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

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If you like horseback riding, mountains and natural beauty, then horseback riding to the high-altitude lakes of Altai is for you.

You will find: Karakol lakes, Ayryk lakes, Ak-Kain lake, Victoria Lake, Veronica Lake, Bayuk lakes, Albagan lakes, Balyktusa lakes, as well as a visit to Muikhtinsky waterfall, a walk to Balyktu waterfall, Karakokshinskaya cave and many, many other beauties.

Other dates on the tour are on request for groups of 4 or more people.

Location

S. Elekmonar

Horse riding tours

from

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

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Tour highlights

Karakol Lakes

Let's admire the magnificent picture of the lakes from a bird's-eye view!

Communication with horses

Let's improve our riding skills and enjoy leisurely horseback riding

Cozy evenings alone with nature

We will spend the night in tents in picturesque places and gather around the campfire

Magnificent landscapes of Altai

We will see snow-capped mountain ranges and alpine meadows

Amazing footage

The tour will be interesting for photographers who have brought a tripod with them – shooting in the evening involves unique shots!

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival at the beginning of the route. Acquaintance
Dear friends, we are glad to meet you at the airport / bus station in Gorno-Altaysk before 10 a.m.
Next, the transfer will take you to our "Headquarters", where in a friendly atmosphere you can relax from the road, drink tea and we will tell you about all the subtleties of camping, we will give you all the necessary equipment.
For those who get there on their own, we wait until 2 p.m., then a two–hour off-road mountain climb to the equestrian base.
Upon arrival, there will be a safety briefing, a campfire, a sauna, and overnight in a tent camp.

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Day 2 - Base – Kylai river
Today is the first day on horseback – the first steps along the path to the "amazing" and "special".
After leaving the dense forest to the wide flower glades, we will confidently make our way to the Highlands with views of the snow-capped mountain ranges and alpine meadows.
Having absorbed what we saw, we descend to the Cedar glades at the foot of Mount Kilai.
Distance: ~27 km, 5-6 hours.

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Day 3 - Kylai river – Bayuk lakes – Uul tract – Moon Valley
This morning we are breaking camp and moving to the Ayryk tract, from Altai – Moon Valley.

Our path will run through the Uul tract with the pass of the same name, which opens up the prospect of the first lakes, namely Lake Victoria with the waterfall of the same name at the source.

Next, you will see the Bayuk lakes, the chain of which stretches for a good five kilometers.

After that, we will descend into the Moon Valley, where we will find a cozy parking lot by the Karakoksha River.

After the lunch break, those who wish will be able to make a walking trip to the Karakokshinskaya cave.

Distance: ~25 km, 4-5 hours.

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Day 4 - Moon Valley – river Lodge
On this day, there will be a rather extreme crossing through a "living" swamp.

The path is very difficult and winding, the path through the swamp can change several times over the summer, so even the instructor can sometimes "lose face", however, do not be alarmed – the swamp, despite the extreme passage, is not dangerous at all.

After the swamp, a hike down into the gorge of the Lozha River and a long–awaited rest.

In the evening, you definitely need to have time to walk to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the area – it is very close and it will not take much effort and time to walk, but there will be a lot of impressions!

It will be especially interesting for photographers who have brought a tripod with them – shooting in the evening involves amazing shots!

And for lovers of contemplation, the talkative streams of flowing waters will provide an opportunity to relax after a strenuous horseback ride.

Distance: ~20 km, 4 hours.

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Day 5 - The Upper Box. Day trip, radial walk
Today, our horses are resting, and we are hiking to the lakes in the upper reaches of the Lozha River, located on a plateau under the magnificent Albagan Mountain.

A short walk in one direction takes about an hour and at your feet are sky–blue lakes of glacial origin, the water in which is extremely cold and suitable for swimming only for the most desperate!

After returning to the camp – rest, dinner.

Distance: 2-3 hours on foot.

