Horse riding tour to Karakol lakes and Nizhny Katun

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Karakol Lakes are one of the most attractive places in the Altai Mountains. The lakes are located in the upper reaches of the Karakol River (a tributary of the Elekmonar River) in the pre-alpine part of the western slope of the Iolg ridge. The absolute height of the lowest of the lakes is 1820 m, the highest is 2097 m. The Karakol Lakes are a system of 7 lakes connected by channels and streams and having different water colors. The decoration of the lakes is the surrounding landscape: cedar forest with an admixture of larch, smoothly turning into meadows. The tour also includes rafting on the lower Katun River.

Location

Barnaul, Novosibirsk, Biysk, Gorno-Altaisk

from

Early
booking

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

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Tour highlights

Altai waters

Let's watch the Beltertuyuk and Kamyshlinsky waterfalls, and see a system of 7 mountain lakes

Petroglyphs

We will take part in an excursion to the ancient rock paintings

Interesting places

We will visit the Tavdinsky caves and the Chemalskaya hydroelectric power station

A surge of adrenaline

We will raft along the lower Katun and overcome thresholds of varying degrees of difficulty

Itinerary

Day 1 - Auto transfer Novosibirsk – Barnaul – Biysk – Gorno-Altaysk – village of Elekmonar – horse base
We meet in Novosibirsk and Barnaul, go to the city of Biysk, where we get acquainted with the instructor.

From Biysk, we continue our minibus trip to the village of Elekmonar, on the way we pick up the tour participants from Gorno-Altaysk.

This is followed by a transfer by SUV from the village of Elekmonar to the Karakol tract, where the equestrian base is located.

On the way, we admire the forest road and the mountain rivers Elekmonar and Karakol.

Upon arrival at the equestrian base, we are instructed about the safety rules for hiking, after which we receive equipment and distribute food.

At the end of the day, you will have a sauna and an overnight stay in a tent camp.

Power is included: dinner.

