The Ulagan Highlands. Altai Horse Riding Tour

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An exciting horseback ride awaits you in the heart of the Ulagan mountains — the Kurai and Sailugem ranges, to the peaks covered with snow that do not melt, offering panoramic views of the North Chuisky, Kurai and Katun ranges.

The splendor of the views along the way is breathtaking and will not leave anyone indifferent! The frequently changing picture of the opening peaks will not allow you to hide photographic equipment in cases often. Here you will find an untapped taiga, a variety of high-altitude meadows, countless amazing lakes and, of course, crystal clear mountain air.

You will encounter very beautiful lakes that cannot be reached by car, but a horse will deliver them without problems.

Location

Altai Republic, Gorno-Altaysk

Horse riding tours

from

Discount available

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

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Tour highlights

Altai horses

Together with a faithful and calm horse, we will walk an unusually beautiful mountain route.

Camping romance

We are waiting for the absence of civilization, real tourism, pristine nature and magnificent sunsets.

Mountain lakes and cedar forest

The pleasant aroma of the coniferous forest and the shore of the purest lake will make you relax and feel every moment.

Itinerary

Day 1 - The Taezhnik tourist complex. Transfer to Ulagan
Arrival at the meeting place with the group in the eco-hotel "Taezhnik".
For those who have chosen Gorno-Altaysk, the capital of our republic, as their arrival city, there is a meeting at the airport (group transfer, for an additional fee you can order an individual one or use taxi services).
Breakfast at the restaurant of the eco-hotel "Taezhnik" for those who arrive before 10:45.
Attention! All participants must get to the Taezhnik eco-hotel before 12:00 on the day of the start of the tour.
Gathering of the group, including those who arrived after 11:00.
At 13:00 lunch at the restaurant of the eco-hotel "Taezhnik".
If the group has gathered in full force before 11 a.m., departure for the route, lunch at a roadside cafe.
Transfer along the Chuisky tract to the village of Chibit, accommodation on the territory of the Nomad eco-complex in tents, shower on site (for an additional fee, on site, it is possible to stay in cabins without amenities or rooms, if available. The room price starts from 3000 rubles).
Dinner at the cafe t/k Nomad.
Evening bonfire for those who wish.
Day 2 - Altai Mars and Geyser Lake Tour
Breakfast at the cafe t/k "Nomad".
Departure for an excursion. The first object of the visit will be the Geyser Lake.
Then transfer to the village of Chagan-Uzun, where the group will transfer to UAZ trucks and set off to conquer Altai Mars and the Moon, so named by tourists because of the color scheme of the soil and desert landscapes that will forever remain in the memory of travelers.
Lunch at a cafe.
If travelers have a desire, transfer to the bridge over the Chuya River, from which the hiking trail to the Ular Waterfall begins.
A 12-kilometer walking trip in both directions takes place on a fairly flat surface, without climbs and difficult sections to overcome.
At the end of the tour, return to the Nomad shopping center.
Dinner. Shower. Evening gatherings around the campfire.
Cars 60 km, horses 15 km.

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Day 3 - Nomad — Altai Erine parking lot — Sorolukel Lake
Breakfast at the cafe of the Nomad tourist complex.
We're closing the campground. Departure to the Altai-Erine parking lot. Loading of things and equipment into the UAZ, transfer to the parking lot at the Ulagan pass.
Safety briefing on the equestrian tour, distribution of horses.
Lunch as a snack (sandwiches, tea, vegetables, sweets, canned food).
The journey time is 3-4 hours.
Most of the road passes through Kedrach. Here, travelers can fully enjoy the unique purity of the mountain air combined with the pleasant aroma of the coniferous forest, which finally banishes thoughts of civilization from their minds.
Through forest clearings and dense thickets of bushes, the trail leads travelers to the mountain lake Beltir, and then to the shore of Lake Sorolukel, where they will camp and spend the night.
Dinner is prepared by a guide over a campfire.
Overnight in tents on the lake shore. Field conditions, real tourism, hiking romance and magnificent sunsets.
In good, clear weather, in the morning, it is possible to organize an excursion to the Aktash repeater (for an additional fee), from the observation deck of which there is a view of the entire North Chuisky ridge.
Cars 30 km, horses 15 km.

