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

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A fairy tale turned into reality, allowing you to spend time in the fresh, frosty air, plunge into the sensations of childhood admiring the snow-capped mountains and trees.

Staying in warm, cozy rooms, you will make fascinating excursions in a comfortable warm minibus. During the tour you will visit such interesting places as the island of Patmos, surrounded by the bright turquoise waters of Katun against the background of dazzling white snow, Blue lakes, the color of which against the background of crystal white snow will fascinate anyone, as well as other interesting places in the Altai Mountains.

Location

Gorno-Altaysk

Sightseeing tours

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

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Tour highlights

Ski resort

We will visit the GLK "Manzherok", climb the cable car, and if desired, ride buns, skiing or snowboarding

Swan Lake

We will admire the snow-white flock of swans and the picturesque panorama of the lake from the observation deck

Winter Waterfall

We will walk over the suspension bridge over the frozen Katun, and then walk along the forest path to the waterfall

Itinerary

Day 1 - A.N. Anokhin Museum
Check-in.
Breakfast at the cafe for those who arrived at Taezhnik before 10:45, for those who arrived later – lunch at 13:00.
Lunch at the cafe of the eco-hotel "Taezhnik".
After lunch, an excursion to the A.N. Anokhin Museum in Gorno-Altaisk, where the exposition of the burial place of Princess Ukok is presented, as well as guests will learn the history of Altai.
On this day, an excursion to Tugaya Mountain, which is located in the city, to the Zaisanov gazebo, is possible.
This tour will take place on the condition that more than half of the group members agree and if they have free time during daylight hours.
Transfer to the hotel for check-in.
Free evening.

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Day 2 - Kamyshlinsky waterfall and GLK "Manzherok"
Breakfast at the restaurant "Taezhnik".
After breakfast, departure for a guided tour.
Transfer to Barangol village.
Walking tour to Kamyshlinsky waterfall, which even under a thick layer of ice manages to shimmer over the rocks and sparkle in the bright winter sun.
First, guests will have to cross a pedestrian suspension bridge over the frozen Katun River, and then guests of Altai will have a walk along the forest path to the waterfall.
After enjoying the beauties of the winter forest and waterfall, the group returns to the bus.
Lunch at a cafe.
After lunch, travelers will visit the territory of the Manzherok all-season resort, where you will take a gondola lift to the Sinyukha Mountain observation deck, which offers a beautiful panorama of the Katun River Valley and adjacent mountain ranges.
At the end of the tour, tourists can stay at the ski complex and try their hand at downhill skiing, snowboarding, riding buns or snowmobiling, or take part in other outdoor activities that will be available at the resort.
Those who do not want to participate in the activities can return to the location and spend their free time at their discretion.
The services of the Manzherok VC, except for one excursion lift, are not included in the price of the tour.
Rental of any winter sports equipment available at the resort is available on the territory of the Manzherok Recreation Center.
Return to the hotel.
Length: by car – 40 km, on foot – 5 km.

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Day 3 - Tour of Chemal – the hot heart of Altai
Breakfast.
Departure for an excursion.
You will have a walking tour to the legendary Blue Lakes – the eyes of Katun, which open to the guests of Altai from the second half of September to the beginning of spring, where we arrange a small picnic.
The lake is located on the left bank of the Katun River, 4 km from the village of Askat.
In winter, the Katun River does not freeze in this place, as the Blue Lakes are localized and fed by springs.
The purest water allows you to examine the bottom of the lakes and the Katun inhabitants.
Lunch in the form of a picnic on the lake shore.
An exciting excursion to the Chemal regional center, known for its unique mild and warm climate, and its surroundings.
Tourists will visit the most interesting sights of the area, such as: Chemalskaya HPP, Dragon's Teeth, Goat trail, Sartakpai Gate, temple on Patmos Island.
Return to the hotel..
Length: by car – 287 km.

