Big Country Travel: Trips to Russia, Adventure Tours & Vacation Packages

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You will embark on a journey where in 8 days you will get acquainted with the most significant and energetically powerful places in Altai. The expedition of the Roerich family went this way in search of the mysterious Shambhala, and the Old Believers who migrated here many centuries ago.

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

Location

Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Gorno-Altaysk

from

Early
booking

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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

Let's immerse ourselves in the culture, way of life and customs of the Altai people, meditate in Places of Power.

Itinerary

Day 1 - The Uymonsky highway. The Kansk steppe. Ust-Kansk cave. Katun River
08:00-09:30 Meeting in the parking lot in front of the airport in Gorno-Altaysk.
There are also options for those who find it convenient to travel from Novosibirsk and Barnaul (see Important to know).
09:30-12:00 We will start the journey with a trip along one of the most beautiful roads in the world – the Chuisky highway.
You will find fascinating views outside the window and interesting stories from the guide.
Stop at the Seminsky pass, where We will admire the Siberian cedars and views of Mount Sarlyk.
And also, we will have lunch on the Swedish line (extra charge).
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 glades, picturesque river valleys.
The Roerich family traveled this path during their expedition, and the Old Believers followed this path in search of the sacred Belovodye or the mysterious Shambhala.
In the evening we will be in the Uimon valley at the cozy mountain hotel "Ark".
Check-in to rooms with amenities for two people per room.
Dinner and an evening of dating around a cozy campfire bowl.
Meals included: dinner.
Accommodation No. 1: Kovcheg Hotel, double room, room facilities.
Excursions and activities: a trip to the Uimon Valley
By car: 378 km. Walking distance: 1.5 km.

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Day 2 - Belukha city observation deck. A walk through the highlands. Bashtalinsky lake
Breakfast.
Climbing with 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 at the top of Belukha, and it was from here that Gautama Buddha set off on his sacred journey.
Local legends say that Mount Belukha is the Great Khan of Altai, to whom one can turn and gain deep sacred knowledge.
In addition to the snow-white crown of the Beluga Whale, you will see fascinating landscapes of mountains, colorful fields of flowers from a height of more than 2000 meters.
Walk to the high-altitude Bashtalinsky lake.
Return with a passable technique.
Supper.
Rest at the campsite.
Note: the top of Mount Belukha is visible only in absolutely clear, cloudless weather.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner.
Accommodation No. 1: Kovcheg Hotel, double occupancy, room facilities.
Excursions and activities: a walk to the observation deck with a view of Mount Belukha, Bashtalinsky Lake.
By car: 80 km. Walking distance: 7 km.

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Day 3 - The Uimon Valley. Meeting with the Old Believers. A trip to the Lower Multinsky Lake. Motor boat trip
Breakfast.
Check out of the rooms.
After breakfast, we pack our bags and set off even further from civilization to the most beautiful places in Altai.
Our way will pass through the famous Old Believer village of Verkh-Uymon.
There we will visit an ancient house that has preserved the way of life and culture of the Old Believers, the soul of the museum house is its founder Raisa Pavlovna.
Many people travel thousands of kilometers just to listen to the wise stories of this amazing woman.
After meeting her, the soul is filled with kindness, light and love.
Next, 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 Multinskoye Lake.
There we will stay at a cozy base, have lunch (dry rations) and walk along the Lower and Middle Lakes, admire the picturesque water slide between them.
For the next 3 nights we will stay here, with the amenities on the floor and the rustic amenities on the street.
It is also possible to stay in a domed glamping with a toilet and sink in the room (with an additional charge) or in beautiful chalets with all amenities (with an additional charge, there are only 3 of them in this location, so you need to book places as early as possible).
Bed linen and furniture are provided for any type of accommodation (no Wi-Fi, no mobile connection, meals are provided in the field kitchen).
In the evening – dinner, socializing at a communal table or around a campfire.
Meals included: breakfast in the cafe, lunch (lunch box), dinner (field kitchen).
Accommodation No. 2: the Multinational Lakes campsite (2-5 people in a room / house), there is no shower – there is a sauna, a toilet on the floor or on the street. You will live in the wilderness of the reserve. If desired, for an additional fee, you can rent a dome glamping with a sink and toilet in the room or a separate chalet with a shower and toilet in the room.
Excursions and activities: meeting with Old Believers, drop-off to the lower Multinsky lake, visit to the lower and middle Multinsky lakes, boating with a motor, visit to the Shumy water slide.
Auto: 60 km, GAS-66: 20 km. By water: 3 km. Walking distance: 5 km

