Spring in Altai. The flowering of the maralnik and the place of power of Altai, 5 days

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Spring in Altai is a stunningly beautiful time of the year when the mountains are covered with flowers of the Altai maralnik.

At this time, the air smells of the freshness of young leaves and flowers, hundreds of clear streams and waterfalls flow down from the mountains, and everywhere there is a special energy of joy of waking Altai from winter sleep.

Location

Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Gorno-Altaysk

Contact the tour coordinator

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

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Tour highlights

Patmos Island

We will walk along the suspension bridge, admire the confluence of the two mountain rivers Chemala and Katun, and drink water from a living and dead spring.

Tavda caves

We will see one of the 30 karst caves — the largest and most spectacular, inhabited by ancient people

Boat trip

We will make a dizzying motorboat voyage along the main river of Altai — Katuni

Tea party with herbalist Lesya

It's like we're visiting a sorceress from a fantasy fairy tale, tasting her delicious teas and learning about the herbs of Altai.

Horse riding

If desired, we will climb to the top of the pass, which offers a stunning view of the valley of the Katun River.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Transfer. Getting to know Altai. Patmos Island and Chemalskaya HPP
08:00-09:30 Meeting in the parking lot in front of the airport in Gorno-Altaysk.
A guide will be waiting for you with a sign saying "Going to the mountains."
There are also possible options:
05:00 Meeting in Novosibirsk in the parking lot of the shopping center "Orange" at Lenin St., 84, near the hotel "Marins Park".
08:30 Meeting near Barnaul in the parking lot of the GC "Sea Buckthorn" at the address: Novoaltaysk, Dorozhnaya St., 13.
Check-in and rest after the flight.
After lunch, we will take a walk from the island of Patmos to the Chemalskaya hydroelectric power station.
This route can certainly be called one of the most popular "must see" routes in Altai.
You will cross the suspension bridge to the monastery on the island right in the middle of the mountain river, stroll along the picturesque goat trail, from where you will admire the confluence of two rivers — Chemala and Katun, see the first hydroelectric power station built in the Altai Republic in the 30s of the last century.
Meals included: dinner.
Accommodation: campsite, double room (possible triple or quadruple, on request). Room amenities.
Excursions and activities: exploring Altai, Patmos Island, goat trail, Chemalskaya HPP.
Route length: By car: 95 km from Gorno-Altaysk. By car: 340 km from Barnaul. By car: 540 km from Novosibirsk. Walking distance: 4 km.
Day 2 - Gorge of mountain spirits. Places of power. Orokto Bridge
08:30-09:30 Breakfast.
09:30-12:30 Guided tour of the gorge of the mountain spirits – a cult place of the Altaians, named after such an ancient name that scientists cannot decipher its meaning, is a place of power and a kind of natural temple.
In the gorge we will visit the stream of health, a cave painting shrine, a cascading waterfall, and an observation deck with stunning views of the Katun River Valley.
13:00-14:00 Lunch at a cafe (extra charge, 900-1500 rubles).
14:00-15:30 Arrival at the lodge of the local herbalist Lesa.
When you get to her, it's like you're visiting a sorceress from a fantasy fairy tale, all the shelves are filled with hundreds of jars, hand-picked bouquets of herbs are drying everywhere, a stream with clear water flows right through her house and offers panoramic views of Katun and the entire valley.
You will taste her delicious teas and learn a lot of interesting information about Altai herbs.
15:30-17:30(18:00) Next, we will have one of the most exciting adventures – on horseback we will climb the pass, which offers an unforgettable view of the mountain ranges and the Katun River (the event is paid additionally: 3,500 rubles – 2.5-3 hours).
For those who do not plan to take part in a horse ride, a trip along the Sartakpaya valley to the Orokto Bridge (the deepest place of the Katun River) is planned.
18:00-19:00 Transfer to the hotel.
19:00-22:00 Dinner and evening by the campfire.
Accommodation: campsite, double room (possible triple or quadruple, on request). Room amenities.
Meals included: full breakfast and dinner.
Excursions: gorge of mountain spirits, herbalist's house, horseback riding in the mountains or a trip to the Orokto bridge.
Walking distance: 4 km. By car: 90 km.
Day 3 - Tavda caves. Apiary. A motorboat ride along the Katun River. Kamyshlinsky waterfall
09:00-10:00 Breakfast.
10:00-12:00 Excursion to the Tavda caves, where ancient people lived in different eras.
We will see one of the 30 karst caves, the largest and most spectacular, visit a rock arch and an observation deck with a wonderful view of the Katun River Valley.
After that, you will take a short walk to the bank of the Katun River, where the monument to Nicholas Roerich is located.
12:00-13:30 Then head to one of the best apiaries of the Republic. Altai, where you will learn how bees make honey, the road there is very picturesque.
14:00-15:00 Lunch at a cafe (extra charge, average check 900-1500 rubles).
15:30-17:30 Next, you will make a dizzying motorboat trip along the main river of Altai – Katun.
Despite a lot of emotions and adrenaline, swimming is absolutely safe, it does not involve physical exertion and boat management skills.
On the way, you will visit the spectacular Kamyshlinsky waterfall, whose water is bright turquoise in color, and from the height of the observation deck you can take great photos.
19:00-21:00 Dinner on the fire and evening around a large campfire.
Accommodation: campsite, double room (possible triple or quadruple, on request). Room amenities.
Meals included: full breakfast and dinner.
Excursions: Tavdinsky caves, Apiary, rafting on a motorboat on the Katun River, Kamyshlinsky waterfall.
Length of the road: By car: 108 km. Walking distance: 3.5 km.

