord of the earth, equidistant from the oceans

Energy of Altai

We will immerse ourselves in the culture, way of life and customs of the Altai people, visit the places of ancient shamanic rituals

Itinerary

Day 1 - Getting to know Altai
09:00-10:00 Meeting in the parking lot in front of the airport of Gorno-Altaisk. A guide with a sign "Going to the mountains" will be waiting for you.
There are also options for those who are comfortable traveling from Novosibirsk and Barnaul.
5:00 Every Sunday meeting in Novosibirsk in the parking lot of the shopping center "Orange" at the address: Lenin Street, 84 (near the hotel "Marins Park"). Free transfer to the Altai Republic (460 km).
We recommend staying in a hotel or hotel there, from where it will be easy for you to join the group the next morning.
8.30 Every Sunday, a meeting near Barnaul in the parking lot of the Sea Buckthorn Group at the address: Novoaltaysk, Dorozhnaya str., 13. Free transfer to the Republic of Altai (260 km).
There we recommend you to stay in a hotel or a hotel, from where it will be easy for you to join the group the next morning.
10:00 a.m. We will start our journey with a trip along one of the most beautiful roads in the world – the Chui tract.
Fascinating views outside the window and interesting stories from the guide are waiting for you.
Stop at the Seminsky pass, where we will walk along the forest trail, admire the Siberian cedars and views of Sarlyk Mountain.
Accommodation at the campsite.
Visit the observation deck overlooking the Ursul River.
Supper.
In the evening, we will get acquainted with the legendary art of throat singing and hear Kai (folk epic) performed by Kaichi (singer-storyteller).
Meals: dinner.
Accommodation: Belaya Chud/Ongudai Eco Village campsite, double accommodation, room facilities.
By car: 200 km from Gorno-Altaysk.
Walking distance: 1.5 km.

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Day 2 - Karakol Valley, Uch-Enmek Nature Park
Early breakfast, check out of the rooms.
Today we will have a tour of the Karakol Valley and the Uch-Enmek Nature Park.
For centuries, the locals believed in the power of their land, conducted shamanic rituals here, and built ancient sanctuaries. The valley is rich in archaeological artifacts, many of which still remain mysteries.
The valley is crowned by the sacred and revered mountain Uch-Enmek.
The tour will help you immerse yourself in the culture, way of life and customs of the Altai people, and be filled with the healing energy of Altai.
After lunch, we will drive further into the Altai, to the highest mountains of the southern part of the Republic.
We will overcome three passes, see alpine meadows and colorful flowering meadows, the picturesque valley of the middle Katun.
The Roerich family passed this way during their expedition, the Old Believers went this way in search of the sacred Belovodye or the mysterious Shambhala.
In the evening we will find ourselves in the Uimon Valley.
Check-in, dinner.
Meals: breakfast, dinner.
Accommodation: Ark campsite/ Kamza Tract/ Fazenda, double accommodation, room amenities.
By car: 250 km.
Walking distance: 5 km.

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Day 3 - Belukha observation deck, optional helicopter flight or rafting along the Upper Katun River
Breakfast.
The ascent of passable equipment to the observation deck, from where, in good weather, you can see the highest point of Siberia – Mount Belukha.
The sacred peak of Uch-Sumer (Three-headed) is considered the umbilical cord of the earth, equidistant from the oceans. Many Buddhists believe that the legendary Shambhala is located on the top of Belukha, and it was from here that Gautama Buddha set off on his sacred journey.
Local legends say that Belukha Mountain is the Great Khan of Altai, to whom you can turn and gain deep sacred knowledge.
In addition to the snow-white crown of Beluga Whales, you will see fascinating landscapes of mountains, colorful fields of flowers from a height of more than 2000 meters.
A walk to the high-altitude Bashtalinsky lake.
For those who wish, it is possible to organize a helicopter flight to a panoramic view of Mount Belukha.
This service is optional, is not included in the main tour program, the tour operator cannot 100% guarantee the availability of a free helicopter. The cost of the service is 115,000 rubles. (for the Robinson-66 helicopter), this cost is divided by the number of willing participants. The maximum capacity of the helicopter is 4 people.
You must inform your guide in advance about your desire to fly.
As an additional program, you can raft along the Upper Katun River.
This is an unforgettable adventure, which includes about 2 hours on the water under the guidance of an experienced instructor with an abundance of splashes and adrenaline. In addition to passing the thresholds, you will see the stunning nature of Altai (the cost of rafting is 2500-2700 rubles).
Supper.
Rest at the campsite.
Meals: breakfast, dinner.
Accommodation: Ark campsite/ Kamza Tract/Fazenda, double accommodation, room amenities.
By car: 80 km.
Walking distance: 7 km.

