The Big Altai. 7-day sightseeing tour

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We will make an exciting journey through the territory of the Altai Republic, reach the border with Mongolia along the Chui highway (included in the "Top 10 most beautiful roads in the world").

In 7 days you will not only enjoy the rich and diverse nature, but also get acquainted with the national culture, hear folk legends, taste local dishes, attend a concert of traditional throat singing in a real Altai village and even see ancient rock paintings.

Location

Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Gorno-Altaysk

Sightseeing tours

Contact the tour coordinator

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

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Tour highlights

Gastronomic interest

Let's try the dishes of the national Altai cuisine

A surge of emotions

Let's cheer up on rafting or motor rafting on the Katun River

Cosmic landscapes

Let's go to Altai Mars and take fantastic photos for memory

Itinerary

Day 1 - Getting to know Altai. National food tasting
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."
Additional transfer options are also available, availability must be specified when booking, the number of seats is limited:
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 at Barnaul in the parking lot of the Oblepikha Group of Companies at 13 Dorozhnaya Street, Novoaltaysk (meeting at Barnaul airport is impossible due to the complex logistics of the route).
Transfer to the campsite (1.5–2 hours from Gorno-Altaysk airport, 5 hours from Barnaul, 9 hours from Novosibirsk), lunch (extra charge).
Check-in and rest after the flight.
Next, we will go on an excursion to the island of Patmos and the Chemalskaya hydroelectric power station.
This route can certainly be called one of the most popular "must see" routes in Altai.
You will walk across the suspension bridge to the chapel on the island right in the middle of the mountain river, stroll along the picturesque ecotrope, from where you will admire the confluence of two rivers — Chemala and Katun.
Festive dinner in the national style (vegetarian type of food is possible).
Meals included: gala dinner.
Accommodation: campsite No. 1.
Excursions and activities: Katun River valley, Patmos island and the ecotrope above Katun, tasting of national cuisine.
By car: 95 km from Gorno-Altaysk / 340 km from Barnaul / 540 km from Novosibirsk. Walking distance: 3 km.
Day 2 - Sights of the Chui tract
Breakfast.
There is a long, but incredibly interesting and eventful journey ahead along one of the most beautiful roads in the world — the Chuisky highway.
We will overcome two passes: admire the cedar forest on the Seminsky pass (1717 m) and explore the ancient caravan trails on the picturesque Chike Taman pass.
We will meditate in the place of power, where the silver Chuya river flows into the mighty Katun, visit the ancient sanctuary, one of the largest petroglyphic complexes of Altai — Kalbak-Tash, where for thousands of years ancient artists created samples of rock art (more than 3,000 drawings have been preserved).
We will see many changing landscapes, peacefully grazing herds, ancient archaeological sites, as well as the 12-meter-high Shirlak waterfall.
Check-in at the base.
Supper.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner.
Accommodation: campsite No. 2.
Excursions and activities: attractions of the Chuisky tract.
By car: 290 km, on foot: 6 km

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Day 3 - The land of a thousand lakes. The valley of the Chulyshman River. Katu-Yaryk Pass
After breakfast, we will go on a trip to the Ulagan district, which is called the land of a thousand lakes.
We will visit the most picturesque of them, crystal clear, in which the peaks of the mountains are reflected as if in mirrors.
We will climb the highest paved pass of the Altai Republic — Ulagansky (2,080 m), which is also a powerful revered place of power.
After lunch, we will visit an equally mysterious and mystical object — the legendary Pazyryk burial mounds, which have preserved to this day the most valuable archaeological finds, the age of which exceeds 2000 years.
The culmination of the day will be a grandiose miracle of the Altai land — the sacred Chulyshman valley, striking the imagination with its scale, cascading waterfalls, expressive curves of the royal Chulyshman River.
And, of course, the Katu-Yaryk pass, unique in its kind, is colossal — a zigzag of nine loops cutting through the slope of the gorge.
We return to the base, have dinner.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner.
Accommodation: campsite No. 2.
Excursions and activities: Krasnye Vorota, Cheybek-Kel (Dead Lake), Kidel Lake, Ulagan pass, Pazyryk mounds, Katu-Yaryk pass and the valley of the Chulyshman River.
By car: 200 km, on foot: 4 km

