Big Country Travel: Trips to Russia, Adventure Tours & Vacation Packages

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We will spend most of our vacation high in the mountains, in the Aktru gorge. Then we will go down to the area of the villages of Chibit and Aktash to see another mountain lake.

Aktru is a real piece of the Caucasus in Altai. There are harsh mountains, huge glaciers, dense cedar forests and fragile larch trees. There are no bears, snakes, or even ticks here. By Altai standards, this is paradise!

Cozy rooms, beautiful houses, the cleanest spring and Lake Sachki, which reflects the huge Kara-Tash mountain in the morning. And in the evenings, dozens of soft-light lanterns illuminate the paths at the campsite. There are several trekking trips waiting for us in the Aktru gorge: we will climb the Uchitel Pass, see the Blue Lake and, of course, look at the Maly and Bolshoy Aktru glaciers on the tour.

Location

Altai Republic, Gorno-Altaisk

Hiking tours

from

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

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Tour highlights

An infinitely cozy campsite

We will live in an absolutely amazing place – in the new mountain center "Aktru"

The views are creepy!

From the observation deck, we will look at the huge glacier Bolshoy Aktru from above

Itinerary

Day 1 - Aktru Gorge
Gathering of the group at 09:30 – Igman Hotel (Gorno-Altaysk city center), at 10:00 – airport.
Local time (Moscow time + 4 hours).
Today we will have a long drive to the village of Kurai (390 km, about 6-7 hours on the way).
We will drive along the very picturesque Chuisky highway, surrounded by mountains, forests, and sometimes the playful Katun River will flash by the window.
Then we transfer to off-road vehicles (ZIL or UAZ trucks) and drive to the Aktru gorge (about 2 hours on the way).
We'll be in the mountains by evening.
Active part: 1 km on foot.

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Day 2 - Maly Aktru Glacier
We will start our acquaintance with the stunning Aktru Gorge by trekking to the Small Aktru Glacier!
Cedar forests are located near our campsite, and many of you will also see for the first time an unusual coniferous tree, larch, which sheds its needles for the winter.
It is through such a beautiful forest that we will go trekking!
Today will be a simple day, the trail will rise very smoothly through the gorge and lead us closer to Mount Kara-Tash.
There will be sooooo many gorgeous photo locations on this day, get ready!
Crossing the river bridge, we will go to the Maly Aktru glacier.
This glacier is modestly peeking out from behind the huge, black Kara-Tash mountain. We are looking at the glacier from a safe distance (!!).
Also today we will see a small waterfall and in the distance we will see the Large Aktru glacier, which we will visit a little later.
Active part: 5.2 km, altitude difference 2150-2300 m, trekking duration 5-6 hours.

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Day 3 - Teacher Pass
Today we will go further and much higher!
After leaving our campsite, we will cross the Aktra River on the bridge.
The bridge is reliable, even cars drive on it!
Next, we will pass by the old Aktru alpine camp and turn right into the forest at the sign "Uchitel Pass".
At the end of June in these places, our eyes will be pleased with blooming orchards, catchments and even large, pink peonies!
The ascent to Uchitel Pass will be steep enough at first, and the trail is rapidly gaining altitude.
After climbing up to the solar panels, the path becomes more gentle and continues over the rocks.
Here you will thank yourself for taking trekking shoes that protect your feet.
We're going higher, higher, and a little higher!
From a height we can see our camp, the neighboring mountain ranges and the distant Kurai steppe, through which we recently traveled to Aktra.
Active part: 6.8 km, altitude difference 2150-3050 m, trekking duration 6-7 hours.

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Day 4 - The Forest of Dwarves and the valley of the Aktru River
Today is an easy and visually beautiful day.
Let's go trekking in the Dwarf Forest first.
The dwarves in the Aktru gorge have chosen a small forest and settled here.
There are huge cedars in the forest, there is usually silence, no wind, and it is always slightly warmer here than near the camp.
Dwarves like to hide in the forest and each of our groups is trying to find them.
We'll look for them too!
Then we will go trekking to the lower part of the Aktru River valley.
The trail will pass through the forest, past flower glades.
After descending into the Aktru valley, we will take beautiful pictures: it is in this place that the valley expands before our eyes and is crowned by the Kara-Tash mountain, which we already love.
In a pleasant and picturesque place we will stop for lunch, relax, lie on the grass, admire the mountains.
There's no rush today!
And then we will return to the camp.
Active part: 13.2 km, altitude difference 2150-2060-2150 m, trekking duration 5-6 hours.

