Horse riding tour to Shavlin lakes and Srednyaya Katun

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The Shavlin lakes are the most inaccessible in the Altai Mountains. There you feel peace from the beauty and mystery of the landscapes. In addition to the lakes, there is also a deep river – Katun. Translated from Altai, "Kadyn" – the hostess is the largest river of the Altai Mountains. It originates on the southern slope of the Katun ridge at Mount Belukha (4506 m) at an altitude of about 2000 meters. The length of the river is 688 km.

Location

Novosibirsk, Barnaul

from

Early
booking

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

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Tour highlights

Alpine lakes

We will see one of the most picturesque places in the Altai Mountains – the Shavlin Lakes

Thirst for extreme sports

We will raft along the Middle Katun River and overcome thresholds of varying difficulty

Living in nature

Let's take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and recharge

Itinerary

Day 1 - Auto transfer Novosibirsk – Barnaul – Biysk – Gorno-Altaisk – Chibit
Transfer to Biysk and further to the Chuya River (600 km by car).

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.

Overnight at the campsite, in tents. Supper.

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 – Maashey River – mouth of the Karakabak River
Breakfast.
Part of the way runs along the Chuya River along a dirt road.
After crossing to the left bank of the Chuya River, across the bridge, the ascent along the Maashey River begins.
At the confluence of the Karakabak River with the Maashey, stop for the night.
Supper.
The horse crossing takes 6-7 hours.
Day 3 - Karakabak River – Teldiskel plateau – parking on the Shabaga River (Count)
Breakfast.
Today's route will take you through the beautiful valleys of the Karakabak and Karasu rivers with blooming alpine meadows.
Next, we climb the Teldiskel plateau, which means star lakes in Altai.
And indeed, there are a lot of small lakes on this plateau, which are scattered like stars in the sky.
After the plateau, the path lies through the taiga, which will not leave you indifferent.
The path winds through the trees, up and down.
Parking on the Shabaga river.
Horse riding takes 5-6 hours.
Day 4 - Parking on the Shabaga river (Stake) – Shavla river – parking on the Shavla river
Breakfast.
The equestrian part of the route begins with crossing the ford on the Shabaga river.
Further, the path lies through cedar and deciduous forests, along the Shavla River.
Overnight on the banks of the Shavla river.
Supper.
The horse crossing takes 4-5 hours.
Day 5 - A day's rest. Radial walking access to the Shavlin lakes
Breakfast.
The most memorable days of the campaign, but also difficult ones.
Through the dense taiga, the trail rises to the Lower Shavlin Lake.
From here you can enjoy a beautiful view of the three peaks of the mountain node – a Beautiful Dream and a Fairy Tale.
In clear, windless weather, they are completely reflected in the huge mirror of the lake and this is a truly fabulous sight.
But there is still a climb to the upper lake, from the shores of which the glaciers of the Shavlinskaya horseshoe are perfectly visible.
In the evening, a sauna (for an additional fee ~ 1200 rubles / person).
Supper.
Walking distance 10-12 km. The radial output time is 6-7 hours.
Day 6 - Parking on the Shavla river – Teldiskel plateau – parking on the Karakabak river
Breakfast. Today, the path will take place partially through familiar terrain in the opposite direction, down the Shavla River.
The trail runs through the forest, meanders among the trees, then up, then down.
Next, we climb the Teldiskel plateau and go into the valley of the Karakabak River.
Before descending into the valley of the Karakabak River, there is an amazing view of the glaciers of Karakabak and one of the mountain lakes Karakel, which means "Black Lake" in Altai.
Horse crossing 7-8 hours.
Day 7 - A day's rest. Radial hiking access to the Karakabak lakes
Breakfast.
Today we will have a radial hiking trip to a group of high-altitude Karakabak lakes.
The lakes have a bright turquoise water color, from milky turquoise to transparent and saturated turquoise, surrounded by mountain peaks they present an amazing sight.
Supper.
Walking distance 4-5 km. The radial output time is 3-4 hours.
Day 8 - Parking on the Karakabak river – Maashey river – Chibit village
Breakfast.
We return to the starting point of the route.
Passing through the picturesque valleys along the Mazhoy River, we descend to the Mazhoy pass.
After that, we transfer the horses to the reins across the bridge. Sensing and moving towards Chibit, we are already on a flat field.
Supper.
Accommodation in tents on the camping site.
Bathhouse.
The horse crossing takes 6-7 hours.
Day 9 - The village of Chibit is the mouth of the Chuya River
Transfer to the mouth of the Chuya River.
Getting to know the water instructors.
The car is 70 km away, 1.5 hours on the road.
Day 10 - The mouth of the Chuya River – "Wedding Meadow"
Before the start of the rafting, the instructor will give instructions on safety and rules of equipment use.
We start the tour by passing the threshold "Ilgumen", which has been assigned the 4th category of difficulty.
Then, immediately after the mouth of the Kadrin River, we pass another threshold of the 4th category of difficulty – the Kadrin pipe.
This is not only a difficult, but also a long water obstacle, its length is several kilometers.
We spend the night in tents in the Wedding meadow.
By water 50 km, 7-8 hours.
Day 11 - Wedding Glade – Petroglyphs parking lot
Today you will overcome the most dangerous threshold on the Middle Katun — a two-stage "Sabbath" (5 k.s.).
Before passing it, the group will go ashore to inspect the obstacle.
If desired, it is possible to bypass the threshold along the shore.
This is followed by two spectacular thresholds – "Kayancha 1" and "Kayancha 2".
Then we stop at Kemikapchan creek for the night.
There are rock carvings with an established age of 5 thousand years, you can inspect them at the parking lot.
By water 25 km, 4-5 hours.
Day 12 - Petroglyphs parking lot – Kuyus village
In the morning, we pass the large Islay threshold with shafts and a funnel, and then stop at the Beltertuyuk waterfall to take a photo for memory.
We are completing the rafting in the village of Kuyus.
Overnight in a tent campsite, sauna.
By water 30 km, 4-5 hours.
Day 13 - Kuyus village – 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.
By car (to Barnaul) 390 km. On the road, excluding traffic jams and sanitary stops, 7 hours.