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Day 4 - Chuisky tract. A picturesque place of maralnik flowering. Uch-Enmek Nature Park
07:00-07:40 Early breakfast.
07:40-21:00 Today is going to be a very busy day.
You will get acquainted with one of the most picturesque roads in the world – the Chuisky tract.
Guided tour of Karakol Valley and Uch-Enmek Nature Park.
For centuries, the locals believed in the power of their land, shamanic rituals were performed here, and ancient sanctuaries were built.
The valley is rich in archaeological artifacts, many of which still remain mysteries.
The Valley is crowned by the sacred and revered Uch-Enmek mountain.
The tour will help you immerse yourself in the culture, way of life and customs of the Altai people, and fill yourself with the healing energy of Altai.
After lunch (extra charge, 900-1500 rubles per complex), we will drive further along the Chuisky tract, visit the picturesque Chike Taman pass, explore the ancient site of the Chuisky tract.
Immediately after descending from the pass, we will arrive at a location near the village of Kupchegen, where you can find the brightest flowering of the Altai maralnik (the same lilac mountains as in the promotional photos).
We must warn you that the flowering of the maralnik is a natural event that defies clear forecasts, the approximate period of opportunity to see the flowering of the maralnik is from April 10 to May 12, but the most magnificent flowering lasts for 14 days.
It is impossible to say in advance on which days it will take place.
After a walk along the mountain slopes among the flowers, we will go to the final location of today – the raging Ilgumen rapids.
Return to the hotel.
21:00-22:00 Dinner.
Accommodation: campsite, double room.
Meals included: full breakfast and dinner.
Excursions: a trip along the Chuisky tract, a tour of the Uch-Enmek Nature Park
Route length: By car: 440 km.