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Day 5 - Bolshoy Aktru Glacier and Blue Lake
A long, bright and very spectacular day!
A long time ago, there was one huge Aktru glacier in these places, but over time it began to melt and now we have the small Aktru Glacier, the Large Right and Left Aktru glaciers.
Believe me, the Bolshoy Aktru glacier is capable of inspiring admiration from any tourist!
As usual, we will start our journey from the camp, along the already familiar trail we will climb through the cedar forest, and then the path will lead us to the right side of the gorge.
Soon the Big Right Glacier will appear, and then the huge sheep foreheads, which were once completely covered by the glacier.
There will be a long and fairly steep climb at this point.
There are small, loose stones under your feet and you will thank your trekking boots again!
After climbing the hill, we will find ourselves in a completely different part of the valley.
Here we will meet a couple of modest lakes and very soon we will find ourselves at the foot of the Bolshoy Levy Aktru glacier!
We bypass the glacier along a rocky path and then there is a direct path to our goal – the Blue Lake!
At the end of June, the lucky ones will still be able to find ice floes here.
The lake is big and beautiful!
Most often it has a greenish color, but it is called the Blue Lake.
We don't stop there!
Let's climb a little higher, to an absolutely incredible observation deck!
Do you like it when your heart freezes in the mountains?
Get ready, it will be here!
From the observation deck, we will look from above at the huge Bolshoy Aktru glacier.
Guys, the views here are just creepy.
Active part: 16.4 km, altitude difference 2150-2970 m, trekking duration 8-10 hours.

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Day 6 - Dzhangyskol Lake
We leave the beloved Aktru camp and go down to the Kurai steppe of Altai.
On the way, we will stop at Lake Dzhangyskol, which stretches among flower meadows.
And in the background, as usual, there are beautiful, snowy mountains!
Then we go down into the valley and arrive at our campsite, where we will spend 2 nights.
Active part: 2 km.

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Day 7 - Mountain lake on the Kurai range
Trekking awaits us again today!
We will take a mountain transport deep into the Kurai range and start walking from there.
Climbing higher, we will go out onto a gorgeous observation deck, from where the Kurai steppe opens from a completely new angle!
And in the distance you can see the North Chuisky ridge and the peaks of Aktru, which you and I have come to love so much!
We continue along the rocky terrain and soon come to a mountain lake, which is safely hidden among the rocks.
Few people know about this place, so there is every chance that we will be alone with nature here.
Active part: 5.7 km, altitude difference in the range of 2540-2860 m, trekking duration 6-7 hours.

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Day 8 - Return to Gorno-Altaysk
We leave our cozy campsite and return to the city.
16:00-17:00 Arrival in Gorno-Altaysk.
Depending on the weather conditions, the physical condition of the participants and other factors, the route may be changed.

Difficulty

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

Tour organizer's comments

The level of difficulty of the route: moderate (35% of the route), medium (50% of the route), difficult (15% of the route). The route is trekking and provides for walking through mountainous (rugged) terrain. This type of active recreation involves daily climbing and dropping heights (ascents and descents). The route passes through forest trails, dirt roads, alpine meadows, large and small stones. The elevation difference per day is 150-300 m, two days the difference will be 820-900 m. Climbing up 150-300-900 m is about like climbing 50-100-300 floors.

Accommodation

Camp Site

7 nights

Comfort

Basic+

The tour provides accommodation at camp sites along the route.

Accommodation in the new mountain center "Aktru". Double and triple rooms. Toilets are on the street, in one of the buildings there is a toilet and a washbasin on the floor. There is a paid shower in a separate building. Dear tourists, camp sites with room amenities have not yet been built in the Aktru Gorge). Heating in the rooms is turned on at night, electricity is supplied from 7 to 23 o'clock. There is a paid Wi-Fi on the territory of the base. The campsite is located far from civilization, there may be power outages. 4 times (day 2-5) evening shower (10-15 minutes per person). There are no towels in the room, you should take your own small one; a towel is provided for visiting the shower.

