Trekking to Altai. Aktru Gorge

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We will spend most of our vacation high in the mountains, in the Aktru gorge. Then we will go lower, to the area of the villages of Chibit and Aktash, to see the most curious Geyser Lake and the colorful Altai Mars.

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 purest spring and lake Sachki, in which the huge mountain Kara-Tash is reflected in the morning. And in the evenings, the paths at the campsite are illuminated by dozens of lanterns with soft light. There are several trekking tours 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

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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

The Mystery of the Geyser Lake

We will see a green lake with stunning blue patterns and find out how they are born at the bottom

Rainbow mountains of Altai

Our eyes will be pleased with the mixture of yellow, red, and orange shades of Altai Mars

Itinerary

Day 1 - Aktru Gorge
09:30 local time (Moscow time + 4 hours) – gathering of the group at the airport in Gorno-Altaysk.
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 Chui highway, around the mountains, the forest and sometimes the playful Katun River will flash outside the window.
Then we transfer to an all-terrain vehicle (ZIL or UAZ) 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
Let's start our acquaintance with the stunning Aktru Gorge by trekking to the Small Aktru Glacier!
Cedar forests are spread out near our campsite, and here many of you will see for the first time an unusual coniferous larch tree that throws off 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 sooo many gorgeous photo locations on this day, get ready!
Crossing the river on the bridge, we will go to the Maly Aktru glacier.
This glacier modestly looks out from behind the back of 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 the Large Aktru Glacier will appear in the distance, 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 "Teacher Pass".
At the end of June in these places, our eyes will be pleased with blooming roasts, catchments and even large, pink peonies!
The ascent to the Uchitel Pass will be quite steep at first, the trail sharply gains altitude.
After climbing to the solar panels, the path becomes more gentle and then continues over the rocks.
Here you will thank yourself for taking trekking boots that protect your feet.
We rise higher, higher and a little higher!
From the height we will see our camp, the neighboring mountain ranges and the distant Kurai steppe, along which we recently drove 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 chose a small forest for themselves and settled here.
There are huge cedars in the forest, there is usually silence, no wind, and it is always a little warmer here than near the camp.
Dwarves like to hide in the forest and each of our groups tries 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 meadows.
Going down to 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 hurry today!
And then we'll go back 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 path 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 rather steep climb at this point.
There are small, loose stones under your feet and you will thank your trekking boots again!
After overcoming the rise, 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 here.
The lake is big and beautiful!
Most often it has a greenish color, but it is called a Blue Lake.
We don't stop there!
Let's go a little higher, to an absolutely incredible observation deck!
Do you like it when your heart stops in the mountains?
Get ready, it will be here!
From the observation deck, we will look at the huge Bolshoy Aktru glacier from above.
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, beautiful, snowy mountains!
Then we descend into the valley and arrive at our campsite, where we will spend 2 nights.
Active part: 2 km.

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Day 7 - Geyser Lake and Mars-1
Today is a walking day with small trekking elements.
We will see two Altai locations, each of which is truly unique!
Geyser Lake is a real miracle of Altai!
In the middle of the forest, locals once discovered a green lake with stunning blue patterns!
Arriving here, you will definitely find out how these extraordinary patterns are born on the bottom.
Let's go further to Mars!
It is absolutely amazing, but among the green, forested Altai there is practically a desert, whose name is Kyzyl-Chin.
Here are the colorful, rainbow mountains of Altai!
Your eye will be pleased with a mixture of yellow, red, and orange shades.
Mars is exactly the name that tourists came up with for this area.
Active part: 7.3 km, altitude difference within 150-200 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 the Nomad campsite or a campsite of a similar type (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 equipment rental: boilers, gas burners (for making tea for lunch in the mountains from June to August), a group first aid kit;
excursion to Geyser Lake and Mars-1, entrance tickets to the specified locations;
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 occupancy in the room;
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);
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 chopped and small products (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

The tour dates are not confirmed yet. Please, for clarification

$749

12 – 19 Jul, 2025 8 days 7 nights

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$749

21 – 28 Jul, 2025 8 days 7 nights

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No need to pay now