Aktru — Karakabak — Shawlo. Horseback trekking to the heart of Altai

This is a 12-day expedition beyond reality. Here you can tune out the digital noise to hear your own heartbeat. You will feel the taste of freedom, come back refreshed and charged with achievements, with a clear view of your goals.

The legendary route through the key locations of the North Chuisky range. You will see not only the Shavlinsky lakes, but also the views from Obrazornaya Mountain, Lake Karakabak, etc. The guide-guide Aytemir is a Swiss knife man, a chef, a storyteller, and he will also sing soulful songs on a starry night by the campfire. 

Your safety is our foundation. The route has been rolled back dozens of times. The most experienced guides, grooms and calm, trained horses. You are in good hands and can fully trust the process. Gradually getting used to the saddle. A smooth increase in loads and no surprises. The tour uses new and well-maintained equipment.

Hearty and delicious camping food awaits us all days: hot breakfasts and dinners over a campfire, and nutritious lunch snacks.

Location

Gorno-Altaysk, Altai Republic, Russia / Manzherok village
$1,290
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
12 days
11 nights
Departures
28 Jun - 9 Jul
Accommodation
  • Tent
    11 nights
Comfort
  • Basic
Difficulty
Moderate
Involves moderate physical activity
Group
Up to 14 tourists
Minimum age
14 years old
Maximum weight of the tourist
120 kg
Group meet at
Gorno-Altaysk, Altai Republic, Russia / Manzherok village
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

The Mysteries of Altai
The guides will tell you the 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 - The gateway to the wild world. Taezhnik shopping center — Kurai village — Tyute camp

    After a hearty breakfast in a cozy "Taiga", we will set off along the legendary Chuisky highway. This road is like a time machine, taking you from the world of asphalt to the world of endless steppes and majestic ridges.

    You will feel how the landscape outside the window changes with every kilometer, and your soul becomes calmer and more spacious.

    In the evening, the first night in tents at Tyute base camp, the crackle of a campfire, a sauna that washes away road dust and urban fatigue, and leisurely conversations with your new team.

    Transfer: 350 km by car

    1 more photo
  • Day 2 - Horse crossing to the Actru parking lot
  • Day 3 - A date with eternal ice Actors
  • Day 4 - Horse crossing to Lake Dzhangyskel
  • Day 5 - At the mirrored lakes of Karakol
  • Day 6 - A day's rest. Radial access to the Karabak lakes
  • Day 7 - The legendary passage to the origins of Shavla
  • Day 8 - Meeting with a Fairy Tale at the Shavlinsky lakes
  • Day 9 - Obraznaya Peak — a look at the traveled path
  • Day 10 - The way back — farewell to the heart of the mountains
  • Day 11 - Getting back to basics
  • Day 12 - Returning to reality as a different person
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

Accommodation
  • Tent
    11 nights
Comfort
  • Basic

The tour provides accommodation in tents — tents, sleeping bags, a mat are provided.

Tent 11 nights

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

Personal equipment you need for the tour
  • 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!

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Dates and Prices

  • $1,290
    28 Jun – 9 Jul 12 days 11 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now

Reviews Leave a review

  • L
    Larisa
    about provider
    5 Feb, 2026
    It was my first time in Altai, and despite the program changes, I really enjoyed everything. I’ve been traveling with “Big Country” to different regions for several years now, and everything is always very well organized. There were no issues, and if anything did come up, it was resolved quickly. I highly recommend this tour operator.
  • S
    Sergei
    about provider
    26 Sep, 2025
    The hosts are a fantastic team. Everyone is friendly and always willing to help.
  • S
    Sergei
    about provider
    25 Sep, 2025
    Everything was quick and clear. I'm happy with everything!