Diving in Altai: horses, rafting and trekking

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
$876
$755
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
7 Days
6 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • Dates for next season
    • 26 May – 1 June, 2025
    • 2 – 8 June, 2025
    • 9 – 15 June, 2025
    • 16 – 22 June, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • or
    Tent, Camp Site
    5 nights
  • Camp Site
    1 night
Comfort
  • Basic
Difficulty
Challenging
Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health
Group
Up to 12 people
Minimum age
10 years old
Maximum weight of the tourist
100 kg
Group meet at
the village of Manzherok
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

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.

    1 more photo
  • Day 2 - Horse riding tour: Arukemskaya Cave – Lake Aru-Kem
  • Day 3 - Horse riding tour to the Kara-Tash pass (Black Stone)
  • Day 4 - Horse riding tour to the valley of mounds and rock paintings
  • Day 5 - Horse riding tour to the Bashadar mounds
  • Day 6 - Transfer to the starting point of the rafting
  • Day 7 - Trekking to the Karakol lakes, departure
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

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 WhomPrice, person.Extra charge for a single room 
tent75 0004 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 or Wooden houses 5 nights
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.

4 more photos
Eco-hotel "Taezhnik" 1 night

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

Personal equipment you need for the tour
  • 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).

Are plane tickets included in the tour price?
Is insurance included in the price of the tour?
What are the features of the route?
Is delivery included in the price of the tour?
Is there a participant's weight limit for horseback riding?

Dates and Prices

  • from
    $755
    26 May – 1 Jun, 2025 7 days 6 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • from
    $755
    2 – 8 Jun, 2025 7 days 6 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • from
    $755
    9 – 15 Jun, 2025 7 days 6 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • from
    $755
    16 – 22 Jun, 2025 7 days 6 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • from
    $755
    23 – 29 Jun, 2025 7 days 6 nights
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    No need to pay now