Horse riding tour to the chain of seven Karakol lakes

Karakol lakes or "Karakols" are one of the pearls of Altai nature. They are spread out in an amazing chain along a mountain range at an altitude of about 2000 m above sea level, so the most convenient way to get here is by horseback. The route passes through the valley of the Elikmonar River, where you will admire the mountain scenery, streams and waterfalls connecting the lakes, and enjoy the beauty of the mountain taiga.

Location

Novosibirsk, Barnaul
from
$595
$537
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
7 Days
6 Nights
Departures
  • Group departures
    • Dates for next season
    • 21 – 27 June, 2025
    • 1 – 7 July, 2025
    • 11 – 17 July, 2025
    • 21 – 27 July, 2025
or
Accommodation
  • Tent
    7 nights
Comfort
  • Basic
Difficulty
Challenging
Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health
Group
Up to 16 people
Minimum age
12 years old
Maximum weight of the tourist
120 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

Getting to know Altai horses
Let's take an unforgettable horseback ride through the Altai Mountains
Unity with nature
Let's take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and recharge
The atmosphere of the Altai Mountains
We will walk through the cave, visit the valley of tours and see a unique natural monument — the high-altitude Karakol lakes

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Novosibirsk – Barnaul – Biysk – Gorno-Altaysk – village of Elekmonar – equestrian 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
  • Day 3 - Parking at the Karakol lakes – Muekhta tract
  • Day 4 - Muekhta River — Akkaya Pass — Ayryk pass — Ayryk tract
  • Day 5 - A day's rest. Horse riding to Karakokshinsky caves
  • Day 6 - Ayryk tract — Ayryk pass — Akkainsky pass — horse base
  • Day 7 - Equestrian base – village Elekmonar – Gorno-Altaysk – Biysk – Barnaul – Novosibirsk
Difficulty
Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health
Tour organizer's comments

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.

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Tent
    7 nights
Comfort
  • Basic

The tour includes accommodation in a tent.

Tent camp 7 nights

On the active part of the tourists, tourists are accommodated in 2-3-seater modern tents with an awning. 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. On the 1st and 7th day of the tour, accommodation in tents on the camping site in Karakol district.

Tour conditions

Group
up to 16 tourists
Minimum age
12 years old
Maximum weight of the tourist
120 kg
Duration
7 days 6 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;
  • 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, on the first and sixth day of the tour;
  • accommodation in tents on the camping site on the first and sixth 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

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);
  • 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?
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Will there be an opportunity to wash during the hike?
Will there be a cellular connection, the ability to charge the camera, phone, etc.?
How is the accommodation in tents and how many people?
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Is it possible to conduct the tour on other dates?
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What are the requirements for a tour participant?

Dates and Prices

  • Individual dates available on request
    1 Jun – 31 Aug, 2025
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    No need to pay now
  • $537
    21 – 27 Jun, 2025 7 days 6 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • $537
    1 – 7 Jul, 2025 7 days 6 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • $537
    11 – 17 Jul, 2025 7 days 6 nights
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    No need to pay now
  • $537
    21 – 27 Jul, 2025 7 days 6 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $537
    31 Jul – 6 Aug, 2025 7 days 6 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now