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Day 4 - Multin Lakes, Katunsky Nature Reserve, motorboat sailing
After breakfast, we pack our bags and go even further away from civilization.
We will cross the taiga mountain road on the legendary GAZ-66 army SUV.
Try to count the fords on the way to the Lower Multin Lake. There we will stay in a cozy tour shelter, have lunch (dry rations) and walk along the Lower and Middle Lakes, admire the picturesque waterfall between them.
For the next 2 nights we will spend the night at the base with rustic-type facilities on the street (there are no other types of accommodation here yet), bed linen is provided, there is no Wi–Fi, meals are provided in the field kitchen.
In the following days, you can:
spend time relaxing, swimming, fishing, picking blueberries in the privacy of mountain lakes and forests, it is possible to rent saps for an additional fee;
take an easy trekking trip to the Shumy waterfall, you can also take a walk on a motor boat;
make an active radial exit to Lake Kuyguk (18 km) or to the Upper Multinsky Lake (22 km). Please note that the third option implies an increased complexity of the route, the presence of trekking boots, the passage of the route requires physical training, coordination and extreme caution, the trail is rocky, slippery after rain, there is a relief with a high angle of inclination.
On the evening of the second day there is a sauna.
Meals: breakfast (in a cafe / field kitchen), lunch (dry rations / field kitchen), dinner (field kitchen).
Accommodation: tour shelter (2-5 people in a house / village), there is no shower – there is a sauna, a toilet on the street. For some dates, rooms with amenities, please specify when booking.
By car: 60 km.
On GAZ-66: 20 km.
By water: 6 km (optional).
Walking distance: 6 km-22 km (optional).

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Day 5 - Recreation on the Multin lakes
Free day on the Multin lakes.
On this day, you can:
spend time relaxing, swimming, fishing, picking blueberries in the privacy of mountain lakes and forests, it is possible to rent saps for an additional fee;
take an easy trekking trip to the Shumy waterfall, you can also take a walk on a motor boat;
make an active radial exit to Lake Kuyguk (18 km) or to the Upper Multinsky Lake (22 km). Please note that the third option implies an increased complexity of the route, the presence of trekking boots. The passage of the route requires physical training, coordination and special care: the trail is rocky, slippery after rain, there is a relief with a high angle of inclination.
In the evening there is a sauna.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner (field kitchen).
Accommodation: tour shelter (2-5 people in a house / village), there is no shower – there is a sauna, a toilet on the street. There are no bases with amenities here yet, you will live in the wilderness of the reserve.
By water: 6 km (optional).
Walking distance: 6 km-22 km (optional).

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Day 6 - Free day on the Multin lakes
We continue to enjoy our vacation in a beautiful place in the Altai Mountains.
Today you can:
spend time relaxing, swimming, fishing, picking blueberries in the privacy of mountain lakes and forests, it is possible to rent saps for an additional fee;
take an easy trekking trip to the Shumy waterfall, you can also take a walk on a motor boat;
make an active radial exit to Lake Kuyguk (18 km) or to the Upper Multinsky Lake (22 km). Please note that the third option implies an increased complexity of the route, the presence of trekking boots. The passage of the route requires physical training, coordination and special care: the trail is rocky, slippery after rain, there is a relief with a high angle of inclination.
Meals: breakfast (in a cafe / field kitchen), lunch (dry ration / field kitchen), dinner (field kitchen).
Accommodation: tour shelter (2-5 people in a house / village), there is no shower – there is a sauna, a toilet on the street. There are no bases with amenities here yet, you will live in the wilderness of the reserve.
By water: 6 km (optional).
Walking distance: 6 km-22 km (optional).