By car (from Barnaul): 370 km, of which 20 km is off-road. On the road, 6 hours on asphalt, 2-3 hours on a broken primer (excluding traffic jams and sanitary stops).
Day 2 - Horse base — parking at the Karakol lakes
Breakfast, packing for the road, safety instructions.
After the safety briefing, we go on a horseback trip to the Karakol lakes.
The transition is not difficult, it will allow you to get acquainted with horses, admire the nature of Altai.
After setting up camp, after lunch we will take a walking tour along the lakes.
The Karakol Lakes are a group of picturesque reservoirs at an altitude of 1820 to 2097 meters above sea level.
They were formed as a result of the melting of ancient glaciers.
Water filled the basins that appeared due to the movement of the earth's crust.
The lakes are shaped like a car ladder.
The basins are located at a distance of 300-800 meters, at different levels-steps separated by ledges.
Glaciers that existed in different epochs gave this kind of terrain.
Horse riding is 15 km, 4-5 hours on the way. Walking tour 5 km.
Day 3 - Parking at the Karakol lakes – Muekhta tract
In the morning, we ride horses up from the valley of the lakes to the Muekhta tract, the ascent is not easy, perhaps in some areas you will need to dismount and hold the horse on a leash.
During the transition, we will make a stop at the Bagatash pass and in the valley of stone Tours, visit the Castles of Mountain Spirits.
Also on this day, the entire chain of Karakol lakes will open to us, for this we will walk a little to the left and find ourselves on the edge of the circus (a hollow in the form of an amphitheater), from where we will see the lakes from a bird's-eye view.
The horse crossing takes 4-5 hours.
Day 4 - Muekhta River — Akkaya Pass — Ayryk pass — Ayryk tract
Early rise, today is a busy day.
After breakfast, we will have a walking tour to the Muekhtinsky waterfall.
Its height is about 8 meters, the noise from falling water can be heard far around, and a million splashes on a sunny day form a rainbow.
After returning from the excursion to the waterfall and having lunch, we set off on horseback.
We are waiting for the transition to the Ayryk tract.
At the beginning of the transition, we ascend the Akkainsky pass.
We admire the fascinating views of mountain lakes, meadows and passes.
The highest peak that can be seen from this point is Akkaya, its height is 2385 m.
We go down to the Ayryk tract.
We stay overnight in the cedar forest.
Horse riding is 18 km, 5-6 hours on the way. Walking tour 2.5-3 hours.
Day 5 - A day's rest. Horse riding to Karakokshinsky caves
The road runs along the Ayryk tract, among meadows and majestic cedars.
Be sure to bring a flashlight with you, you can walk through the cave if you are not afraid of bats and darkness.
You return to the camp, spend the night in tents.
Horses are 8 km, 3-4 hours.
Day 6 - Ayryk tract — Ayryk pass — Akkinsky pass — horse base
Already on the familiar ramp, we return back towards the Karakol lakes and further to the horse base.
Bathhouse.
The horse crossing is about 30 km, 5-6 hours on the way.
Day 7 - Equestrian base – S. Elekmonar – S. Kuyus
Transfer to the village of Kuyus.
Getting to know the water instructors.
Accommodation in a tent campsite.
Car: 80 km, 20 km of them, off-road.
On the road, 1-1.5 hours on asphalt, 2-3 hours on a broken primer.
Day 8 - Kuyus village — Chemal village
In the morning we overcome the thresholds "Teldekpen 1" and "Teldekpen 2", among water workers they are called "Stumps".
They have been assigned 4 difficulty categories — these are canyon-type rapids, with a large number of craters and "mushrooms".
Further on, the river has a relatively calm flow.
After passing the simple rapids "Elandinsky" and "Cheburakh", we set up camp on the banks of the Katun River, near the village of Chemal.
By water 45 km, 5-6 hours.
Day 9 - Chemal village — Cheposh village
Today we are passing a calm section of the river, from the side of the raft we will see Patmos — a small stone island, to which a suspension bridge leads.
The wooden Chemal temple, built in 1849, was moved here in 1915.
In 2001, the church was restored and rededicated.
Today, ancient icons are regularly updated in it, there is also a new image of the Mother of God with a baby, which was carved on a stone by nuns.
Next, we pass the simple thresholds "Chemal pipe", "Elekmonarsky" and "Iradash".
Overnight at a campground.
By water 45 km, 5-6 hours.
Day 10 - The village of Cheposh – the village of Lime
The day begins with passing the threshold of the "Seminsky" 2-3 difficulty categories.
Then we make a stop at Kamyshlinsky waterfall.
Then, immediately after the Munushka stream, we overcome the Muninsky threshold of the 2nd category of difficulty.
Despite the fact that this is a simple threshold, its shaft reaches 2.5 meters in height at high water.
Then we go through several simple shivers and thresholds, after which our rafting ends.
Overnight we stay in a tent campsite, a sauna.
By water 23 km, 3-4 hours. Walking 1.5-2 km, 1 hour.
Day 11 - Izvestkovy settlement – Gorno-Altaysk – Biysk – Barnaul – Novosibirsk
After lunch, we leave by minibus for Barnaul and Novosibirsk.
A stop at the souvenir market is planned on the way.
Power is included: breakfast.
By car (to Barnaul): 300 km. 5 hours on the road (excluding traffic jams and sanitary stops).

Difficulty

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

Accommodation

Tent

11 nights

Comfort

Basic

Throughout the entire route, tourists are accommodated in 2-3-seater modern tents with an awning.

Overnight in tents on the route. Tents are set up and removed by the participants themselves (unless additional maintenance is agreed). If you don't know how to set up a tent, ask the instructor to give you an instruction.

Tour conditions

Group

up to 16 tourists

Minimum age

12 years old

Maximum weight of the tourist

110 kg

Duration

11 days 10 nights

Group meets at

Barnaul, Novosibirsk, Biysk, Gorno-Altaisk

Included in price

transport delivery to the tour from Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Biysk, Gorno-Altaisk and back, within the route crossings according to the program;
horse rental;
services of guides, instructors, grooms;
meals from dinner on the day of arrival to breakfast on the day of departure;
group equipment: tents, awning, campfire and kitchen equipment, first aid kit. On the alloy: raft, carrot (saved the end), general dry runs, a barrel for food;
personal equipment on the equestrian part: sleeping bag, sleeping mat (karemat), archimaki, UGC raincoat. On the alloy additionally: life jacket, helmet, paddle, dry run, neoprene overalls, windproof jacket;
medical insurance and accident insurance (insurance for foreign citizens and citizens of the Russian Federation over 64 years old is paid additionally);
sauna according to the program, on the first, sixth, tenth days of the tour;
accommodation in tents on the territory of the campsite on the first, sixth, seventh and tenth day of the tour;
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;
An additional cargo horse is required for participants weighing 100-110 kg;
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;
services offered at the base parking lots and not included in the program;
any changes to the program that entail additional costs.

