Hiking tour to the Maashey Valley and Karakabak Lakes

We invite you to hike through the very center of the North Chui ridge, which is one of the largest in Altai. The route runs along the valley of the Maashey River to the Maashey Glacier. The glacier is located near the Maashey-Bash mountain, whose height is 4,177 meters.

Location

Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Biysk, Gorno-Altaysk
from
$648
$772
The price is valid until 23 Jun
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
6 days
5 nights
Departures
19 - 24 Jun
26 Jun - 1 Jul
9 - 14 Jul
16 - 21 Jul
29 Jul - 3 Aug
5 - 10 Aug
18 - 23 Aug
Accommodation
  • Tent
    5 nights
Comfort
  • Basic
Difficulty
Moderate
Involves moderate physical activity
Group
From 5 to 18 tourists
Minimum age
12 years old
Group meet at
Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Biysk, Gorno-Altaysk
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

Altai Lakes
We will see the high-altitude lakes of Karakabak and the disappeared lake Maashey
Active travel
Let's go on a real hike in the Altai Mountains, spend the night in tents and cook over a campfire
The beauty of the Altai Mountains
We will see the most diverse, constantly changing landscapes.

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Car transfer to the village of Chibit

    The meeting of the group depends on the place of arrival.

    After the meeting, the group gets on the bus.

    Today you will have a car trip to the village of Chibit.

    From the city of Biysk, your route will run along the famous Chuisky highway.

    A few hours after a long climb, you will find yourself at the Seminsky pass, the highest point of the Chuisky tract – 1717 m above sea level (9 km ascent and 11 km descent).

    After the Seminsky pass, the Chike Taman pass (1,460 m) will leave you with a lot of sensations, although it is lower, but the serpentine descents and ascents are much steeper.

    The cedar forest and the wonderful view of the majestic Altai Mountains opening from the passes will not leave you indifferent.

    After the confluence of Katun and Chuya, the road rushes along the valley of the Chuya River, where you will witness the fury of the rapids of the mountain river.

    Dinner, an evening of dating around the campfire.

    Camping in the village of Chibit in tents.

    Meals included: dinner.

    By car (from Barnaul): 630 km. It takes 9-10 hours on the road (excluding traffic jams and sanitary stops).

  • Day 2 - Chibit village – Chuya River – Mazhoy River – mouth of the Karakabak River
  • Day 3 - Radial access to the Maasheisky Lake (disappeared) or to the glacier (according to phys. status of participants)
  • Day 4 - Radial access to the Karakabak lakes
  • Day 5 - the mouth of the Karakabak River – Chuya River – camping in the village of Chibit
  • Day 6 - Chibit village – Gorno-Altaysk – Biysk – Barnaul – Novosibirsk
Difficulty
Involves moderate physical activity

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Tent
    5 nights
Comfort
  • Basic

On the active part of the route, tourists are accommodated in 2-3-seater modern tents with an awning. On the first and fifth day of the tour, accommodation in tents on the camping site. 

Tent 5 nights

Tour conditions

Group
From 5 to 18 tourists
Minimum age
12 years old
Duration
6 days 5 nights
Group meets at
Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Biysk, Gorno-Altaysk

Included in price

  • transportation for the tour from Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Biysk, Gorno-Altaysk to the village of Chibit and back;
  • transfer from Chibit village to Mazhoysky bridge and back by UAZ car;
  • guide services;
  • meals from dinner on the day of arrival to breakfast on the day of departure;
  • group equipment: tents, awning, campfire and cooking equipment, first aid kit;
  • Personal equipment: sleeping bag, sleeping mat (karemat);
  • medical and accident insurance;
  • sauna according to the program, on the fifth day of the tour;
  • places for tents throughout the tour;
  • payment for the bridge over the Chuya River, in both directions;
  • registration of the group in the Ministry of Emergency Situations;
  • guided tours according to the program.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Biysk, Gorno-Altaysk and back;
  • insurance for foreign citizens (including CIS countries) and citizens of the Russian Federation over 64 years of age;
  • meals at roadside cafes, during the transfer;
  • additional baths, on the first day at the campsite and at the confluence of the Maasha and Karakabak;
  • services offered at the base parking lots and not included in the program;
  • any changes to the program that incur additional costs.

