An easy sightseeing route through the Altai Republic will be an excellent option for a family vacation. You will see picturesque mountain passes, one of the most beautiful roads in the world, fascinating Altai lakes and waterfalls.
In addition, this tour is full of activities that will allow you to try your hand at various types of tourism!
We will take a chairlift up to the observation deck of the Malaya Sinyukha mountain
Altai Mars
Let's take unusual photos against the background of various shades of red, orange and blue-green-purple mountains of Kyzyl-Chin
Secrets of history
We will visit the mounds of the Pazyryk culture, where we will learn about the excavation of mounds and the burial culture of the ancient inhabitants of the region
Rafting on the Katun River
An exciting rafting trip with a visit to the Kamyshlinsky waterfall awaits us
Boat trip
We will cross Lake Teletskoye by boat from south to north
Summer houses
We will live in wooden summer houses – closer to nature!
Itinerary
Day 1 -
Check-in, A.V. Anokhin Museum
Meeting guests at the airport of Gorno-Altaisk with a group transfer.
Moving to the eco—hotel is where the group gathers.
Breakfast for those who arrived at the hotel before 10:30. Getting to know the group and the guide.
Check-in to the rooms as soon as they are ready.
Lunch at the cafe.
Transfer to Gorno-Altaysk.
Visit to the A.V. Anokhin Museum. A tour of the museum.
Supper.
Length: by car – 35 km.
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Day 2 -
Rafting on Katun, horseback riding to the Devil's Finger
Breakfast in the cafe.
Transfer to the starting point of the rafting.
Safety instructions.
Rafting on the Lower Katun, its rapids and shivers: from c. Ust-Muna to the Shishkov Memorial.
Lunch at the cafe.
Departure to the village of Aya.
Horse riding tour to the Devil's Finger Mountain.
Supper.
Length: cars – 60 km, horses – 6 km, rafts – 14 km.
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Day 3 -
Ascent to Malaya Sinyukha, transfer to the cordon, ethno-museum
Breakfast.
Departure to VK Manzherok.
Excursion on a modern ski lift to Malaya Sinyukha mountain.
Descent. Return to the eco-hotel.
We are waiting for the participants of the program "Rainbow of the Altai Mountains" to continue the joint program.
Lunch at the eco-hotel restaurant from 13:00 to 13:45.
14:00 Departure for the route. It is possible to shift the departure time and the place of lunch organization due to objective circumstances (for example, some flight was delayed and some of the tourists arrived later).
Transfer to the Aru-Kem cordon, which is located in the protected area of the Karakol Valley.
On the way, visit the ethno-museum in Kulada village.
The only night when accommodation will be in houses with a stove for 3-6 people in the house (single accommodation on the cordon is not expected, double accommodation is on request).
Length: by car – 154 km.
Day 4 -
Lake Aru-Kem, Chuisky tract
Breakfast at the cordon cafe.
A walking radial excursion to the hidden lake Aru-Kem (about 8 km), upon return to the cordon — lunch, after lunch — return to the Chuisky tract and transfer to the Nomad t/c (or similar in the area of the village of Aktash).
On the way, stop at the Chike-Taman pass, at the confluence of Chuya and Katuni, at the monument to the drivers of the Chuya highway.
The Chuisky tract is one of the top 10 most beautiful roads in the world, and travelers will appreciate the contrasts — during the trip they will get into different natural and climatic zones.
Accommodation in the summer houses of an eco-complex located in the village of Chibit.
Dinner at the cafe.
For those who purchased a ticket in cabins with on—site amenities - an on-site shower is included in the tour price.
Length: by car – 200 km, on foot – 8 km.
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Day 5 -
Geyser Lake, Altai Mars
Breakfast in the cafe. Departure for the tour.
The participants of the trip will visit the world of bright colors and contrasts. The first object of the visit will be a unique water feature — the so-called "geyser" lake, from the bottom of which air periodically escapes from the blue clay, forming bizarre paintings on the surface of the water.
