Ethnotour to Altai

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In our tour you will see two regions – the Altai Territory and the Altai Republic.

The Altai Territory consists of fields, meadows with dense grass, cozy green foothills, and forested mountain ranges.

The Altai Republic has inaccessible cliffs, peaks with eternal snow and glaciers, and semi-desert intermountain steppes.

Altai is a common home for Russians, Altaians, and Kazakhs. The traditions of each nation are alive here, and cultures enrich each other. We invite you to an ethnographic journey where you will not just be a guest, but a full participant. You will get acquainted with the Russian culture and traditions carefully preserved by the Old Believers, and you will uncover the secrets of Altaian rituals and Kazakh customs.

You will listen to folklore songs of the Old Believers and Altai throat singing, taste the best national treats, make souvenirs with your own hands. For maximum immersion in culture, you will live in authentic housing – the house of Old Believers, the Altai village and the Kazakh yurt.

Location

Altai Republic, Gorno-Altaisk

Sightseeing tours

Contact the tour coordinator

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

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Tour highlights

A souvenir with your own hands

We will visit a real forge, where we can observe the forging process and even forge a souvenir for ourselves!

Traditions of the Old Believers

Let's listen to folklore songs and join a traditional feast.

Three cultures: Old Believers, Altaians, Kazakhs

We are waiting for a national dinner with observance of rituals and a concert of throat singing with playing traditional instruments

The sensation of Denisova Cave

We will visit the cave where the remains of a special branch of human evolution, called the Denisovans, were found

Mountain serpentine roads

We will climb the most beautiful serpentine with 62 turns and admire the views from the observation decks

Itinerary

Day 1 - Merchant town and the road to the mountains
We will meet you in Gorno-Altaysk and immediately embark on a journey through time to the ancient city of Biysk.
It was founded by decree of Peter the Great as a fortress in the south of Siberia.
It was here that the indigenous peoples of Altai took the oath of allegiance to the Russian state.
By the end of the 19th century, Biysk flourished, becoming a rich merchant center.
The legendary Chuisky highway originates from here, all famous travelers and explorers of Altai stayed here.
And how many secrets and amazing stories its streets hold!
We will visit the historical part: we will look for the remains of the old fortress, see the Siberian versions of the Bronze Horseman and the "insulated" Lenin, stand at the zero kilometer of the Chuisky highway and admire the magnificent brick houses of the early 20th century.
And to go back a century and a half ago, we will visit the museum of the Bishop's court, where the ancient interiors have been carefully recreated.
We will learn the secrets of the dungeons and even walk through a secret staircase in the wall of the house.
And then we go to the mountains.
Soon, the northern spurs of the Cherginsky and Seminsky ranges will open before us.
Today our goal is the small village of Solonovka, nestled at the foot of the mountains.
And we will stay for two nights in a special place — in the ancient guest house "Kerzhatsky Palati", where the traditions of the Old Believers are kept with love and attention.
Accommodation: guest house (2-, 3-bed rooms, bathrooms on the floor) | Meals: lunch, dinner | By car: 190 km | On foot: around the city.

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Day 2 - The living crafts of Siberia. Russian traditions
We will meet the morning in a special world.
We will wake up in the "Kerzhatsky tents" to the singing of birds and the aroma of fresh bread.
History breathes in this house: every log, every household item remembers the old customs.
Next, we will go to explore the resort town of Belokurikha.
We will climb the beautiful serpentine with 62 turns to the Mountain Belokurikha.
From the viewing platforms, we can see how the plain meets the mountains.
Then we will learn about the life of Russian peasants in the historical and architectural complex "Andreeva Sloboda".
We will look into the mysterious hut of a witch doctor, visit the house of bread and an ancient distillery, and have lunch in a real tavern.
And after that, a real blacksmith shop awaits us, where you will try yourself as a blacksmith and make a small souvenir as a keepsake.
After lunch, we will get acquainted with the traditions of the Old Believers during a sightseeing tour of Solonovka.
We will lift the veil of secrets of the ancient Kerzhatsky village, which remained hidden from the authorities for almost fifty years.
And let's end this eventful day with a creative chord — at the master class you will paint a beautiful and fragrant shaped gingerbread with your own hands.
Accommodation: guest house (2-, 3-bed rooms, bathrooms on the floor) | Meals: 3 times | By car: 80km | On foot: moderate.