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Day 7 - Lower Multinskoye Lake, Roerichs House Museum, Museum of Old Believers, Strelka Koksa and Katun
We will spend the morning on the Lower Multin Lake, where you can walk through the wonderful forest, swim or sunbathe on the shore.
Then we will return on the familiar beast-the GAZ-66 car. We will head to the Uymon valley, to the village of Verh-Uymon, where the Roerichs family stayed in the house of the Atamanov family, where the museum is now located.
In addition, we will visit the Museum of the history and culture of the Old Believers, the soul of which is its founder Raisa Pavlovna.
Many people travel a long way just to listen to the wise stories of this amazing woman. After meeting her, the soul is filled with kindness and love.
Next, we will stop at the Multinsky suspension bridge.
And in the village of Ust-Koksa, we will admire the picturesque confluence of the Koksa and Katun rivers.
Check-in.
Supper.
Recreation at the base.
Meals: breakfast (field kitchen), dinner.
Accommodation: Ark campsite, double accommodation, room facilities. There is Wi-Fi and a mobile connection.
By car: 60 km.
On GAZ-66: 20 km.
Walking distance: 2 km.

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Day 8 - Lakes of the Red Mountain
Breakfast.
Today we will go to an amazing mountain of volcanic origin — the Red Mountain.
This is a natural object that attracts scientists with its anomalies, yogis with its magical atmosphere, and herbalists with an abundance of medicinal plants.
At an altitude of more than 2000 m, among fragrant flowers and melting snow, there are 3 high-altitude transparent turquoise lakes and a waterfall, and from the observation deck there is a charming view of the Terektinsky and Katunsky ridges.
We will take a full-day trip, lunch (lunch boxes) with us.
We'll be back at the base by dinner.
Meals: breakfast, lunch (lunch box), dinner.
Accommodation: Ark campsite, double accommodation, room facilities. There is Wi-Fi and mobile connection.
By car: 120 km.
Walking distance: 5 km.

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Day 9 - Return transfer, bison reserve, farewell dinner
Today we will leave Ust-Koksinsky district and set off on our way back to the north of Altai.
On the way, we will make stops at picturesque passes.
In the afternoon, we will visit the bison reserve, where 48 Red Book bison animals live in as close to natural conditions as possible.
By evening, we will reach the most popular area of the Altai Republic – Maiminsky.
Check-in at the hotel.
Farewell dinner and exchange of impressions in a restaurant in Gorno-Altaisk.
The next morning you can continue your independent rest, after which you can easily get to the airport of Gorno-Altaisk by taxi (30 min.), Yandex works. Taxi, or leave by an organized transfer, according to the schedule.
Meals: breakfast, dinner at the restaurant.
Accommodation: Igman Hotel, double accommodation, room facilities.
By car: 370 km.
Walking distance: 1.5 km.

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Day 10 - Transfer to the airport
Today you are offered 2 program options to choose from:
Option 1. Organized transfer to the airport of Gorno-Altaysk, Barnaul, Novosibirsk in the morning.
If you take morning flights from Gorno-Altaisk and do not plan to visit the museum. Anokhina:
07:00-08:00 Breakfast (buffet).
08:10-08:40 Transfer to Gorno-Altaisk airport for guests departing on morning flights. Farewell to the participants.
08:40-13:00 Transfer to Barnaul (Novoaltaysk, hotel complex "Sea Buckthorn", Dorozhnaya str., 13). Please note that it takes about 1 hour by taxi from Novoaltaysk to Barnaul airport.
13:00-17:00 Transfer to Novosibirsk, Lenin str., 84. Farewell to the participants following to the city of Novosibirsk. Marins Park Hotel and Park Inn Radisson are located nearby.
Option 2. Continuation of independent rest.
If you fly on daytime or evening flights from Gorno-Altaysk and continue your vacation in the Altai Republic.
07:00-10:00 Breakfast (buffet).
10:00-11:00 Check out of the rooms.
11:00 Continuation of the independent program.
We recommend that you additionally visit the National Museum. Anokhina (entrance fee from 250 rubles).
It is here that the mummy of the famous Altai princess from the Ukok plateau is kept, the object is shown only on certain days of the new moon, the schedule of the princess's display can be found on the museum's website.
In addition to the Ukok Princess, the museum includes an exposition of the most interesting archaeological finds and a rich ethnographic collection.
If you do not want to visit the museum and the morning transfer is also not included in your plans, then you can walk around the city on your own, visit squares, shops, an observation deck on Tugaya Mountain.
Note: if you have purchased air tickets from Gorno-Altaysk with evening departures and a transfer according to the tour program is inconvenient for you, then we recommend that you hand over your belongings to the luggage room of the Gorno-Altaysk bus station, walk around the city and leave for the airport yourself by taxi at the required time (Yandex works.Taxi, cost 350-500 rubles.).