Continuing along the Chui tract towards the border with Mongolia, guests of the region will appreciate the magnificent views of the glaciers and eternal snows of the North Chui Ridge, there is a stop at the observation deck.
The next object will be the valley of the Kyzyl-Chin river, called by tourists "Altai Mars" because the earth and the mountain slopes on it are of all shades of red, interspersed with yellow and purple.
During the tour, tourists will visit not only the first, but also the second "Mars".
Lunch on the "Mars" (in the form of a snack), return to the tourist complex, dinner.
Bathhouse.
It is possible to rearrange the excursions in places.
Length: by car – 120 km, on foot – 4 km.
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Day 6 -
Krasnye Vorota, Ulagan Pass, Pazyryk mounds, Katu-Yaryk Pass, Chulyshman River Valley
Breakfast in the cafe.
Eviction from the houses.
Departure to the route along the Ulagan highway, which is located along many lakes.
The first stop on the way will be the popular Red Gate, a place where the road is pierced through red rocks.
Next, guests of Altai will visit the Ulagan pass – the highest automobile pass in the Republic, its height above sea level is 2080 meters, here you will see Kidel Lake.
Lunch at the cafe with. Ulagan, changing the bus to an all-terrain vehicle, continuing the journey, the next object of visit will be the mounds of the Pazyryk culture, where participants of the route will be told about the excavation of mounds and the culture of burial of ancient inhabitants of the region.
After reaching the Katu-Yaryk pass, the group leaves the car and admires the valley of the Chulyshman River from a bird's-eye view.
Having captured the beautiful views, tourists descend from the pass on foot (3.5 km) for safety reasons.
The Chulyshmanskaya Valley is a place that has recently begun to develop in terms of infrastructure, there are no communications and power lines here. Light and water are sold thanks to generators in the evening.
Accommodation in the tourist complex, dinner, sauna.
Length: by car – 120 km, on foot – 3 km.
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Day 7 -
A walk to the Kurkure waterfall, an excursion to the Maldanash waterfall (optional)
Breakfast in the cafe.
After breakfast, tourists will have a walking radial exit to one of the waterfalls of the Chulyshman valley — Kurkure, which means "noisy, rumbling" with a total water drop height of about 30 meters, while the waterfall consists of two cascades.
A huge mass of water falls from the ledge, creating a cloud of dust and noise that can be heard long before the waterfall itself opens in front of the travelers.
After returning to the accommodation, lunch at the cafe.
For those who wish, after lunch, an excursion to the Maldanash waterfall.
In the evening, dinner and a sauna.
In case of flooding, there will be no excursion to the Muldanash trail.
Length: on foot – 13 km.
Day 8 -
Crossing the Chulyshman by motorboat, Stone mushrooms
Breakfast in the cafe.
Transfer along the Chulyshman valley to the place of crossing the Chulyshman river on the right bank.
The crossing is carried out by motor boats.
Walking tour to the Akkurum tract (located below the confluence of the Chulchi River on the right bank of the Chulyshman), here on the mountainside there is one of the famous natural attractions — Stone mushrooms — unusual landforms formed as a result of leaching of heterogeneous rocks.
The climb to the mushrooms is steep.
It's time for photo shoots.
Return to the motorboats.
Lunch at the cafe.
Return to the tourist complex.
Free time.
You can go rafting on Chulyshman for an additional fee or just relax.
Dinner at the cafe. Bathhouse.
Length: by car – 20 km, on foot – 2 km.
Day 9 -
Boat trip on Lake Teletskoye, departure
Breakfast in the cafe.
Room release.
Transfer to Cape Kyrsai – the southern shore of Lake Teletskoye.
Here, the participants of the route transfer to boats and continue their journey, crossing the waters of Lake Teletskoye from south to north.
On the way, stop at Korbu waterfall (drop height 12.8 m), where guests will have a delicious lunch, then transfer to Artybash village.
