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

Discount available

Contact the tour coordinator

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

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Tour highlights

Horseback riding in Altai

Exciting horseback riding tours with immersion in the Altai nature and its ancient history await us.

A surge of adrenaline

We will become the conquerors of the 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 Taezhnik eco-hotel. It is possible on your own by private car, by intercity bus, by booked car or with a collective transfer from Gorno-Altaysk airport, the main thing is up to 10 hours!
On this day, the group will be transferred to the Aru-Kem cordon, where the guests will live for the next five days. This fascinating journey with all the planned stops takes at least 7 hours.
A guide will meet guests at the Taezhnik eco-hotel, introduce them to the surroundings and take them to a cafe for breakfast until 10:30.
If the whole group is assembled, then we take the Taezhnik — Aru‑Kem route and have lunch on the way to a cafe. We may have to wait for the band members, then we will have lunch at the Taezhnik cafe and then we will leave along the route.
Moving to the Aru‑Kem cordon passes along the famous Chuisky highway with stories about its sights. This road is thousands of years old, and it once served as a trade route between the East and Russia.
On the way, stops are planned at the Seminsky Pass, at the monument to the Gopher, and a visit to the museum in Kulada village. Here, for the first time, they will tell us in detail about the life of the Altaians, show us amazing objects that the Altai people have used for centuries, and also play the national instrument, the komuz.
Of course, there will also be 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 Uchural cordon is an excellent horseman and a good psychologist. He will talk to each tourist to find a horse suitable for his level of training and temperament.
Transportation: car.
Distance: 178 km.

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Day 2 - Horseback riding tour: Arukemskaya Cave — Lake Aru-Kem
General wake-up at 8 a.m. and breakfast at 9:00 in the cafe.
Fees. Safety briefing for equestrian tourism. Acquaintance with Altai horses and the distribution of horses among tourists according to the recommendations of the owner of the cordon. Horses are saddled by grooms, but you can also learn the 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 a mixed forest.
Turning into a clearing, travelers will leave their horses for a while to make a short 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 relax in the cool shade of the rocky arches.
Returning to the horses, we continue the horseback ride to the Aru-Kem mountain lake. 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, the lake is sacred to the locals.
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. 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)
Breakfast in the cafe.
After breakfast, we get on our familiar horses and set off on the road. Today we are going to the Kara-Tash pass. At first, the road will follow 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.
On the way to the sacred pass, travelers will see ribbons tied on trees. The guide will tell you about this ancient rite.
From the Kara Pass‑It offers a panoramic view of the entire Karakol Valley, 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, learn why they were built, 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 to "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 as 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 sauna and a master class.
Do you know how fried barley can turn into mouth-watering sweets? The inhabitants of the cordon will tell you about this, we will prepare traditional Altai sweets from talkan and enjoy them for breakfast.
Transportation: horses.
Distance: 18 km.

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Day 4 - Horse riding tour to the valley of mounds and rock paintings
After breakfast, he sets off. We are waiting for a simple transition, which runs mainly along dirt roads. But the day is full of cultural monuments.
The first one will be the Sooru tract, a large valley with more than 450 archaeological sites. Among them are the site of ancient people, Scythian mounds, and Turkic balbals. Here, guests will enjoy an exciting excursion into the past.
After continuing the journey 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 ridge on foot. In addition to the rock carvings, we will see an altar here, a place where ancient rituals of worshiping the spirits of Altai are held. The last ones were held quite recently, so the altar is quite well preserved.
Another nice bonus of this place is that it catches the mobile Internet (MTS), 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. Tourists will be taught how to shoot an 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 at the cafe.
The equestrian and sometimes automobile road runs smoothly through the territory of the Uch-Enmek Nature Park, without ascents and descents, occasionally crossing streams and rivers by ford 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 two meters.
A 300-meter-long fence lined with slabs has been well preserved in this burial system. The structures of the Pazyryk culture (VI—III centuries BC) predominate.
We have lunch on the bank of the Karakol River and share our impressions. We return to the cordon, have dinner, go to the sauna, and prepare to leave.
Transportation: 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 8 a.m. 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 Seminsky (2nd category of difficulty), Muninsky (2nd category of difficulty) and Manzheroksky (2nd category of difficulty) thresholds 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 dose of adrenaline!
We will stop at Kamyshlinsky waterfall by rafting. It is a cascading waterfall about 12 m high on the left bank of the Katun River.
Lunch in the field (tea, sandwiches, sweets).
The rafting will end in front of the Taezhnik eco-hotel. Dinner at the Taezhnik cafe. Shower on the territory of the eco-hotel "Taezhnik". Placement according to the selected option.
Transportation: car, raft.
Distance: 175 km, 40 km.