It's important to know

if there is a backpack, but not necessarily, all things in the campaign are carried by horses in special "archimacs". You can leave the house with any convenient bag, suitcase, in which you will put all your things;
sleeping bag (up to -5), it is advisable to have your own, as it is an object of individual use. In case of absence, we issue (request in advance);
warm jacket (vest) for temperatures up to 0, -5;
a windproof (splash–proof) raincoat jacket (raincoat), preferably trousers. Made of durable fabric that can withstand heavy rainfall;
warm suit (tights + sweater), for camping;
tracksuit, for the active part (horse crossings and radial exits);
thermal underwear. Either tights, warm tights with a vest or turtleneck (for sleeping);
a pair of T-shirts (shirts);
a neoprene wetsuit (half-overalls) of 3 mm is issued on the alloy. If you wish, you can take a neoprene jacket with you (not included in the price, we do not rent it). In case of bad weather, you can take a turtleneck, vest, shirt (not restricting movement) under neoprene. We issue splash-proof jackets on top of the neoprene;
sports hat;
shorts;
lingerie;
bathing suit;
three or four pairs of plain socks;
a pair of wool socks;
two pairs of shoes one pair of shoes should have a hard sole, for horseback riding and hiking tours in rocky terrain. Another pair of light shoes, for camping. Absolutely! Rubber boots (not lower than the middle of the shin);
neoprene shoes (boots) for rafting; sneakers with woolen, plain, and preferably neoprene socks. We do not issue neoprene shoes;
a baseball cap or a bandana (a light headscarf);
tourist seat (hob) (a piece of a tour mat with an elastic band);
sunglasses;
personal - cup, mug, spoon, knife - metal or plastic;
washing accessories including a towel;
personal hygiene items;
work gloves 1 pair;
optional - photo, video, flashlight with hermetically sealed;
hermetic packaging for documents and money;
personal thermos (optional) and a hiking water flask (or a 0.5-1.5 L plastic bottle);
it is mandatory to have a passport (birth certificate), a medical insurance policy and money for meals on the road, souvenirs, additional baths, etc.

Recommendations for filling an individual first aid kit:

The group going on an equestrian and water tour in Altai is provided with a common first aid kit, which is located with the instructor guide. However, each participant of an active tour to 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 (bactericidal (with "green") 6x10 cm is recommended, as it holds well on the skin and can be cut into pieces of different widths);
roll Band-aid (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 (for example, Loperamide, Imodium, etc.) (1-2 packs);
enzyme preparation (for example, Mezim, etc.) (1-2 packs);
an antihistamine drug that does not cause drowsiness (for example, Kestin, Claritin, Zirtek, etc.) (1 pack);
multivitamins (optional).

On the first day of the tour (the day of arrival), tourists pay for breakfast and lunch themselves. Stops will be made at roadside cafes along the way.

During the hike, the guide-guide organizes three meals a day. Hot meals are provided for breakfast and dinner, lunch is provided with a lunch package. Food is cooked over a campfire, a gas burner or a primus stove. If you wish, you can help your guide. The tourists wash the dishes (plates, cups, cutlery) themselves.

The following products are purchased during the campaign: cereals (rice, buckwheat, hercules), pasta, milk powder, sausage, stew, cheese, dried fruits and nuts, chocolate, condensed milk, coffee, tea, bread, crackers, sweets, cookies, vegetables (potatoes, carrots, cabbage), fruits. The choice of products depends on the type of tour, its complexity and duration. On the route, the food is supplemented with fresh fish, berries (depending on the season and the area – raspberries, blueberries, currants, rosehip, shiksha), wild onions.

When hiking, we take water from streams, rivers, or, during winter mountain hikes, we drown it from snow and ice.

Tourists are sure to help the guides to prepare firewood for the kitchen and evening campfire.

The kitchen fire is served by a guide.

It is forbidden to dry personal and group items during cooking. Clothes can be dried on a campfire built for this purpose. Tourists maintain such a campfire on their own, without using firewood prepared for a kitchen fire.

Special information for vegetarians, vegans and people on a special menu for medical reasons.

If you do not eat meat, fish or milk, they will be put into a common pot before cooking, and you can set aside soup or porridge without them. However, products are purchased based on the needs of the majority of tourists. The list includes meat and fish pates, stewed meat, cheeses, sausages, condensed milk and powdered milk. Vegetable products are also present: cereals, vegetables, nuts, fruits and dried fruits, but their quantity is calculated for each of the participants of the hike in equal volume.