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Day 4 - The diary. Radial exit to the observation point of the Aigulak ridge
Breakfast is prepared by the guide at the campfire.
After breakfast, exit to the route. Magnificent landscapes open from the top of the mountain: the Kurai steppe, the North Chuisky and South Chuisky ranges.
Having risen to such a height, a person can feel like a bird soaring high above the ground. From the top there is a panorama of the Chuisky belki — the peaks of the North Chuisky and South Chuisky ranges, covered with eternal snow.
In good weather, you can see almost all the highest peaks of these ranges: Aktra, Maashey-Bashi, Iiktu, etc., and, of course, enjoy the view of the largest glaciers in the region.
And when clouds are running in the sky, then climbing up to Kykashtu-Oyk, guests of Altai can touch them with their hand, feel like an inhabitant of other worlds, separated from the ordinary world of people by a veil of secrets.
Lunch as a snack.
Overnight at a tent camp on the shore of Lake Sorolukel. The dinner is prepared by the guide at the campfire.
Koni 20 km.

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Day 5 - Return trip to the Altai-Erine parking lot
While the guide prepares breakfast on the campfire, the tourists break camp and load their belongings into UAZ trucks.
In the morning, tourists will return on horseback to the parking lot at the Ulagan Pass, where, after saying goodbye to the Altai horses and transferring to an all-terrain iron horse, the travelers set off on further adventures.
Lunch in the form of a snack in the parking lot.
Along the way, the participants of the route will meet with such tourist sites as the top of the Ulagan pass, the Red Gate and many lakes that are located on different sides of the Ulagan highway.
In the village of Aktash, the group leaves for the Chuisky tract, where lunch is waiting for the group in a cafe.
After lunch, the group departs to the Taezhnik eco-hotel, where dinner awaits tourists, accommodation in yurts on the territory of the eco-hotel for 2-3 people (single occupancy is not allowed). There is a shower on the premises.
Horses 15 km, cars 400 km.

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Day 6 - Departure
Breakfast at the restaurant of the eco-hotel "Taezhnik".
Departure to the airport, group, based on the departure time of the aircraft.
By car: 20 km.

Difficulty

Involves moderate physical activity

Tour organizer's comments

The route is simple, and both people with experience in horseback riding and beginners can participate in it.

Accommodation

Tent

5 nights

Comfort

Basic

The tour includes accommodation in tents.

You will be given the necessary equipment, including four-layer synthetic sleeping bags.

Tour conditions

Group

From 6 to 15 tourists

Minimum age

14 years old

Maximum weight of the tourist

110 kg

Duration

6 days 5 nights

Group meets at

Altai Republic, Gorno-Altaysk

Included in price

three meals a day: in cafes and campfires, a snack at the radial exits, on the active part of the route (equestrian), hot meals are prepared by guides at the campfire;
transportation according to the tour program;
payment for tent camps;
sauna or shower on site according to the tour program;
instructors' work;
payment of fees for visiting sightseeing sites (according to the tour program);
horse rental;
excursion to Mars (UAZ);
dropping off items by UAZ car (to Lake Sorolukel and back);
equipment rental (tent, travel mat, sleeping bag, UGC raincoat);
accident insurance and medical insurance.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Gorno-Altaysk / Baranula / Novosibirsk;
transfer to the Taezhnik tourist complex and back, except for a group transfer from the airport of Gorno-Altaysk on the day of the start of the tour;
tick insurance, it can be issued additionally, the cost of insurance is 400 rubles, the validity period is 1 year.

