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

from

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

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Tour highlights

Patmos Island

We will walk over the suspension bridge, admire the confluence of two mountain rivers Chemala and Katuni, see the picturesque Chemala hydroelectric power station and drink water from a living and dead source

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

Amazing marals

We will see herds of marals — noble Altai deer, which graze on a large fenced territory of the maralnik

Horse riding

If desired, we will climb to the top of the Elandinsky pass, which offers a magnificent view of hundreds of kilometers of mountain ranges

Itinerary

Day 1 - Transfer. Getting to know Altai. Patmos Island and Chemalskaya HPP
09:00-10:30 Meeting in the parking lot in front of the airport of Gorno-Altaisk.
A guide with a sign "Going to the mountains" will be waiting for you.
There are also possible options:
05:00 Meeting in Novosibirsk in the parking lot of the shopping center "Orange" at the address: Lenin Street, 84, near the Marins Park hotel.
08:30 Meeting near Barnaul in the parking lot of the Sea Buckthorn Group at the address: Novoaltaysk, Dorozhnaya str., 13 Transfer to the campsite (1.5–2 hours from Gorno-Altaysk airport, 5 hours from Barnaul, 9 hours from Novosibirsk), lunch (extra charge, can be ordered and paid in a cafe).
Check-in and rest after the flight.
After lunch, we will take a walk from Patmos Island to Chemalskaya HPP.
This route, of course, can be called one of the most popular — "must see" in Altai.
You will walk over the suspension bridge to the monastery on the island right in the middle of a mountain river, walk along the picturesque goat trail, from where you will admire the confluence of two rivers — Chemala and Katuni, see the first hydroelectric power plant built in the Altai Republic in the 30s of the last century.
Meals included: dinner.
Accommodation: campsite, double accommodation (possible three or four, on request). Room amenities.
Excursions and activities: exploring Altai, Patmos island, goat trail, Chemalskaya HPP.
The length of the road: By car: 95 km from Gorno-Altaysk. Car: 340 km from Barnaul. Car: 540 km from Novosibirsk. Walking distance: 4 km.
Day 2 - Tavda caves. Apiary. Rafting or a motorboat ride on the Katun River. Kamyshlinsky waterfall
09:00-10:00 Breakfast.
10:00-14:00 Excursion to the Tavda caves, where ancient people lived in various epochs.
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.
Then head to one of the best apiaries in the city. Altai, where you will learn how bees make honey, the road there is very picturesque.
14:00-15:00 Lunch at the cafe (extra charge).
15:30-17.30 Next, you will make a dizzying motorboat voyage along the main river of Altai — Katuni.
Despite the many emotions and adrenaline, swimming is absolutely safe, 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 accommodation (possible three or four, on request). Room amenities.
Meals included: set breakfast and dinner.
Excursions: Tavdinsky caves, Apiary, Rafting (possible after about May 20 according to weather conditions) or rafting on a motorboat on the Katun River, Kamyshlinsky waterfall.
The length of the road: By car: 108 km. Walking distance: 3.5 km.
Day 3 - Mountain Spirits Gorge. Places of power. Orocto Bridge. Maralovedcheskaya farm. Dry waterfall
Breakfast.
10:00-13:00 Excursion through the gorge of mountain spirits — a cult place of the Altaians, named after such an ancient name that scientists cannot decipher its meaning, it is a place of power and, a kind of natural temple.
In the gorge we will visit the stream of health, a cave painting, a cascading waterfall, an observation deck with stunning views of the Katun River valley.
13:00-14.00 Lunch at the cafe (extra charge).
14:00-18:00 Guided tour of the best maral breeding farm in the Altai Republic.
Here, you can see herds of marals that graze on the large fenced territory of the maralnik, learn about antler farming, and purchase pantoproducts.
18:00-19:00 Dinner.
Accommodation: campsite, double accommodation (possible three or four, on request). Room amenities.
Meals included: full breakfast and dinner.
Excursions: gorge of mountain spirits, places of power, Orokto bridge, maral breeding farm, dry waterfall.
The length of the path: On foot: 4 km. Car: 80 km.

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Day 4 - The village of Askat craftsmen. Horseback riding in the mountains or walking along the ecotrope
09:30-10:30 Breakfast.
10:30-13:30 We will take a tour of the village of Askat craftsmen, which is known for its artisans and unusual inhabitants.
There we will be able to get acquainted with various types of creativity, learn how to play ethnic instruments and even create our own ethnic group.
In one of the houses we will undergo sound therapy with Tibetan singing bowls.
In another, we will taste Altai phyto-teas.
In the third, we will admire the work of tanners and so on.
At the end of the tour, we will learn how to shoot a bow and get acquainted with the famous Golovan family of artists.
13:00-14:00 Lunch at the cafe (extra charge).
14:00-18:00 After breakfast, one of the most exciting adventures awaits us — 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).
Alternatively, you can go for a walk in the Sartakpaya Valley (no extra charge required).
19:00-21:30 Farewell dinner and bonfire.
Accommodation: campsite, double.
Meals included: set breakfast and dinner.
Excursions: a tour of the village of Askat masters, horseback riding in the mountains (paid separately) or a walk along the ecotrope.
The length of the road: By car: 90 km. Horses: 10 km.