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Day 5 - Cuffs. Return transfer
08:00-09:00 Breakfast, check-out.
09:00-12:30 At the end of the trip, we will go to the state-of-the-art Manzherok resort.
Those who wish can take a chairlift to the top of Mount Sinyukha.
It offers excellent views of the Katun River Valley and lakes (additional charge. The cost is 1500-1750 rubles per 1 person).
You can also take a walk around the hotel complex and have lunch at one of the local restaurants.
Please note that in case of adverse weather events, the Keepers of the Greater Altai Park may be closed.
12:30-13:30 Transfer to Gorno-Altaysk airport for guests departing on daytime flights.
13:30-14:00 Transfer to Gorno-Altaysk to the Igman Hotel for those who stay overnight in Gorno-Altaysk.
We recommend that you visit the Republican Museum yourself. Anokhina, where the mummy of the Altai Princess is kept, is located within walking distance from the Igman Hotel.
After the museum, we recommend you to visit the best restaurant in the city – "Tipografiya" or "El Grand" bar.
You can easily get to the airport of Gorno-Altaysk by taxi (Yandex works. Taxi), the journey will take about 20-30 minutes, the cost is 350-650 rubles.
14:00-18:00 Transfer to Barnaul (Sea Buckthorn Group, 13 Dorozhnaya Street). Please note that you will need to get from the stop point to Barnaul by taxi yourself, on the way 50 min.-1 hour (cost 700-1000 rubles).
18:00-22:00 Transfer to Novosibirsk, completion of the tour – Novosibirsk-Main railway station, address – 1 Vokzalnaya Magistralnaya Street.
We recommend that you stay overnight at the Marins Park Hotel, or Park Inn Radisson, as the end point of the route will be right in front of the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast.
Route length: By car: 95 km to Gorno-Altaysk.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Camp Site

4 nights

Comfort

Basic+

The tour provides accommodation at a tourist base.

Please specify the details of the accommodation when booking, closer to the date of the trip.

The surcharge for single occupancy is 18,000 rubles.

The campsite depends on the date of the trip. If it is important for you to stay at a particular campsite, then it is possible to coordinate this with the organizers in advance.

You will be accommodated at the same campsite in Chemalsky or Maiminsky districts.

Possible options are stated in this tour: Base No. 1: "Territory of Happiness"/"Altai Siesta"/"Cedar"/"Yav"

The accommodation is double (possible triple or quadruple on request). Shower, toilet in the room.

All the campsites are located in picturesque places with mountain views, on the banks of rivers.

All camp sites have baths, which can be ordered additionally.

The cabins/rooms have sockets. But almost the entire Altai Republic is a rural area where electricity is often cut off. We recommend that you take a powerbank with you.

Most camp sites do not have a hair dryer. If you need it, you'd better bring it with you.

As a rule, the housing is made of wood. You will stay in rooms at some bases, and in separate cabins at some camp sites.

Bed linen and towels are provided everywhere.

Hygiene kits are not provided.

If you decide to go to the sauna, then you may need your own towel — not all baths provide them.

Tour conditions

Group

From 8 to 18 tourists

Minimum age

5 years old

Duration

5 days 4 nights

Group meets at

Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Gorno-Altaysk

Included in price

transfer and the entire itinerary of the program;
meals (4 breakfasts, 4 dinners);
accommodation at the campsite for 2 people per room;
guided tours according to the tour program and entrance tickets, except those marked "extra charge";
the work of a guide, 1 person.;
motor rafting on the Katun River.

Paid extra

Air and railway tickets to Novosibirsk / Barnaul / Gorno-Altaysk and back;
meals (lunches) in a cafe — 900-1500 rubles. average check;
meals during the transfer;
all additional services not included in the tour program;
horseback riding — from 3,500 rubles.;
the lake ski lift. Cuffs — 1500-1750 rub. per 1 person, depending on the season;
tick bite insurance (recommended purchase).

It's important to know

Shoes: sneakers with thick soles;

Replacement shoes:

Track.shoes (preferably a fixed ankle), comfortable, already worn, so as not to rub. If there is no such shoe option, you can replace it with non-slippery, comfortable sneakers (not mesh!). You can use rubber boots or comfortable warm boots;

For traveling along the route: any comfortable pants / jeans, a comfortable turtleneck or fleece jacket, T-shirt, jacket (ski or light jacket with sintepon is well suited), gloves (cotton, fleece);

Hat;

For bad weather: hat, gloves, fleece, windproof jacket or vest+ windbreaker, warm socks;

Raincoat;

Personal hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, washcloth;

Bath accessories (if you want to order it separately): flip-flops, swimsuit, towel (not large towels are available at all bases, except in remote areas. Check with the guide or the route manager);

If you can't do without a hair dryer, we recommend that you bring your own;