It's important to know

1. A backpack, suitcase or large travel bag, that is, something in which it is convenient to carry things to the base, special means are provided on the route for transporting things (an archimak (saddlebag) and a dry bag).

2. Hiking shoes you need to have boots that can be leather, rubber, or canvas, the main thing is that they do not get wet and cover the boot from rubbing against the stirrup strap (bootstrap), in extreme cases, high boots (boots). But rubber boots are still preferable, because they do not get wet from the outside, and if water gets inside, they are quite easy to dry by the campfire, while they do not deform if you follow the small drying rules.

3. Running shoes or trekking boots for radial exits. Avoid new, well-worn shoes. If you choose trekking boots, keep in mind that not all of them can really be dried in camping conditions, and when drying by the campfire, they can deform and become practically unusable.

4. Replacement shoes for camping (slates).

5. Comfortable clothing for horse riding and radial pedestrian crossings – trousers made of dense soft fabric that do not restrict movement, without rough internal seams, made of light, quick-drying material, preferably cotton. A shirt or a T-shirt with long sleeves. Windbreaker made of thick material. A suit for hunters or fishermen, or something similar, is suitable, as long as it is comfortable and not rustling.

6. A set of clothes for camping and overnight stays – trousers, shirt, shorts, T-shirt, thermal underwear is ideal for overnight stays, it will also help out if the weather turns bad.

7. A warm sweater or hoodie (preferably fleece or wool).

8. A warm jacket (sintepon or down jacket). Keep in mind that sintepon is much easier to dry. If someone thinks that warm clothes will not be needed in July, I assure you that this is not the case. The weather in the mountains is extremely unpredictable.

9. A warm hat (fleece or wool).

10. A cap or panama hat that covers the face and eyes from direct sunlight, or a bandana.

11. Gloves (even simple cotton ones will do).

12. Socks – 2-3 pairs of cotton or linen, 2 pairs of wool

13. A splash-proof raincoat or suit that does not withstand heavy rain. On the equestrian route, UGC (Combined Arms Protective Kit) is provided to protect against rain — a long rubber raincoat with a hood.

14. A bathing suit to enjoy sunbathing or take a dip in a mountain pond.

15. Toilet and hygiene supplies. Including hygienic lipstick and sunscreen with a high protection factor (UF 50). Towels, shampoo, soap are required.

16. Sunglasses that protect the eyes from UV rays in the mountains.

17. Small flashlight (headlamp).

18. Individual medicines, the instructor takes the main first-aid kit with him, but if you have an individual intolerance to any standard drugs or a need for specific or strictly prescription medicines, take your own.

19. A small water flask. You can use a plastic bottle with a capacity of 0.5 liters, but it is very desirable to have a flask that can be attached to a belt or fastened to a saddle with a carabiner, or otherwise secured.

20. A camera or video camera (optional) with hermetically sealed packaging, and do not forget a spare battery for it, or an external energy storage device, since there will be a lot of views that you want to capture, but there is nowhere to recharge!.

21. Tourist seat (hoba).

22. Personal tableware (plate, spoon, mug)

23. For the convenience of packaging, it is recommended to have small bags or garbage bags, and for additional splash protection of things and protection from dirt in archimacks, I recommend having thick plastic bags with a volume of 160-180 liters in the amount of 4 pieces.

A requirement for a set of personal items. Nothing superfluous or sharp (without appropriate packaging that could damage the packaging).

Attention! All participants must get to the Taezhnik eco-hotel before 12:00 on the day of the start of the tour.

Advice from the tour organizers: to buy flights to the airport of Gorno-Altaysk (the capital of the Altai Republic) with the arrival time until 11:00 because the delivery from the airport to the Taiga takes 25 minutes.

The cost of group delivery from Gorno-Altaysk airport to the Taezhnik tourist complex (round trip) as a gift upon purchase of this tour.

The rest of the delivery is for an additional fee.