A car will be waiting in Artybash to move to Gorno-Altaysk.
Dinner at the cafe. Completion of the program.
Attention! We advise you to purchase tickets with departure the next day after the end of the route.
Extra nights are not included in the price.
Length: car – 222 km, boat – 70 km.
Difficulty
Involves moderate physical activity
Tour organizer's comments
The route is simple, suitable for family holidays, parents with children over 10 years old, or from 7 years old (without participation in rafting) can participate in it.
Accommodation
Accommodation
Camp Site
8 nights
Comfort
Basic+
The tour provides accommodation in summer wooden houses with on-site facilities (shower/bath, toilet).
The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the accommodation:
94,000 rubles/person – for double occupancy in cabins (except for nights at the cordon);.
112,000 rubles/person – for single occupancy in cabins (except for nights at the cordon).
Taezhnik Tourist Complex 2 nights
The tourist complex "Taezhnik" is located at the foot of Mount Cherepan, next to the Chui tract near the village of Manzherok.
Accommodation in summer houses, on-site facilities.
Aru-kem cordon 1 night
Accommodation in houses with a stove for 3-6 people in a house (single accommodation on the cordon is not expected, double accommodation on request).
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Eco-complex "Nomad" 2 nights
Accommodation in cabins with on–site amenities - on-site shower.
It is located in the Ulagan district of the Altai Republic, 2 km from the village of Chibit, at the confluence of the Chuya and Chibitka mountain rivers. The distance from Gorno-Altaysk is 340 km, from Barnaul 610 km, from Novosibirsk 850 km. Tent camping is possible. It is recommended for outdoor enthusiasts, for corporate holidays, for families with children.
At 10 min. There is a grocery store within walking distance from the base in the village of Chibit. If necessary, there is a convenience store 15 km away in the village of Aktash. It is possible to order a taxi.
Tourist complex in the Chulyshmanskaya valley 3 nights
A tourist complex in the Chulyshmanskaya valley, facilities on site.
Tour conditions
Group
up to 3 tourists
Minimum age
5 years old
Duration
9 days 8 nights
Group meets at
S. Manzherok
Included in price
three meals a day throughout the route (in a cafe, plus a snack at the radial exits according to the program);
transportation, according to the tour program;
the work of instructors;
the work of a water tourism instructor;
payment of fees for visiting sightseeing sites (in accordance with the tour program);
boat rental on Lake Teletskoye;
payment for accommodation in cabins without amenities;
recreational fees;
entrance tickets to the attractions;
crossings over the Chulyshman River (to the Kurkure waterfall and Stone mushrooms);
baths according to the program;
medical accident insurance.
Paid extra
air and railway tickets to Gorno-Altaisk;
delivery to the Taezhnik tourist complex and back, except for a group transfer from/to the airport of Gorno-Altaysk, provided as a gift;
meals not specified in the tour program;
Antiklesch insurance – 400 rubles, is issued and paid in advance;
accommodation before and after the end of the tour;
the sauna is over the program.
It's important to know
Personal equipment you need for the tour
1. Travel bag, suitcase or backpack, for transporting personal items from your home and throughout the route.
2. A small backpack that will be useful to you during radial exits, for carrying all sorts of small things (bottles of water, napkins, sunscreen, etc.)
3. Comfortable shoes (sneakers, sneakers. Shoes should not be new and rub) and socks, preferably cotton, 2-3 pairs.
4. Warm clothes. You should always be prepared for the fact that it can be cold in the mountains even in July. (Sweatshirt or sweater, beanie, warm socks, insulated trousers or something to wear under trousers)
5. Comfortable outerwear. Trousers that do not restrict movement, in which it will be convenient to walk over rough terrain (as well as take a horse ride, if it is included in your chosen tour), a windbreaker that does not blow through or a light jacket, you can also use an option that protects from rain.