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour
  • backpack with wide straps, 70-90 liters;
There should be room in the backpack for public equipment and groceries, about 5-7 kg at the start of the hike. A backpack for girls should have a volume of 70-80 liters, for boys 80-90 liters, provided that after packing your personal belongings you have 25-30% of the free volume for group items.
  • trekking poles;
  • reliable waterproof liner, plastic bags (a waterproof bag for protecting especially valuable personal items – money, documents, camera, etc.) from the water;
  • hiking shoes for hiking, running shoes or trekking boots with ankle fixation are best suited. Avoid new shoes that have not been worn.
  • replacement shoes for camping (sneakers, slates);
  • comfortable clothing for walking radial crossings – sweatpants that do not restrict movement, made of lightweight, quick-drying material, a shirt or a long-sleeve T-shirt.;
  • a set of clothes for moving in the car and relaxing in the camp – trousers, shirt, shorts, T-shirt;
  • thermal underwear. Either tights, warm tights with a vest or a turtleneck (for sleeping);
  • a warm sweater;
  • warm jacket (sintepon or down jacket);
  • warm hat (fleece or wool);
  • a cap or a panama hat;
  • gloves (even simple cotton ones will do);
  • socks – 2-3 pairs of cotton or linen, 1 pair of wool;
  • A waterproof raincoat or suit that can withstand heavy rain is a must! The raincoat should be durable, not made of thin polyethylene.;
  • bathing suit;
  • toilet and hygiene supplies. Including hygienic lipstick and sunscreen with a high protection factor.;
  • sunglasses that protect your eyes from UV rays in the mountains;
  • small flashlight (head-mounted);
  • individual medicines;
  • a small water flask. You can use a plastic bottle with a capacity of 0.5 liters.;
  • a camera or video camera (optional) with hermetic packaging;
  • tourist seat (hoba);
  • trekking poles;
  • personal tableware (bowl, mug, spoon);
  • sleeping bags are provided, but it is better to have your own (comfort -5;0), since the sleeping bag is an object of individual use.

It is mandatory to have a passport (birth certificate), a medical insurance policy and money for souvenirs, additional baths, etc.

Recommendations for filling an individual first aid kit:

A group going hiking in Altai is provided with a shared first-aid kit, which is located with an instructor guide. However, each participant of an active tour in Gorny Altai must also have a personal first-aid kit, which must contain a supply of individual medicines (which you regularly take), as well as the following medicines:

  • patch for scratches, cuts and calluses (recommended bactericidal (with "green") 6x10 cm, as it adheres well to the skin and can be cut into pieces of different widths);
  • roll-up patch (1 pc.);
  • a medium-sized bandage (1 pc.);
  • analgesic (in tablets) (1 pack);
  • aspirin (1 pack);
  • citramon (1 pack);
  • nasal congestion relief drops (1 pc.);
  • eye drops (Albucide) (1 pc.);
  • remedy for cold symptoms (for example, Coldrex, etc.) (2-3 packs);
  • antiseptic ointment or cream (for example, Levomekol, Baneocin, etc.) (1 pc.);
  • sunburn remedy (for example, Lifeguard, Boro-plus, Panthenol, etc.) (1 pc.);
  • elastic bandage (1 pc.);
  • remedy for sore throat (1-2 packs);
  • fast-acting remedies for indigestion (e.g. Loperamide, Imodium, etc.) (1-2 packs);
  • enzyme preparation (for example, Mezim, etc.) (1-2 packs);
  • an antihistamine that does not cause drowsiness (for example, Kestin, Claritin, Zyrtek, etc.) (1 pack.);
  • multivitamins (optional).
Can children aged 12-16 take part in the tour?
What kind of transport will the transfer be organized on, how long will we be on the road?
How many people will be in the group, age, more boys or girls?
How much (on average) does a backpack weigh during a hike?
How are meals organized on the route?
How are the products and group equipment distributed among the participants of the hike?
Are there frequent halts?
How is the meeting of tourists on the first day of the tour carried out?
On what day should I buy a return ticket?
Are plane tickets included in the tour price?
How is the accommodation in tents and how many people?
Is it possible to conduct the tour on other dates?
What kind of weather awaits us on tour?
What are the requirements for a tour participant?
Will there be mosquitoes, midges, ticks on the route?
What discounts and special offers are available for this tour?

Dates and Prices

  • $772
    $648
    Early Booker Deal
    19 – 24 Jun 6 days 5 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $772
    $648
    Early Booker Deal
    26 Jun – 1 Jul 6 days 5 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $772
    $648
    Early Booker Deal
    9 – 14 Jul 6 days 5 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $772
    $648
    Early Booker Deal
    16 – 21 Jul 6 days 5 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $772
    $648
    Early Booker Deal
    29 Jul – 3 Aug 6 days 5 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now

Reviews Leave a review

  • V
    Valeri
    about provider
    10 Feb, 2026
    Special thanks to our guide, Lyudmila, she has a great sense of humor and was fantastic at working with our group. If the providers are reading this, she definitely deserves an award for her professionalism. We’re absolutely thrilled 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 and will happily recommend you to everyone :)
  • A
    Anna
    about provider
    18 Nov, 2025
    Many thanks to the provider and especially to our guide Lyudmila. Everything was just as promised👍😊