Walking tour to Shavlinsky lakes with packhorses

Travel to the heart of Altai, where sky-high peaks are reflected in turquoise lakes. Ancient trails are waiting for you, along which we will go in the company of hardy guide horses, conquering passes and spending the night around a campfire under the whisper of mountain rivers.

Meet the legendary Shavlinsky lakes, whose waters reflect the snow-capped peaks, and climb to the mysterious Karakabak lakes. Embark on a journey into the wild, where the line between a fairy tale and reality is blurred!

Location

Barnaul, Novosibirsk, Gorno-Altaysk, Biysk
from
$1,023
$1,146
The price is valid until 23 Jun
+ tickets to the starting point of the tour
No need to pay now
Duration
9 days
8 nights
Departures
16 - 24 Jun
26 Jun - 4 Jul
6 - 14 Jul
16 - 24 Jul
26 Jul - 3 Aug
5 - 13 Aug
15 - 23 Aug
25 Aug - 2 Sep
Accommodation
  • Tent
    8 nights
Comfort
  • Basic
Difficulty
Extreme
Only for experienced and physically fit tourists. Requires specific skills and equipment
Group
From 5 to 18 tourists
Minimum age
12 years old
Group meet at
Barnaul, Novosibirsk, Gorno-Altaysk, Biysk
Contact the tour coordinator
Weekdays: 8am - 8pm
Weekends: 8am - 7pm (GMT +3)
Or text us in messengers

Tour highlights

The beauty of the Shavlinsky lakes
You will see the Upper and Lower Shavlinsky lakes and admire the view of the glaciers of the Shavlinsky horseshoe
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city
Go on a real camping trip
Relaxation by the mountain river
Immerse yourself in a cleansing bath after a day-long journey, listening to the noise of the Chui

Itinerary

  • Day 1 - Car transfer to the village of Chibit

    The tour participants will meet in Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Biysk, Gorno-Altaysk, after which the formed group will travel by minibus to the starting point of the tour, the village of Chibit.

    You will have to travel along the most beautiful mountain road — the Chuisky highway.

    Its highest point is the Seminsky Pass (its height is 1717 meters).

    We will find ourselves on the pass after a long climb, see stunning landscapes, and then move to the next scenic point of the Chui tract — the Chike Taman pass.

    The road in this area is rich in serpentines, steep ascents and descents, and on both sides you can observe the majestic Altai mountains and atmospheric cedar forest.

    Another great moment of the trip is observing the confluence of the Chuya and Katun rivers.

    You will see their fast flowing, difficult rapids, and you will also be able to make sure that mountain rivers have a special character — stormy and unpredictable.

    In the evening, you will have a rest at the campsite near the village of Chibit and a dinner cooked over a campfire.

    Overnight in tents, on the banks of the Chuya River.

    By car (from Barnaul): 620 km, 9-10 hours on the road (excluding traffic jams and sanitary stops).

  • Day 2 - Chibit village – Mazhoy River (Maashey) – Karakabak River
  • Day 3 - Radial access to Karakabak Lakes
  • Day 4 - Karakabak River – Teldyskel plateau – parking on Shabaga River (Stake)
  • Day 5 - Parking on the Shabaga river – Lower Lake Shavlinsky
  • Day 6 - Radial exit to the Upper Shavlinsky Lake
  • Day 7 - Lower Shavlinsky Lake – confluence of the rivers Shavla and Shabaga
  • Day 8 - Confluence of the Shavla and Shabaga rivers – Yeshtykel plateau – Oroy creek – Chibit village
  • Day 9 - Chibit village – Gorno-Altaysk – Biysk – Barnaul – Novosibirsk
Difficulty
Only for experienced and physically fit tourists. Requires specific skills and equipment

Accommodation

Accommodation
  • Tent
    8 nights
Comfort
  • Basic

The tour provides accommodation in 2-3-seater modern tourist tents with an awning throughout the route.

The cost of the tour for 1 person, RUB: 76,000 RUB.

