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

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Immerse yourself in an exciting journey along the picturesque routes of Altai with the Aktru – Karakabak – Shavlo tour.

This tour offers a unique opportunity to explore amazing natural landscapes, including the majestic glaciers of Aktru, the mountain lakes of Karakabak and the enchanting views of the valley of the river Shavlo.

Every morning will start with a delightful sunrise over the mountains, and the days will be filled with a leisurely ride along picturesque trails, where you can enjoy the harmony of nature and the peace of the Altai places.

Location

Gorno-Altaysk, Altai Republic, Russia / Manzherok village

Hiking tours

from

Early
booking

Contact the tour coordinator

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

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Tour highlights

The Mysteries of Altai

The guides will tell you amazing facts and legends connecting these places

Energy of the mountains

You will be immersed in a world of boundless beauty and solitude

Loyal helpers

Communication with Altai horses will not leave anyone indifferent

Itinerary

Day 1 - Tourist complex "Taezhnik" – Kurai village – base parking "Tyute"
Attention! The journey to the starting point is long, so plane tickets must be purchased for flights arriving no later than 10 a.m., or the day before.
Those who plan to fly to Barnaul should also arrive on the eve of the start of the tour.
Breakfast in the restaurant of the eco-hotel Taezhnik, for those who arrived at the hotel before 10:30.
Getting to know the guide, checking the availability of necessary things.
Departure to the route.
A journey along the oldest route of Siberia – the Chui tract.
Along the way, tourists will learn about the history of the Altai Mountains, about the traditions of its indigenous population.
Accommodation in tents.
Briefing, preparation for the campaign.
Bathhouse.
Dating night.
Distance: 350 km.

1 more photo
Day 2 - Horse crossing to the Actru parking lot
Breakfast is prepared by a guide over a campfire (the help of guests is welcome, and it is not required).
Distribution of the total cargo between the participants of the campaign, instruction on packing archimacs (saddlebags) and dry runs.
Safety instructions on the equestrian route.
Lunch in the form of a snack.
Exit to the route.
The first part of the transition passes through the Kurai steppe and gradually the group gains altitude and reaches the Aktru alpine camp.
Setting up a tent camp.
Dinner is prepared by the guide over a campfire.
Horses: 15 km.

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Day 3 - Radial access to the Bolshoy Aktru glacier
Breakfast is prepared by the guide.
Instruction on hiking techniques in mountainous areas.
Exit to the route.
Walking to the tongue of the Bolshoy Aktru glacier.
If the weather is good and the participants are in good physical shape, it is possible to reach the Blue Lake.
This decision is made exclusively by the guide, who will focus on the weather, the complexity of the trail at the moment, and the physical. group training and other objective conditions.
Lunch in the form of a snack.
Return to the base parking lot.
Dinner is prepared by the guide over a campfire.
10 km on foot.

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Day 4 - Horse crossing to Lake Dzhangyskel
While the guide prepares breakfast, the group breaks up camp and packs up.
After breakfast, exit to the route.
The trail from the alpine camp gradually descends into the Kurai steppe and leads to the Yeshtyk-Kel district, where the participants of the hike will spend the night.
The transition will be long, and there will be no difficult sections.
Dinner is prepared by the guide.
Horses are 30 km away.

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Day 5 - Walking access to Lake Dzhangyskel. Transfer to the Tyute parking lot
On this day, after a long march of the previous day, you can take your time, relax, slowly break camp, have breakfast and hit the road.
At the same time, perhaps the guide will hurry you up, in case of bad weather or other objective conditions.
Then you will have more time to rest at the next parking lot.
The horse trail passes near Lake Karakol, after which it gradually goes out to the Mazhoy pass, descending from which it leads to the bank of the Karakabak River.
Lunch in the form of a snack.
Overnight on the bank of the Karakabak River.
Dinner is prepared by the guide over a campfire.
Horses: 18 km.