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Day 5 - An observation deck from Sinyukha. Souvenir markets. Return transfer
08:00-8:30 Breakfast.
09:00 Collecting things, leaving the base.
At the end of the trip, on the way to Gorno-Altaysk airport, we will stop in the village of Manzherok.
A walk through souvenir markets where you can buy Altai honey, herbs, national musical instruments, various jewelry and products of local artisans.
Those who wish can take a chairlift to the top of Mount Sinyukha.
It offers stunning views of the Katun River Valley and the lake itself (additional charge).
Walk along the path of health.
12:30-13:30 Transfer to the airport of Gorno-Altaisk for guests departing on daytime flights.
It will be convenient for you to take off flights at 15:20-17:00.
17:30-18:00 Transfer to Barnaul (Sea Buckthorn Group, Dorozhnaya street-13). Please note that from the stop point to the city of Barnaul you will need to get by taxi, on your own, on the way 50 minutes – 1 hour (cost 700-1000 rubles).
22:00 Transfer to Novosibirsk, completion of the tour — Novosibirsk-Main railway station, address — ul. Railway station highway-1. We recommend that you stay overnight at the Marins Park Hotel.
Meals included: breakfast.
The length of the road: By car: 95 km to Gorno-Altaysk. 340 km to Barnaul. 540 km To Novosibirsk.

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 13,500 rubles.

The campsite depends on the date of travel. If accommodation at any particular campsite is essential for you, 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"/"Chemalsky district"/ "Territory of Happiness".

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

All the camp sites are located in picturesque places overlooking the mountains, on the banks of rivers.

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

There are sockets in the cabins/rooms. 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 for accommodation 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 give them out.

Tour conditions

Group

up 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 (breakfasts, dinners);
accommodation at the campsite for 2 people in a room;
15 excursions according to the tour program and entrance tickets, except for those marked "extra charge";
the work of a guide, 1 person.;
motor rafting or rafting on the Katun River.

Paid extra

Air and railway tickets to Novosibirsk / Barnaul / Gorno-Altaisk and back;
meals (lunches) in the cafe — 450-650 rubles. average check;
meals during the transfer;
the surcharge for single occupancy is 12,500 rubles.;
all additional services not included in the tour program;
horse riding — 3,500 rubles.;
the lift to the lake. Cuffs — 1,200 rubles.

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.

The most convenient flight to Gorno-Altaisk. We will meet you at the airport (on the day of arrival, according to the time specified in the program) and take you to the base (approximately 1.5-2 hours transfer). As a rule, the main flights arrive in the morning. It is best to take a flight with arrival from 9 am to 10.30 am. The transfer will be a group, the participants will be distributed by minivans or buses, the coordinator will inform you in advance of the make of the car and the time at which you will be picked up from the airport. For example, if several people arrived at 8.2 and 2 people at 09.10, then the departure of the bus will take place after the participants who arrived at 09.10 receive their luggage, i.e. at 9.3 in the morning. For an additional fee – 4000 rubles. (for the car) we can arrange for you an individual transfer to the base at any time convenient for you. If you want to leave in the morning on the final day of the tour, we will take you to the airport by 08:00 in the morning.

It is slightly less convenient to arrive/arrive in Barnaul. From Barnaul to Gorno-Altaisk is about 4 hours drive (272 km), and 1.5-2 hours drive to the base. The road will pass through a flat area (there are no mountain beauties outside the window). If you have decided to fly to Barnaul, then we will meet you in the parking lot of the hotel complex "Oblepikha" (Novoaltaysk), from the airport to the meeting place with the group about 40-60 minutes. by taxi, the cost is about 700 rubles. You will be met by a driver, the guide will join you directly in the Altai Republic. The transfer is a group and will take place together with other participants of the trip. For an additional fee – 10000 rubles. we can arrange for you an individual transfer from Barnaul airport directly to the base at any convenient time.

It is the least convenient, due to the duration of the transfer, to fly to Novosibirsk. The road from Novosibirsk to Gorno-Altaisk takes about 7-7.5 hours + transfer to the campsite (1.5-2 hours). But Novosibirsk is a big transport hub and many of our guests arrive/arrive in this city. If you arrive /arrive in Novosibirsk, we recommend that you arrive in advance, the day before, in order to have time to relax before traveling. We will meet you at Novosibirsk, Lenin str., 84, opposite the railway station. Check-out time is at 5 a.m. There are many hotels and hostels within walking distance where you can relax before moving.

Dates and Prices

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26 – 30 Apr, 2025 5 days 4 nights

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27 Apr – 1 May, 2025 5 days 4 nights

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$545

7 – 11 May, 2025 5 days 4 nights

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