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Day 3 - Transfer to the Altai Republic. Denisova Cave
This day promises to be full of contrasts.
We are waiting for a long but incredibly scenic drive.
Before lunch, we will drive past Russian villages where Old Believers have been living for a long time.
In the village of Popolny, we will visit the real keepers of this culture: we will listen to ancient songs and even participate in a unique ceremony of wrapping the bride.
And then — a leap into ancient times.
After all, we have the world-famous Denisova Cave on our way.
Humans have inhabited the cave for almost 300,000 years, and archaeologists have discovered 22 cultural layers in it.
The discovery of 2008 brought world fame to the cave – DNA analysis of a small bone showed that its owner does not belong to either extinct Neanderthals or Homo Sapiens, but represents a special branch of human evolution.
The new man was named Homo Altaensis or Denisovan.
Almost every year, new discoveries are made in Denisova Cave, which become a worldwide sensation.
Shortly after Denisova Cave, we will cross the border between the Altai Territory and the Altai Republic.
We will drive through the picturesque Kansk steppe and several passes to the Chuisky tract.
It's time to get acquainted with the culture of the indigenous inhabitants of Altai — the Altaians.
For these two nights we will stay in the national hexagonal dwelling — village.
And in the evening we will make a delicious dessert with our own hands — chock-chock.
Accommodation: Altai village (6-coal house, 2-, 3-bed accommodation, shower and toilet in the village) | Meals: 3 times | By car: 270 km | On foot: moderate.

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Day 4 - The sacred valley. Altai traditions
We will dedicate this day to the mysterious and picturesque Karakol Valley, which is revered by locals as a sacred place.
We will see the proudly towering peak of Uch-Enmek, collect water from a healing spring and get acquainted with unique archaeological monuments: petroglyphs, mounds, megalithic steles.
We will also visit a small but sincere museum, where we will learn firsthand about the life of the Altaians, their centuries-old traditions, basic occupations and sacred rituals.
And in the afternoon, we will have a peaceful walk to Lake Aru-Kem, whose name perfectly reflects its essence — "pure water".
In the evening we will continue our acquaintance with Altai, now we will get to know its taste: a national dinner with rituals awaits us.
And after dinner— a meeting with Kaichi, a throat singer.
You will hear three types of throat singing and help the musician to play musical instruments.
Accommodation: Altai village (6-coal house, 2-, 3-bed accommodation, shower and toilet in the village) | Meals: 3 times | By car: 60 km | On foot: 6 km

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Day 5 - Deep into Altai
Today we will travel along the main artery of Altai — the Chuisky tract, which is one of the most beautiful roads in the world.
Here, a new magnificent landscape opens up around every turn — you want to take photos literally at every step.
This road is also a real open—air museum, where many historical, archaeological and cultural monuments are concentrated.
Therefore, the 270-kilometer journey will take us a whole day.
In Kalbak-Tash, we learn a lot about the life and beliefs of the ancient inhabitants of Altai by looking at the drawings carved on the stone.
We will admire the Chiketaman Pass, the confluence of the Chuya and Katun rivers, the Katuni terraces and the impressive North Chuya Ridge with glaciers and eternal snow.
Let's take a look at a small Geyser lake that can draw abstract paintings on the bottom.
We will learn the secrets and traditions of the Altai people from the hostess of the ethnic village on the banks of the Katun River.
By evening, we will reach the expanses of the Chuya steppe and feel like real nomads, settling into a cozy felt yurt.
And after dinner, we'll try to create with our own hands a piece of warm felt — the main material of steppe life.
Accommodation: yurt (2- and 3-bed accommodation, toilet and shower in a separate building on the territory) | Meals: 3 times | By car: 270 km | On foot: moderate.