Difficulty

Low physical intensity for amateurs and non-experienced travelers

Accommodation

Camp Site

8 nights
Hotel

1 night

Comfort

Basic+

The tour provides accommodation at camp sites along the way.

All the camp sites for the route are located in picturesque places on the banks of rivers.

Campsite No. 1: 1-2 days (1 night). Belaya Chud campsite/Ongudai Eco Village, double accommodation, room amenities.

Campsite No. 2: 2-4 days (2 nights). Campsite "Ark"/ "Kamza tract"/ "Fazenda", double accommodation, room amenities.

Campsite No. 3: 4-7 days (3 nights). A tourist shelter (2-5 people in a house / village), there is no shower – there is a sauna, a toilet on the street. For some dates, rooms with amenities, please specify when booking.

Campsite No. 4: 7-9 day (2 nights). Ark campsite, double room amenities. There is Wi-Fi and a mobile connection.

Hotel No. 5: 09-10 day (1 night). Igman Hotel, double accommodation, room facilities.

Total: 10 days/09 nights.

Please specify details about possible accommodation options for a specific arrival date when booking.

The surcharge for single occupancy is 31,000 rubles (except for the Multin Lakes).

Single occupancy is not available on all dates. It is necessary to check with the manager for a specific check-in date.

The possible placement options are presented below.

The Belaya Chud estate is located in the village of Ongudai, a kilometer from the Chuysky tract. The estate is designed for family holidays with children, youth and corporate holidays. The small capacity of the estate allows one group of guests to stay here. At the disposal of vacationers is a comfortable wooden house, a sauna, picnic areas, a landscaped fenced yard. The estate is open all year round.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 16 tourists

Minimum age

7 years old

Duration

10 days 9 nights

Group meets at

Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Gorno-Altaysk

Included in price

minibus transfers from Novosibirsk/Barnaul/Gorno-Altaisk and back;
all intra-route transfers and movements;
off-road car:
- return delivery from the merger of Ak-Kem and Katun;
- The Multin Lakes;
- Krasnogorsk Lakes;
- a trip to the observation deck with a view of the city of Belukha and Lake Bashtala;
nutrition:
- 9 breakfasts;
- 9 dinners;
- 4 lunches;
accommodation at camp sites, double, according to the program;
guide support – 9 days;
public equipment rental;
bathhouse – 1 time;
recreational fees;
entrance tickets to sightseeing sites;
boat trip on the Lower Multinsky Lake;
all excursions according to the tour program, except those marked in "extra charge".

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Novosibirsk/Barnaul/Gorno-Altaisk and back.
meals not included in the program: 6 lunches, meals during transfers (1.10 days);
rafting on the Katun river, equipment rental – 2500-2700 rubles.;
helicopter flight – 115,000 rubles. (for the Robinson-66 helicopter), this cost is divided by the number of willing participants. The maximum capacity of the helicopter is 4 people.

It's important to know

The list of things for sightseeing tours for spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October):

Shoes: sneakers with thick soles;
replacement shoes: track. shoes (preferably a fixed ankle), comfortable, already worn, so as not to rub. If there is no such shoe option, you can replace it with non-slippery, comfortable sneakers (not mesh!). You can use rubber boots or comfortable warm boots;
for traveling along the route: any comfortable pants / jeans, a comfortable turtleneck or fleece jacket, T-shirt, jacket (ski or light jacket with sintepon is well suited), gloves (cotton, fleece);
a cap;
for bad weather: hat, gloves, fleece, windproof jacket or vest+ windbreaker, warm socks;
raincoat;
personal hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, washcloth;
bath accessories (if you want to order it separately): flip-flops, swimsuit, towel (not large towels are available at all bases, except in remote areas. Check with the guide or the route manager);
If you can't do without a hair dryer, we recommend that you bring your own;
a personal first aid kit with the medicines you need. There are pharmacies along the route, but not everywhere and the choice of medicines is very limited;
a small backpack for radial walks. Where will you need for the day (raincoat, jacket, water, camera, etc.);
sunscreens and glasses. Altai has a very active sun, even in cool weather. Therefore, we recommend taking sunscreen -50;
of the useful, but not mandatory things: an individual small thermos, a hob or a tourist seat, a shoe dryer. This is optional, but it will be more comfortable to travel with them;
cash. Cards are not accepted at souvenir markets, and there may not be a connection for transfer;
important! in Altai, the tick season (April-June): repellent (it will be possible to buy it in Altai), long socks! We will tuck our pants into socks in places where there are ticks. There are practically no mosquitoes and midges in Altai.