The order of the delivery option is carried out at any time from the moment of booking the tour, but no later than 7 days before the start of the tour.

Delivery from Novosibirsk in both directions is carried out on regular buses of the Novosibirsk bus station, or on tourist buses, depending on the selected date of the tour. If tourist buses do not run on the day you need, tourists can purchase tickets themselves on ticket sales websites or at the ticket offices of the Novosibirsk bus station.

To make it to the start of the tour, you need to purchase a ticket for the Novosibirsk — Chemal flight to the Manzherok village stop (get off before reaching 2.5 km to the village near the monument to Shishkov, or at the Taezhnik shopping center, which you can ask the driver in advance) with the departure time from the bus station at 22:15 (from the bus station located at the railway stationtrain station departure time is 22:45), departure date on the day preceding the start date of the tour. Tickets can be purchased 10 days before departure day.

The return trip is carried out by bus from Chemal to Novosibirsk, the departure time from Taezhnik t/c is 22:40-23:00, the bus must be stopped at Taezhnik t/c. The arrival time in Novosibirsk is 7:15 a.m., this should be taken into account when purchasing tickets from Novosibirsk.

The cost of delivery depends on the cost of flight tickets.

Delivery from Barnaul

Meeting at Barnaul airport (from 5:50 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.), meeting at Barnaul railway station — from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

If you arrived in Barnaul in advance or live there, you will coordinate the meeting place with the driver, he will pick you up if he is on his way, if not, he will indicate the meeting place.

The car leaves if the delivery team is assembled in full.

The driver will have your contact phone numbers, along with information about the place and time of the meeting, and the driver will contact you.

Cars do NOT leave for the route without meeting all tourists, provided that all planes arrive on time (the waiting time can be adjusted by 1 hour).

If the plane is delayed by 1 hour or more, the cars that have been formed are sent on the flight, your contact information is sent to the driver of another car, and the departure time depends on the set of cars.

We kindly ask that you turn on your phones immediately after boarding the plane so that the drivers can contact you, and take with you the phones whose numbers are indicated in the application.

Departure from Taezhnik airport is carried out at 22:30 on the day of the end of the route (optional), or at 10:30-11:00 the next day.

Travel time is 3-4 hours.

If there are no cars, you can take a regular bus.

The cost of delivery in combined vehicles starts from 1800 rubles from Barnaul railway station to Taiga in one direction. The cost is approximate, depends on the carrier's tariff, the organizer helps to arrange the transfer, the delivery is carried out by local carriers (taxi).

Payment is made directly to the delivery driver.

It is possible to arrange an individual transfer at any time, by agreement with us, the cost of such a transfer starts from 9,000 rubles per car, such a transfer must be ordered in advance.

The meeting at the airport of Gorno-Altaysk is carried out according to the arrival time of the aircraft.

We ask you to inform us about the actual delays in departure time by message, NOT by phone, so that we can meet you on time.

We will inform you about which car will meet you either on the evening before arrival or during your flight.

We kindly ask that you turn on your phones immediately after boarding the plane so that the drivers can contact you, and take with you the phones whose numbers are indicated in the application.

A group transfer means that if you and other tourists arrive on flights with a landing gap of less than 1 hour, those who arrived earlier will wait for the next plane and the tourists arriving on it to board.

It is possible to arrange an individual transfer from / to the airport to Taiga, if you do not want to travel by group transfer, for 1000 rubles / car (one way), capacity from 1 to 4 people.

All of the above shipping options can be combined!

Attention! One day before the start of the route, tourists are sent the car number and the phone number of the driver who meets them. Therefore, please provide the correct phone numbers so that it is convenient to contact the driver. For those arriving at the airport in Gorno-Altaysk, the driver's contacts and driver's number are sent immediately before arrival.

In hiking conditions (horseback riding, hiking and water tours), meals are served three times a day, food is prepared by an instructor on a campfire or a gas burner, tourists take part in cooking at will.

