Diving in Altai and Nizhny Katun. Horse and water tour

On this tour, we will immerse ourselves in the life and traditions of the indigenous population of the Altai Mountains, join equestrian tourism, and at the same time we will not deny ourselves the opportunity to relax with the maximum possible comfort for an equestrian tour. 

And after a leisurely chat with Altai horses, a surge of adrenaline awaits Altai guests, you will become conquerors of white water by going rafting on the Katun River.

There are also interesting options for this tour: Diving in Altai. Horseback riding and Diving in Altai: horses, rafting and trekking.

Location

Manzherok village
from
$557
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
6 Days
5 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • Dates for next season
    • 27 May – 1 June, 2025
    • 3 – 8 June, 2025
    • 17 – 22 June, 2025
    • 24 – 29 June, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • or
    Tent, Camp Site
    5 nights
Comfort
  • Basic
Difficulty
Moderate
Involves moderate physical activity
Group
Up to 12 people
Minimum age
10 years old
Maximum weight of the tourist
100 kg
Group meet at
Manzherok village
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

Communication with Altai horses
Fascinating horse riding excursions with immersion in the nature of Altai and its ancient history
The mystical history of Altai
We will get acquainted with the life and traditions of the inhabitants of the Altai Mountains, and of course a hot bathhouse and gatherings around the campfire
A surge of adrenaline
Let's become conquerors of white water by going rafting on the Katun River

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Transfer to the Aru-Kem cordon

    It is possible independently by private car, by intercity bus, ordered car or with a collective transfer from Gorno-Altaisk airport – the main thing is up to 12 hours! 

    Since after all the events in the Taiga, the group will move to the Aru-kem cordon, where the guests will live for the next 5 days. 

    This fascinating journey with all the planned stops takes at least 7 hours. 

    So, upon arrival at the eco-hotel Taezhnik, guests will be met by a guide, introduced to the surroundings and held for breakfast in a cafe until 10:30. 

    If the whole group is assembled, then after completing our preparations, we leave for the Taezhnik –Aru-Kem route and have lunch on the way to a cafe.

    If not everyone is present, wait and have lunch at the Taezhnik cafe, then check out along the route. 

    The transfer to the Aru-Kem cordon takes place along the famous Chuisky highway with stories about its sights.

    On the way, stops are planned at the Seminsky pass, at the monument to the Gopher, and a visit to the museum in the village of Kulada. 

    There are also technical stops (shop, gas station, toilet).

    In the evening we arrive at the cordon, where we check in, according to the selected accommodation options. 

    We have dinner in a cafe, take a bath in the sauna.

    An evening of dating and relaxation.

    Length: by car178 km.

    1 more photo
  • Day 2 - Arukemskaya Cave – Lake Aru-Kem
  • Day 3 - Kara-Tash Pass (Black Stone)
  • Day 4 - The valley of mounds and rock paintings
  • Day 5 - Horse riding tour to the Bashadar mounds
  • Day 6 - Rafting on the Katun River. Departure
Difficulty
Involves moderate physical activity
Tour organizer's comments

The equestrian part of the route is easy, does not require special training, and good physical shape is needed to participate in the water part of the route.

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • or
    Tent, Camp Site
    5 nights
Comfort
  • Basic

The tour includes accommodation in tents or cabins.

The cost of the tour depends on the selected accommodation option:

  • When staying in a tent – 54,000 rubles / person, an additional fee for single accommodation is 3,000 rubles to the cost of the tour;
  • When staying in cabins, on–site amenities - 59,500 rubles /person, an additional fee for single accommodation in a 2-person house without a stove is 3,500 rubles to the cost of the tour.
Tent camp or Summer houses 5 nights
Tent camp

Accommodation in tents at the base camp of the cavalry unit.

Accommodation on return from the equestrian unit in tents on the territory of the eco-hotel Taezhnik.

There is always electric power in the parking lot

You can always get in touch at the parking lot (MTS – mobile communication without Internet).

Another option
Summer houses

Accommodation in the base parking lot of the equestrian unit in wooden houses (2-6 people, single occupancy is not expected).

Accommodation on return from the equestrian unit in the summer houses of the Taezhnik eco-hotel or the summer houses of the Lubava hotel.

1 more photo

Tour conditions

Group
up to 12 tourists
Minimum age
10 years old
Maximum weight of the tourist
100 kg
Duration
6 days 5 nights
Group meets at
Manzherok village

Included in price

  • transportation according to the program;
  • horse rental;
  • rental of necessary equipment;
  • placement according to the selected option;
  • 3 meals a day: breakfast and dinner in a cafe, lunch in the form of a snack in the field;
  • the work of a guide;
  • the work of the grooms;
  • recreational fees, entrance fees;
  • bathhouse every day;
  • the cost of the route includes insurance of the Rosgosstrakh Insurance Company, insurance coverage – 250,000 rubles (medical expenses), 50,000 rubles (accident). The insurance policy is issued for the group and is with the instructors along the route.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Barnaul, Gorno-Altaisk, Novosibirsk and back;
  • delivery from all cities to the Taezhnik railway station, except for a group transfer from Gorno-Altaisk airport;
  • meals not specified in the tour program;
  • accommodation before and after the tour;
  • tick insurance, it can be issued additionally, the cost of insurance is 400.00 rubles, the validity period is 1 year (issued and paid in advance).