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Day 6 - Secrets of the Chuya steppe. Kazakh traditions
Today we will devote ourselves to exploring the harsh and majestic Chuya steppe.
We will visit the local museum, which contains unique historical and archaeological finds discovered in these places.
What is the perfectly preserved head and arm of an ancient warrior, who is at least 1.5 thousand years old.
We will also admire the incredible landscapes of the red Kyzyl-shin gorge.
Then our way lies to the valley of the Yustyd River.
At first glance, it may seem lifeless, but this impression is deceptive.
For several millennia, these lands have served as ideal pastures for nomads.
Numerous monuments speak eloquently about the rich past: megalithic steles, mysterious petroglyphs, ancient burial mounds, huge stone mounds and bizarre designs of boulders.
Kereksurs look especially impressive — complex structures with a large embankment in the center, surrounded by stone rings and rays.
We will definitely see the most interesting ones.
The Chuiskaya steppe is not only a home for Altaians, Kazakhs have been living here for several centuries.
In the Kazakh village of Zhana-Aul, we will visit the museum, where we will learn how Altai became a home for this people.
And the highlight of the day will be a dinner in a hospitable Kazakh family, where we will taste authentic national dishes.
Accommodation: yurt (2- and 3-bed accommodation, toilet and shower in a separate building on the territory) | Meals: 3 times | By car: 100 km | Walk: average load

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Day 7 - Martian landscapes
A trip to another planet awaits us right in the morning!
We are going to Mars-1, a place where outcrops of red, yellow, burgundy, white and brown clays create a truly fantastic alien landscape.
We will climb to the top of the colorful hills to descend through a narrow picturesque canyon.
And from the height of the observation deck, we will admire the panorama of the harsh Yuzhno-Chuiskiy ridge and the lost world of Mars-2.
After lunch, we will slowly begin the return journey towards Gorno-Altaysk.
Part of the road will be new to you.
We will climb the highest pass of the Chuisky tract — Seminsky.
In the late afternoon, we will take a walk through the Botanical Garden, a pleasant and peaceful place where you can relax, unwind and be filled with the tranquility of nature.
We will stay in guest houses in the Kamlak area for the night.
Accommodation: guest houses (rooms for 2-3 people with amenities) | Meals: 3 times | By car: 370 km | On foot: moderate.

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Day 8 - The capital of the Republic
Today is the final part of the journey to Gorno-Altaysk, the capital of the Altai Republic.
Here we will have a sightseeing tour of the city.
We will find the place where Ulala began, see how Oirot-Tura developed and find out how the architecture of Gorno-Altaysk is close to Egypt.
Then we will visit the National Museum of the Altai Republic, one of the best in Siberia.
It is there that the famous mummy of the Altai Princess, found on the Ukok plateau, rests in a special sarcophagus.
The halls of history and ethnography will help you collect impressions into a single picture, refresh your memory of what you have seen and open up new facets of the history of Altai.
Our big trip will end around 16 hours, leaving you not only vivid memories and photos, but also a deep understanding of the spirit of Altai.
Accommodation: none | Meals: breakfast, lunch | By car: 90 km | On foot: moderate

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Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Tour organizer's comments

The level of training is elementary. It is necessary to be in good physical shape. The program includes walking for 1-2 hours with small ascents to the observation points.

Accommodation

Guest House

4 nights
Camping

2 nights
Camp Site

1 night

Comfort

Basic+
Midscale

The tour provides accommodation in guest houses and campsites along the route.

Single occupancy is 24,000 rubles by prior arrangement, as some locations have a limited number of rooms.

1-2 nights – Kerzhatskie Palati Guest House (shower and toilet in the room or one bathroom for several rooms);
Nights 3-4 – Altai villages Eco-house "Altai" (shower and toilet in the village);
Nights 5-6 – Turkic yurts at Tydtuyaryk yurt campsite (shower and toilet in a separate building on the territory);
Night 7 – recreation center "Mikhailovo" or similar, rooms with amenities.

The possible placement options are shown below.

Guest house "Kerzhatsky Palati" is located in the very center of the village of Solonovka. Private parking, shuttle service, and laundry are available. Recreational facilities include a sauna, fishing, bicycle rental and horse riding. Pets are welcome upon request.

The hotel consists of four cozy rooms designed in an unusual style. There are comfortable beds with fresh linens, a table and chairs everywhere. The windows overlook the surrounding scenic area. The bathroom is shared. There is a shared kitchen with an oven where you can cook Russian dishes according to traditional recipes. There are also several barbecue areas in the garden.