Breakfast and dinner are hot meals, lunch can be either hot or provided as a dry ration.

Tourists need to have their own personal dishes. Unless otherwise specified in the special conditions of tourist service on the route, meals are arranged according to the route description.

On all long-term active (equestrian, hiking, and water) routes, lunch is served as a snack in the field!

Approximate assortment of products: cereals (buckwheat, rice, oatmeal, etc.), pasta, powdered milk, stew, sausage, cheese, nuts, dried fruits, chocolate, condensed milk, tea, coffee, breadcrumbs, bread, biscuits, sweets, vegetables (potatoes, carrots, cabbage, etc.), fruits (the set of products depends on the type of tour, the category of difficulty and the duration of the tour).

Along the way, it is possible to supplement the diet with fresh fish, berries (depending on the season and area – raspberries, currants, blueberries, dog rose, shiksha), wild onions. Before eating the berries, ask the guide's permission, so as not to eat anything inappropriate.

Please note: alcoholic beverages, beer and snacks are not included in the menu.

Cooking water is taken from streams, rivers, and lakes.

If you have a special diet, or you do not consume any products from the specified list, please let us know when booking the tour. It is advisable to provide a complete list of what you do not eat. If you have strict restrictions, then tell us exactly what you are eating.

It is also necessary to duplicate the nutrition information to the guide!

Sample menu for the active route (general).

BREAKFAST: pasta with stew, buckwheat, spaghetti with meat, coffee, cheese, butter, bread, mayonnaise, tea, coffee, sugar, condensed milk, gingerbread.

LUNCH: dry ration (bread, oatmeal biscuits, processed cheese, sausage, pate, chocolate), salad.

DINNER: borscht, bean soup, hodgepodge, fish soup, salad.

List of products for the route:

Cereals:

Buckwheat; Rice (porridge); Rice (soup); Peas (Soup); Cobweb (soup); Millet (soup); Sugar; Cones; Spaghetti; Cereal.

Canned food:

Green peas; Canned champignons; Olives; Canned pineapples; Corn; Beans; Pate; Sprats; Pink salmon; Canned fish: saury; Condensed milk; Concentrated milk; Stew; Squash caviar; Pickled cucumbers; Hams.

Vegetables, fruits:

Potatoes; Cucumbers; Tomatoes; Zucchini; Cabbage; Bell pepper; Lemon; Garlic; Onion; Watermelon; Carrots, dry fruit mixes.

Drinks:

Tea bags; Loose tea; Coffee; Dried fruits (compote); Cocoa; Jelly.

Confectionery products:

Cracker; Gingerbread; Sweet biscuits; Halva; Marmalade; Kazinaki; Jam; Sweets: lollipops; Chocolate; Chocolate paste; Bagels; Drying.

Cheese:

Processed cheese; Smoked cheese; Hard cheese.

Seasonings:

Sunflower oil; Dried herbs; Salt; Bay leaf; Universal seasoning; Black pepper; Mayonnaise; Ketchup; Red pepper.

Sausage products:

Boiled sausage; Smoked sausage; Smoked sausage.

Dried fruits:

Raisins; Dried apricots; A mixture of dried fruits.

Bakery products:

Black bread; White bread; Crackers (tortillas).

Detergents:

Detergents; Sponges.

Dates and Prices

$896

$855
-5%

16 – 21 Jun 6 days 5 nights

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$896

$869
-3%

23 – 28 Jun 6 days 5 nights

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$896

$869
-3%

30 Jun – 5 Jul 6 days 5 nights

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$896

14 – 19 Jul 6 days 5 nights

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$896

21 – 26 Jul 6 days 5 nights

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$896

11 – 16 Aug 6 days 5 nights

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$896

18 – 23 Aug 6 days 5 nights

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No need to pay now

Reviews Leave a review

L
Larisa

about provider

5 Feb, 2026

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!