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Day 4 - Hiking on Lake Kuyguk or relaxing on the shore of Lower Multinskoye Lake
1 Version of the day's program. Kuyguk Lake hike.
Early breakfast.
Preparing for a hike to Lake Kuyguk.
The trail, waterfall and lake are extremely beautiful, but when deciding on a hike, you must understand that you will face heavy physical exertion, uncertain weather, and a wild mountain trail without any infrastructure.
The trail is in both directions (there and back – 18 km). It passes through various mountain terrain with climbing and dropping heights. In case of rain on the eve or on the day of the hike, the trail can be very slippery.
The trail takes a full day to complete from morning to evening, and recreation and camping lunch (tea, sandwiches, dried fruits) will be organized on Lake Kuyguk.
In the evening, a sauna, dinner and a discussion of the impressions of this magnificent day are waiting for you at the base.
Note: in order to participate in the hike, participants must have trekking boots and trekking poles (in the case of hiking the route). It is necessary to have good physical fitness, coordination, and a stable mind, because in moments of fatigue you will need to show self-control and will). Hiking is not recommended for participants suffering from any diseases or injuries. If you decide to participate in the hike in advance, we recommend that you attend cardio sessions at least 3 months before the start of the hike.
Also, it is possible to order an ATV on site (the service is provided by a local contractor, the cost is 25,000-28,000 rubles. depending on the season, payment is made on site, to a third-party company, is not a service of our company, an instructor will be driving), or rent a horse from a local horse breeder (payment is made to the horse breeder on site, is not a service our company).
The 2nd version of the day's program. A day of rest on a beautiful mountain lake.
Breakfast with a group or the opportunity to sleep as long as you want and have breakfast late.
The group is going camping, and today is your day off.
In good weather, you can sunbathe on the shore of the Multinskoe Lake, take a leisurely walk along a good forest path and breathe in the air saturated with the aromas of cedar, juniper, and lake freshness, swim in the invigorating water, go fishing, pick blueberries (according to the season), rent a ski and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding world from the water, have a picnic with herbal tea and sandwiches in the place where you want to spend exactly as much time there as you want to read your favorite book.
In the evening, dinner with a group.
Sauna with direct access to the lake.
Meals included: breakfast (field kitchen), camping lunch (sandwiches, dried fruits, nuts, tea, chocolate), dinner (field kitchen).
Accommodation No. 2: the Multinational Lakes campsite (2-5 people in a room / house), there is no shower – there is a sauna, a toilet on the floor or on the street.
You will live in the wilderness of the reserve. If desired, for an additional fee. For a fee, you can rent a dome glamping with a sink and toilet in the room or a separate chalet with a shower and toilet in the room.
Excursions and activities: trekking to Lake Kuyguk (depending on the group's preparation and weather conditions, in case of adverse weather conditions and insufficient physical fitness of the participants, the hike may be canceled.) or a relaxing day at the base. In the evening – a sauna.
Walking distance: 18 km or a relaxing day with an independent program.

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Day 5 - A walk in the mountains to the panoramic view of the Multin lakes
Breakfast.
A walk to the mountains, from where you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the Multin lakes.
You will be able to see the locations that you have already visited in previous days on the map, feel how big the mountains are and how small we are.
Picnic in a blooming meadow.
Meditation in a place of power.
Getting to know the plants endemic to Altai.
Return to the base.
Rest on the shore of the Multinskoe lake.
Dinner and farewell to the fabulous world of the Multin Lakes.
Bathhouse.
Meals included: breakfast (field kitchen), camping lunch (sandwiches, dried fruits, nuts, tea, chocolate), dinner (field kitchen).
Accommodation No. 2: the Multinational Lakes campsite (2-5 people in a room / house), there is no shower – there is a sauna, a toilet on the floor or on the street. You will live in the wilderness of the reserve. If desired, for an additional fee. For a fee, you can rent a dome glamping with a sink and toilet in the room or a separate chalet with a shower and toilet in the room.
Excursions and activities: trekking to the panoramic view of the Multin Lakes.
Walking distance: 10 km.

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Day 6 - Lower Multinskoe Lake, Roerichs House Museum or Museum of Reindeer Husbandry, Koksa and Katuni Arrow
Breakfast (field kitchen).
We will spend the morning at the Lower Multinskoye Lake, where you can walk through the wonderful forest, swim or sunbathe on the shore.
Then we will have a return trip on the GAZ-66 beast, which is already familiar to us.
We will head to the Uymon valley, to the village of Verh-Uymon, where the Roerich family stayed in the house of the Atamanov family, where the museum is now located.
There you will learn all about this unique family, their grand expedition, and their activities in Altai.
Alternatively, you can visit the antler Reindeer Museum, where you will learn interesting information about Altai antler farms and red deer.
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.
Return to the already beloved Ark base.
Supper.
Rest in civilization.
Heated swimming pool, stable mobile connection.
Meals included: breakfast (field kitchen), dinner.
Accommodation No. 3: Ark campsite, double occupancy, room facilities. There is Wi-Fi and a mobile connection.
Excursions and activities: return from the Multin Lakes, the Roerichs House Museum or the Antler Reindeer Museum (optional), the Multin Bridge, an observation deck on the spit of Koksa and Katun.
Auto: 60 km, GAS-66: 20 km. Walking distance: 2 km.