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Day 6 - Loja River – Balyktu Gorge
The horse crossing is short and not very difficult, but no less colorful and picturesque in comparison with the previous ones.
Passing through a hollow overgrown with deciduous forest, we descend to the river.
She will not be our traveling companion for long, because we immediately go up to the pass from which the path leads directly to the parking lot on the shore of Lake Balyktu.
After lunch break, walk to the upper Balyktusa lakes, waterfalls and visit the observation stone, which offers a magnificent view of the entire gorge!
The strange thing is that Balyktu means "fish river" in Altaic, but there are no fish in these waterways at all.
Apparently, only once upon a time there was plenty of it here!
Distance: ~23 km, 4-5 hours.

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Day 7 - The Balyktu tract is a parking lot of the lower reaches of the Lozha River
We're going to take our time on this day, because the crossing won't be very long, but it's pretty scenic!
From the parking lot we go out to the long Balyktu pass!
Oh, this is one of our experienced tourists' favorite places on the route – the views of the mountains are in full view!
Next, we cross the Nameless pass and fall into a Leafy log – this place is miraculously overgrown with larch, so rare for hoebt And Others!
After passing through the larches, we again come out on a hill, from where we can see the whole "living swamp", which the equestrian tour group has already passed on the way to Albagan!
It's a steep hike down to the Loja River, but this time we're camping much lower downriver than a few days before.
Here, dear travelers, there is a unique water – the river is deep, the sandy beach, and the stones at the bottom of the river seem like true gems!
Distance: ~25 km, 5-6 hours.

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Day 8 - Parking of the lower reaches of the Loja River – Ashpagach Lake – Surdinsky lakes – Moon Valley
We have breakfast, pack our horses and get on the route.
There are views of river valleys with endless flower meadows, passes with snow-capped cliffs and a cedar fairy forest.
After walking along the horse-riding trail at the very edge of Lake Ashpagach, we come to the pass of the same name, from which we will see both the lake we have just passed and the prospect of the Surdinsky lakes hiding in the cedar forests.
Descent to the Surdinsky lakes and make a stop.
In hot weather, you can swim in one of the lakes – the water here is warm enough, but if the weather is not good, then we'll just triple the lunch break.
Then we go deeper into the fabulous cedar forest, which will serve as our guide to the lunar valley – Airyk.
Distance: ~27 km, 5-6 hours.

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Day 9 - Ayryk – log Muikhta tract
Closer and closer to home, the horses are walking faster and faster.
Our path runs through the Lunar Ayryk Valley and goes out onto the Ak-Kain plateau.
Today we will overcome the Ayryk pass, and then the Ak-Kainsky pass.
If we are lucky and the weather is clear, we will see Lake Veronica from the height.
Parking in the Muihta tract completes this day.
Distance: ~25 km, 4-5 hours.

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Day 10 - Log Muihta – castles of Mountain spirits – Karakol Lakes
The Muikhtinsky waterfall is beautiful, and the gorge through which it poured its waters is simply impressive!

This is the deepest rift in the mountains, looking at it from a height – you can't see the bottom!

After a morning walk, climb to the Bagatash pass, drive through the Castles of Mountain Spirits and come to a magnificent bird's–eye view of the Karakol Lakes!

We stop for the night after descending from the pass near the lakes.

Distance: ~25 km, 4-5 hours.

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Day 11 - Karakol Lakes – Sortesh tract
The horseback riding is coming to its final stage.

Along the way, you can see all sorts of "Sinkholes" – funnels, say goodbye to blooming fields and take a last look back to see the snow-capped peaks, which we seem to have visited only yesterday.

Upon arrival at the base, tourists will have a sauna, a farewell dinner and an evening by the campfire.

Spending the night in tents is a last resort.

Distance: ~25 km, 4-6 hours.

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Day 12 - Sortes Valley – village of Elekmonar
We leave the equestrian base at 7 a.m., 2 hours off-road, so that we can be in the village by 9 and have tea at our cozy Headquarters or the national village.
Transfer to the airport or bus station in Gorno-Altaysk starts at 12:00.
And those who make their way back through Novosibirsk / Barnaul, we carefully escort them to the bus.
See you soon, friends!