1 more photo
Day 6 - A day's rest. Radial access to the Karabak lakes
After breakfast, we go on the route.
We have to reach the lower lake Karakabak.
We will cover 8 km in about 3-4 hours, since the trail goes uphill almost all the time.
The chain of Karakabak lakes is located along the Karakabak River.
Translated from the Turkic "black eyebrow" on the slopes of the North Chui ridge.
They are distinguished by the rich turquoise color of the water, which varies depending on the lighting. The height of the lower lake is about 2300 n.o.m.
Those who wish can stay on its shore, relax and swim.
The most persistent will continue to climb to the middle and upper lakes, where the tongue of the glacier is already visible.
Lunch in the form of a snack.
Return to the camp.
Dinner is prepared by the guide over a campfire.
Walking distance: 16 km.
Day 7 - Karakabak – Karasu River valley – Shabaga River – Shavla River – arrow of the right and left Shavla
While the guide is preparing breakfast, the group breaks camp.
After breakfast and loading the horses – exit to the route – Karakabak – Karasu river valley – Shabaga River – Shavla River – arrow of the right and left Shavla.
One of the longest and most difficult days of the campaign.
But the travelers are already close to the goal!
The passage to the confluence of the right and left Shavly rivers goes along the valleys of the Karasu and Shabaga rivers.
It will take about 7-8 hours.
The group spends the night in tents on the banks of the Shavly River.
Horses are 30 km away.
Day 8 - A day's rest. Radial exit to Lake Shavlinskoye
After breakfast, exit to the route.
Through the taiga, the trail ascends to the Lower Shavlin Lake, located at an altitude of 1983 n.o.m.
From here you can enjoy a beautiful view of the three peaks of the mountain node – a fairy tale, a Dream and a Beauty.
In clear, windless weather, they are completely reflected in the huge mirror of the lake, and this is a truly fabulous sight!
Next is the ascent to the upper lake (2164 m above sea level), from the shores of which the glaciers of the Shavlinskaya horseshoe are perfectly visible.
In the evening, you can go to the sauna (for an additional fee).
Walking distance is 24 km.
Day 9 - A day's rest. Radial exit to the Obzornaya mountain
On this day, tourists will make a radial hiking trip to Obzornaya Mountain.
The walk will take only 3-4 hours.
The group will ascend to a small peak (2500 m) in the vicinity of the camp.
From there you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Shavlin lakes and the valley of the Levaya Shavla River.
Walking distance is 6 km.
Day 10 - Shavla River – Karakabak River
While the guide is preparing breakfast, the group breaks up camp to set off on the way back.
Exit to the route after breakfast.
Return to the valley of the Karakabak River.
Horse crossing 7-8 hours.
Horses are 30 km away.
Day 11 - Horse crossing to the base parking lot of Tyute
From the base camp on the Maashey River, the trail opens onto a forest dirt road leading up to the Mazhoy Pass, from which it descends into the valley of Lake Kara-Kol.
From there, crossing the large Yeshty-Kol valley, the road goes to the base parking lot “Tyute”.
The total horse ride is 6-7 hours.
Bathhouse.
Dinner is prepared by the guide over a campfire.
Horses 35 km.
Day 12 - Transfer to the Taezhnik tourist complex
Transfer to the Taezhnik tourist complex.
Exit.
Attention!
The time indicated is local, the difference from Moscow is +4!
Departure by regular bus to Novosibirsk in the evening of the same day at 22:30, or the next day at 8:40, 11:30, 22:30, travel time is 9-10 hours.
Departure to Barnaul at 22:30 either by regular bus or by minibus, depending on the availability of a minibus.
Departure to Barnaul and Novosibirsk is possible the next day at approximately 11:00.
Overnight in a tent for free, breakfast on the menu, for an additional fee.
Delivery to the airport of Gorno-Altaisk is carried out by the time of departure of the aircraft.
Overnight in a tent for free, breakfast on the menu, for an additional fee.

Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Tour organizer's comments

The route is difficult, in order to participate in it, tourists must have experience of horseback riding or a good level of physical fitness.

Accommodation

Tent

11 nights

Comfort

Basic

The tour includes accommodation in tents.