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Day 4 - Panorama of the North Chui ridge. Altai Mars. Geyser Lake
Breakfast.
Today you will see a wide variety of landscapes: from the mysterious turquoise geyser lake, at the bottom of which patterns literally change before your eyes, to the vast expanses of the Kurai steppe and the bowl-encircled snowy peaks of the North Chuisky range (the highest point is Mount Maashey–Bash 4177m).
Next, we will go to the Primongolian Chuya steppe, where peoples once roamed, and trains of caravans plied.
You will see how different the natural and climatic features, flora and fauna in the south of Altai are.
On the way, we will collect healing water from the sacred spring of Arzhan-Suu and, if we are lucky, we will meet herds of camels in a natural environment.
Stop for lunch at a cafe (the average check is 900-1500 rubles).
Finally, we will take colorful photos in one of the most fantastic places in the Republic – Altai Mars.
You will see amazing colorful landscapes that will make you feel like a guest of the red planet.
Return trip.
For the most active, an additional jeep tour can be ordered to the top of the Aktash Repeater (3000 m) or the Chuisky Meanders, offering stunning views of the snow-capped glaciers of the North Chuisky Range (possible only from mid-May/June to early September).
Supper.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner.
Accommodation: campsite No. 2.
Excursions and activities: Geyser Lake, panorama of the Severo-Chuisky ridge, mineral spring, Mars, jeep trip to the Aktashsky repeater (additional charge starting from 3,500 rubles)
By car: 170 km, on foot: 6 km

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Day 5 - Ilgumen. Place of Power — Uch-Enmek Nature Park
After breakfast, we leave the rooms and head in the opposite direction.
We will visit the ancient site of the Chuya highway, which offers a magical view of the Chuya River valley and get acquainted with the monument to the drivers of the Chuya highway.
Next, we will take panoramic pictures with a view of the Katun terraces and find out how this kind of relief was formed.
Then we will walk to the mouth of the Bolshoy Ilgumen River, where the 300-meter Ilgumen threshold is formed, as if hypnotizing with its power and beauty.
After lunch, we will have a guided tour of the Karakol Valley and the Uch-Enmek Nature Park.
For centuries, local residents 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.
Check-in at the campsite, dinner.
In the evening, you will enjoy a throat singing concert by the fire performed by talented artists.
Their songs and music will sometimes immerse you in meditation, then they will ride a dashing steed across the steppe, then they will make you feel the deep feeling of love that every Altai feels for his native land.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner.
Accommodation: campsite No. 1.
Excursions and events: monument to the drivers of the Chuisky tract, Katun terraces, Ilgumen threshold, Uch-Enmek, throat singing concert.
By car: 340 km, on foot: 4 km.

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Day 6 - Rafting or motor rafting on the Katun River. Askat Village of Masters
Breakfast.
Today, the main river of Altai, the Katun, will truly open for us.: we will make rafting on its mighty waves under the guidance of an experienced certified instructor.
A rather extreme option is possible — rafting with the passage of rapids, an abundance of splashes, adrenaline, emotions.
Rafting is possible after about May 20 according to weather conditions, and motor rafting is organized on spring dates.
Everyone will feel like a part of the team, and an unforgettable adventure will be recorded both on the go-about instructor and the highlights from the shore.
An alternative option is motor rafting, which is a fun and absolutely safe ride on the waves on a boat with a motor, that is, you will not need oars, and your clothes will stay dry.
After lunch, we will admire the Katun River from the suspension bridge, as well as the picturesque cliffs protruding from the water, which are called "Dragon's Teeth".
Then we will go to the village of Askat masters, which is not called the "art village" or even the "bohemian farm" for nothing, because talented and unusual people flock here to create, inspired by the surrounding nature and special energy.
As part of the tour, you will get acquainted with the creativity of local residents, walk along a charming mountain trail.
In the evening — dinner, farewell bonfire, exchange of impressions.
Meals included: breakfast, dinner.
Accommodation: campsite No. 1.
Excursions and activities: rafting along the Katun River (in April and until mid—May, motor rafting is offered according to weather conditions, after mid-May, rafting is available), the Dragon's Teeth rock feature, Askat village.
By car: 60 km, on foot: 6 km, by water: 8 km.