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Day 7 - Trekking to the Karakol lakes, departure
Early wake-up, breakfast, departure by minibus to the village of Elikmanar. Here we transfer to an off-road vehicle (UAZ).
Surfing is a separate type of entertainment in Altai. Got its name similar to jeeping. 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 glacial lakes located on the western slope of the Ilozhe range, 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 the weather conditions) lake. The deepest lake is the third. You can't see the bottom in it, so the locals made up a legend that the entrance to the kingdom of the god of the underworld, Erlik, is located at the bottom.…
Lunch in the form of a snack on the shore of one of the lakes.
We take the UAZ trucks back to the highway, then drive to the Taezhnik eco-hotel. Dinner at the cafe. Exit.
Transportation: by car, on foot.
Distance: 200 km, 16 km.

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Difficulty

Does not require specific skills, but one must be in a good physical shape

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 a choice of accommodation.

The cost of the tour depends on the chosen accommodation, RUB.:

The type of placement on the Aru cordon is by whom	Price, person.	Extra charge for a single room
tent	89 500	5 000
wooden house, on-site amenities	96 200	6,500 (house without stove)

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

Tent

Another option

Camp Site

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Tour conditions

Group

From 6 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-Altaysk and back;
transportation services specified in the program;
3-course complex meals: breakfast and dinner in a cafe, lunch as a snack in the field;
accommodation, according to the selected accommodation option;
horse rental;
rent of necessary equipment;
The guide's job;
the work of grooms;
recreational fees, entrance fees;
sauna every day according to the program;
insurance.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Barnaul, Gorno-Altaysk, 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-Altaysk airport;
private transfer from GA airport – 1,500 rub.;
tick insurance – 400 rubles.;
meals not included 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-Altaysk airport to the Taezhnik tourist complex (round trip) as a gift upon purchase of this tour.

Advice from the tour organizers: to buy flights to the airport of Gorno-Altaysk (the capital of the Altai Republic) with the arrival time until 9:00, as the 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 arrival time of the aircraft.

We ask you to inform us about the actual delays in departure time by text message, not by phone (to be indicated on the voucher), so that we can meet you on time. We will inform you about which car will meet you either on the evening before arrival or during your flight.

We kindly ask that you turn on your phones immediately after boarding the plane so that the drivers can contact you, and take with you the 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 the tourists arriving on it to board.

Individual delivery from / to the airport to Taiga is possible, if you do not want to travel by group transfer, for 2100 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 provide the correct phone numbers so that it is convenient to contact the driver. For those arriving at the airport in Gorno-Altaysk, 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 the start of the tour.

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). 2 collection points.

Meeting at Barnaul airport (from 5:50 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.), meeting at Barnaul railway station from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

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 team is assembled in full.

The driver will have your contact phone numbers, along with information about the place and time of the meeting, and the driver will contact you.

Cars do not leave for 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 delayed by 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 cars.

We kindly ask that you turn on your phones immediately after boarding the plane so that the drivers can contact you, and take with you the phones whose numbers are indicated in the application.

Departure from Taezhnik airport 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.

Travel time is 3-4 hours. If there are no cars, you can take a regular bus.

The estimated cost starts from 2000 rubles (the tour operator does not guarantee a fixed price).

Dates and Prices

$1,234

8 – 14 Jun 7 days 6 nights

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$1,234

$1,193
-3%

15 – 21 Jun 7 days 6 nights

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$1,234

$1,193
-3%

22 – 28 Jun 7 days 6 nights

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$1,234

29 Jun – 5 Jul 7 days 6 nights

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$1,234

6 – 12 Jul 7 days 6 nights

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$1,234

13 – 19 Jul 7 days 6 nights

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$1,234

20 – 26 Jul 7 days 6 nights

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$1,234

27 Jul – 2 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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$1,234

3 – 9 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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$1,234

10 – 16 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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$1,234

17 – 23 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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$1,234

24 – 30 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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$1,234

31 Aug – 6 Sep 7 days 6 nights

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Reviews Leave a review

S
Sergei

about tour - Diving in Altai: horses, rafting and trekking

25 Sep, 2025

It was my first time in Altai, and I was incredibly lucky to have such an amazing tour, perfect for a first visit. I went with my 3 adult children. The horses were just fantastic, an absolute highlight! I highly recommend it to everyone. Our guide Irina was wonderful!
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.