Important! Unfortunately, we cannot purchase special products and add them to the menu. There are usually no more than 1-2 vegetarians in a group of 10 people, and trying to provide them with vegetarian products means organizing individual meals. This will distract the guide's attention, which he needs for a high-quality tour organization. Therefore, if you adhere to a certain food system for personal beliefs or medical reasons, we recommend that you take your usual nutritious foods with you for a snack and as an addition to a hot meal.

The meeting was organized in Novosibirsk, Barnaul and Biysk. Be sure to provide us with information about the transport by which you arrive in Novosibirsk / Barnaul / Biysk (flight number, arrival time or train number). Local time is the difference from Moscow time – 4 hours (when it is 12:00 in Moscow, it is 16:00 here).

The meeting of tourists is carried out:
– at the railway station of Novosibirsk from 03:00 to 04:00 local time;
– at the airport of Barnaul from 07:00 to 08:00 am local time;
– at the railway station of Barnaul from 08:30 to 09:00 am local time;
– at the railway station of the city of Biysk approximately from 11:00 to 12:00 local time;
– at the Gorno-Altaysk airport approximately from 13:00 to 14:00 local time.

It is possible to wait at the meeting points and in the office in Biysk on the day of arrival.

At the agreed time, you will be met by a bus at the parking lot near the railway station or airport, depending on the place of your arrival. You will need to find the bus yourself.

We will send the exact details of the meeting, the brand of the bus, the registration number, the driver's phone number by SMS notification to your cell phone number the day before the meeting.

Boarding is performed by the bus driver according to the list. Backpacks and overall equipment are loaded either into the trunks or into the cabin, depending on the capacity of the vehicle.

From hotels, somewhere on the road, etc., the driver does not pick up, try to arrive at the meeting place on time.

If your transport (plane, train, bus or car) is late on arrival and there is a threat of being late for the departure of vehicles, be sure to inform the tour operator about the current situation in order to make a decision on coordinating further actions.

After the gathering, the group moves to Biysk to the transshipment base of the tour operator, where documents and insurance are processed, acquaintance with the guide-guide, and equipment are received.

There are folding seats in transport during transfers, and air conditioning is not provided everywhere.

The main condition for participating in the tour is the ability to withstand moderate physical activity. The technical skills necessary to pass obstacles, organize overnight stays and others are acquired directly on the route.

Special training will be needed only for participants of water trips along the Bashkaus, Chulyshman, Argut rivers. Children from 12-14 years old can participate in some tours, but on condition that the adults accompanying them are ready to personally bear full responsibility for them.

This is especially true for horse riding tours. The fact that your child attends an equestrian section, but he is only 8-9 years old, does not mean that he can automatically take part in a mountain hike. The conditions at the racetrack and in the mountains are different, we ask you to take this into account, because we are talking about your children.

For participants of equestrian, water and combined hiking trips, there are age restrictions, in the opposite direction, no more than 55-60 years old. Exceptions are possible, but all conditions are negotiated in advance with the manager.

When setting restrictions, we are guided not so much by age limits, but by the state of physical health of each individual tourist. Therefore, prior approval is necessary in most cases.

Please do not try to mislead us about your physical shape, it is important first of all for you personally. "I'll manage somehow" - this approach is categorically unacceptable, especially in the mountains.

There are certain requirements for the weight of the tourist. It is desirable that the weight of the traveler does not exceed 100-110 kg, but exceptions to the rules are allowed. Be sure to inform us additionally that your weight exceeds the established norm.

If your weight is more than 100 kg, but not more than 120, then you will need to take an additional horse for the load, which is paid additionally. It is important that weight does not affect mobility, remember that during a horse hike you will need to dismount many times a day and get into the saddle without assistance.

Purchasing a tour means that you are ready to become a full participant in it. You have sensibly assessed your physical and psychological health and are confident that you will cope with the passage of the chosen route.

In the presence of chronic diseases of the heart, lungs, musculoskeletal system and nervous system, it is not recommended to go on a camping trip if there is a high probability of their exacerbation or they can cause difficulties on the route. Be sure to consult with your doctor beforehand and listen to his recommendations!

If there are any abnormalities in your health, you must notify your instructor earlier. All your problems will be kept secret.

Dates and Prices

$732

1 – 11 Jul, 2025 11 days 10 nights

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$732

11 – 21 Jul, 2025 11 days 10 nights

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$732

21 – 31 Jul, 2025 11 days 10 nights

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$732

31 Jul – 10 Aug, 2025 11 days 10 nights

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$732

10 – 20 Aug, 2025 11 days 10 nights

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