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Day 7 - Departure
Today you have 2 program options, depending on the conditions of the return flight/ departure.
For those who decided to take morning flights from Gorno-Altaysk from S7 at 10:30.
05:45-06:10 Breakfast (lunch boxes).
06:10-06:15 Boarding the bus.
06:15-08:15 Transfer to Gorno-Altaysk airport.
Farewell to the participants departing from Gorno-Altaysk.
For those who decide to fly daytime or evening flights from Gorno-Altaysk. For those who travel to Barnaul and Novosibirsk and plan to stay overnight in them, or leave / fly on late flights.
08:00-09:30 Breakfast.
09:30-12:00 Transfer to Gorno-Altaysk airport. Farewell to the participants departing on daytime flights from Gorno-Altaysk airport.
12:00-12:30 Transfer to Gorno-Altaysk bus station and Igman Hotel.
Farewell to the participants who stay overnight in Gorno-Altaysk, or wait for evening departures.
If you have free time before the evening flight, we recommend that you take your belongings to the luggage room at the Gorno-Altaysk bus station and go to the museum. Anokhina (within walking distance from the bus station), where the mummy of the Altai Princess and other interesting relics of Altai are kept, admission is 250-350 rubles per person.
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.
The possibility of a transfer to Barnaul and Novosibirsk must be specified when booking, the number of seats is limited.
13:00-17:00 Transfer to Barnaul (GC "Sea Buckthorn", Novoaltaysk, Dorozhnaya street-13).
To Barnaul airport named after You can get to Titova by taxi, the cost is about 800 rubles, 1 hour on the way.
13:00-21:30 (22:00) Transfer to Novosibirsk.
The tour ends at the Novosibirsk railway station (Novosibirsk-Glavny station) at 21:30 (22:00), Vokzalnaya Magistral-1 Street. If you leave by train, you will only have a 5-minute walk to the station building.
You can get to Novosibirsk airport by taxi (from 1 to 1.5 hours drive, depending on traffic jams), the cost is from 600 to 1,500 rubles (according to Yandex rates.Taxi).
Alternatively, we recommend that you stay overnight at the Marins Park Hotel or the Park Inn Radisson Novosibirsk, which are located near the end of the tour.
If these two transfer options are not suitable for you, then for an additional fee starting from 5,500 rubles, it is possible to arrange an individual transfer to the airport of Gorno-Altaysk.

Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Tour organizer's comments

The length of the route: 1160-2024 km (depending on the city of the start of the tour).

Accommodation

Camp Site

6 nights

Comfort

Basic+

The tour provides accommodation at camp sites along the way (double occupancy with amenities).

The surcharge for single occupancy is 23,500 rubles.

Please check the details of possible accommodation options for a specific arrival date when booking.

You will be stationed at two different bases in different regions of Altai. Possible options:

Base No. 1: "Territory of happiness"/"Chegysh"/"Aybarka"/"Fortuna".

Base No. 2: "Nomad"/"Rasul"/"River lands"

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Tour conditions

Group

From 14 to 18 tourists

Minimum age

5 years old

Duration

7 days 6 nights

Group meets at

Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Gorno-Altaysk

Included in price

transfer and the entire itinerary of the program;
meals: 6 breakfasts, 6 dinners, including a festive dinner in the national style;
accommodation at campsites according to the program:
- campsite No. 1: 1-2 days (1 night);
- campsite No. 2: 2-5 days (3 nights);
- campsite No. 1: 5-7 days (2 nights) ;
excursions and events and entrance fees specified in the program;
the work of a guide - 1-2 people.;
throat singing concert;
motorcycle rafting or rafting on the Katun River + equipment rental (vest, helmet, wetsuit, and, if necessary, splash-proof jacket), shoes (additional charge).

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Novosibirsk / Barnaul / Gorno-Altaysk and back;
meals (lunches) in a cafe — from 900 rubles. (average receipt for the complex);
jeep trip to the Aktau repeater or Chui meanders (optional) – from 3,500 rubles (possible only from the last days of May/early June until the first days of September);
all additional services not included in the tour program;
tick bite insurance – 400 rubles (Rosgosstrakh);
bathhouse.

It's important to know

The list of things for sightseeing tours for spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October):

Shoes: sneakers with thick soles.
Replacement shoes.
The track. shoes (preferably a fixed ankle), comfortable, already worn to avoid chafing. 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 trousers / jeans, a comfortable turtleneck or fleece jacket, a T-shirt, a jacket (a ski or lightweight jacket with a sintepon will do well), gloves (cotton, fleece).
Hat.
For bad weather: hat, gloves, fleece, windproof jacket or vest + windbreaker, warm socks.
Raincoat.
Personal hygiene items: toothbrush, paste, soap, shampoo, washcloth.
Bathroom accessories (if you want to order it separately): flip-flops, swimsuit, towel (small towels are available at all bases except in remote areas. Check with your guide or 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 room service, 90% of hotels are not equipped with elevators, and you will carry things from your car to your room on your own.
A small backpack for radial walks. Where there will be necessary things 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 a -50 sunscreen.
Useful, but not mandatory items: an individual small thermos, a travel seat (hob), a shoe dryer. This is not necessary, but it will be more comfortable to travel with them.
Cash money. Souvenir markets do not accept cards, and there may not be a connection for transfer.

