In the footsteps of the Altai nomads

Breakfast. 

Excursion to Kyzyl-Chin (85 km), known as the "Altai Mars" – these are steep canyons, the color of which varies from pale yellow to rich burgundy throughout the valley. 

The exits of colorful clays to the surface create the feeling of another planet.

It is here that you will get the brightest Altai photos.

Photo stop on the background of the Chui Alps – glacial massifs of the North Chui range. 

Excursion to Geyser Lake (75 km) – a beautiful, clean and ice-free lake even in winter. 

It can be compared to an "earthly eye" or a green-blue portal to another world.

In the water, you can notice roundish streaks, which are only a reflection of the processes taking place at the bottom of the lake. 

It is there that "geysers" come to life, throwing a mixture of bluish clay and sand onto the surface.

Return to the recreation center (10 km). 

Supper. 

The ritual "Altai bedtime story: Your predictions", in a close atmosphere around the campfire, we will share and predict what will await us on this journey, consolidate the effect with a fire-feeding ritual in the style of the Altai tradition "choy-choy".

Accommodation: campsite "Zeleny Kolobok", recreation center "Krasnye Vorota" or similar in Ulagan district. On foot – 15 km, by car – 170 km.

Breakfast. 

Transfer Aktash – Turquoise Katun (320 km).

On the way back, we will visit the Kalbak-Tash tract, where you will not only see, but also come into contact with the history itself, with the most ancient petroglyphs.

About 500 compositions with more than 5,000 drawings from the Neolithic to the Turkic era are located on the banks of the Chuya River.

A photo stop in a sacred place – Chui-Oozi. 

Two rivers merge here: the creamy waters of the Chuya and the turquoise Katuni, which, before mixing, "go" hand in hand together. 

In the outlines of the mountain, towering over the confluence of the rivers, you can see the head of the hero and his horse. 

The stop at the Seminsky Pass (1717 m) is one of the passes of the Chui tract, covered with centuries–old "bearded" cedars.

It is a kind of transition from the untouched nature of the Central Altai to civilization and development.

Here you can taste Altai coffee with pine nuts and buy both local traditional souvenirs and gastro-specialties, as well as environmental goods from neighboring Mongolia. 

Accommodation in the Altai Nomad ethno-glamping is a place where you can immerse yourself in the authentic atmosphere of nomadic culture and authenticity, while maintaining a modern lifestyle and comfort. 

We believe that every person strives for unity with nature – the force that gave him life. 

We will introduce you to the spirit of the nomads, help you explore the experience of your ancestors – respect for nature, conscious consumption, preservation of traditions. 

At the same time, we will create an atmosphere of modern and comfortable rest surrounded by clean air and the Altai mountains. 

Tour of the largest tourism center Turquoise Katun.

We will walk to the observation deck to the majestic monument of Nicholas Roerich, which offers a breathtaking view of the picturesque Katun River, tirelessly bubbling with its turquoise waves. 

These very waves carved the ancient grotto of Ichthyander into the rock. 

We will continue our walk along the eco-trail of the Tavda caves karst complex, which includes more than 200 caves, galleries, natural mines and natural voids. 

We will dive into the study of the Ancestral Trail, visit six caves, grottos and arched vaults (1.5 hours, 2 km). 

Dinner in the style of a gastro-travel party: you will be able to participate in a unifying culinary master class. 

Tasting of local dishes (kurut – translated from the Turkic "dry" – salty cheese, boorsaki – a traditional dessert of nomadic pastoralists). 

You will also taste the fragrant traditional tea of the nomads – an hour with talkan and herbal tea collected in the vicinity of ethno-glamping.

Accommodation: yurt ethno-glamping "Altai Nomad" in the Turquoise Katun area. On foot – 7 km, by car – 320 km.

Breakfast.

Transfer Turquoise Katun – Gorno-Altaysk (45 km).

The ethnic program "Altai Village": acquaintance with the dwelling of the Altaians, their national clothes, traditions and unique rituals.

Entertaining Turkic stories will immerse you in the life and ethnicity of this people. 

From the observation deck on Tugaya Mountain, "settle in" with a view of the cozy capital of the Altai Republic. 

