Horse riding tour to Shavli and Karakabak lakes

A horse riding tour of the North Chui ridge, the highest in the Altai Mountains, will allow you to experience the stunning atmosphere of the mountains untouched by civilization. On horseback, you will cross deep gorges, conquer rocky peaks and drive through blooming alpine meadows.

Location

Novosibirsk, Barnaul
from
$979
$826
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
9 Days
8 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • Dates for next season
    • 16 – 24 June, 2025
    • 26 June – 4 July, 2025
    • 6 – 14 July, 2025
    • 16 – 24 July, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • Tent
    8 nights
Comfort
  • Basic
Difficulty
Challenging
Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health
Group
Up to 16 people
Minimum age
14 years old
Maximum weight of the tourist
110 kg
Group meet at
Novosibirsk, Barnaul
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

Alpine lakes
We will visit the Shavlin and Karakabak lakes, and see the majestic peak of Maashey-Bash
Altai horses
We will ride through the most beautiful places of the Altai Mountains
A real hike
We will spend the night in tents surrounded by picturesque landscapes

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Novosibirsk – Barnaul – Biysk – Gorno-Altaysk - village of Chibit

    Transfer to Biysk and further to the Chuya River.

    Our journey begins with moving along the legendary Chui highway.

    This is the most interesting road in Altai, crossing all climatic zones.

    The location of the Chui tract in many areas repeats the line of an ancient road – a mountain trail along which merchant caravans, foot and horse troops of nomadic peoples moved.

    Supper. Overnight at the campsite in tents.

    Power is included: dinner.

    By car (from Barnaul): 620 km. On the road for 9-10 hours (excluding traffic jams and sanitary stops).

  • Day 2 - Chibit village – Chuya River – Oroy creek
  • Day 3 - Oroi Creek – Oroi Pass (2040 m) – Yeshtykel plateau – confluence of the Shabaga and Shavla rivers
  • Day 4 - The confluence of the Shabaga and Shavla rivers is the Shavla River
  • Day 5 - A day's rest. Radial walking access to the Shavlin lakes
  • Day 6 - Parking on the Shavla river – Teldiskel plateau – parking on the Karakabak river
  • Day 7 - A day's rest. Radial access to the Karakabak lakes
  • Day 8 - Parking on the Karakabak river – Maashey river – Oroi creek – Chuya River – Chibit village
  • Day 9 - Chibit village – Gorno-Altaysk – Biysk – Barnaul – Novosibirsk
Difficulty
Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Tent
    8 nights
Comfort
  • Basic

In the active part, tourists are accommodated in 2-3-seater modern tents with an awning. On the 1st and 8th day of the tour, accommodation in tents on the camping site.

Tent camp 8 nights

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 a briefing.

Tour conditions

Group
up to 16 tourists
Minimum age
14 years old
Maximum weight of the tourist
110 kg
Duration
9 days 8 nights
Group meets at
Novosibirsk, Barnaul

Included in price

  • transfer from Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Biysk, Gorno-Altaisk and back;
  • intra-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;
  • personal equipment: sleeping bag, sleeping mat (karemat), archimaki, UGC raincoat; 
  • 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, the eighth day of the tour;
  • accommodation in tents on the camping site on the first and eighth day of the tour;
  • payment for the bridge over the Chuya, 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;
  • 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;
  • additional baths on the first day at the campsite and on the Shavlin lakes;
  • any changes to the program that entail additional costs.

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour
  • 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 the 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);
  • 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);
  • a baseball cap or a bandana (a light headscarf);
  • a 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 tour of Altai is provided with a common first-aid kit, which is located with the instructor guide. However, each participant of an active tour in 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).
What sights will we see on this tour?
Can children aged 12-13 take part in the tour?
How do I book a tour for a foreign tourist?
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
How are meals organized on the route?
How is the meeting of tourists on the first day of the tour carried out?
On what day should I buy a return ticket?
Will there be an opportunity to wash during the hike?
Will there be a cellular connection, the ability to charge the camera, phone, etc.?
Will there be mosquitoes, midges, ticks on the route?
Who will accompany us on the route?
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?
Is it possible to take a dog or other pet with you on the tour?

Dates and Prices

  • $826
    16 – 24 Jun, 2025 9 days 8 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $826
    26 Jun – 4 Jul, 2025 9 days 8 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • $826
    6 – 14 Jul, 2025 9 days 8 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • $826
    16 – 24 Jul, 2025 9 days 8 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $826
    26 Jul – 3 Aug, 2025 9 days 8 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now