A personal first aid kit with the medicines you need. There are pharmacies along the route, but not everywhere and the choice of medicines is very limited;

Basic things can be carried in a suitcase. Items can be transported in any bags and suitcases. Do not take extra things with you. Altai hotels do not have a service for delivering things to the room, 90% of hotels are not equipped with elevators, you will carry things from the car to the room yourself;

A small backpack for radial walks. Where will you need for the day (raincoat, jacket, water, camera, etc.);

Sunscreens and glasses. Altai has a very active sun, even in cool weather. Therefore, we recommend taking sunscreen -50;

Of the useful, but not obligatory things: An individual small thermos, a hob or a tourist seat. Shoe dryer. This is optional, but it will be more comfortable to travel with them;

Cash. Cards are not accepted at souvenir markets, and there may not be a connection for transfer;

important! in Altai, the tick season (April-June): repellent (it will be possible to buy it in Altai), LONG socks! We will tuck our pants into socks in places where there are ticks. There are practically no mosquitoes and midges in Altai.

It is very important to tell about the ticks that scare tourists.

The peak, when there are a lot of ticks, is from April 20 to the end of June. Not every tick is encephalitic. That is, many of them are completely harmless. But it is possible to distinguish a vector from a regular one only in the laboratory.

How to minimize the risk of tick-borne encephalitis?

A few points:

Don't let the ticks bite you. Look around when hiking in the forest, take off your clothes on time. It is not difficult to notice a tick on the body. If you hit a bush, you looked at your feet, if there is a tick, just throw it off. In practice, this is a very, very effective way (and I am writing about what I have tested, the advice is extremely practical). Additionally, it is advisable to treat clothes with a repellent.
Vaccination. It is done in a polyclinic. If you do a full course of three vaccinations, then immunity can last up to 3 years. I will not dissuade from vaccinations, but in practice, vaccination does not always work. A lot of people, hoping for a vaccination, get sick. Maybe that's why neither I nor my friends make them. This is a big topic for discussion, many people believe that there is a lot of harm from these vaccinations, etc. Everyone makes their own choice.
After a tick bite, carry out emergency prevention. Within 72 hours, you need to get an injection of immunoglobulin and take iodantipyrine. This is not a vaccination, but a fight against an infection that has already been received. Such an injection is quite expensive (about 1000 rubles per 10 kilograms of body weight).

But there is a method of protection that is used for the unvaccinated, and which allows you not to force your immune system unnecessarily. It consists of three stages:

we insure ourselves in case of a tick bite in an insurance company, which allows us to compensate for the cost of an immunoglobulin injection. You need to send us an application for tick bite insurance now if you have purchased a ticket for April-May;
if you plan to purchase insurance not through our company, pay attention to the fact that in the policy, in the list of places where medical care can be provided, the Republic of Altai, the village of Elikmonar (Elekmonar) or the village of Chemal.
in case of a tick bite, we pull it out and take it to the laboratory for analysis for the presence of infections (Gorno-Altaysk, 17 Kommunistichesky Ave.). It is better to take it right away, since there are only 72 hours for everything about everything;
if the tick is "clean", then we sleep peacefully. If the tick-borne encephalitis virus is found, then we proceed to emergency prevention, then we reimburse the costs for insurance.

This method minimizes unnecessary medical interventions. I repeat, everyone is responsible for their own health, someone can just rely on "maybe", pull out the tick and move on.

Dates and Prices

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$909

17 – 21 Apr, 2027 5 days 4 nights

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24 – 28 Apr, 2027 5 days 4 nights

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29 Apr – 3 May, 2027 5 days 4 nights

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30 Apr – 4 May, 2027 5 days 4 nights

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7 – 11 May, 2027 5 days 4 nights

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Reviews Leave a review

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Tatiana and Alina

about provider

19 Nov, 2025

I really enjoyed communicating with Anastasia and her colleagues. They responded quickly and clearly to all my questions and gave helpful advice. A great team. well done!!! I’ll definitely send some photos later; there are so many that I just couldn’t choose. THANK YOU for a wonderful trip.