6. A headdress (cap, hat, bandana, etc.) is required!
7. Sunglasses and sun protection products with a high degree of protection (UF 40-50).
8. 2-3 T-shirts or T-shirts (or something similar) and/or light shirts with long sleeves (so as not to burn in the sun)
9. Personal hygiene products (towel, personal mug, etc.).
10. Individual medicines. A general first aid kit is issued for the group, but it contains a standard set of standard ailments.
11. Means of photo-video fixation of the surrounding world of mountains, with a stock of flash drives and charging equipment.
12. For those who have chosen a tour with a water excursion, take with you clothes for a wetsuit (something like thin underwear or a T-shirt and shorts or breeches) and shoes like sneakers, quick-drying.
What will we use to get around?
Tourists travel through the Kaleidoscope of Altai most of the active tour by passenger minibus, in hard-to-reach areas the group transfers to cross-country vehicles, such as UAZ. The Kaleidoscope of Altai tour also includes rafting along the lower section of the Katun River (2 categories of difficulty), horseback riding and walking tours to natural sites.
How are meals organized on the route?
Three meals a day throughout the route (in a cafe, plus a snack at the radial exits according to the program).
Attention: alcoholic beverages, beer and snacks are not included in the menu.
What are the features of the route?
the route is carried out by tourist minibuses, part of the route along the Chulyshman River valley is carried out by all-terrain vehicles (UAZ);
1-2 instructors and a driver work on the route;
all necessary equipment is provided on the route;
children are allowed on the route accompanied by their parents or trusted persons (a notarized power of attorney is required);
Antiklesh insurance is not included in the price of the tour, it can be purchased separately, the cost of insurance is 400.00 rubles, its validity period is 365 days, it is issued for each tourist separately, and insurance can also be purchased at any insurance agency independently;
The route schedule may vary slightly depending on weather conditions and other conditions, in order to ensure safe passage of the route, at the discretion of the instructor;
The accommodation can be replaced by the tour operator for technical and other reasons.
Are plane tickets included in the price of the tour?
Air and railway tickets are not included in the price of the tour. You can purchase them yourself or contact us for help.
Insurance
The cost of the route includes insurance of OSAO Rosgosstrakh. The insurance policy is issued for the group and is with the instructors along the route.
And if the raft turns over? Is it possible to roll over on the water?
A raft flip on the threshold is possible, this is a normal working situation. All instructors are ready for such a situation and will be able to quickly organize the rescue work. The tourist will be instructed on the spot what to do in case of a coup, etc. Thanks to the wetsuit and life jacket, the tourist will not freeze and will not drown.
All items will be packed in special waterproof dry bags, which are attached with ropes to the raft. The products are placed in barrels with a tight lid. In the event of a coup, things will not spoil, they will not get wet (well, maybe a little). It is better to additionally pack the equipment in special cases.
How is water insurance organized?
On the route, the group is accompanied by at least two water instructors: a raft guide and a kayak safety instructor. All tourists sail on a raft with a raft guide. A kayaking instructor is sailing ahead. The kayak instructor is the first to view the thresholds and pass the information to the raft guide, who helps to pass the threshold correctly. Also, the ship must have a safety net ("carrot") - a rope 15-25 m long with a float and a carabiner at the end for insurance from the shore.
Is it possible to arrive in your own car?
Yes, you can come in your car. We have free parking.
Is there a participant's weight limit for horseback riding?
The permissible weight of a horse riding participant is up to 90 kg. Under the condition of good physical fitness – up to 100 kg.
It was my first time in Altai, and despite the program changes, I really enjoyed everything.
I’ve been traveling with “Big Country” to different regions for several years now, and everything is always very well organized. There were no issues, and if anything did come up, it was resolved quickly. I highly recommend this tour operator.
S
Sergei
about provider
26 Sep, 2025
The hosts are a fantastic team. Everyone is friendly and always willing to help.
S
Sergei
about provider
25 Sep, 2025
Everything was quick and clear. I'm happy with everything!