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Tour conditions

Group

From 4 to 12 tourists

Minimum age

12 years old

Duration

8 days 7 nights

Group meets at

Altai Republic, Gorno-Altaisk

Included in price

2- and 3-bed accommodation;
three meals a day (except breakfast on the 1st day and dinner on the last day);
transfers according to the program;
guide services (Russian, English, German);
entrance fees (Museum of the Bishop's Compound, Belokurikha Forge, Andreevskaya Sloboda Museum, excursion to Denisova Cave, Kalbak-Tash, Geyser Lake, Mars, Telengit Museum of the Chui Steppe, Botanical Garden, National Museum of the Republic of Armenia);
excursions and events according to the program (National dinner in the Karakol valley and in the Kazakh family, kaichi concert individually for the group, meeting in the ethnoail;
visa invitation (for foreign tourists);
insurance against tick bite.

Paid extra

air or railway tickets to Gorno-Altaysk and back;
insurance (except for tick bite insurance);
personal items (souvenirs and other personal items that you will want to buy);
alcoholic beverages.

It's important to know

This list will help you make sure that you have everything you need for your trip to Altai. Even if you are an experienced traveler, it is always useful to check yourself on an additional list. If you have forgotten something, you will have the opportunity to buy the most necessary things in local stores. But be prepared that the choice may be limited and you will not be able to find your favorite brands.

Bags:

The main bag. We recommend one soft sports bag or a frameless backpack. They are less bulky and easy to handle. We really appreciate the convenient size bags. Suitcases are not the most suitable type for our tours.
A Hiking Backpack. In addition to the main bag, you will need a small backpack for excursions and day hikes. This backpack should have enough space for water, warm and waterproof clothes, binoculars and everything else that you will take with you on a day trip.

Clothes:

Usually the temperature on our trips ranges from +15 to +25°C during the day and from +5 to +15°With the night.

But there are also very hot (above 30 °C) or rainy days.

It is possible that the temperature may even drop below zero at night. We spend most of our trips at an altitude of 1600-2200 meters above sea level, so there is a lot of UV radiation. The most reliable advice is to be prepared for any weather! Layering in clothes is ideal. We recommend clothes made of synthetic fabrics (such as nylon, polyester, polypropylene or fleece), as they dry quickly and usually take up less space in your luggage. Please note that during our trips it is almost impossible to arrange laundry. So it's better to take the amount of clothes that you need for all the days of the trip. You should also have a spare set of clothes (including trousers and a jacket) in case you get wet.

T-shirts;
Long Sleeve Shirt;
T–shirt - for very hot days;
Fleece jacket/sweater/vest (it is better to have several pieces that can be layered on top of each other);
A warm (down) coat or jacket – for cold evenings;
Transformer shorts or trousers that can be turned into shorts;
Trousers (2-3 pcs.), preferably at least one of a quick-drying synthetic material;
Sweatpants or something similar;
Waterproof and windproof clothing (jacket and trousers);
Socks – wool and synthetic or cotton;
Lingerie;
A sun cap or hat;
Fleece or woolen hat;
Gloves;
Swimsuit (optional);

Shoes:

Boots for radial hiking/ trekking. They must have good ankle support and grip, be waterproof and waterproof.
Sneakers (for moving in transport, walking on bases);
Sports Sandals;

Toiletries:

The towel is lightweight, absorbent and easy to dry;
Toothbrush, toothpaste;
Soap, shower gel;
Shampoo, conditioner;
Mirror (optional);
Hair brush/comb, hair bands (if necessary);
Deodorant;
Shaving cream and razors (if necessary);
Wet wipes;
Toilet paper;
Feminine hygiene products (if necessary);
Sunscreen/sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher);
Lip Balm (SPF 30 or higher);
Moisturizer (sun and wind usually make the skin dry);
Insect repellent;
A small first aid kit and any prescription medications you take (we have our own first aid kit in case of need);

Technical means:

Camera;
Spare batteries;
Memory cards;
Chargers;
Cables;
Flashlight/headlamp and batteries;
Telephone;
Tripod (optional);
Binoculars (optional);

Other personal items:

Sunglasses;
Spare glasses or contact lenses (if necessary);
Water Bottle;
Pocket knife;
Writing materials;
Sleep aids (blindfolds, earplugs) (optional);
Trekking poles (optional);
We will provide you with a metal plate and cup, fork and spoon.
If you prefer your own, you can bring it, of course.

Documents:

Passport and a photocopy of the first page.

Dates and Prices

$1,840

12 – 19 Aug 8 days 7 nights

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