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Day 4 - Swan Lake and Belokurikha
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today, your path will lead to the neighboring region – Altai Krai, the foothills area is famous for its sights.
First stop: Lake Svetloye is a protected natural monument of the Altai Territory.
Every year, in late autumn, a snow–white flock of swans arrives at the lake and stays for the winter on the ice-free lake, hence the second name of the lake - Swan Lake.
A 10 m high observation deck has been built for everyone who wants to watch birds, offering a picturesque panorama of the lake.
You can observe the process of feeding swans from the feeder rafts fixed on the water surface, allowing you to take a closer look at these beautiful birds.
Transfer to the resort town of Belokurikha.
Belokurikha has a classic Siberian winter, but the climate is milder and frosts are more comfortably tolerated.
Stop for lunch at a cafe.
After lunch, those who wish can take the cable car to Tserkovka Mountain or walk along the eco-trail.
Meeting at 16:30 at the bus, transfer to the hotel
Day 5 - Chuisky tract: the Seminsky and Chike-Taman passes, the confluence of Chuya and Katuni
Early breakfast.
08:30 Departure for the tour.
The Chuisky Highway tour is the largest federal highway connecting Russia and Mongolia.
This road was known more than a thousand years ago as the Mungalsky Tract, where trade caravans traveled from the East to Russia and back.
Tourists will learn more about the history of the unique tract during the tour.
The group is expected to stop at the famous Seminsky and Chike-Taman mountain passes, stop in the Karakol Valley and walk to the Gopher monument, a panorama overlooking the Katun terraces, as well as at the confluence of the two great Altai rivers Chuya and Katun.
This tour is a great opportunity to get a holistic view of Altai.
Along the way, the group will constantly discover snow-white mountain ranges.
Lunch is provided at a roadside cafe.
Return to the hotel.
Length: by car – 510 km.

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Day 6 - Departure
Breakfast is served at the hotel from 7:00 to 10:30.
Gorno-Altaysk Airport is a 15-minute drive away.

Difficulty

Suitable for everyone

Accommodation

Camp Site

5 nights

Comfort

Midscale

The tour includes accommodation at the Igman Hotel in Gorno-Altaisk.

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

1-local	2-local
80 000	61 000

The modern and comfortable Igman Hotel is located near the bus station in Gorno-Altaisk.

The hotel offers its guests cozy rooms of various price categories. Each has a TV, and most are equipped with a private bathroom.

Room facilities and furniture: area of 15 sq. m., telephone, wardrobe/closet, bathroom, private bathroom, slippers, toiletries, shower, hairdryer, kitchen, refrigerator, kettle, electronics and entertainment, TV, WiFi.

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Tour conditions

Group

up to 14 tourists

Minimum age

6 years old

Duration

6 days 5 nights

Group meets at

Gorno-Altaysk

Included in price

accommodation in heated rooms with amenities;
meals specified in the program: breakfasts, lunches;
the work of a guide;
transportation by comfortable minibus according to the tour program;
entrance fees and recreational fees;
accident insurance and medical insurance;
delivery from GA airport in a group format is provided free of charge, any other type of delivery is at an additional cost, the fare is set by the carrier.

Paid extra

air and railway tickets to Barnaul, Gorno-Altaysk, Novosibirsk and back;
meals not included in the program: dinners;
delivery from any place, or in any other way, except for a group transfer from/to the airport.;
additional services not included in the tour program, including the services of the all-season resort Manzherok, are not included in the tour program.

It's important to know

documents (passport and MHI policy);
underwear (comfortable, preferably cotton) and thermal underwear (warm, multi-layered);
woolen and synthetic WARM socks (several pairs);
warm sweater (woolen, woolen or fleece);
insulated trousers (not restricting movements.), ski trousers are suitable;
insulated jacket or down jacket, you can use a ski jacket (on sintepon, down, etc., not blown. Remember, the temperature can drop to -35 at night and -25 during the day, so the jacket should be warm);
the shoes are warm and loose (not summer mesh sneakers);
hat, scarf and gloves (warm and not draughty, + hood);
clothes for home and sleep. (T-shirts\vests, tights\leggings);
sunglasses and sunscreen (yes, in winter in the Altai Mountains, when the sun is shining, you can get burned);
personal hygiene products;
individual first-aid kit (the guide will have a general first-aid kit, take personal medicines with you if there are indications for taking specific drugs);
video or photo camera (with a case on a sturdy belt and an additional rope).

Dates and Prices

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

$749

1 – 6 Jan, 2026 6 days 5 nights

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Reviews

DK
Dmitry Kolesnikov

about provider

11 Apr, 2025

Everything was excellent, I’ll definitely recommend it to my friends and family!

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M
Marina

about provider

18 Mar, 2025

The tour was excellently organized, every detail was carefully thought out, and every minute well-planned. Participants were surrounded by care and didn’t have to worry about a thing, just relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. The food and accommodation were top-notch. I especially want to highlight our guide, Sergey. His genuine love for Altai and deep respect for its nature are truly inspiring, and his warm, thoughtful attitude toward people makes the journey even more special. Traveling with him felt effortless and engaging, there was never a need to worry about anything because he took care of everything. My only piece of advice for future travelers: arrive a day early. That way, you can fully immerse yourself in the experience right from the start. I will wholeheartedly recommend your company to others.

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Winter Altai. January holidays