Difficulty

Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health

Accommodation

Tent

11 nights

Comfort

Basic

The tour includes overnight stays in two- and three-person tourist tents.

Tour conditions

Group

From 6 to 15 tourists

Minimum age

12 years old

Duration

12 days 11 nights

Group meets at

S. Elekmonar

Included in price

round-trip transfer from Gorno-Altaysk (only on the day of arrival and departure);
transportation service in accordance with the tour program;
sauna according to the tour program;
nutrition;
horse rental;
the work of an instructor-guide (1-3 depending on the number of participants in the group);
recreational fees;
equipment rental;
accident insurance / medical insurance.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Novosibirsk/Barnaul/Gorno-Altaysk and back;
bus tickets from Novosibirsk/Barnaul to c. Elecmonar and back;
accommodation at the base before the start of the tour and after its end (accommodation in rooms for 2-3 people. Facilities for 5 rooms: shower, toilet, dining room, recreation room. It is necessary to check the availability of seats).

It's important to know

Clothes:

underwear;
The sweater is warm;
The sweater is lighter;
warm pants for cold weather;
trousers made of thick fabric (camouflage is possible);
shorts or light trousers;
T-shirt / T-shirt (2-3 depending on the length of the route);
wool socks (more than one pair);
cotton socks (several pairs);
insulated, spacious jacket;
windbreaker (windbreaker);
gloves;
headdress;
swimsuit.

Shoes:

rubber boots (preferably on a smooth sole with a heel);
sneakers or sneakers.

It will be useful to:

a pocket or headlamp flashlight;
a set of threads with needles;
spare batteries for cameras, flashlights and other equipment;
thick plastic bags for packing things during a hike;
a camping knife;
wet sanitary napkins for camping;
toilet paper;
sunburn cream;
medicines that you personally need;
personal hygiene products (wet wipes are required);
specific medicines that may be useful to you.

Try not to take unnecessary things. Before entering the active part of the route, tourists leave their bags, backpacks and suitcases in parking lots in lockable rooms.

Important! A backpack of more than 5 liters will prevent the rider from sitting comfortably in the saddle, based on safety regulations.

Via Gorno-Altaysk:

Upon arrival in Gorno-Altaysk, call the organizer and within 5 minutes you will be met at the airport entrance. The transfer is included in the price of the tour.
An hour later we arrive at the guest house in Elekmonar village, from where our journey will begin.

Via Barnaul (option 1 – without transfers):

You can get to Barnaul by air or rail.
From the airport, take a minibus to the bus station. The railway station is located on the same square as the bus station.
Purchase a bus / minibus ticket Barnaul – Chemal.
You drive ~ 4.5 hours and find yourself in the village of Maima, which borders the city of Gorno-Altaisk.
Call the organizer and tell them the name of the locality you are passing through.
After driving for another 1-1.5 hours, inform the driver that you need to get off AT THE FIRST STOP, THE VILLAGE OF ELEKMONAR.
Get off the bus and call the organizer. You will be met within 5 minutes.

Through Barnaul (option 2 is a road with transfers, but buses run more often):

You can get to Barnaul by air or by rail.
From the airport, take a minibus to the bus station. The railway station is located on the same square as the bus station.
Purchase a bus / minibus ticket Barnaul – Gorno-Altaysk (~ 650 rubles).
At the train station In Gorno-Altaysk, buy a bus ticket / take a taxi / take a minibus to the village of Chemal (~ 350 rubles).
As soon as you leave the bus station, call the organizer.
Call the organizer and tell them the name of the locality you are passing through.
An hour later, you inform the driver that you need to get off AT THE FIRST STOP, THE VILLAGE OF ELEKMONAR.
Get off the bus and call the organizer. You will be met within 5 minutes.

Via Novosibirsk (option 1 – without transfers).