The list of things for sightseeing tours for June-August:

Shoes: sneakers with thick soles, comfortable sandals or moccasins for a hot summer day;
replacement shoes: track. shoes (preferably a fixed ankle), comfortable, already worn, so as not to rub. If there is no such shoe option, you can replace it with non-slippery, comfortable sneakers (not mesh);
for traveling along the route: any comfortable pants/jeans – 2 pairs, a long sleeve T-shirt (to protect against burns), shorts, a light T-shirt, a swimsuit, a headdress (from the sun);
for bad weather: hat, fleece, windproof jacket or vest+ windbreaker, warm socks;
raincoat;
personal hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, washcloth;
bath accessories: flip-flops, swimsuit, towel (small towels are available at all bases, except in remote areas. Check with the guide or the route manager).
those who cannot do without a hair dryer, we recommend you to bring your own, because there are not everywhere in the Altai bases;
a personal first aid kit with the medicines you need. There are pharmacies along the route, but not everywhere and the choice of medicines is very limited;
a small backpack for radial walks. Where will you need for the day (raincoat, jacket, water, camera, etc.);
sunscreens and glasses. The Altai has a very active sun, even in bad weather. Therefore, we recommend taking sunscreen -50;
of useful, but not mandatory things: An individual small thermos, a hob or a tourist seat. Shoe dryer. This is optional, but it will be more comfortable to travel with them;
cash. Cards are not accepted at souvenir markets, and there may not be a connection for transfer.
important! in Altai, the tick season (April-June): repellent (it will be possible to buy it in Altai), long socks! We will tuck our pants into socks in places where there are ticks. There are practically no mosquitoes and midges in Altai.

Basic things can be carried in a suitcase;

Items can be transported in any bags and suitcases. Do not take extra things with you.

Altai hotels do not have a service for delivering things to the room, 90% of hotels are not equipped with elevators, you will carry things from the car to the room yourself.

It is very important to tell about the ticks that scare tourists.

The peak is in May and until mid–June. Not every tick is encephalitic. That is, many of them are completely harmless. But it is possible to distinguish a vector from a regular one only in the laboratory.

How to minimize the risk of tick-borne encephalitis?

A few points:

Don't let the ticks bite you. Look around when hiking in the forest, take off your clothes on time. It is not difficult to notice a tick on the body. If you hit a bush, you looked at your feet, if there is a tick, just throw it off. In practice, this is a very, very effective way (and I am writing about what I have tested, the advice is extremely practical). Additionally, it is advisable to treat clothes with a repellent.
Vaccination. It is done in a polyclinic. If you do a full course of three vaccinations, then immunity can last up to 3 years. I will not dissuade from vaccinations, but in practice, vaccination does not always work. A lot of people, hoping for a vaccination, get sick. Maybe that's why neither I nor my friends make them. This is a big topic for discussion, many people believe that there is a lot of harm from these vaccinations, etc. Everyone makes their own choice.
After a tick bite, carry out emergency prevention. Within 72 hours, you need to get an injection of immunoglobulin and take iodantipyrine. This is not a vaccination, but a fight against an infection that has already been received. Such an injection is quite expensive (about 1000 rubles per 10 kilograms of body weight).

But there is a method of protection that is used for the unvaccinated, and which allows you not to force your immune system unnecessarily. It consists of three stages:

we insure ourselves in case of a tick bite in an insurance company, which allows us to compensate for the cost of an immunoglobulin injection. You need to send us an application for tick bite insurance now if you have purchased a ticket for April-May;
in case of a tick bite, we pull it out and take it to the laboratory for analysis for the presence of infections (Gorno-Altaysk, 17 Kommunistichesky Ave.). It is better to take it right away, since there are only 72 hours for everything about everything;
if the tick is "clean", then we sleep peacefully. If the tick-borne encephalitis virus is found, then we proceed to emergency prevention, then we reimburse the costs for insurance.

This method minimizes unnecessary medical interventions. I repeat, everyone is responsible for their own health, someone can just rely on "maybe", pull out the tick and move on.

Dates and Prices

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5 – 14 Aug 10 days 9 nights

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12 – 21 Aug 10 days 9 nights

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19 – 28 Aug 10 days 9 nights
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2 – 11 Sep 10 days 9 nights

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9 – 18 Sep 10 days 9 nights

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16 – 25 Sep 10 days 9 nights

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