The mountains are in bloom. Maralnik in Altai

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We invite you to travel to the blooming mountains for the May holidays. We know a few secret points where fantastic photos come from. In addition, we will walk along a non-existent ghost road, look for dancing cranes and the legendary white maralnik, and also meet the sunrise with a view of the glaciers.

And the sweetest lambs, calves, foals and even camels with their caring mothers graze everywhere. Agree, it is best to watch nature waking up after winter rest not from the bus window, but leisurely walking along a mountain path, inhaling spring scents and looking at the first blooming flowers. Therefore, our tour includes 3 exciting walking tours.

Location

Altai Republic, Gorno-Altaisk

Sightseeing tours

from

Early
booking

Contact the tour coordinator

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

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Tour highlights

The animal world

In May, the sweetest lambs, calves, and foals graze everywhere with their caring mothers

The flowering of the maralnik

We will see how the slopes of the mountains are covered with the most delicate lilac-purple carpet

The mysteries of ancient civilizations

We explore historical monuments of different eras – petroglyphs, stone steles and mounds

The Ghost Road

We will walk along the Tyungur trail, which, due to the most difficult conditions, did not become a road, but gradually turned into a trail with magnificent views

Russian bathhouse

After a busy day, relax in the hot Russian bathhouse

Cozy houses with panoramic views of the glaciers

We will spend two nights in guest houses with stunning views of the North Chui Ridge, covered with eternal ice and snow

Itinerary

Day 1 - Meeting. Chuisky tract
We will meet you at the airport or at the place you specified in Gorno-Altaysk, get acquainted, and hit the road!
We will travel along the Chui Highway connecting Russia and Mongolia.
This road has been recognized by National Geographic magazine as one of the most beautiful in the world!
On the way, we will stop at picturesque places.
After an hour of our journey, the first flowering maralnik bushes will appear on the banks of the Katun River.
And when we descend from the Chike-Taman pass, we will get to the very fabulous garden where the blooming maralnik covers the mountain slopes with an almost continuous carpet.
We make a lot of stops, walk, take pictures.
We also admire the Ilgumen threshold, Katun terraces, the Tsaplinsky Bridge, and, of course, the confluence of Chuya and Katun.
In the evening we arrive in the village of Inegen.
Meals: lunch, dinner. By car: 290 km. Walking distance: moderate.

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Day 2 - The Tungur trail
Today we have an active day in nature. We will drive to the observation deck by car, and from there we will walk along the famous Tyungur trail to the confluence of Argut with Katun.
The Tyungur trail is a ghost road, which was laid in the most difficult conditions, but was not put into operation and gradually turned into a trail, although navigators until recently built routes for cars along it.
You will be impressed by the skill of the builders who built shelves for the road on steep cliffs.
And the Katuni Valley will delight with magnificent views with blooming maralnik on the mountain slopes and the first snowdrops right by the trail.
Meals: breakfast, lunch-picnic on the Tyungur trail, dinner.
By car: 20 km. Walking distance: intensive 6 km.
Day 3 - Blooming mountains. Kalbak-Tash. The Kurai Steppe
In the morning we go in search of the legendary white maralnik.
They say it blooms near the confluence of Chuya and Katuni.
We'll check it out.
After that, we continue our journey along the Chui tract along the Chui River, the banks of which are also decorated with maralnik.
We will stop at the ancient Kalbak-Tash sanctuary, at the monument to Kolka Snegirev and in many other beautiful places.
In the Kurai steppe, we will take a short walk through the hills, which offer stunning views of the North Chui Ridge, covered with eternal ice and snow.
We will stay in guest houses in Kurai for the night.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner. By car: 125 km. Walking distance: moderately 3 km.
Day 4 - Sunrise and the colored mountains of Kyzyl-Chin
We get up early today because we want to see how the first rays of the sun turn the North Chui Ridge pink.
We really hope that we will be lucky with the weather.
Then our way lies to the colored hills of Kyzyl-Chin, which are called Mars.
Yellow, white, orange, brown, maroon clays create truly stunning landscapes.
It's still very early spring here, the rivers are most likely covered with ice.
But the atmosphere is created by colorful mountains.
We will walk to Mars-2 to see with our own eyes all the turns and secret places of the Red Gorge — Kyzyl-Chin.
We spend this day at an altitude of about 1400-1800 meters, it is much colder here and steppe and semi-desert vegetation prevail.
Unfortunately, we will not meet a maralnik here anymore.
But we can meet grazing camels, eagles soaring in the sky and even vultures.
After Mars, we will stop in Kosh-Agach, a large village near the border with Mongolia, where you can buy Mongolian cashmere woolen goods and souvenirs at the local market.
Meals: breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner. By car: 80 km. Walking: intensive 6 km.
Day 5 - The beauty of the Chui tract
Sadly, our homecoming begins today.
But there is a small consolation – the road back will be very beautiful.
After all, the mountains are in bloom again!
And we still have interesting places in stock where we will make stops.
We will stop at a wonderful little Geyser lake that paints pictures on the bottom.
We will see a stone warrior guarding his lands for 2500 years.
Let's be surprised at the joint creation of the hands of man and nature – the Inin sand columns.
Let's admire the confluence of the transparent Yaloman into the turbid and stormy Katun.
We will stop at the Seminsky pass, where you can buy souvenirs and gifts from Altai.
We will arrive in Gorno-Altaysk at about 18:00.
If you have a morning flight, we will help you book a hotel.
Meals: breakfast, lunch. By car: 390 km. On foot: no.

Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Tour organizer's comments

The level of training is average. The program includes 3 long walks (light trekking): 1) along the Tyungur trail (about 6 km) 2) along the hills of the Kurai steppe (about 3 km) 3) To Mars-2 (about 6 km). All routes are simple, without significant ascents and descents, accessible to a person in any physical form. In walking radial exits, it is always possible to return to the camp earlier with a second guide or wait for the group in a picturesque place if it is difficult to go further.

Accommodation

Hotel

1 night
Guest House

5 nights

Comfort

Midscale

The tour provides accommodation in guest houses along the route.

Single accommodation is subject to agreement, as there may not be a very large number of rooms.

Accommodation is always on an individual bed, if there is one double bed, one single bed in the room, only 2 people can be accommodated. It is impossible to move in with strangers. Only the participants of our tour live in rooms.

Two- or three-bed accommodation (toilet and shower in the house).

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 9 tourists

Minimum age

12 years old

Duration

5 days 4 nights

Group meets at

Altai Republic, Gorno-Altaisk

Included in price

2 and 3-bed accommodation in guest houses, recreation centers;
three meals a day (except breakfast on the 1st day and dinner on the 5th day);
transfers according to the program;
guide services (Russian, English, German);
entrance tickets, guided tours (Mars, Geyser Lake, Kalbak-Tash);
invitation for a visa (for foreign tourists);
insurance against tick bite.

Paid extra

flights to Gorno-Altaisk and back;
insurance (except for tick bite insurance)
personal items (souvenirs and other personal items that you will want to buy);
alcoholic beverages.

It's important to know

This list will help you make sure that you have everything you need for your trip to Altai. Even if you are an experienced traveler, it is always useful to check yourself on an additional list. If you have forgotten something, you will have the opportunity to buy the most necessary things in local stores. But be prepared that the choice may be limited and you will not be able to find your favorite brands.

Bags:

The main bag. We recommend one soft sports bag or a frameless backpack. They are less bulky and easy to handle. We really appreciate the convenient size bags. Suitcases are not the most suitable type for our tours.
A Hiking Backpack. In addition to the main bag, you will need a small backpack for excursions and day hikes. This backpack should have enough space for water, warm and waterproof clothes, binoculars and everything else that you will take with you on a day trip.

Clothes:

Usually the temperature on our trips ranges from +15 to +25°C during the day and from +5 to +15°With the night.

But there are also very hot (above 30 °C) or rainy days.

It is possible that the temperature may even drop below zero at night. We spend most of our trips at an altitude of 1600-2200 meters above sea level, so there is a lot of UV radiation. The most reliable advice is to be prepared for any weather! Layering in clothes is ideal. We recommend clothes made of synthetic fabrics (such as nylon, polyester, polypropylene or fleece), as they dry quickly and usually take up less space in your luggage. Please note that during our trips it is almost impossible to arrange laundry. So it's better to take the amount of clothes that you need for all the days of the trip. You should also have a spare set of clothes (including trousers and a jacket) in case you get wet.

T-shirts;
Long Sleeve Shirt;
T–shirt - for very hot days;
Fleece jacket/sweater/vest (it is better to have several pieces that can be layered on top of each other);
A warm (down) coat or jacket – for cold evenings;
Transformer shorts or trousers that can be turned into shorts;
Trousers (2-3 pcs.), preferably at least one of a quick-drying synthetic material;
Sweatpants or something similar;
Waterproof and windproof clothing (jacket and trousers);
Socks – woolen and synthetic or cotton;
Lingerie;
A sun cap or hat;
Fleece or woolen hat;
Gloves;
Swimsuit (optional);

Shoes:

Boots for radial hiking/ trekking. They must have good ankle support and grip, be waterproof and waterproof.
Sneakers (for moving in transport, walking on bases);
Sports Sandals;

Toiletries:

The towel is lightweight, absorbent and easy to dry;
Toothbrush, toothpaste;
Soap, shower gel;
Shampoo, conditioner;
Mirror (optional);
Hair brush/comb, hair bands (if necessary);
Deodorant;
Shaving cream and razors (if necessary);
Wet wipes;
Toilet paper;
Feminine hygiene products (if necessary);
Sunscreen/sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher);
Lip Balm (SPF 30 or higher);
Moisturizer (sun and wind usually make the skin dry);
Insect repellent;
A small first aid kit and any prescription medications you take (we have our own first aid kit in case of need);

Technical means:

Camera;
Spare batteries;
Memory cards;
Chargers;
Cables;
Flashlight/headlamp and batteries;
Telephone;
Tripod (optional);
Binoculars (optional);

Other personal items:

Sunglasses;
Spare glasses or contact lenses (if necessary);
Water Bottle;
Pocket knife;
Writing materials;
Sleep aids (blindfolds, earplugs) (optional);
Trekking poles (optional);
We will provide you with a metal plate and cup, fork and spoon.
If you prefer your own, you can bring it, of course.

Documents:

Passport and a photocopy of the first page.

Dates and Prices

$500

7 – 11 May, 2025 5 days 4 nights

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