Diving in Altai: horses, rafting and trekking

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A week of active recreation in the Altai Mountains will leave unforgettable emotions from immersion in the life and traditions of the indigenous population and contemplation of mountain lakes, secret caves, snow-capped peaks and alpine meadows.

You will join equestrian tourism, rafting on the river, and in the evenings you will find a hot bathhouse and spiritual gatherings around the campfire.

There are also abbreviated versions of this tour: Immersion in Altai. Horse riding tour and Diving in Altai and Nizhny Katun.

Location

the village of Manzherok

from

Early
booking

Contact the tour coordinator

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

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Tour highlights

Riding in Altai

We are waiting for exciting horse riding excursions with immersion in the nature of Altai and its ancient history

A surge of adrenaline

We will become conquerors of white water by going rafting on the Katun River

Trekking with fantastic views

Let's go on a car-walking tour to the Karakol lakes

Itinerary

Day 1 - Check-in. Transfer to the Aru-Kem cordon
Arrival at the eco-hotel "Taezhnik".
It is possible independently by private car, by intercity bus, ordered car or with a collective transfer from Gorno-Altaisk airport – up to 12 hours!
Since after all the events in the Taiga, the group will be transferred 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.
Here, for the first time, they will tell us in detail about the life of the Altai people, show us amazing objects that the Altai people have used for centuries, and also play the national instrument – the komuz.
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.
The owner of the cordon Uchural is an excellent rider and a good psychologist.
He will talk to each tourist to find a horse suitable for his level of training and temperament.
Transport: auto.
Distance: 178 km.

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Day 2 - Horse riding tour: Arukemskaya Cave – Lake Aru-Kem
General rise at 8 a.m. and breakfast at 9:00 in the cafe.
Fees.
Instruction on the safety of equestrian tourism.
Acquaintance with Altai horses and their distribution among tourists.
Horses are saddled by grooms, but you can also learn this process.
We are going to a simple horse crossing.
On this day, the "pearl" of our program is Lake Aru–Kem.
But before reaching it, we will visit the cave of the same name.
The path to it mainly runs along a dirt road among mixed forests.
Turning into a clearing, travelers will leave their horses for a while to make a small ascent to the cave, which offers a beautiful view of the valley of the Arygem River.
In the cave, you can have an impressive photo shoot and take a break in the cool shade of the rocky vaults.
Returning to the horses, we continue the horseback ride to the mountain lake Aru-Kem.
Here, rest awaits the tired, lunch awaits the hungry, and bathing awaits those who wish.
Aru-Kem is one of the few mountain lakes where the water warms up on a warm summer day.
So take your bathing accessories with you, it's nice to swim here.
However, it is not recommended to make noise, for the locals the lake is sacred.
After rest, lunch and swimming, we set off on our way back to the cordon.
In the parking lot, we will have dinner in a cafe, a hot bath (those who wish can take a summer shower) and a master class.
Today it is the national game of "Kamchi" – knocking down wooden blocks with a whip.
The excitement covers even the calmest!
Transportation: horses, on foot.
Distance: 15 km, 2 km.

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Day 3 - Horse riding tour to the Kara-Tash pass (Black Stone)
After breakfast, we get on familiar horses and set off on the road.
Today we are going to the Kara-Tash pass.
At first, the road will go along forest trails, but as the altitude increases, the vegetation becomes lower.
The forest no longer grows above two thousand meters, and the weather can differ significantly from the valley.
Along the way, at the sacred pass, travelers will see tied ribbons on trees.
The guide will tell you about this ancient rite.
The panorama of the entire Karakol Valley opens from the Kara-Tash pass and the nearest two villages are visible from a bird's-eye view.
Here, guests of Altai will get acquainted with the traditions of installing stone pyramids, find out why they were stacked, and also participate in the construction of one of them.
When descending from the pass, the three-headed peak of Uch-Enmek looks at travelers with an icy gaze.
Its height is 2792 m above sea level, the name literally translates as "three crowns", the mountain is considered sacred by the Altai people.
Taking refuge in the nearest fishing line on the shore of a temporary riverbed, we will prepare tea over a campfire and lunch in the form of a snack.
After resting, tourists go to the parking lot, now they are waiting for a long descent into the valley.
In the evening, tired travelers will have dinner in a cafe, a hot bathhouse and a master class.
Do you know how fried barley can turn into mouth-watering sweets?
The inhabitants of the cordon will tell about this, we will prepare traditional Altai sweets from talkan and we will taste them with pleasure for breakfast.
Transport: horses.
Distance: 18 km.