Tour conditions

Group

up to 15 tourists

Minimum age

9 years old

Duration

8 days 7 nights

Group meets at

Altai Republic, Gorno-Altaisk

Included in price

road crossings along the route;
travel along the route by mountain transport (ZIL or UAZ);
accommodation in the new mountain center "Aktru" (day 1-5);
accommodation at Tandak campsite or a similar type of campsite (day 6...day 8);
two meals a day. Ready-made breakfasts (day 2-8) are served according to a set menu (the menu is not individual!). Lunch (day 2-7) in the form of dry rations in the mountains (sausage, cheese, tea, cookies, chocolate, sweets);
group first aid kit;
the services of an instructor-guide.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Gorno-Altaysk and back;
Meals: lunch during the move on the 1st and 8th day, dinners. The cost of meals in the cafe: 400-600 rubles.;
if necessary, an additional fee for single room accommodation is 17,000 rubles.;
paid Wi-Fi on the territory of the Aktru mountain center (300 rubles for 1 day, 700 rubles for 3 days);
insurance (optional).

It's important to know

cap / panama hat;
jacket. The air temperature in the early morning and late evening is +8...+12C, in the afternoon +18...+28C (sunny day), +12...+16C (cloudy day);
fleece;
T-shirt;
lightweight long sleeve shirt. The shirt will protect your arms and neck from burning;
Buff. Protects the neck from burning, can be used as a headdress.
running trousers;
lingerie;
socks;
trekking shoes up to the ankle and above;
flip-flops (for walking in a hotel);
swimsuit (useful only for a sauna or swimming in a mountain lake, the temperature is about +5C);
for girls on request: a dress for a photo shoot on the background of mountains;
waterproof clothing or raincoat from the middle of the thigh and below;
trekking poles. Sticks significantly reduce the load on the knees. Physically strong and healthy tourists are recommended to have sticks with them. Tourists who have problems with knees, joints and overweight must have trekking poles; If necessary, the club provides trekking poles for rent.
passport / birth certificate of the child. It is mandatory to have the original documents (not a copy);
camera/video camera and charger.
toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, razor);
towel. In the mountain center of Aktru, a towel is given only for visiting the shower. Therefore, you should take your own small towel to wipe your hands and face after washing;
hairbrush;
sunglasses;
0.5L plastic bottle (for drinking water on the route);
thermos 0.5-0.75 l.;
toilet paper (useful during the day, on the route);
mug, spoon, plate. The mug is needed to drink tea prepared by the instructor during lunch. The plate is useful to put sliced and small foods (vegetables, cheese, olives, etc.) into it during lunch. The mug and plate should be non-breakable;
wet wipes (30 pcs.). There is no shower in the room in the mountain center of Aktru, so wet wipes are useful.
thread, needle;
cash;
trekking backpack (volume 25-35 liters). The backpack contains the tourist's personal belongings (fleece, raincoat, water bottle, etc.), as well as public food for lunch, which is issued by the instructor (the weight of the products is 400-600 grams);
podpopnik;
shoe dryers;
sunscreen;
protection factor SPF50 and higher;
hygienic lipstick;
individual first aid kit. Required: Band-aid;
hat, gloves. It can be cool in the evening and on cloudy days;
a headlamp. It will be useful to go to the toilet in the evening on the territory of the Aktru mountain center.

Dates and Prices

$908

5 – 12 Jul 8 days 7 nights

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$908

13 – 20 Jul 8 days 7 nights

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Reviews

Y
Yuri

about provider

25 Mar, 2025

The tour was very well organized. The transfers from the airport and railway station to the campsite, as well as from the campsite to the hiking trails, were smooth and convenient. The campsite itself was comfortable, with rooms equipped with showers and TVs. What impressed me the most, however, was the drying room on our floor! The weather in this region changes rapidly, and almost every day, our group got caught in the rain. Drying clothes and shoes while hiking can be a real challenge, back in Altai, after getting soaked in rain and snow, I was never able to fully dry my clothes, as it rained every night, and they only dried once I got home. Here, that problem was completely solved. A special thank you to our guide, Roman, an experienced mountain tour expert, a fascinating and cheerful companion, and undoubtedly a true mountain romantic. He went above and beyond to bring our diverse group together, chatting with everyone during the day and organizing engaging activities in the evenings. He shared captivating stories about his native Krasnoyarsk region, the Sayan Mountains, local customs, and legends, as well as personal anecdotes. Roman carefully selected routes based on the weather and terrain, always prioritizing the safety and well-being of the group. Roma, thank you so much!

Trekking to Altai. Aktru Gorge