Transfer Gorno-Altaysk – pedestrian Ay Bridge (25 km) – a symbolic border crossing from the Altai Republic to the Altai Territory.

A walk along the bridge on the left bank of the Katun River.

It is here that we will perform a cleansing ritual, say goodbye to problems and move on to a new stage of the journey, perhaps for someone it will be the next facet or the "Altai" page of the life path. 

A walk to the Devil's Finger Rock is a place that got its name due to a steep stone ledge resembling a finger.

We climb the trail, from the observation point there is a magnificent panorama of the mountains, the valley of the Katuni River and Lake Aya. 

Optional: zipline (for an additional fee.payment). 

An exciting air–water–land trio cruise from the left bank of Katun to the right. 

High-speed rope descent with a length of 1,500 meters of free sliding. 

A walk is a zipline flight across the border of the Altai Territory and the Altai Republic. 

You will be excited by the idea of flying over the Katun River, seeing the multicolored meadows, catching a feeling of freedom and vastness. 

From the Yemelyanova mane mountain you can contemplate the Turquoise Katun and the spurs of the ridges of the so-called Altai Tuscany. 

Transfer Aya – Turquoise Katun (35 km).

Supper. 

An evening of neo-nomads in an ethno-style with a folklore program. 

With the help of kaichi melodies (unique throat singing) You will immerse yourself in the sacred atmosphere, get to know national epics and ballads better, and learn how to play national musical instruments (komus, topshuur) both ethnic and popular melodies, you will become a listener, and possibly a participant in the improvised Altai orchestra. 

Accommodation: yurt ethno-glamping "Altai Nomad" in the Turquoise Katun area. On foot – 7 km, by car – 105 km.

Breakfast.

Transfer Turquoise Katun – Ust-Sema (30 km). 

Everyone knows that one in the field is not a warrior, but you and I have been a real friendly team for a long time. 

Let's try our dedication and team spirit, take a rafting trip along the Katun River with a visit to the Kamyshlinsky waterfall and swimming in its invigorating waters. 

It is the alloy that will allow us to get closer to another element – water. 

Rafting is interesting for both extreme sports enthusiasts and those who want to see the nature and the shores of Katun from an unusual angle.

Kamyshlinsky waterfall will surprise even the sophisticated: two cascades break the water into a million small splashes hitting the ground with a characteristic roar. 

Not only the reservoir itself is attractive, but also the nature around it – rocks made of quartzite, limestone, crystalline shales and porphyrites, as well as lush vegetation that changes color every season. 

Altai souvenirs and gifts at the fair in Arzhan Suu and Turquoise Katun.

Transfer to the ethno-glamping "Altai nomad" (10 km). 

Optional: 

• beach holidays on Lake Turquoise Katun (for an additional feepayment); 
• sauna in Altai as a tradition: a visit to the sauna complex, a story about the ceremony of receiving wellness treatments, bath rituals, a steaming session (for an additional feepayment);
• a visit to the Bolshaya Tavdinskaya cave of the karst complex, which includes more than 200 grottoes, galleries, natural mines and natural voids (for an additional feepayment); 
• a walk to the apiary, where you can not only taste, but also buy the famous Altai honey, propolis, mead, honeycomb, perga, royal jelly and other bee products. The impression of the day is a restorative sleep on the hives. Closing your eyes, you will feel the monotonous vibration of a swarm of bees, the soothing buzz of bees, the smell of honey, honeycombs and something else subtly pleasant; 
• meditative relaxation on the pond;
• a walk with a dog through the "Altai jungle", where the silence and chirping of birds, the smell of meadow grass and endless contemplation of mountain landscapes, impressive views of Katun and the valley of the Taldushka river.

 Supper.

 "Evening tea in Altai": sitting on the shyrdak, you can taste both the fragrant traditional tea of nomads – an hour with talkan, and herbal tea collected in the vicinity of ethno-glamping, and the tea party will be accompanied by the ritual "Altai Bedtime Story: the transformation of neo-nomads". 

Accommodation: yurt ethno-glamping "Altai Nomad" in the Turquoise Katun area. On foot – 7 km, by car – 140 km.

Breakfast. 

Transfer to the airport.

Departure is from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

On foot – 2 km.