To the Chui squirrels. Car-walking tour

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A non-standard 5-day route to the glaciers of the Altai Mountains. An interesting combination of car casts and radial exits is light, without tents.

The tour begins with a rich excursion program along the Chuisky tract, and then you will make radial trips to the Aktru glaciers, the Kuektanar Lakes and the Sofia Glacier.

You will overcome fords and off-road terrain in off-road vehicles, walk through the coniferous taiga and Alpine meadows to enjoy the most extraordinary panoramas of the Altai glaciers.

Location

Altai Republic, Gorno-Altaisk

from

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

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Tour highlights

Hot bathhouse

Let's steam up and relieve fatigue from hiking in the Russian bath

Off-road in Altai

We will experience vivid emotions and a surge of adrenaline, overcoming fords and off-road

Picnic at the foot of the glacier

We will make an exciting trekking trip to the Bolshoy Aktru glacier and arrange a delicious picnic

Itinerary

Day 1 - Chuisky tract
Meeting of the participants at the airport of Gorno-Altaysk from 8:00 to 10:30.
Getting to know the guide.
After meeting and getting to know the guide, we will go on a large excursion program along the Chuisky tract.
You will hear fascinating stories about the construction of this legendary road, which connects many cultural and natural attractions of the region.
Seminsky and Chike-Taman passes.
The first stop will be at the Seminsky pass, where we will walk and enjoy the stunning views.
Then our way will continue through the Chike Taman pass, which is famous for its picturesque landscapes and steep ascents.
Here we will make a few stops to capture these unforgettable moments on camera and in memory.
The Katun Valley and the Katun Loop.
After the Chike-Taman pass, we will continue along the picturesque valley of the Katun River.
Among the rocks of Maly Yaloman, we will find a magnificent bend of the Katun River, known as the "Katun Loop".
This place impresses with its beauty and is an ideal backdrop for memorable photos.
Katun Terraces and the mouth of the Chuya River One of these stops will be the Katun Terraces observation deck, a unique geological formation that arose as a result of centuries of erosion.
We will find out how and when they were formed, and enjoy their majestic appearance.
No less impressive will be a walk to the mouth of the Chuya River, a sacred place for Altaians, where two large rivers of Gorny Altai meet.: Chuya and Katun.
Chuya has a slightly lower transparency than Katun, and their waters create a unique picture, especially in autumn.
Final stop: Kurai village.
The final point of our current route will be the village of Kurai in Kosh-Agach district.
Here we will stop for a rest to share our first impressions and prepare for tomorrow.

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Day 2 - In the heart of the Altai peaks
Our journey will begin with an exciting ride on high—speed transport - be it UAZ, GAZ-66 or ZIL — to the mountaineering camp in the Aktru gorge.
Get ready for real challenges: along the way you will have to overcome fords and off-road terrain, which will add to the thrill and rally your team.
The journey will take about 4 hours, but believe me, it's worth it!
To the Bolshoy Aktru glacier.
After arriving at the place, we will have an unforgettable trekking trip up the Aktru River.
We will pass through the picturesque Ram's foreheads and go to the majestic Bolshoy Aktru glacier.
The trail is about 4 km long, but every step will be rewarded with stunning views and a sense of true adventure.
The final point of your journey will be a picnic at the foot of the glacier, where we will enjoy a snack in the fresh air and exchange impressions with the group.
Relaxing sauna.
The end of the day will be a relaxing sauna, where you can relieve fatigue and truly enjoy the moment.

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Day 3 - Lake of the Mountain Elves
Today our way lies to the magnificent Kuektanar lakes.
A whole system of reservoirs that smoothly flow into each other, forming streams, channels and even waterfalls.
The Kuektanar River originates here, which crosses the Chuya tract and then flows into the Chuya River, becoming its right tributary.
An oasis of tranquility and splendor.
Our journey will begin with a walk to the “Lake of the Mountain Elves” — two reservoirs connected by a wide channel and located at an altitude of 2176 meters above sea level.
Surrounded by majestic Altai cedars and pines, as well as green meadows, these lakes change color depending on the lighting, shimmering from dark blue to turquoise-green.
Here, among the pristine nature, you can enjoy peace and quiet, forgetting about everyday worries.
The path through natural areas will pass through mountain coniferous taiga, alpine meadows and kurumniki — stone placers formed as a result of rock weathering.
This variety of landscapes makes the hike even more exciting and unforgettable.
A cozy evening.
After a busy day, returning to the base will be a real vacation.
In the evening, you will find a cozy atmosphere, perhaps new acquaintances and conversations around the campfire under the starry sky of Altai.