Tour conditions

Group

up to 14 tourists

Minimum age

14 years old

Maximum weight of the tourist

120 kg

Duration

12 days 11 nights

Group meets at

Gorno-Altaysk, Altai Republic, Russia / Manzherok village

Included in price

transportation, according to the tour program;
payment for the tour. parking (payment for a place for tents in equipped tour campsites);
sauna, twice, according to the tour program;
horse rental;
payment for the work of instructors, grooms;
payment of recreational fees;
payment of accident insurance and medical insurance;
payment for three meals a day, starting with breakfast on the day of arrival, ending with dinner on the day of the end of the tour;
rent of group and personal equipment (tents, awning, campfire equipment, UGC raincoat, sleeping bag, mat, archimacs, dry bags, first aid kit).

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Novosibirsk/Barnaul/Gorno-Altaisk and back;
delivery to Taezhnik t/c by the beginning of the tour and back, except for a group transfer as a gift from Gorno-Altaisk airport;
sauna on Lake Shavlinskoye.

It's important to know

a small backpack with a volume of 30-35 liters, preferably with a splash-proof cape for carrying things that tourists may need during the transition (a bottle of water, napkins, rain protection and/ or a warm jacket), all other things, food and equipment are transported on horseback in archimacs and draybags;
hiking shoes on a hiking tour, shoes must be previously worn (high trekking boots), sneakers with thick soles. Shoes should have a high level of water-repellent properties. Replacement shoes for camping (slates). You can have boots if they have a good tread, boots;
comfortable clothes – sweatpants, a shirt or a T-shirt with long sleeves, replaceable T-shirts with short sleeves, clothing material preferably cotton. Things are preferably not new, so that it would not be a pity if they break;
a set of clothes for camping and overnight stays – trousers, shirt, shorts, T-shirt;
a set of clothes for overnight stays - thermal underwear or something similar for sleeping in a sleeping bag;
a warm sweater or sweatshirt (wool or fleece is very desirable);
warm jacket (synthetic or down jacket);
warm hat (fleece or wool);
a cap or panama hat that protects your face and eyes from direct sunlight;
socks – 4-5 pairs of cotton or linen, you can also have special trekking socks, 1-2 pairs of woolen ones;
a waterproof raincoat or suit that can withstand heavy rain. When choosing these items, focus on their density, preferably a rubberized suit. Thin polyethylene raincoats are of course an option, but it must be borne in mind that they tear very quickly;
a bathing suit. It is useful to sunbathe or swim in the mountain water;
toilet and hygiene supplies. Including hygienic lipstick;
sunglasses that protect the eyes from ultraviolet rays in the mountains and a sunscreen with a high protection factor;
a small flashlight (headlamp) and a tourist seat (hob) to make your evening rest as comfortable as possible;
individual medicines, the instructor takes the main first-aid kit with him, but if you have an individual intolerance to any standard drugs or need for specific or strictly prescription medicines - take your own;
a small water flask. You can use a plastic bottle with a capacity of 0.5 liters.;
a camera, and a spare battery for it, or an external energy storage device, since there will be many types, but there is nowhere to recharge;
personal tableware (plate, spoon, mug);
trekking poles. They facilitate walking on uneven terrain, help to relieve knees and spine.

Take things from the list with you and your vacation in Altai will be as comfortable as possible.

And don't forget the good mood!

Advice from the tour organizers: to buy air tickets to the airport of Gorno-Altaysk (the capital of the Altai Republic) from the arrival time to 11:00 a.m. because delivery from the airport to the Taiga takes 25 minutes. Delivery from Barnaul (Altai Territory-neighboring region) to Taiga takes 4-5 hours.

The cost of group delivery from Gorno-Altaisk airport to the Taezhnik tourist complex (round trip) As a GIFT when purchasing this tour.

The rest of the delivery is for an additional fee. The order of the delivery option is carried out at any time from the moment of booking the tour, but no later than 7 days before its start. When booking a tour, be sure to tell us which delivery option is preferable for you, the manager will help you arrange a transfer (a place in prefabricated cars, a regular or tourist bus).