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour

1. A backpack, suitcase or a large travel bag, that is, something in which it is convenient to carry things to the base, special means are issued on the route for transporting things (archimak (saddlebag) and a dry run).

2. Hiking shoes you need to have boots that can be leather, rubber, or birch, the main thing is that they do not get wet and cover the boot from rubbing against the stirrup strap (putlishche), in extreme cases high boots (boots). But rubber boots are preferable, because they do not get wet from the outside, and if water gets inside, they are quite easy to dry by the fire, while they do not deform if you follow the small drying rules.

3. Running shoes or trekking boots for radial exits. Avoid new, unworn shoes. If you choose trekking boots, keep in mind that not all of them can really be dried in field conditions, and when drying by the campfire they can deform and become practically unusable.

4. Replacement shoes for camping (slates).

5. Comfortable clothing for horse crossings and radial pedestrian crossings –trousers made of dense soft fabric that do not restrict movement, without rough internal seams, made of light quick-drying material, preferably cotton. A shirt or a long sleeve T-shirt. A windbreaker made of thick material. A suit for hunters or fishermen, or something similar, is suitable, the main thing is that it is comfortable and does not rustle.

6. A set of clothes for camping and overnight stays – trousers, shirt, shorts, T-shirt, thermal underwear is ideal for overnight stays, it will also help out if the weather deteriorates.

7. A warm sweater or hoodie (preferably fleece or wool material).

8. Warm jacket (synthetic or down jacket). Keep in mind the fact that the sintepon is much easier to dry. If someone thinks that warm clothes will not be needed in July, I assure you that this is not the case. The weather in the mountains is extremely unpredictable.

9. A warm hat (fleece or wool).

10. A cap or panama hat that covers the face and eyes from direct sunlight, or a bandana.

11. Gloves (even simple cotton ones will do).

12. Socks – 2-3 pairs of cotton or linen, 2 pairs of wool

13. A splash-proof raincoat or suit that can withstand light rain. On the equestrian route, UgCS (Combined Arms Protective Kit) are issued to protect against rain - a long rubber raincoat with a hood

14. A bathing suit to enjoy sunbathing or take a dip in a mountain pond.

15. Toiletries and hygiene products. Including hygienic lipstick and sunscreen with a high protection factor (UF 50). Towels, shampoo, soap are required.

16. Sunglasses that protect the eyes from ultraviolet rays in the mountains.

17. A small flashlight (headlamp).

18. 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.

19. A small water flask. You can use a plastic bottle with a capacity of 0.5 liters., but it is very desirable to have a flask that can be attached to a belt or fastened to a saddle with a carabiner, or otherwise secured.

20. A camera or video camera (optional) with hermetically sealed packaging. and do not forget a spare battery for it, or an external energy storage device, because there will be a lot of species that you want to capture, but there is nowhere to recharge!.

21. Tourist seat (hob).

22. Personal tableware (plate, spoon, mug)

23. For the convenience of packaging, it is recommended to have small bags or garbage bags, and for additional splash protection of things and protection from dirt in archimacs, I recommend having dense plastic bags with a volume of 160-180 liters in the amount of 4 pieces.

FOR OVERNIGHT STAYS IN A TENT, thermal underwear is ideal, it will also help out if the weather turns bad.

Additional items for the WATER part of the combined tour:

  1. Sneakers, sneakers (one size larger for hydro socks) or special alloy shoes, or quick-drying shoes with laces or Velcro.
  2. Thermal underwear or khb T-shirt and shorts under a wetsuit.

Additionally, for the water part: The camera and movie camera must have special sealed boxes or sealed packaging.

The requirement for a set of personal items. Nothing superfluous or sharp (without appropriate packages, which can damage the hermetic packaging). For the convenience of packaging and additional splash protection, we recommend having plastic bags.

Training requirements and age of participants
Is the delivery to the starting point of the tour included in the price?
What kind of group equipment is issued?
Meals on the route
Why do we need rubber boots? Is it possible to take short boots (galoshes, ankle boots)? Can I take waterproof trekking boots instead of boots?
What should I carry my things in? How will we take them on the route? Where can I leave things I don't need for a hike? When are we going to move things?
And if the raft turns over? Is it possible to roll over on the water?
How is water insurance organized?
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
Is it possible to arrive in your own car?
Is there a participant's weight limit for horseback riding?

Dates and Prices

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification
  • from
    $557
    27 May – 1 Jun, 2025 6 days 5 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • from
    $557
    3 – 8 Jun, 2025 6 days 5 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • from
    $609
    17 – 22 Jun, 2025 6 days 5 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • from
    $557
    24 – 29 Jun, 2025 6 days 5 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • from
    $557
    1 – 6 Jul, 2025 6 days 5 nights
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    No need to pay now