Important! In Altai, the tick season (April–June): a repellent (you can 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.

The list of things for sightseeing tours for June–August:

Shoes: thick-soled sneakers, comfortable sandals or moccasins for a hot summer day.
Replacement shoes.
The track. shoes (preferably a fixed ankle), comfortable, already worn to avoid chafing. If there is no such shoe option, you can replace it with non-slippery, comfortable sneakers (not mesh).
For traveling along the route: any comfortable pants/ jeans – 2 pairs, a long-sleeve T-shirt (to protect against burns), shorts, a light T-shirt, a swimsuit, a headdress (from the sun).
For bad weather: Hat, fleece, windproof jacket or vest + windbreaker, warm socks.
Raincoat.
Personal hygiene items: toothbrush, paste, soap, shampoo, washcloth.
Bathroom accessories (for programs where there is a sauna included. Or you will want to order it separately): flip-flops, swimsuit, towel (small towels are available at all bases, except in remote areas. Check with your guide or route manager).
Those who cannot do without a hair dryer, we recommend that you bring your own, because there are not everywhere in the Altai bases.
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 room service, 90% of hotels are not equipped with elevators, and you will carry things from your car to your room on your own.
A small backpack for radial walks. Where there will be necessary things for the day (raincoat, jacket, water, camera, etc.).
Sunscreens and glasses. Altai has a very active sun, even in bad weather. Therefore, we recommend taking a -50 sunscreen.
Useful, but not mandatory items: An individual small thermos, a travel seat (hob), a shoe dryer. This is not necessary, but it will be more comfortable to travel with them.
Cash money. Cards are not accepted at souvenir markets, and there may not be a connection for transfer.

Important! In Altai, the tick season (April–June): a repellent (you can 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 frighten tourists.

The peak, when there are a lot of ticks, is May and until mid–June. Not every tick is encephalitic. That is, many of them are completely harmless. But it is possible to distinguish a carrier 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 easy 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'm writing about what I've 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 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 give 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 1,000 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 against a tick bite from an insurance company, which allows us to compensate for the cost of an immunoglobulin injection. An application for tick bite insurance should be sent to us now if you have purchased a ticket for April–May.;
in case of a tick bite, we pull it out and take it to the laboratory for analysis for 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 expenses 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-Altaysk.

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 arriving from 08:10 a.m. to 09:30 a.m.

The transfer will be in a group, the participants will be divided into 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 08.20 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 09.30 in the morning.

For an additional fee – 10,000 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 08.10 am.

It is slightly less convenient to arrive/ arrive in Barnaul. It takes about 4 hours (272 km) to drive from Barnaul to Gorno-Altaysk, and 1.5-2 hours to 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, we will meet you in the parking lot of the Sea Buckthorn hotel complex (Novoaltaysk), about 40-60 minutes from the airport to the meeting place with the group. by taxi, the cost is about 700 rubles.

You will be met by a driver, a guide will join you directly in the Altai Republic.

The transfer is a group one and will take place jointly with other participants of the trip.

For an additional fee – 15,000 rubles. we can arrange for you an individual transfer from Barnaul airport directly to the base at any convenient time.

Due to the length of the transfer, it is least convenient to fly to Novosibirsk.

The journey from Novosibirsk to Gorno-Altaysk 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 are arriving 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 84 Lenin St., Novosibirsk, opposite the railway station. Check-out time is at 05.10 am. There are many hotels and hostels within walking distance where you can relax before moving.

Dates and Prices

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6 – 12 Jun 7 days 6 nights

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13 – 19 Jun 7 days 6 nights

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20 – 26 Jun 7 days 6 nights

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27 Jun – 3 Jul 7 days 6 nights

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4 – 10 Jul 7 days 6 nights

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11 – 17 Jul 7 days 6 nights

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18 – 24 Jul 7 days 6 nights

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25 – 31 Jul 7 days 6 nights

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1 – 7 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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8 – 14 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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15 – 21 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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22 – 28 Aug 7 days 6 nights

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29 Aug – 4 Sep 7 days 6 nights

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5 – 11 Sep 7 days 6 nights

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12 – 18 Sep 7 days 6 nights

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19 – 25 Sep 7 days 6 nights

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26 Sep – 2 Oct 7 days 6 nights

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3 – 9 Oct 7 days 6 nights

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10 – 16 Oct 7 days 6 nights

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17 – 23 Oct 7 days 6 nights

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24 – 30 Oct 7 days 6 nights

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Reviews Leave a review

TA
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.