You can get to Novosibirsk by air or rail.
From the airport / railway station – by minibus to the bus station.
Purchase a Novosibirsk – Chemal bus ticket.
You drive ~ 6 hours and find yourself in the village of Maima, which borders the city of Gorno-Altaisk.
Call the organizer and tell them the name of the locality you are passing through.
After driving for another 1-1.5 hours, inform the driver that you need to get off AT THE FIRST STOP, THE VILLAGE OF ELEKMONAR.
Get off the bus and call the organizer. You will be met within 5 minutes.

During the route, you need to listen, and at some points unquestioningly follow the recommendations of the instructor / groom, because your safety depends on it, and in particular:

warn the instructor/groom about your absence from the parking lot (if you are going to go for a walk, take pictures, etc.) - for what time, where, in which direction are you going;
be sure to follow the instructions of the instructor / groom during the horse crossing;
do not be offended / angry at the instructor / groom when he gives objective recommendations;
The groom/instructor is your friend and assistant, take care of him.

In the conditions of hiking in mountainous terrain, it is quite easy to control a horse. In a column, horses move one after another independently, this is a familiar thing for them, they know the trails well, and the task of the rider is only:

Keep your distance (not too far and not too close);
make sure not to pass too close to tree trunks and under low branches;
do not constantly eat grass by pulling and lifting the horse's head with a rein;
Don't drive through the bushes;
do not enter dangerous places (climb rocks, steep slopes, deep places of rivers);
don't let them jump off the rocks.

All this is quite easy to do, having even the smallest experience of "riding" and thanks to the instruction at the beginning of the hike and under the strict supervision of our instructors.

Also, I want to note that the horses themselves are smart enough not to do big stupid things. You just need to control sometimes so that the horse goes like everyone else.

The main points that should be performed / not performed (for more information on the briefing):

You don't have to approach the horse from behind – our horses are calm, but they can still get scared and kick.
A horse is a big and powerful animal, make sure that it does not accidentally step on your foot.
Do not let go of the horse when stopping. She must be tied up or asked to hold a friend.
Archimacs are bags that attach to the saddle, they contain your belongings and groceries. Bags (archimacs) should be packed evenly by weight – for balance, so that during the transition one does not outweigh the other. Soft things in bags are placed on the inside – so that it is not hard on the horse's back.
A chembur is a rope designed to tie a horse to a stop and adjust it during the transition. If you understand that you are lagging behind – the horse needs to be adjusted, if it does not work, then you can use a drill – this is normal, the horse will not be hurt.
The distance between the riders is 2-3 m, it is advisable not to lag behind and, accordingly, not to catch up, resting on the horse in front, i.e. keep a distance. This will save both the horse's strength (each creature must adhere to a certain pace and load during physical exertion) and time, especially precious during long transitions.
In the parking lot, the first thing to do is tie the horse, relax all the ties, take off the bags (archimacs), then the saddle and everything else, call the instructor to check everything and confuse the horse. Never let the horse go untangled, otherwise the horse runs home, and the tourist walks the rest of the time himself with his bags.
During the transition, if possible or by feeling, monitor and monitor whether the girths (harnesses that fix the saddle on the horse) have loosened.
Know what your horse's ammunition looks like. Of course, you can't remember everything at once, but at least remember the place where you put the ammunition after you unsaddled it.
When it rains or in the evening when dew falls, the ammunition must be covered with a raincoat. Dry ammunition is the health of the horse.
To know and learn how to properly saddle and unsaddle a horse.
Monitor the condition of the horse – legs (lameness), back (bumps, abrasions). If you see something, tell the instructor.
A horse is the best friend, companion and brother during a hike. It is necessary to establish contact in it so that you trust each other and have mutual understanding, talk to the horse, praise, stroke, etc.

Dates and Prices

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9 – 20 Jun 12 days 11 nights

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23 Jun – 4 Jul 12 days 11 nights

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7 – 18 Jul 12 days 11 nights

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21 Jul – 1 Aug 12 days 11 nights

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4 – 15 Aug 12 days 11 nights

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18 – 29 Aug 12 days 11 nights

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An'ilu – horse riding tour to the high-altitude lakes of Altai