Delivery from Novosibirsk in both directions is carried out on regular buses of the Novosibirsk bus station, or on tourist buses, depending on the selected date of the tour, if tourist buses do not run on the day you need - tickets are purchased by tourists independently at the bus station.

To make it to the beginning of the tour, you need to purchase a ticket for the Novosibirsk - Chemal flight, to the Manzherok village stop (get off before reaching 2.5 km to the village near the monument to Shishkov, or at the Taezhnik railway station, which you ask the driver in advance) with a departure time from the bus station at 22:15 (from the bus station located near the railway train station - 22:45), departure date on the day preceding the start date of the tour. Tickets can be purchased 10 days before departure day.

The return trip is carried out by bus from Chemal-Novosibirsk, the departure time from Taezhnik t/c is 22:40 - 23:00, the bus must be stopped at Taezhnik t/c (Important! tickets must be purchased from Manzherok village to Barnaul/Novosibirsk, those who purchase tickets from the village of Manzherok receive a call from the staff of the bus station and specify where to pick them up. No one calls those who purchase tickets from the Chemal bus station, their tickets are automatically canceled if they are not on board).

The arrival time in Novosibirsk is 7:15, when purchasing tickets from Novosibirsk, you need to take this into account. The cost of delivery depends on the cost of flight tickets. If there are prefabricated cars, delivery to Novosibirsk is possible on them, the availability of cars is not guaranteed

Delivery from Barnaul:

Meeting at Barnaul airport (from 5:50 to 7:50 am), meeting at Barnaul railway station from 8:00 to 9:00 am. If you arrived in Barnaul in advance or live there, you will coordinate the meeting place with the driver, he will pick you up if he is on his way, if not, he will indicate the meeting place. The car leaves if the delivery group is assembled in full. The driver will have your contact phone numbers, along with information about the place and time of the meeting, the driver will contact you. Cars do NOT go on the route without meeting all tourists, provided that all planes arrive on time (the waiting time can be adjusted by 1 hour). If the plane is late for 1 hour or more, the formed cars are sent on the flight, your contact details are transferred to the driver of another car and the departure time depends on the set of the car.

We kindly ask you to TURN on your phones immediately after boarding the plane so that the drivers can contact you and take with them those phones whose numbers are indicated in the application.

Departure from the Taezhnik train station is carried out at 22:30 on the day of the end of the route (optional), or at 10:30 - 11:00 the next day. The journey time is 3-4 hours. In the absence of cars, departure by regular bus is possible.

The cost of delivery in prefabricated cars: from 2500.00 one way, depending on the class of car.

It is possible to arrange an individual transfer at any time, in agreement with us, the cost of such a transfer starts from 7000 rubles per car, such a transfer is ordered in advance.

The meeting at the airport of Gorno-Altaysk is carried out according to the time of arrival of the aircraft.

We ask you to inform us about the actual delays in the departure time by sending a message to the contact phone number so that we can meet you in a timely manner. We will inform you about which car will meet you with a message either on the evening before arrival or during your flight.

We kindly ask you to TURN on your phones immediately after boarding the plane so that the drivers can contact you and take with them those phones whose numbers are indicated in the application.

A group transfer means that if you and other tourists arrive on flights with a landing gap of less than 1 hour, those who arrived earlier will wait for the next plane and tourists arriving on it to board.

Individual delivery from / to the airport to Taiga is possible, if you do not want to go by group transfer for 1000 rubles / car (one way) capacity from 1 to 4 people.

All of the above delivery options can be combined!

Attention!!!!! On the eve of arrival, the guide creates a conversation on the WhatsApp or Telegram network, if you specified the correct phone number with these messengers when applying, you will be added to the chat, please answer the guides' questions in them. In this conversation, the guide informs you about the order and time of the meeting.

If flight data changes or aircraft are late, adjustments will also be sent to the general chat.

Dates and Prices

$999

16 – 27 Jul 12 days 11 nights

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Aktru – Karakabak – Shavlo. Horse riding tour with hiking trips to Altai