Difficulty

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

Tour organizer's comments

The equestrian route is difficult, it passes through mountainous, difficult terrain. In addition to horse crossings, there are two radial pedestrian exits to the lakes, up to 12 km per day. The age limit is strictly from the age of 14. You must be in good physical shape and ready to overcome difficult sections of the route, there should be no health problems. The water part of the tour will appeal to fans of adventure and thrills. During the rafting we will pass such difficult thresholds as "Ilgumen" "Kadrinskaya pipe" and "Sabbath" (thresholds from 4 to 5 categories of difficulty). To complete them, you will need attentiveness and well-coordinated teamwork.

Accommodation

Tent

12 nights

Comfort

Basic

Tourists are accommodated in 2-3-seater modern tents with an awning. On the 1st, 8th, 12th day of the tour, accommodation in tents on the camping site.

Overnight in tents on the route.

Tour conditions

Group

up to 16 tourists

Minimum age

14 years old

Maximum weight of the tourist

120 kg

Duration

13 days 12 nights

Group meets at

Novosibirsk, Barnaul

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 additionally: raft, carrot (saved the end), general dry runs, a barrel for groceries;Personal equipment on the horse 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 eighth and twelfth day of the tour;
camping in tents on the first, eighth and twelfth 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 more than 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, on the lakes and on the eleventh day of the tour;
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 the 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).

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.

Dates and Prices

$1,007

26 Jun – 8 Jul, 2025 13 days 12 nights

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$1,007

6 – 18 Jul, 2025 13 days 12 nights

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$1,007

16 – 28 Jul, 2025 13 days 12 nights

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$1,007

26 Jul – 7 Aug, 2025 13 days 12 nights

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$1,007

5 – 17 Aug, 2025 13 days 12 nights

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$1,007

15 – 27 Aug, 2025 13 days 12 nights

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