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Day 4 - Horse riding tour to the valley of mounds and rock paintings
Breakfast at the cafe, after which the group sets off.
The horse crossing of this day is not difficult, it again runs mainly along dirt roads with slight deviations.
But the day is full of cultural monuments.
The first will be the Sooru tract, a large valley with more than 450 archaeological sites.
Among them are the site of ancient people, Scythian mounds, Turkic balbals.
An exciting excursion into the past awaits guests here.
Continuing the way and overcoming a small but steep pass, tourists settle down for a picnic by the river in a clearing.
The next attraction is a rock with petroglyphs.
To see them, you will need to climb the mane of the ridge on foot.
In addition to the rock paintings, we will see an altar here – the place of ancient rituals of worship of the spirits of Altai.
The latter were held quite recently, so the altar is quite well preserved.
Another nice bonus of this place is that mobile Internet (MTS) catches here, so you can send photos to friends and family.
After that, we set off on our way back to the parking lot.
We have dinner, wash up and hurry to the next master class.
You will be taught how to shoot from the Altai bow.
Transportation: horses, on foot.
Distance: 18 km, 1 km.

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Day 5 - Horse riding tour to the Bashadar mounds
Breakfast in the cafe.
The horse-drawn and in places automobile road runs through the territory of the Uch-Enmek Nature Park exactly without ascents and descents, only occasionally crossing streams and rivers by wading or over bridges.
The mounds are located near the village of Boochi, on the left bank of the Karakol River.
The largest of the mounds have a diameter of 40 meters and a height of more than 2 meters.
In this burial system, a 300-meter-long fence lined with slabs has been well preserved.
The buildings of the Pazyryk culture predominate (the Early Iron age of the VI—III centuries BC).
Lunch on the bank of the Karakol River.
Return to the place of accommodation.
Bathhouse.
Supper.
Preparation for departure.
Transport: horses.
Distance: 25 km.

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Day 6 - Transfer to the starting point of the rafting
Early breakfast and departure from the territory of the Aru-Kem cordon before 08:00 in the morning.
Transfer to the starting point of the rafting near the village of Cheposh.
We get acquainted with a water instructor, get equipment (wetsuits, splash-proof suits, helmets, vests).
Instruction on the technique of water tourism.
The thresholds of Seminsky (2nd category of difficulty), Muninsky (2nd category of difficulty) and Manzheroksky (2nd category of difficulty) are waiting for us.
Water obstacles are not difficult for professionals, but if you are new to water tourism, then you will certainly get your shot of adrenaline!
We will take a rafting trip to Kamyshlinsky waterfall.
This is a cascading waterfall with a height of about 12 m on the left bank of the Katun River.
Lunch in the field (tea, sandwiches, sweets).
The rafting will end in front of the eco-hotel "Taezhnik".
Dinner at the Taezhnik cafe.
Shower on the territory of the eco-hotel Taezhnik.
Placement according to the selected option.
Transport: auto, raft.
Distance: 175 km, 40 km.

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Day 7 - Trekking to the Karakol lakes, departure
Early rise, breakfast, departure by minibus to the village of Elikmanar.
Here we transfer to an all-terrain vehicle (UAZ).
Uasing is a separate type of entertainment in Altai.
Got its name similar to jipping.
UAZ is one of the main all–terrain vehicles in Altai, used to drop groups in hard-to-reach places.
He overcomes various obstacles – hummocks, water obstacles, mud.
We drive along forest and dirt roads to the Karakol lakes.
This is a group of seven lakes of glacial origin, located on the western slope of the Ilozh ridge, at the foot of the Bagatash pass.
The lakes are located at different heights, and each is unique in its own way. In foggy weather, the cascade of lakes looks especially mystical.
Even in the hot summer, snow can be seen along the shores.
We get out of the car and take a walk up the trail from the lower to the upper (according to the condition of the group and based on weather conditions) lake.
The deepest lake is the third.
There is no bottom visible in it, so the locals made up a legend that at the bottom there is an entrance to the kingdom of the god of the underworld – Erlik…
Lunch in the form of a snack on the shore of one of the lakes.
We return to the highway on UAZ trucks, then drive to the eco-hotel "Taezhnik".
Dinner at the cafe.
Exit.
Transportation: by car, on foot.
Distance: 200 km, 16 km.

Difficulty

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

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. Suitable for family holidays, children from 10 years old are allowed on the route by agreement.

Accommodation

or

Tent, Camp Site

5 nights
Camp Site

1 night

Comfort

Basic

The tour provides accommodation of your choice.

The cost of the tour, depending on the selected accommodation, RUB.:

The type of placement on the Aru cordon is by Whom

Price, person.

Extra charge for a single room

tent

75 000

4 000

wooden house, on-site facilities

83 000

3-5 people each in a house with a stove

5,000 (a house without a stove)

For all accommodation options on the Aru-Kem cordon, on the territory of the Taezhnik eco-hotel, accommodation in 3-person yurts is assumed, single accommodation only if there is a free yurt.

Tent camp

Accommodation in tents, facilities on site.