Tent 8 nights

Tour conditions

Group
From 5 to 18 tourists
Minimum age
12 years old
Duration
9 days 8 nights
Group meets at
Barnaul, Novosibirsk, Gorno-Altaysk, Biysk

Included in price

  • transportation from Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Biysk, Gorno-Altaysk to the village of Chibit and back;
  • transfer from Chibit village to Mazhoysky, and then from Oroysky bridge to Chibit village by UAZ car;
  • packhorse rental, for the active part of the tour from the second to the eighth;
  • payment for the bridge over the Chuya River, in both directions;
  • services of guides, horse breeders;
  • meals from dinner on the day of arrival to breakfast on the day of departure;
  • group equipment: tents, awning, campfire and cooking equipment, first aid kit;
  • personal equipment: sleeping bag, sleeping mat (karemat).
  • medical and accident insurance;
  • sauna according to the program, on the eighth day;
  • camping in tents on the first and eighth day;
  • registration of the group in the Ministry of Emergency Situations;
  • guided tours according to the program.

Paid extra

  • air and railway tickets to Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Biysk, Gorno-Altaysk and back;
  • insurance for foreign citizens, including CIS countries;
  • meals at roadside cafes, during the transfer;
  • additional baths, on the first day at the campsite and on the lakes;
  • services offered at the base parking lots and not included in the program;
  • any changes to the program that incur additional costs.

It's important to know

Personal equipment you need for the tour
  • backpack with wide straps, 80-100 liters;
  • reliable waterproof liner, plastic bags (a waterproof bag for protecting especially valuable personal items – money, documents, camera, etc.) from the water;
  • hiking shoes for hiking, sneakers or trekking boots with ankle fixation are best suited. Avoid new shoes that haven't been worn.;
  • replacement shoes for camping (sneakers, slates);
  • comfortable hiking clothing – sweatpants that do not restrict movement, made of lightweight, quick-drying material, a shirt or a long-sleeve T-shirt.;
  • a set of clothes for moving in the car and relaxing in the camp – trousers, shirt, shorts, T-shirt;
  • thermal underwear. Either tights, warm tights with a vest or a turtleneck (for sleeping);
  • a warm sweater;
  • warm jacket (sintepon or down jacket), at temperatures of 0, -5C;
  • warm hat (fleece or wool);
  • a cap or a panama hat;
  • gloves (even simple cotton ones will do);
  • socks – 2-3 pairs of cotton or linen, 1 pair of wool;
  • A waterproof raincoat or suit that can withstand heavy rain is a must! The raincoat should be durable, not made of thin polyethylene.;
  • bathing suit;
  • toilet and hygiene supplies, towel. Including hygienic lipstick and sunscreen with a high protection factor.;
  • sunglasses that protect your eyes from UV rays in the mountains;
  • small flashlight (head-mounted);
  • individual medicines;
  • a small water flask. You can use a plastic bottle with a capacity of 0.5 liters.;
  • a camera or video camera (optional) with hermetic packaging;
  • tourist seat (hoba);
  • trekking poles (available for rent);
  • personal tableware (bowl, mug, spoon, knife). The dishes should be made of metal or plastic.;
  • sleeping bags are provided, but it is better to have your own (comfort -5;0), since the sleeping bag is an object of individual use;
  • it is mandatory to have a passport (birth certificate), a medical insurance policy and money for souvenirs, extra money, etc.
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Dates and Prices

  • $1,146
    $1,023
    Early Booker Deal
    16 – 24 Jun 9 days 8 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $1,146
    $1,023
    Early Booker Deal
    26 Jun – 4 Jul 9 days 8 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $1,146
    $1,023
    Early Booker Deal
    6 – 14 Jul 9 days 8 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $1,146
    $1,023
    Early Booker Deal
    16 – 24 Jul 9 days 8 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now
  • $1,146
    $1,023
    Early Booker Deal
    26 Jul – 3 Aug 9 days 8 nights
    Submit request
    No need to pay now

Reviews Leave a review

  • V
    Valeri
    about provider
    10 Feb, 2026
    Special thanks to our guide, Lyudmila, she has a great sense of humor and was fantastic at working with our group. If the providers are reading this, she definitely deserves an award for her professionalism. We’re absolutely thrilled 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼 and will happily recommend you to everyone :)
  • A
    Anna
    about provider
    18 Nov, 2025
    Many thanks to the provider and especially to our guide Lyudmila. Everything was just as promised👍😊