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Day 7 - Red Mountain Lakes
Breakfast.
Today we will go to an amazing mountain of volcanic origin — Krasnaya Gora.
It is a natural site that attracts scientists with its anomalies, yogis with its magical atmosphere, and herbalists with its 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 ranges.
We'll take a full-day trip, lunch (lunch boxes) with us, and return to base in the evening.
Farewell dinner.
Exchange of emotions and impressions.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch (lunch box), dinner.
Accommodation No. 4: Ark campsite, double occupancy, room facilities. There is Wi-Fi and a mobile connection.
Excursions and activities: Krasnogorsk Lakes (off-road trip +hiking).
By car: 120 km. Walking distance: 5 km.

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Day 8 - Return transfer to Gorno-Altaysk
07:30-08:00 Check out of the rooms.
08:00-08:30 Breakfast.
08:30-16:30 (17.00) Today we will leave Ust-Koksinsky district and set off on our way back to the airport of Gorno-Altaysk, 370 km away.
On the way, we will make stops at picturesque passes and for lunch (extra charge).
16:30 (17:00) arrival at the airport of Gorno-Altaysk in time for the evening departures at 18:05 and 19:10.
Farewell to the participants departing on evening flights.
17:00-17:30 For those who plan to continue their independent vacation in the Altai Republic, or take morning flights the next day, a transfer will be arranged from the airport G-A to the Igman Hotel (self-booked accommodation) and the Gorno-Altaysk bus station.
Farewell to the participants.
Meals included: breakfast.
Accommodation: no accommodation.
Excursions and activities: transfer to the airport of Gorno-Altaysk.
By car: 370 km. Walking distance: 1.5 km.

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Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Accommodation

Camp Site

3 nights

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.

Day 1-3 (2 nights) – Ark campsite, double room, room facilities;
Day 3-6 (3 nights) – the campsite "Multinskie Ozera", double room, toilet/there is a sink on the floor or on the territory, there is no shower – there is a sauna;
Day 6-8 (2 nights) – Ark campsite, double room, room facilities.

Please check the details of possible accommodation options for a specific arrival date when booking.

The surcharge for single occupancy is subject to agreement (except for the Multin Lakes).

Single occupancy is not available for all dates. Please check with the manager for a specific check-in date.

The possible placement options are shown below.

The mountain camping "Multinskie Ozera" is located 300 meters from the shore of the Lower Multinskoye Lake. All rooms have bedding (mattresses, blankets, pillows) with clean linens, tables and chairs. There is a toilet outside, clean drinking water next to the houses in the Multa River. Electricity is turned on from 21:00 to 23:00. There is a kitchen for cooking, a sauna. There is no Wi-Fi or mobile connection.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 16 tourists

Minimum age

7 years old

Duration

8 days 7 nights

Group meets at

Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Gorno-Altaysk

Included in price

transfer from Gorno-Altaysk and back. All intra-route transfers and movements;
off-road vehicles:
- The Multin Lakes;
- Krasnogorsk Lakes;
- a trip to the observation deck with a view of Belukha and Bashtalinsky lake;
nutrition:
- 7 breakfasts;
- 7 dinners;
- 4 lunches (lunch boxes);
habitation:
- Day 1-3 (2 nights) – Ark campsite, double room, room facilities;
- Day 3-6 (3 nights) – the campsite "Multinskie Ozera", double room, toilet/there is a sink on the floor or on the territory, there is no shower – there is a sauna;
- Day 6-8 (2 nights) – Ark campsite, double room, room facilities;
guide support – 8 days;
sauna – 2 times;
recreational fees;
entrance tickets to sightseeing sites;
all excursions according to the tour program, except those marked “extra charge".

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Novosibirsk/Barnaul/Gorno-Altaysk and back.
meals during transfers;
meals – 4 lunches;
services not specified in the tour program;
additional baths at camp sites;
rent an ATV, rent a horse.

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

$970

8 – 15 Jun 8 days 7 nights

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$970

22 – 29 Jun 8 days 7 nights

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$970

6 – 13 Jul 8 days 7 nights

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$970

13 – 20 Jul 8 days 7 nights

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$970

20 – 27 Jul 8 days 7 nights

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$970

27 Jul – 3 Aug 8 days 7 nights

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$970

3 – 10 Aug 8 days 7 nights

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$970

10 – 17 Aug 8 days 7 nights

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$970

17 – 24 Aug 8 days 7 nights

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$970

24 – 31 Aug 8 days 7 nights

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$970

7 – 14 Sep 8 days 7 nights

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$970

14 – 21 Sep 8 days 7 nights

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A journey to the heart of Altai