Another option

Wooden houses

A warm house with a stove for 4-5 people in the house, if you want to live together (on request) - in a summer house without a stove (it can be cold in the mountains), amenities (toilet, sauna) on site.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 12 tourists

Minimum age

10 years old

Maximum weight of the tourist

100 kg

Duration

7 days 6 nights

Group meets at

the village of Manzherok

Included in price

group transfer from Gorno-Altaisk and back;
transportation services specified in the program;
3-course complex meals: breakfast and dinner in a cafe, lunch in the form of a snack in the field;
accommodation, according to the selected accommodation option;
horse rental;
rental of necessary equipment;
the work of a guide;
the work of the grooms;
recreational fees, entrance fees;
bathhouse every day;
insurance.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Barnaul, Gorno-Altaisk, Novosibirsk and back;
delivery to Taezhnik airport by the beginning of the tour, and back at the end, except for a group transfer from Gorno-Altaisk airport;
tick insurance 400 rubles.;
meals not specified in the tour program;
alternative accommodation options (rooms in the hostel, facilities on the floor, on the cordon);
accommodation before and after the tour (after the tour, you can stay in the tent for free, booking a room in advance for an additional fee).

It's important to know

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 drive bag);
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 (berets). But rubber boots are still 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;
sneakers 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;
replacement shoes for camping (slates);
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;
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.
a warm sweater or hoodie (preferably fleece or wool material);
a 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, this is not so. The weather in the mountains is extremely unpredictable;
warm hat (fleece or wool);
a cap or panama hat that covers the face and eyes from direct sunlight, or a bandana;
gloves (even plain cotton ones will do);
socks – 2-3 pairs of cotton or linen, 2 pairs of wool;
a splash-proof raincoat or suit that can withstand light rain. On the equestrian route, UGC (Combined Arms Protective Kit) is issued to protect against rain – a long rubber raincoat with a hood;
a bathing suit to enjoy sunbathing or take a dip in a mountain pond;
toilet and hygiene supplies. Including hygienic lipstick and sunscreen with a high protection factor (UF 50). Towels, shampoo, soap are required;
sunglasses that protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays in the mountains;
a small flashlight (a headlamp will be more convenient);
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., 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;
a camera or video camera (optional) with hermetically sealed, and do not forget a spare battery for it, or an external energy storage device, since there will be many types that you want to capture, and there will be nowhere to recharge;
tourist seat (hob);
personal tableware (plate, spoon, mug).
towel (when placed in tents or cabins without amenities).
In addition, you will need quick-drying shoes with laces or Velcro for the day of the rafting.

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. The requirement for a set of personal items. Nothing superfluous or sharp (without appropriate packages, which can damage the hermetic packaging).

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

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 12:00 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 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 message, NOT by phone, to the phone (to be indicated in the voucher) 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.

It is possible to arrange individual delivery from / to the airport to Taiga, if you do not want to go by group transfer for 1,000 rubles. / car (one way) capacity from 1 to 4 people.

Attention! one day before the start of the route, tourists are sent the car number and the phone number of the driver who meets them. Therefore, please specify the correct phone numbers so that it is convenient to contact the driver. For those arriving at the airport of Gorno-Altaisk, the driver's contacts and driver's number are sent immediately before arrival

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)

Recommendations for delivery from Novosibirsk.

Delivery from Novosibirsk in both directions is carried out independently 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 can be purchased independently on the website https://e-traffic.ru / or on another website that sells tickets, or at the ticket offices of the Novosibirsk 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 t\ k, 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 to Novosibirsk, the departure time from Taezhnik is 22:40 - 23:00, the bus must be stopped at Taezhnik (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 bus station staff 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.

Check with the manager about the availability of the delivery option in prefabricated cars (taxis) on your date.

Recommendations for delivery from Barnaul.

Delivery is carried out by private carriers and at the rates of private carriers, payment is made on the spot to the driver (the tour operator only helps with the organization of delivery).

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 estimated cost is from 2500.00 one way, depending on the class of car (the tour operator does not guarantee a fixed cost).

Dates and Prices

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26 May – 1 Jun, 2025 7 days 6 nights

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2 – 8 Jun, 2025 7 days 6 nights

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9 – 15 Jun, 2025 7 days 6 nights

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16 – 22 Jun, 2025 7 days 6 nights

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23 – 29 Jun, 2025 7 days 6 nights

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30 Jun – 6 Jul, 2025 7 days 6 nights

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7 – 13 Jul, 2025 7 days 6 nights

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14 – 20 Jul, 2025 7 days 6 nights

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21 – 27 Jul, 2025 7 days 6 nights

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28 Jul – 3 Aug, 2025 7 days 6 nights

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4 – 10 Aug, 2025 7 days 6 nights

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11 – 17 Aug, 2025 7 days 6 nights

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18 – 24 Aug, 2025 7 days 6 nights

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25 – 31 Aug, 2025 7 days 6 nights

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