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Day 4 - Glacial expanses of Accola
After the morning gathering and breakfast, we will start our journey by UAZ, which will take us to the heart of the Akkol River Valley.
Our trekking starts from here, about 4 km upstream.
Along the way, you can enjoy the beauty of the surrounding nature, the sounds of the mountain river and the fresh air.
Panorama of the Sofia glacier.
The main purpose of our trip is the observation deck, which offers a stunning panorama of the Sofia Glacier and the majestic peaks of the Yuzhno—Chuisky range.
You will see the mountains of Brother, Ksenia and Sister, rising from 3,500 to 3,885 meters above sea level.
But the real gem of this place is the Sofia Glacier, its area is about 17.6 km2, its length is about 8 km, and its thickness reaches 150 meters.
The tongue of the glacier descends to a height of 2,500 meters, creating an impressive and fascinating sight.
Unforgettable views and impressions.
On the observation deck, you will have plenty of time to enjoy the views, take photos and experience the greatness of nature.
Every moment here is filled with admiration and awe of the glacier's power and beauty.
Return to Kurai.
After you enjoy the views to your heart's content and take memorable pictures, we will return back to the cozy place of Kurai.
Here you will enjoy a well-deserved rest and recuperation.

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Day 5 - Return along the Chuisky highway
We will start our day with an early wake-up and a light breakfast to make the most of the remaining time to enjoy the sights and memories.
The road along the Chuisky tract is already known to us for its numerous turns, ascents and descents, but changing the direction of travel will allow us to see places from new angles.
This final day will be the perfect end to our journey filled with natural beauty, new discoveries and unforgettable experiences.
Thank you for your participation and we hope that your heart will forever remain in the captivity of the Altai mountains!

Difficulty

Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health

Tour organizer's comments

Be prepared: on the tour you will have to face the lack of familiar comfort, difficult roads, and radically changing weather. The tour requires some physical preparation, as it involves hiking and climbing.

Accommodation

Guest House

4 nights

Comfort

Basic+

The tour includes accommodation in a guest house.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, depending on the accommodation, RUB.:

2-3-local	Surcharge for 1-bed
67 100	13 000

Double/triple accommodation in a guest house (shower, toilet on the floor).

Tour conditions

Group

From 4 to 10 tourists

Minimum age

14 years old

Duration

5 days 4 nights

Group meets at

Altai Republic, Gorno-Altaisk

Included in price

high-traffic vehicles throughout the
route4
rent a UAZ;
the work of an instructor-guide;
tour service;
registration of insurance;
payment of recreational fees;
overnight stays at the hotel/cabins at the campsite;
breakfast from 2nd to 5th day;
bathhouse, 1 time.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Gorno-Altaysk and back;
meals in a cafe, the average check is 600-700 rubles.

It's important to know

trekking poles;
a warm set of clothes designed for a temperature of 0-5 degrees: a windproof jacket, a sweater, warm trousers or a fleece suit, a hat, several pairs of warm socks;
raincoat/waterproof suit with hood;
summer hiking comfortable things (several T–shirts, shorts, trousers, socks, a sun hat - a cap or a bandana);
shoes – comfortable, well-worn trekking boots or sneakers, slates or sandals for relaxation;
a small backpack for things on excursions, walks (to put a jacket, a water bottle, a first aid kit, etc.);
personal hygiene items, a small towel;
individual first aid kit, individual medicines, in the presence of chronic diseases;
0.5 l bottle under water;
sunscreen, sunglasses (high solar activity);
swimsuit;
tourist seat (hob);
a camera or video camera;
cash for souvenirs, other personal expenses;
documents, passport, MHI policy;
powerbank.

Dates and Prices

Individual dates available on request

1 – 31 Jul

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No need to pay now
$854

13 – 17 Aug 5 days 4 nights

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$854

19 – 23 Aug 5 days 4 nights

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No need to pay now

Reviews

Y
Yulia

about provider

21 Mar, 2025

Every part of the tour was great